The conference, entitled RegiOn!, is being held within the framework of the Hangfoglalás 2007 exhibition.

 

"Hungary would like to put itself in the role of a bridge in the construction of a network of music from the region of Central and Eastern Europe," Fruzsina Szép, who heads the Hungarian Music Export Office, said at the opening of the event.

 

The aim of the two-day conference, at which about a hundred music professionals from 25 countries are attending, is to create a network within the region, raise the profile of musical programmes and promote the region's music in the West. Participants will discuss how to set up and run music export offices.

 

Aline Denis, representing European Commission responsible for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Ján Figel at the meeting, pledged the European Commission would seriously consider points made at the conference. He noted that the EU's cultural strategy presented a big change and much opportunity for countries participating at the meeting.

The Hangfoglalás exhibition, organised by the Hungarian Music Export Office and the National Alliance of Musicians at Budapest's Syma events centre, features 80 semi loads of objects, among them more than 10,000 musical instruments. More than 70 exhibitors are showing at this year's event, which boasts about a hundred concerts.