03/17/2026
The Hungarian Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Hungarian Canadian Business Association organized a highly successful gala dinner at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto to commemorate the 1848–49 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight. 🇭🇺
Guests were welcomed by Sándor Balla, host of the evening, President of the Hungarian Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Hungarian Canadian Business Association, and Executive Director of HEPA Regional Office Canada. This was followed by speeches from Brad Bradford, Toronto City Councillor, and Dr. János Jákó, Consul General of Hungary in Toronto. 🎤
On the occasion of the national holiday, the participants were also greeted by the evening’s guest of honor, Dr. Gábor Artner, Deputy CEO of the HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency. In his ceremonial remarks, he emphasized that the message of 1848 remains relevant today: freedom is not an individual achievement but a shared responsibility that must be lived and protected together. He also highlighted that the Hungarian community in Canada represents this spirit by building bridges between people, businesses, and countries. 🤝
The event also featured remarks from Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General of Ontario, and Rudy Cuzzetto, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines. The event was also honored by the presence of the board of the European Chamber of Commerce in Canada. 🇨🇦🇪🇺
During the evening, the 2026 edition of the Corvina Directory, an important business registry of the Hungarian Canadian business community, was officially introduced.
The festive program was made memorable by special musical performances. Pianists Thomas Torok and Gergő Teleki captivated the audience with their impressive piano performances, including a special four-hand piece. The gala dinner concluded with a highly successful concert by Lilla Polyák, one of Hungary’s leading musical theatre singers. 🎹🎶
Throughout the evening, culture, gastronomy, and tradition came together, celebrating the spirit of Hungarian freedom and the unity of the Hungarian community in Canada. 🍷🍽️
We would like to thank all our guests, supporters, and contributors for joining us in remembering and celebrating the spirit of Hungarian freedom in Toronto. 🇭🇺🇨🇦
