Hungarian Poetry Day has been celebrated since 1964 on the birthday of poet Attila József, April 11. On this occasion, the 26 Hungarian cultural institutes operating in 24 countries around the world paid tribute to Hungarian poetry through literary readings, book presentations, and poems printed on colorful post-it notes. In this article, we’ve selected highlights from the Liszt Institutes’ programs.

The Liszt Institute in Belgrade welcomed its audience with a rich musical program offering during the first half of spring. The band Cimbaliband performed their production titled “March 15, 1848: A Festive Concert with the Melodies of Freedom.” Opera lovers were treated to a Gala Concert at the Kolarac Concert Hall, while jazz enthusiasts were not left without entertainment either — for them, the good vibes were guaranteed by János Egri Jr. and his band, Trio Johnology.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Liszt Institute Beijing, in cooperation with EUNIC, organized a sold-out electronic music night at one of the most popular venues in the city. The Institute also welcomed the Hungarian Wine Marketing Delegation, led by Government Commissioner Pál Rókusfalvy, responsible for national wine marketing, supporting their promotional roadshow for Hungarian wines in China. Additionally, the Institute hosted 25 students from the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), where Director Anna Lujza Honecz spoke about the importance of Hungarian–Chinese cultural and educational cooperation and the ongoing work of the Institute.

The Liszt Institute Seoul welcomed spring with a rich and colorful array of programs. Following the great success of its earlier showcases in South Korea, the institute now presents the works of Orlando Marosini. In addition, a joint collaboration between the Spanish and Hungarian cultural institutes presents the works of Hungarian-born photographer Juan Gyenes, offering an intimate glimpse into his friendship with Pablo Picasso. For the upcoming Seoul Friendship Festival, a short film was created showcasing the preparation of two traditional Hungarian dishes, the Jókai goulash and chestnut purée, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of viewers this May. In April, the institute hosted a classical music concert showcasing chamber performances of pieces by prominent composers of Hungarian Romanticism.

The Liszt Institute Stuttgart has prepared a colorful program offering for all age groups in recent times. They hosted a lecture on astrophysics, and celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust and the 100th birthday of Eva Fahidi with a roundtable discussion and film screening. The institute also drew attention to Japanese culture with an exhibition by Sára Sebestyén, a culinary event, and a dance performance. In collaboration with TRUMPF Hungary, they organized an arts & business-oriented event, along with a DIY and folk dance afternoon, and a puppet theater performance for the audience.

The Liszt Institute in Moscow offered a variety of Hungarian cultural programs to the Russian audience in March. In St. Petersburg, they showcased the "Bestiarium Hungaricum" publication, which highlights the traditions and iconic figures of Hungarian folk culture, and organized a literary café where attendees could explore the "cultural codes" that characterized Hungarian daily life in the 1970s and 1980s. In Moscow, they presented the Hungarian design-themed publication Projektor.Hungary, from which an exhibition was also launched. On the 15th of March, the Russian-language edition of Péter Nádas's collection of essays was introduced to the public, and they also kicked off their "From Kurtág to Ligeti" concert series.

March was a rich and intense month for the Collegium Hungaricum in Berlin. During this time, they opened the highly successful “Glassification.hu” exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and also held a Hungarian Day event to mark the national celebration of March 15. The Hungarian cultural institute in Berlin celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Hungarian-German Youth Association, which plays an important role in bilateral relations, with a full-day program. With the professional collaboration of the institute and the organization of the Petőfi Cultural Agency, four newly published books by Hungarian authors in German were presented at the Leipzig Book Fair.

The Liszt Institute Bratislava delighted its audience with a variety of Hungarian cultural programs. They brought joy to the children with László Lázár’s paper theater story, and on March 15, they invited the adult audience to a concert in remembrance of the national holiday. The institute promoted the works of Bálint Balassi through an exhibition and a lecture, and helped Hungarian artists present their work at the Rhythms and Algorithms exhibition. The 200th anniversary of Mór Jókai's birth was celebrated with a performance by artists from the Operetta Theatre, and an exhibition was organized in memory of painter Károly Harmos, which included a book presentation.

In March, the Liszt Institute Helsinki hosted a variety of Hungarian cultural programs for those interested in the Hungarian culture. The institute paid tribute to Sándor Kőrösi Csoma with an exhibition and a lecture, while Zoltán Kodály was celebrated with a week-long concert series. Hungary’s cultural reputation was further strengthened through a Rubik’s Cube speedcubing competition aimed at engaging young people and an exhibition by ZEMA Porcelain and Jewelry House, promoting Hungarian porcelain jewelry.