BILATERAL RELATIONS

Cultural Relations

Despite the fact that to date there is no agreement between the Republic of Hungary and the Kingdom of Thailand regulating cooperation in the field of culture, there is an increasing awareness of the rich cultural heritage in our respective countries.

The events organized by private sponsors, contributed to by the Hungarian Embassy in Bangkok, make it possible for us to present high level cultural programmes to an increasing number of Thai people.

Some outstanding cultural events in 2005:

Hungary participated in the Bangkok International Film Festival with Katalin Petényi and Barna Kabay’s film: Meseautó.

In September, the 7th International Dance and Music Festival in Bangkok has been opened with “Rigoletto” performed by the Hungarian State Opera. It was later followed by “Madame Butterfly”. On September  13, the Thai music connoisseurs had the chance to appreciate the excellent concert of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra.

On November 16, the Budapest Operetta entertained illustrious Thai and foreign guests  at the Thailand Cultural Centre. The event was presided over by HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. The repertoire of the Operetta featured works of Brahms, Imre Kálmán, Mascagni, Verdi, Puccini, Ferenc Lehár, Strauss and Silapabanleng who is a composer of Thai origin.

As part of the EU Project „Acting Europe”, a novel from the “One Minute Series” of István Örkény was staged in Thai language before an audience of Thai university and art students. The performance took place on 27 November in the Saeng Arun Arts Centre in Bangkok.

Between 1-10 December, the Thailand Cultural Centre hosted an exhibition of three Central European countries. Hungary was represented by the travelling exhibition „Creative Hungarians” and also by a series of black and white photographs introducing Hungary in the 19th century.

On December 3, Steinway Artist Ádám György gave a concert at the American Alumni Association Building in Bangkok. His performance featured works of Chopin, Liszt and Mendelssohn.

Outstanding events in 2007

On the occassion of the Hungarian National Day, the Dr. Sax Chamber Orchestra gave a concert introducing the works of Béla Bartók in the Queens Park Hotel on 17 August, 2007.

An exhibition on the life of Bartók Béla went on display on 15 March 2007 at the Asian Institute of Technology.

The EU Delegation in Bangkok, in cooperation with the Bangkok World Film Festival organized an EU Film Festival between 25 October and 4 November 2007. Hungary was represented by “Dallas among us” by Adrian Robert Pejo.

Choreographer and dancer Rita Bata – winner of the 11th International Dance Festival and best choreographer in Hungary in 2003 – gave a scintillating performance at the opening ceremony of the Hungarian Cultural Weeks at Asian Institute of Technologies on 15 March 2007.

Recent events in 2008:

Hotel Radisson Bangkok hosted a second Hungarian Food Promotion during March 2008 introducing the world famous Hungarian heritage of gastronomy, providing Bangkokians with a chance to enjoy the culinary arts of our cuisine.