Every
April, when the azaleas are in full bloom, the citizens of Norfolk,
Virginia honor NATO with a
week-long celebration known as Norfolk's International Azalea
Festival. Visitors are treated to a kaleidoscope of activities
including the Parade of Nations, the Coronation of Queen Azalea,
and the Queen's Dinner and Ball. The 2003 gala
event celebrated all of NATO's 19 member
nations in a special 50th anniversary tribute.
The tradition of the International Azalea Festival began in 1953,
just one year after the establishment of NATO's Supreme Allied Command
Atlantic (SACLANT) in Norfolk. Each
year a queen is chosen from the NATO member state designated
Most Honored Nation. In addition, each of the other 18 NATO states is represented by a
"princess" native to her country and
chosen by the country1s respective Ambassador to the United States
and their senior national representatives at SACLANT.
This
year the United States of America has been named Most Honored Nation
and Jennifer Robb, a 24-year-old math teacher and granddaughter of
President Lyndon B. Johnson, reigned as
Queen Azalea during the Festival.
Hungary
was represented by Csenge Józsa (below), a 17-year-old student from
BCC High School, Maryland, the daughter of the Cultural Attaché of
the Embassy of Hungary.
