President Tamás Sulyok said the Hungarian nation yields exceptional people and Hungarian culture exceptional achievements.

During a ceremony in Parliament on Friday, the president handed over the Kossuth and Széchenyi prizes as well as the Order of Merit of Hungary on the eve of Hungary's March 15 national holiday.

"Studying and further improving our culture, protecting the nation's freedom and strengthening the homeland not only with blood and sacrifice but through work, a fruitful life and creation is an obligation and responsibility at the same time," the president said in his address.

Recipients of the high awards "have created lasting values, contributing to our national culture and strengthening the nation," the president said.

"You are crucial builders of today's Hungarian culture ... what you have created will be a shared asset for the next generations," he added.