Chile and Hungary: A Century of Shared History…

In 2025, Chile and Hungary commemorated 100 years of diplomatic relations, marking a century of friendship, dialogue, and meaningful human connections.

Throughout this period, the relationship between the two countries has been strengthened not only through political and institutional ties, but also through the contributions of individuals who have built bridges between our societies.

Shared heritage
One of the most significant expressions of this shared heritage is the contribution of the Hungarian community to Chile’s cultural development. During the 1920s, Hungarian artists migrated to Chile, bringing with them the traditions and influence of the Hungarian school of painting. These artists became an important part of Chile’s cultural development, enriching the country’s diversity and identity.
As part of the continuation of these centenary commemorations, and entering the 101st year of Chile-Hungary diplomatic relations, the Embassy is working together on a cultural initiative with the Hungarian National Gallery / Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, to open an exhibition in November dedicated to these artists. As many of them established their lives in Chile and never returned to Hungary, we are aiming to symbolically return them to their country of origin, recognizing the lasting contribution of figures like Pál Vidor – who, after settling in Chile, went on to become Director of the Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago – as well as other Hungarian artists and the wider Hungarian community to Chile.

Creating new opportunities
This celebration of our shared history is taking place alongside a new stage in bilateral cooperation. In December 2023, Hungary ratified the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) between Chile and the European Union, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening relations with Chile and contributing to the creation of a broader and more ambitious framework for cooperation. In doing so, Hungary became the first European Union Member State to sign the AFA with Chile, reflecting the positive momentum and shared interest in deepening bilateral ties.
The AFA represents an opportunity to transform our longstanding friendship into concrete initiatives in areas of mutual interest, including innovation, technology, environmental protection and sustainable development. By encouraging the exchange of experiences, knowledge and best practices, Chile and Hungary can continue developing cooperation that responds to common challenges while creating new opportunities for both societies.

Committed to strengthening dialogue
The evolution of Chile-Hungary relations demonstrates a continuous process of renewal: from the cultural exchanges that shaped our shared history to the institutional frameworks that define our present cooperation and the partnerships that will guide our future.
As an Embassy, we remain committed to strengthening this dialogue, promoting the exchange of experiences and lessons learned and highlighting Chile’s sincere appreciation for the invaluable contributions of the Hungarian people to Chile’s cultural, social, and economic development.
Together, Chile and Hungary can continue building a partnership that honors its history, celebrates its shared achievements, and embraces new opportunities for the future.