The Chinese-Hungarian Cultural Bazar was opened in Beijing at the former residence of Madame Soong Ching Ling late on Friday with an aim to encourage innovation and bring the two countries closer together.
The three-day cultural event featured folk performances and exhibitions that featured the cultures of both countries. It is part of a series of activities for the 2016 China-Central and Eastern European Countries Year of Cultural Exchange.
With the theme of "inheritance, innovation and aesthetics," the bazar seeks to encourage innovation on old traditions, as China and Hungary both have a rich cultural heritage. Hungary is famous for its folk crafts tradition, such as embroidery, decorated pottery and carvings, and Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt ranks among the world's best.
At the bazar's opening ceremony, the visiting Hungary's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Istvan Ijgyarto, acknowledged that Hungary has an Orient heritage, reflected in its art forms similarities to those of Eastern countries.
"I noticed the similarities in handicraft products of both countries, even though we are geographically far apart," said Ijgyarto, also noting such similarities as the two nations' eagerness to innovate.
He said that the two countries are both proud of their traditions and of their ability to look to the future while never forgetting the past.
"A tradition that doesn't evolve can't last long. The new generation, if they don't make innovations on their traditions, won't have a bright future. Luckily, however, we are glad to see a passion for innovation in both countries," he said.
Ijgyarto reiterated the importance of cultural cooperation between countries, since no political or economic cooperation is possible without cultural cooperation. In other words, what is important besides political and economic relationships is people-to-people contact.
"You can't really attract other people's attention if they don't have some knowledge about you. You should first have a perception about a culture and a nation before establishing other relations," he said.
Qi Mingqiu, deputy chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), echoed positively on bringing two countries closer through cultural exchanges. He noted the foundation has good relations with Hungarian non-governmental societies for more than two decades, and the joint efforts from two sides have contributed to the booming ties of the two countries.
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