The programme abroad included ten big exhibitions and some 200 smaller shows of fine art, 180 concerts, 15-20 theatre performances and 3-4 dance productions.
There were also 50 literary events during the half-year presidency.
Many of the cultural events were tied to priorities of the EU presidency, such as the Danube Strategy, the Year of Voluntarism, the coexistence of traditional cultures in the Carpathian Basin project, the European cooperation programme and the Liszt bicentenary. About twenty conferences were held in connection with these priorities.
Events marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Hungarian composer and pianist Ferenc Liszt, such as a concert by the National Philharmonic Orchestra in the Vatican, were especially popular.
?The Liszt birth anniversary on October 22 is still ahead of us. During the summer, there will be a slight recess in the sea of events, but starting from September we are planning a busy and diverse programme,? said Balatoni.
Some of the cultural events launched during the EU presidency, such as an exhibition of Hungarian photography at the Royal Academy of Art in London, will run into the second half of the year.
?A great achievement of the first half of this year has been strengthened relations between various cultural institutes abroad. If the necessary finances are available, we have an important plan to continue the impetus of the first six months for the rest of the year,? Balatoni said.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
