Novelties planned for August 20 holiday

Tomorrow's August 20 festivities will have new features, such as a parade of ships on the Danube instead of an air show, a display by a national mounted unit, and a Hungarian gastro-lane along the riverside, government spokeswoman Anna Nagy announced on Wednesday.

The Lajta, the last remaining battleship from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, has been refitted and will be rechristened outside Parliament tomorrow. The ship will eventually go on permanent public display at Neszmély, near Esztergom, next year.

The fireworks display, to be launched from three ships floating on the Danube rather than from the Gellért Hill, will be shorter and more economical than in previous years. The 18-minute show will begin at 9 p.m. The fireworks will be called off if the wind speed exceeds 45km per hour.

Vendors in the gastro-lane will donate over 50% of any profits towards post-flood reconstruction in northeast Hungary, Nagy said.

Candles will also be lit for flood victims. Donations will be forwarded via the five largest Hungarian aid organisations.

In traditional ceremonies, Defence Minister Csaba Hende and President Pál Schmitt will make speeches at the inauguration of officers on Heroes Square from 11 a.m.

Jobbik mayoral candidate Gábor Staudt will host a St. Stephen's Day festivity on Margaret Island on Friday.

Parking will be restricted in riverside sections of the First, Second, Fifth, Ninth and Eleventh Districts from 8 a.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Saturday.

A central base will monitor safety of the festivities with authority to cancel events in the event of circumstances that could endanger the safety of people. If a storm should endanger the fireworks display, loudspeakers placed between Margit híd and Erzsébet híd will be used to notify spectators.

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