A controversial monument to mark the crossover of Hungarian tribes from Asia across the Carpathian mountains into Zakarpattya was opened July 21, Zakarpattya oblast PR department told ZIK. According to ZIK, the opening ceremony was attended by Ukraine Ambassador to Hungary Dmytro Tkach and Hungary Ambassador to Ukraine Andrash Barshon, lawmaker Andrash Tot and representatives of Zakarpattya Hungarian and other ethnic communities.
Addressing the audience, Andrash Barshon says the unveiling indicates the tolerant position of the Ukrainian authorities toward the needs of ethnic minorities in Zakarpattya. “It is an indication of good-neighborly relations between our countries,” he added. Hungarian lawmaker Andrash Tot stressed that the monument will rally Zakarpattya residents and the Ukrainian and Hungarian peoples.
The monument was authored by Petro Matl, and symbolized a gateway between the East and the West. It looks like a chapel built from 7 stones, each for a Hungarian tribe that united to cross the mountains.
