24 May 2018

Mária Schmidt: The EU needs renewal and reforms

The European Union has become outdated both in terms of its structure and its mission – observed Mária Schmidt, the Director-General of the House of Terror Museum at the panel discussion titled Geopolitical challenges held in the framework of the international conference series at the Castel Garden Bazaar titled the Future of Europe.

The 21st century, the one we are in, is not the continuation of the 20th century. „Those who are trying to picture the tasks of our age in relation to the 20th century are all mistaken” – stressed Mária Schmidt, and added that „we have found ourselves in completely different circumstances in the 21st century”.

The Director-General referred to the EU as outdated regarding its structure and its mission and added that „for this reason, it is beyond doubt that the EU needs to be reformed and renewed. According to her, the reason for this is the fact that the EU had been brought to life by the Cold War, and once it was over „it has become necessary to reconsider its role and status”.

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24 May 2018

Digitalization serves public safety and security

„There is no national development without successful digitalization” - said the Prime Ministerial Commissioner for the Digital Welfare Programme.

As Tamás Deutsch pointed it out in his lecture on the second day of the two day conference series organized by the Public Foundation for Research on Central and Eastern European History and Society and the Századvég Foundation „there are fundamental and historic changes taking place in the world right now and digital transformation is the most tangible of these, which is experienced by hundreds of millions in Europe. He said that „its extent and its significance is still unclear” and added that „there have been very few changes in the world that compare to its extent and intensity”. He emphasized that digital transformation does not equal technological transformation, it is just one if the driving forces, main representations.

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24 May 2018

The V4 should have more courage

The Visegrád Group needs to have more courage and determination in geopolitical questions – remarked Václav Klaus, the former president of the Czech Republic on Thursday at the international conference titled the Future of Europe in Budapest.

On the second day of the two day international conference series organized by the Public Foundation for Research on Central and Eastern European History and Society and the Századvég Foundation Václav Klaus declared in his lecture held in English that the V4 countries (the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia) „I do not see the Visegrad Four countries to have enough courage, enough strength and enough determination to pursue a common, independent policy.” in terms of pressing geopolitical issues. „It may have looked like a policy in the autumn of 2015, at the time of the migration crisis, but I hadn’t seen it before and I don’t see it now”. – he observed.

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24 May 2018

The Future of Europe – international conference, 2nd day

Picture gallery of the first day of the international conference series titled the Future of Europe held at the Castle Garden Bazaar.

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23-24 May 2018

„Our common secrets – photo exhibition of István Gyarmati in the Castle Bazaar”

A photo exhibition held at the venue of the international conference series titled the Future of Europe.

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23-24 May 2018

The latest collection of Katti Zoób

The first day of the international conference series titled the Future of Europe was concluded by the fashion show of the latest haute couture collection of the Katti Zoób Fashion House. The Fairy Tale Haute Couture Show is a unique and imaginative crossover performance, which tells us about past, present and future through the lens of fashion. The designer uses music and clothes to demonstrate the transformation of character, to symbolize the national characteristics and the individual beauty of the culture of each country.

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23 May 2018

Stephen K. Bannon: Trump’s America First and its impact on Central Europe

Following the welcoming remarks of Gergely Gulyás the former Chief Strategist of Donald Trump’s campaign held a lecture with the title Trump’s America First and its impact on Central Europe as part of the József Eötvös Lecture series held each year. In his lecture he stressed that “Do we have the desire and the courage to preserve our civilization in the face of those who would subvert it and destroy it?”

“Eight months later,” Bannon continued, “the people of Hungary gave us an answer – overwhelming victory for Viktor Orbán. He added: „We really don't have a political opposition today, we have a media opposition.”

For some of them „liberal democracy worked fine for the 40 or 50 years when they were winning elections” All the sudden, when they started losing, we were „all authoritarians, mini dictators” - commented Stephen K. Bannon. „The American people… liked President Obama personally, but they do not believe Obama delivered the change that the country needs. 75% of the American people for the first time believed America was in decline.” „The working class and the middle class in the United States of America are not prepared to support the Democrats, only the elite – he concluded.

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13 May 2018

Choral Celebration featuring renowned local and international performers

In addition to the gala events in the concert hall, the programme features festival concerts, communal singing and workshops, interactive children’s programmes and a midnight choral concert from 18 to 21 May at the Third Budapest International Choral Celebration.

More than a thousand singers will be taking the stage of Müpa Budapest during this international choral gala. In the breaks of the gala concert, choir competitions ant the evening and midnight choral concert the participating choirs will be giving a free concert in the Atrium and the Festival Theatre.

The opening concert will feature various choirs from the U.S. to Sweden and Taiwan. Apart from the choirs participating in the International Choral Gala professional choirs will also be taking the stage such as the Real Group from Sweden, the Jazzation from Hungary and Sjaella from Germany. The gala will end with a grand finale gathering all the participants on stage, conducted by Gábor Hollerung.

