THE GALA EVENING – WE’LL BE SEEING YOU AGAIN, IN MARSEILLES!
The last stage of Christmas in Europe in Budapest was the gala evening and dinner. This was something that could not be missed by the participants - and the last event on the programme since on the following day the delegations set off back home.
The gymnasium of the Giorgio Perlasca School was beautifully decorated and was the setting for this evening’s event. The tables had been laid with care and taste, the student restaurant service brigade was ready to go and a house apéritif was served at the entrance. On schedule at 19.30 the guests took their seats around the tables for a banquet prepared for them by the kitchen brigade.
In welcoming the participants, school director Csilla Dévényi pronounced this fine phrase which suffices to sum up everything: ‘You came as foreigners and you leave as friends’.
And when the time for speeches came, AEHT Vice-President Louis Robert, representing President Klaus Enengl who was unable to be present, warmly thanked the organisers from the Giorgio Perlasca School of Budapest: ‘You have carried out a great task for this enormous feast which represents the diversity of Europe’, he exclaimed, presenting a gift to Csilla Dévényi. In addition he presented the ‘Golden Book of the First 20 Christmases in Europe’, a copy of which was handed to György Resz, ‘Mr Communication’. And at the same time he also presented a book entitled ‘Christmases Across the World’, before singing the praises of AEHT General Secretary Nadine Schintgen, the Association’s linchpin who, what is more, supervises the Youth in Action programme for this Christmas in Europe.
Together with Joos Tamas, Director of the Cultural Centre and the teacher György Resz, Csilla Dévényi then handed their attendance certificates to each delegation to applause from those present, and finally moved on to the traditional handing over of the AEHT flag to the Marseilles team which was there in force.
And finally Agnès Vaffier, director of the Marseilles Hotel and Tourism School, said how delighted she had been to take part in this Christmas in Europe, which her school would in turn be organising in 2013. She declared that following what they had experienced in Budapest, they would do all in their power to make a success of Christmas in Europe in Marseilles.
Another rendition of the European anthem marked the final ending of this evening.
the gymnasium transformed into a restaurant
the VIP table
Louis Robert hands a present to Csilla Dévényi
resentation of the ‘Golden Book of Christmases in Europe’ and ‘Christmases Across the World’
A young singer enchanted the audience
The brigade of the students responsible for food service
Marseilles takes possession of the AEHT flag
Agnès Vaffier speaks to the audience
