Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season at the Half-Way Point

The Hungarian-Turkish cultural season, which marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, has reached its halfway point.

The season was launched with the slogan '100 events in the 100th year', and more than 70 cultural programs will be organized in Hungary in the first half of 2024, Gülsen Karanis, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Hungary, said at a press conference in Budapest on Tuesday.

She added that in the second half of the year, in addition to Budapest, audiences will also be welcome in Győr, Debrecen, Bugac and Szigetvár, among others.

In the first part of the season, 87 events, including gala performances, exhibitions, workshops, literary, gastronomic and children's programs, were organized in 15 cities in Turkey, including Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, Izmil and Rostov-on-Don, in cooperation with 71 partners.

As for other events, the Istanbul Jazz Festival with Hungarian performers will take place in July, an exhibition of Hungarian painting from the 19th to the 20th century will open, the Hungarian operetta genre will be presented, and in the fall, sporting events, scientific conferences, contemporary photography and painting exhibitions will be organized.

Ambassador Karanis highlighted that one of the most prestigious events of the cultural season will be celebrated on October 29 at the Music Academy in Budapest and at the Kölcsey Center in Debrecen, with a performance by the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. In Debrecen, Anadol Refik's digital collection will be presented, and in November, a performance of Murad IV will be shown at the Budapest Operetta Theatre. The closing event will take place on December 18 at the Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul.

She was of the view that one of the most important achievements of the cultural season was bridges being built between Turkish and Hungarian artists and cultural institutions. She also pointed out that in 2025, Turkey and Hungary will work together under the motto of the Year of Science and Innovation.