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11 May 2018

V4 Operetta Gala in Brussels

The Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra performed at Flagey Radio and Concert Hall in Brussels. The performance, evoking the golden age of the operetta, featured the classic works of Johann Strauss, Ferenc Lehár (Hungary), Imre Kálmán (Hungary), Antonín Dvořák (Checz Republic), Stanisław Moniuszko (Poland) and Alexander Moyzes (Slovakia).

The Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Peter Valentovic, who debuted conducting Edita Gruberova in Slovakia. The concert featured the renowned Hungarian soprano, Andrea Rost, the Polish mezzo soprano, Katarzyna Kuncio, the internationally acknowledged tenor, Richard Samek and the Viennese baritone, Paul Armin Edelmann, whose carreer started in the Vienna Boys' Choir and he has become a successful opera singer by now.

The welcoming speech was made by Zoltán Nagy, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary in the Kingdom of Belgium before the concert.

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V4 Connects

Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group

From July 2017 to June 2018, Hungary is holding the rotating Presidency of the Visegrad Group for the fifth time. The importance of the Visegrad Cooperation, based on the principles—mutual trust, flexibility, and a focus on common traditions, values and interests—guiding the V4 since its founding in 1991 has been growing recently.

In the previous 26 years the Visegrad Group has been actively representing regional interests, since 2004 within the European Union, while contributing to the prosperity and stability of the continent via their economic performance, cooperation aimed at facilitating connectivity, support towards the neighbouring Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions, as well as a responsible approach to the unprecedented migration crisis. The V4 countries constitute stability and growth in the European Union, and have the legitimate intention to contribute substantially and as equal partners to the dialogue on the future of the EU.

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4 May 2018

International thesis project exhibition in Bratislava

The international V4 thesis project exhibition is open to visitors from 4th to 20th May in the Museum of Hungarian Culture of the Slovak National Museum.

The purpose of the event is to provide an opportunity for the fresh graduates of various institutions of arts education to present their projects to a wider audience. The exhibition, which is to be taken to eight other cities, comprises photographs, paintings, graphics and sculptures among other things.

The exhibition series is organized by Hybridart Management on behalf of the Public Foundation for Research on Central and Eastern European History and Society within the framework of the Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group 2017/2018.

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April 24, 2018

V4: The Engine of Europe’s Economy

In the frmaework of programme series of the Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group a round-table discussion was held entitled "V4: The Engine of Europe’s Economy?"

Participats included Dávid Szabó, the director for Foreign Affairs of Századvég School of Politics Foundation, Marcin Kedzierski, the director of the Centre of Analysis of the Jagiellonian Club, Martin Slany, the director of Economic Studies of the Václav Klaus Institute, Orsolya Ráczová, research fellow of GLOBSEC Policy Institute, and Balázs Dobos, the Senior Adviser of the Economic Policy Unit of Századvég School of Politics Foundation. The discussion was moderated by Dániel Palotai, the Executive Director and Chief Economist of the Central Bank of Hungary.

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April 13., 2018.

V4 Opera Gala in Prague

On the occasion of the Hungarian Presidency of the V4 an opera gala was held in the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House of Prague. The various musical programme and the performing artists guaranteed the tremendous success.

Among the contributors were Edita Gruberová coloratura soprano, Szilvia Vörös mezzo, Peter Berger tenor and Krzysztof Bączyk bass. The Hungarian State Opera Orchestra was conducted by Peter Valentovic.

The event was framed by the fashion show of the Hungarian designer Kati Zoób, whose collection titled “Fairy Tale Haute Couture” was inspired by the folk costumes of the V4 countries. The show was presented before and after the concert and during the break as well.

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April 11., 2018.

V4 Opera Gala in Warsaw

In the framework of the Hungarian presidency of the V4 an opera gala was held in the Hall of the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra. The success of the event was guaranteed by the singers of Müpa Budapest, the Hungarian State Opera and the world-famous performers of the V4 countries, such as Edita Gruberová coloratura soprano.

Orsolya Kovács, the Ambassador of Hungary to Poland and Bartosz Cichocki, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland opened the gala for the audience of more than one thousand people. They emphasized the connecting quality of the Visegrad cooperation and drew the attention to the cultural and political importance of it.

In the break a fashion show titled „Fairy Tale in Folk Costume” was held, where the creations of designer Kati Zoób were presented.

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April 8., 2018.

V4 Opera Gala in Bratislava

In honour of the V4 cooperation a grand concert was held in Bratislava in the Concert Hall of The Slovak Philharmonic. Appropriate to the occasion, artists from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary performed masterpieces mainly of composers of the V4 countries.

Among the contributors were Edita Gruberová coloratura soprano, Schöck Atala alto, Pavel Černoch tenor, Krzysztof Bączyk bass. The Hungarian State Opera Orchestra was conducted by János Kovács.

In the break a fashion show titled „Fairy Tale in Folk Costume” was held, where the creations of designer Kati Zoób were presented.

