The Hungarian community in Macedonia marked Saturday Hungary's National Holiday - March 15, marking the beginning of 1848 Independence revolution against Habsburg domination.

- This holiday bears emotional significance for us Hungarians, as it symbolizes the uniting of Hungarian people and Hungary, the country's Ambassador to Macedonia Ferenz Kekeshy said at a formal academy in Skopje.

Many Aegean Macedonians, who found shelter in Hungary after being expelled from Greece in the period of the Civil War,  are celebrating with the Hungarian community today, Kekeshy said.

Jozef Shutush, chairperson of the Association of Hungarians in Macedonia 'Telehaz', said that since its establishment in 2003, 'Telehaz' has been nourishing the Hungarian culture and language by introducing them to the citizens of Macedonia via various events, such as the weeks of Hungarian Culture and Film.

In 2006, Hungarian President Ferenz Madl posthumously decorated Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski for his contribution to international politics. Last year Hungary decorate the prominent Macedonian poet, Pakal Gilevski, for his contribution to developing the cultural ties between the two countries.

The Hungary Revolution started on March 15, 1848, with bloodless events in Pest and Buda (mass demonstrations forcing the imperial governor to accept all demands), followed by various insurrections throughout the kingdom, which enabled Hungarian reformists to declare Hungary's new government and first Prime Minister Lajos Batthyány of Hungary. The new government approved a sweeping reform package, referred to as the "April laws" (also referred to as the "March Laws"), which essentially created a democratic political system in Hungary.