“Freedom is not free,” a lesson that has been proven many times throughout history, including the Hungarian revolution of 1848, when thousands lost their lives in the struggle for freedom against the Habsburg Empire. Now, 171 years later, we also learn that a soccer field is not free either. On the occasion of remembering the revolutionaries of 1848, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szíjjártó inaugurated the Nyárád Aréna in Nyáradszereda/Miercurea Nirajului. It is a 100 by 62 meter soccer field covered with artificial grass, can seat up to 250 and is licensed for official, 3rd league matches. The Hungarian government invested about EUR 320,000 in the field itself, while the town of Nyárádszereda financed the road leading up to the arena with about EUR 100,000.
In his inauguration speech, Szíjjártó emphasized the importance of sports as a pastime that connects Hungarians in and outside of Hungary. Characterizing Hungary as a sports nation, he underlined that the investment intends to allow young Hungarians to put that spirit into practice. After all the words, deeds followed: the three representatives officially inaugurated the field by cutting the ribbon. This final act ended the event but was also the start of the first official match pitting the youth team of Nyárádszereda against guests Csíkszereda/Mirecurea Ciuc. Before heading back to Budapest, the minister was asked to open the game with a free-kick. Under the eyes of the locals, press corps, and shouts of “hajrá Szereda!” (“go Szereda!) Szijjártó took a well-placed shot against the home goalie, who self-confidently blocked the minister’s shot. That miss did not spark a bloody revolution but hopefully a fruitful new-beginning of soccer-playing in the town of Nyárádszereda and Transylvania.
