Oriented on making people closer

For the first time in Hungary, the heritage, art, and creative traditions of Turkmenistan are being presented during the Days of Turkmen Culture in Budapest, which opened Wednesday evening at the Hungarian Heritage House.

Mate Vincze, Deputy State Secretary for State Collections and Cultural Development at the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation, emphasized the significance of this large-scale event for the mutual spiritual enrichment of the two peoples.

The event coincides with Kurultai, an annual festival of Turkic-speaking peoples in Hungary, and highlights the observer status that Hungary and Turkmenistan have in the Organization of Turkic States. Vincze noted that cultural diplomacy involves mutual understanding between countries and exploring common cultural roots.

A grand gala concert with performances by the Hungarian State Folklore Ensemble and Turkmen performers was held in honor of the opening. The program of the Days includes an exhibition at the Hungarian Heritage House. The ethnographic collection displays exquisite examples of Turkmen art and artistic crafts.

Hemra Amannazarov, Turkmen Ambassador to Hungary expressed pride for the opportunity to present his country's culture at the Hungarian Heritage House and praised the cultural, economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Boglárka Illés, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Development of Bilateral Relations, highlighted the cultural parallels between the two countries. She mentioned that twenty young Turkmen have the opportunity to study the Hungarian language annually as part of the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which fosters mutual cultural understanding. 'This initiative is aimed at preserving cultural identity, where language serves not only as a means but also as a support,' she emphasized.

Hungarians' acquaintance with Turkmen culture helps to understand the common patterns in folk art, folk music, and thinking.

Photo: MTI