The Aporia · Hungarians and Slovaks share breakfast on Danube bridge that survived war and division

On September 19, locals from Esztergom in Hungary and Sturovo in Slovakia gathered on the Maria Valeria Bridge to share a communal breakfast celebrating cross-border friendship. The bridge, which connects the two towns over the Danube River and was destroyed twice during World War II, reopened in 2001 after nearly six decades of neglect. Participants enjoyed meals together, fostering new friendships between Hungarian and Slovak communities despite occasional political tensions related to Slovakia's ethnic Hungarian minority.

Written by AI on 2026-09-19, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

On September 19, residents from Esztergom in Hungary and Sturovo (also known as Parkany) in Slovakia gathered on the historic Maria Valeria Bridge to share a communal breakfast. The bridge, which has been destroyed twice since its construction in 1895—most recently by retreating German forces during World War II—and then rebuilt in 2001, served as a symbolic venue for fostering friendship between the two communities. Organized by Norbert Nagy, the event featured tables laid out along the bridge offering food like croissants and coffee to encourage interaction among locals from both sides of the border. Despite some tensions often stirred up by politicians, local people highlighted their peaceful coexistence, with Laszlo Valacsay stating that such issues are not generated by the residents but rather by those in power. Ethnic Hungarians constitute about 9% of Slovakia's population of 5.5 million people, many of whom live in villages along this border area.

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But Laszlo Valacsay, who also took part in the breakfast, said such tensions were often stirred by politicians, while local people lived peacefully side by side. "It was always generated, but not by the people, by us, who live here..no, no," he said.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-19

🔮 "I think the people of Esztergom and Parkany could mix a bit more," organiser Norbert Nagy said.

2026-09-19 · The Straits Times

Hungarians and Slovaks share breakfast on Danube bridge that survived war and division · assertive framing

Hungarians and Slovaks share breakfast on Danube bridge that survived war and division ESZTERGOM, Hungary/STUROVO, Slovakia, Sept 19 - asserted

that → share → war

A historic bridge linking Hungary and Slovakia became an unlikely breakfast venue on Saturday, as locals gathered on the Danube crossing to celebrate friendship between the two neighbouring communities. asserted

locals → link → communities

The Maria Valeria Bridge, which connects Esztergom in Hungary and Sturovo in Slovakia, has twice been destroyed and rebuilt since it first opened in 1895. asserted

it → connect → 1895

In late 1944, as World War Two drew to a close, retreating German troops blew up its three middle sections. asserted

troops → draw → sections

The bridge then lay neglected for nearly 60 years, forcing people to cross the border by ferry during decades of communist rule. asserted

bridge → lie → rule

It reopened in its original glory in 2001. asserted

It → reopen → 2001

On Saturday, dozens of tables were laid out along the bridge for a community breakfast of croissants, ham, cheese and coffee. asserted

dozens → lay → croissants

Participants from both towns were paired based on their interests and languages, encouraging new cross-border friendships. asserted

Participants → pair → friendships

"I think the people of Esztergom and Parkany could mix a bit more," organiser Norbert Nagy said. uncertain

Nagy → think → Esztergom

Ethnic Hungarians make up about 9% of Slovakia's 5.5 million people, and many live in Sturovo, known in Hungarian as Parkany. asserted

many → make → Parkany

"I met a really lovely and kind person here this morning on the bridge, so it was a great experience for me," said Mark Zelenak, who arrived from Esztergom. asserted

who → meet → Esztergom

Hungary and Slovakia have shared open borders since both joined Europe's Schengen zone in 2007, although political tensions have occasionally surfaced over Slovakia's ethnic Hungarian minority. asserted

tensions → share → minority

he → take → us

Hungarians and Slovaks share breakfast on Danube bridge that survived war and division

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