High officials from Croatia, Hungary and Turkey mark an important historical event.
Croatian Nikola Šubić Zrinski gave his life both as a Croat and as a Hungarian for values which are the foundation of Europe even today, fulfilling his duty to protect “Christian civilization and culture”, said Hungarian President Janos Ader on Wednesday at events marking the 450th anniversary of the Siege of Szigetvar, reports Index.hr on September 7, 2016.
Attended by dignitaries from Croatia, Hungary and Turkey, the event was held in Hungary to mark the anniversary of the siege which history claims saved Vienna, thanks to the commander of the fort Nikola Šubić Zrinski. “The fate of Europe depended on this mission”, said the Hungarian President, pointing out that Zrinski’s personal character, his “complete loyalty and utter devotion to the homeland” had proven to be more important than weapons.
Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1566 started his 13th expedition, the conquest of Vienna. On his way stood the fort in Szigetvar, which was defended by about 2,500 soldiers, mostly Croats, led by captain Nikola Šubić Zrinski. After a month-long siege, the Sultan died of natural causes. Nikola Šubič Zrinski with the rest of the surviving soldiers launched an attack on 7 September where they all perished.
Ader, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak inaugurated a monument to Nikola Šubić Zrinski. Croatian President said that, “despite the fall of Szigetvar, the outcome of the battle was perceived as a victory in all of Europe”. She stressed that this battle to Croats and Hungarians was more than a single episode in a long war. “Zrinski’s personal character is a permanent inspiration and commitment. Today, fortunately, such qualities are no longer needed in war, but they are equally important in peace”, she said.
President Grabar-Kitarović said that Hungary and Croatia shared traditional and modern European values, which were also “largely shared by Turkey as well, as a European country, a candidate for membership in the EU, and a member of NATO”.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Kaynak said that “this location should be a point that will symbolize the friendship and brotherhood of the three nations”.
President Grabar-Kitarović and Hungarian President will later visit Croatian community in Pecs and Hungarian community in Karanac in Croatia.
