Hungarian Ambassador Viktor Matis made special remarks before the exhibition “The World of Image; Reviving the Painting,” organized by the Hungarian Academy of Arts. Matis highlighted the cultural ties between Türkiye and Hungary and reminded that last year we celebrated the “Hungarian-Turkish Culture Year.” “We introduced Hungarian culture in different parts of Türkiye throughout the year. We organized 170 different cultural events. But the end of the 2024 culture year doesn’t mean Hungarian culture will leave Türkiye. We will continue to bring more cultural events to the people and the city of Ankara,” he added.
STRONG TIES BETWEEN THE TWO CULTURES
Matis underlined that the cultural relations between Hungary and Türkiye are strong. “This connection is not limited to painting. There is deep interaction in every field. For example, in literature, the most well-known Hungarian work in Türkiye is The Paul Street Boys. Ferenc Molnár’s book has been published over 50 times in Türkiye. Besides that, we brought different artistic performances like symphony orchestras, opera, and operettas also,” he said.
LISTENING TO TURKISH RADIO IN THE CAR
The ambassador said he is well acquainted with Turkish culture. “I always listen to Turkish radio stations in the car, but my understanding of culture is broader. Gastronomy is part of that, too. Turkish cuisine is one of the most successful in the world,” he said.
KNOWING TURKISH IS A BIG ADVANTAGE
Ambassador Matis also spoke about the advantages of knowing Turkish. “Knowing Turkish is essential in Türkiye. Being an ambassador, speaking Turkish makes my work much easier. Many doors open more easily. My job is to understand the decision-makers, the state, and the people here better and to convey that to Hungarian authorities in the best way.”.
The curator Szurcsik József expressed his satisfaction with showcasing prominent works of Hungarian art in Türkiye. He stated that the exhibition features works by 24 artists from three generations.
The exhibition can be visited at Doğan Taşdelen Contemporary Arts Center until April 15.
