Reagan Statue Unveiling Ceremony in Budapest

June 29, 2011

Statue of President Reagan

A statue of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was unveiled at a ceremony on June 29 at Szabadsag ter in Budapest as part of a year-long celebration commemorating the 100th birthday of the 40th President. 

Speakers at the ceremony included U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary Zsolt Semjén,  former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,  former Attorney General  Edwin Meese and  the Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-California). The event also included video montages of Reagan’s life and work.

The seven-foot bronze statue was sculpted by István Máté, a renowned Hungarian artist who has over 140 pieces on display throughout Hungary. The statue portrays Reagan in mid-stride with his hands open as if he were taking a walk in the square, which is meant to represent the ease with which he was able to connect with people. 

This event is one of several events that will take place throughout Europe this week in commemoration of the Reagan Centennial.