At the 31st Flowering Hungary Gala, Dunakeszi‘s beautiful parks, flowery public spaces, beautiful promenades, and the environmental beautification activities of the city government were recognized with a special Prime Minister’s Award.
“We have already received an award twice at the Flowering Hungary competition, but we have never received this much recognition before. We won the Prime Minister’s Special Award for beautifying the environment,” writes Mayor Csaba Dióssi on his social media page. “I would like to thank our head gardener Eszter Tóth, our assistant head gardener Krisztina Balás-Szabó and the deputy mayor responsible for environmental protection Márton Nyíri, that Dunakeszi’s public spaces, parks and flower beds are eye-catching in every season. This requires expertise and a woman’s sense of beauty,” the city’s mayor proudly writes.
“We received the Prime Minister’s Special Award last night at the 31st Flowering Hungary Gala! Happiness! … and Thank you!” – writes Eszter Tóth, Dunakeszi’s head gardener on her social media page, who continues her post: “Happiness, because the professional jury sees our work as outstanding, that it is innovative, takes sustainability aspects into account, follows ecological principles and helps build the community, and Dunakeszi is the green infrastructures and green networks in terms of its design and quality, it has developed by leaps and bounds in recent years! From the words of the Prime Minister, what impressed me the most was that a tree, a flower is planted for the community of the people living there… they can be really happy, because there are people who work for
Thank! … that I could be here! With Kriszta, my colleague, who designs the most beautiful flower beds in the world, and Dávid Sipos - who represented the city administration as deputy mayor, without whose support none of this would have been possible.
Thanks to everyone who helps us! Who works with us! He plants, weeds, plans, takes care of trees, cuts grass, grows plants and takes care of them!” – writes the excellent head gardener on his Facebook page.
Márton Nyíri, the city’s deputy mayor responsible for environmental protection, said: “When we launched the Green Dunakeszi Program around 2010, we didn’t even dare to hope for something like this. But this time Dunakeszi, our flowery and beautiful parks, and professionally managed green areas were recognized based on the opinion of a professional jury. Of course, there was little political intention for this, it required specialists and a woman’s sense of beauty.”
Photo: Facebook page of Zsolt Kovács and Eszter Tóth
How can other cities effectively engage their communities in environmental beautification efforts?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Eszter Tóth, Head Gardener of Dunakeszi
Time.news Editor: Good day, Eszter! Thank you for joining us today. Congratulations on receiving the Prime Minister’s Special Award at the 31st Flowering Hungary Gala! How does it feel to be recognized for the beauty of Dunakeszi’s parks and public spaces?
Eszter Tóth: Thank you so much! It feels absolutely amazing. It’s a recognition of the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and it truly validates our efforts to enhance the environment in Dunakeszi.
Time.news Editor: You mention a team effort. Can you elaborate on the collaborative dynamics that go into the beautification projects you lead?
Eszter Tóth: Absolutely! The success of our projects hinges on collaboration. I work closely with Krisztina Balás-Szabó, our assistant head gardener, and the deputy mayor for environmental protection, Márton Nyíri. We share a common vision and passion for creating vibrant, eye-catching spaces. Each one of us brings unique skills to the table, which is crucial for achieving our goals.
Time.news Editor: Mayor Csaba Dióssi praised you and your team for bringing a “woman’s sense of beauty” to the city’s landscaping. How do you interpret that acknowledgment?
Eszter Tóth: I believe it symbolizes the importance of emotional intelligence in gardening and beautification. Aesthetic design is not just about colors or patterns; it’s also about understanding the emotional impact of green spaces on the community. Our work is about creating environments where people feel happy and connected to nature, which is something that often resonates deeply with women who engage with these spaces.
Time.news Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective. Can you share some of the environmental beautification projects that have been particularly impactful in Dunakeszi?
Eszter Tóth: Certainly! One of the highlights has been the enhancement of our local parks, where we’ve introduced diverse flower beds that bloom across seasons. We’ve also worked hard to create accessible and pleasant promenades for residents and visitors to enjoy. Not only do these projects beautify our city, but they also promote biodiversity, which is vital for our ecosystem.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear that the impact goes beyond aesthetics. How important is community involvement in your projects, and do you see local residents participating?
Eszter Tóth: Community involvement is crucial! We often organize workshops and events where residents can help plant flowers or learn about sustainable gardening practices. It fosters a sense of ownership and pride in our public spaces. When people feel connected, they’re more likely to take care of these areas.
Time.news Editor: What advice would you give to other cities looking to enhance their public spaces and advocate for environmental beautification?
Eszter Tóth: My advice is to start small. Focus on specific areas that can be improved rather than trying to transform everything at once. Engage with the local community to understand their needs and desires, and leverage their support. Consistency and passion go a long way, and most importantly, embrace creativity!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Eszter! Your insights are incredibly valuable. It sounds like Dunakeszi continues to bloom beautifully under your guidance. We can’t wait to see more of what your team accomplishes in the future!
Eszter Tóth: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing our work. I hope to inspire others to bring more beauty and sustainability into their communities!