Turkmenistan’s cultural heritage is showcased for the first time in Hungary as part of the Turkmen Cultural Days at the House of Traditions, with the opening event held on Wednesday evening.
‘This is the first major event in Hungary to feature Turkmenistan’s cultural heritage,’ Máté Vincze, Deputy State Secretary for Public Collections and Cultural Development at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (KIM) highlighted in a statement.
Vincze noted that the timing of this programme coincides with the upcoming Kurultáj in Hungary, an annual gathering of Turkic peoples held since 2008. He emphasized that both Hungary and Turkmenistan hold observer status in the Turkic Council, fostering cooperation in various fields over the years. ‘Cultural diplomacy is about nations striving to understand each other and discovering their shared cultural roots. This event allows Turkmenistan to enrich Hungary’s cultural offerings,’ he added.
The Wednesday evening programme featured a grand gala concert with performances by Turkic artists, alongside a representation from Hungary by the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble. Additionally, an exhibition showcasing the best of Turkic culture was opened at the House of Traditions as part of the series.
‘Hungary has a long tradition of reaching out to neighbouring and distant peoples with a spirit of friendship and curiosity.
Unlike in the West, where ethnographic collections often resulted from colonialism, in Hungary, scholars and citizens sought to understand the similarities and shared patterns in folk art, music, and common thought. This tradition continues with the first Turkmen Cultural Days in Hungary,’ said Vincze.
Hemra Amannazarov, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Hungary, expressed in his opening speech the honour of presenting his country’s culture at the Hungarian House of Traditions and praised the strong cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Boglárka Illés, State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, highlighted the parallels between the cultural values of the two countries in her speech. She noted that the Stipendium Hungaricum programme annually offers twenty Turkmen students the opportunity to learn Hungarian. ‘This programme can help the younger generation understand each other’s cultures better, which is key to forging fruitful future collaborations. The present event aims to preserve cultural identity, where language serves not only as a tool but also as a pillar,’ she emphasized.
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