The congress opened on Sunday in Szombathely's main square as guests greeted each other and their host city in their own languages and in Esperanto. The participants were welcomed by Szombathely deputy mayor Gábor Szabó and chairman of the Vas county council Ferenc Kovács.
After the formalities, the congress participants joine in a water gun duel - a staid tradition at Esperanto meetings in Hungary - with the local fire brigade.
Congress organiser Veronika Acsády said a special theme at this year's event would be community and minority rights. A Linguistic and Cultural Festival is also on the programme for July 31.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / Photo: László Czika (MTI)
