Hungary celebrated its national holiday on Wednesday with Europe's largest fireworks display over the River Danube's route through Budapest.

During the elaborate 30-minute show, spectators could see more than 45,000 pyrotechnics launched from 500 sites, barges, and bridges along a five-kilometer (3.1 miles) stretch of the river.

The annual fireworks were complemented by a drone show forming symbols from Hungarian history.

Officially known as St. Stephen's Day, August 20 is one of Hungary's most significant national holidays when the country celebrates the establishment of the Hungarian state and honors the legacy of King Stephen I, who established the Christian Kingdom of Hungary in the year 1000.

Some 3.6 billion forints ($10.6 million) was spent on the fireworks display this year, more than ever before.

While the populist government uses the show to stir national pride and unity, public opinion surveys indicate two-thirds of Hungarians do not believe the government should spend such large sums on the event.

Many believe the annual show is too expensive and the money would be better spent elsewhere in a time when the country’s economy is faltering under the weight of declining GDP, record inflation, and the struggling local currency.

AP video shot by Bela Szandelszky