The "Hungarian Days" event series and the 2024 Cinémathèque française film festival welcomed visitors from March 13 to 17, 2024, at various locations in France. The French population and visitors to the country had the opportunity to get closer to Hungarian culture through musical programs, exhibition openings, gala dinners, and iconic film screenings.
On March 15, in commemoration of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849, the Liszt Institute Paris, in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy, organized a two-day "Hungarian Days" event series. The events took place in two cities in southern France, Aix-en-Provence and Draguignan.
In Aix-en-Provence, the sister city of Pécs (Hungary), an exhibition titled "Budapest 1962-1968" featuring the works of photographer Gyula Zaránd opened on the national holiday. The opening ceremony was attended by Pierre Vasarely, President of the Vasarely Foundation, and Adrienne Burányi, Director of the Liszt Institute Paris. The institute's director spoke about the artist's connection to France and the story behind the exhibition. Antoine Zarand, the artist's son, also attended the commemorative event. The remembrance continued in the vast and impressive exhibition hall of the Vasarely Foundation, where Ambassador György Habsburg and Adrienne Burányi welcomed the attendees. Subsequently, Stephanie Fernandez, Deputy Mayor responsible for international relations, and Marie-Pierre Sicard-Desnuelle, Deputy Mayor for heritage conservation, delivered speeches highlighting the strong cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries. The evening's atmosphere was further enhanced by Elemér Duka and the Gipsy Chamber Orchestra, who received standing ovations for their performances of Hungarian classical music. The commemoration concluded with a reception featuring Hungarian cuisine.
On March 16, Elemér Dukai's band performed for the second time in the modern concert hall of Auditorium de la Dracénie in Draguignan. Prior to the concert, Richard Strambio, the mayor of the city, welcomed the guests. In his speech, he emphasized the essential role of culture in deepening relations between countries. The band achieved tremendous success in the rural city. A video of the two-day program series can be found at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm6Cl2iCyOw
From March 13 to 17, the highly successful Cinémathèque française festival took place. This year, the Liszt Institute Paris, in collaboration with the National Film Institute and the event organizers, invited Hungarian film professionals to the festival. Judit Elek, a recipient of the Kossuth Prize, and the internationally renowned Australian film director Peter Weir who is also the recipient of the Balázs Béla Award, were the festival's honorary guests. On the opening day of the event, Cinémathèque française hosted a gala dinner for the co-organizers of the film festival. The invited guests included Frédéric Bonnaud, Director of Cinémathèque française, Manuela Padoan, Director of the GP Archives, Nancy Savoca, American film director, Adrienne Burányi, Director of the Liszt Institute Paris, Ákos Cseke, Attaché for Scientific and Educational Affairs at the Liszt Institute Paris, and György Ráduly, Director of the Hungarian National Film Archive. Throughout the remaining days of the festival, the audience had the opportunity to watch six films by Judit Elek. The festival provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations and promote Hungarian culture.