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April 6, 2018

V4 dance celebration in the National Theatre

On the occasion of the Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group in 2017-2018, a dance celebration titled „Táncünnep” was held with the participation of renowned Polish, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian dance ensembles at 19.00 on Thursday, 5th April 2018 in the National Theatre.

The performers of the event included the Sl’uk Slovak Folk Art Ensemble, the Ondras Military Artistic Ensemble, the Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble form Poland and the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble.

The music editor of the event was István Pál „Szalonna” and the director was Gábor Mihályi.

Venue: National Theatre (1095 Budapest, Bajor Gizi park 1.)

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March 20, 2018

The Role of the V4 in Shaping Europe’s Future

Another round table was held in the House of Terror Museum, entitled „The Role of the V4 in Shaping Europe’s Future” as part of the V4 cultural programme series on the occasion of the Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group.

The participants included Zsolt Barthel-Rúzsa, President of the Századvég School of Politics Foundation (Hungary), Marek Degro, Director of the Anton Tunega Foundation (Slovak Republic), Jiří Kozák, Director of the CEVRO Institute (Chech Republic), Paweł Musiałek, Managing Director of Centre for Analysis, The Jagellonian Club (Republic of Poland). The discussion was moderated by Gábor Tallai, the Programme Director of the House of Terror Museum.​

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February 8, 2018

Culture War 2018

As part of the V4 programme series on the occasion of the Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group a round table titled Culture War 2018 was held in the House of Terror Museum.

The participants included Mária Schmidt, the Director-General of the House of Terror Museum, András Gerő, the Director of the Institute of Habsburg History, Márton Békés, the Research Director of the House of Terror Museum and Gábor G. Fodor, political scientist and the Vice Chairman of the Századvég Foundation. The discussion was moderated by Gábor Tallai, the Programme Director of the House of Terror Museum.

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20 December 2017

V4 Christmas

On the occasion of Hungary's presidency of the Visegrad Group an Opera Gala was held in Müpa Budapest titled V4 Christmas.

The concert featured Edita Gruberova coloratura soprano, Atala Schöck alto, Tomaš Juhás tenor, Krzysztof Bączyk bass and the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra was conducted by Peter Valentovič.

The compilers of the programme have also taken care to ensure that the "spirit of Visegrad” would be buttressed not just by the countries of origin of the participants, but by the works being played as well. Alongside the great classics by Mozart, Rossini, Bellini, Rachmaninoff, Mascagni and Puccini, the concert will feature works by composers from the four nations, with Erkel and Kodály representing Hungary and Smetana and Dvořák the Czechs, joined by the Polish Stanisław Moniuszko and Slovakia's Alexander Moyzes.

The audience was addressed by Zoltán Balog, the Minister of Human Capacities.

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November 21, 2017

Who are we? – Identity and culture in Central Europe

As part of the cultural programme series of the presidency of the V4 a round-table talk entitled Who are we? – Identity and culture in Central Europe was held at the House of Terror Museum.

Participants included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Deputy State Secretary for Hungarian Institutes Abroad and International Education Relations and the director general of the Balassi Institute Judit Hammerstein, the director general of the Hungarian Institute of Bratislava Molnár Imre, the director general of Hungarian Cultural Center of Prague Gertrúd Kelemen, the Secretary for Culture of the Hungarian Institute for Culture in Warsaw Keresztes Gáspár, Slovakian literary historian, critic and translator Karol Wlachovský, Director of the Czech Centre in Budapest Lucie Orbók, Director of the Polish Institute in Budapest Jarosław Bajaczyk. The discussion was moderated by Program Director of the House of Terror Museum Gábor Tallai.

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October 20, 2017

„We have to fight for our freedom again and again”

An international conference entitled Together for the future of Europe – Anti-communist fights for freedom, 1956 was held in the Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) organized by the Public Foundation for Research on Central and Eastern European History and Society.

The speakers included Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács, Director-General of the House of Terror Museum Mária Schmidt, Researcher of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes Jakub Šlouf, Head of the Historical Research Branch Office of the Institute of National Remembrance Konrad Białecki. The chairman of the conference was Program Director of the House of Terror Museum Gábor Tallai.

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October 10, 2017

What do we reap from V4?

On the occasion that Hungary is holding the rotating Presidency of the Visegrad Group a round-table discussion was held at the House of Terror Museum, entitled „What do we reap from V4?”

Participants included Maria Schmidt, Director-General of the Public Foundation for Research on Central and Eastern European History and Society, Gergely Gulyás, faction leader of the Fidesz parliamentary group, Norbert Csizmadia, Chairman of the Pallas Athene Geopolitical Foundation, Balázs Orbán, Director of Research of Századvég School of Politics Foundation, as well as Miklós Szánthó, Director of the Centre for Fundamental Rights.

The round-table talk entitled „What do we reap from V4?” is the first one of a series of intellectual dialogues organized in the framework of the Hungarian presidency. These professional discussions provide an excellent opportunity to consider what the V4 presidency and the cooperation means to us and to define our goals as well as to prepare for the tasks ahead of us.​