OPEN DAY OF EU DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SUCCESSFUL AGAIN

Over ten thousand visitors turned up at the spectacular sites of cultural, transport, recreational, industrial or even scientific development projects implemented in the framework of the New Széchenyi Plan. The programme entitled “Open Day of EU Development Projects – Walk Behind the Scenes” was put up in over 60 points of the country for a second time this year on Saturday. The most popular visiting site in Budapest was the Kálvin tér station of Metro Line 4: some 400 visitors could descend 25 meters below the surface, and, under professional guidance, acquaint themselves with the major parameters and methods of the construction of the metro station; moreover, the more enterprising ones could peer into the tunnels of the new metro.

“Development projects in Hungary are substantially defined by EU funds. The results so achieved indeed influence our daily lives, which we tend to forget, as we do not see what is behind the scenes. With the ‘Open Day of EU Development Projects’ we sought to bring these things closer to the people, which, seeing the interest elicited, has been successful”, says Secretary of State Nándor Csepreghy of the National Development Ministry responsible for development projects.

The first “Open Day” organized in March this year by the National Development Agency had some 30 sites only, but, enthused by the success, it now opened the doors of over 60 sites before visitors. The success was also enhanced by the beautiful weather and the first day of school holidays, and thus visitors made their way primarily to open-air programmes, thermal baths and cultural sites. Naturally, EU-funded projects attracted visitors to sites in the countryside, as well, and many cultural institutions likewise opened their doors throughout the country. The intention of the National Development Agency is to organize the next “Open Day” on Europe Day, 9 May, next year, and then do so annually so as to have more and more people find out about EU development projects.

National Development Agency
BKV Zrt. DBR Metro Project Directorate

Photos by Szabolcs Pető, DBR

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