More than 90 Hungarian artists have participated at this year's Light Weeks, said undersecretary in charge of culture at the Ministry of Education and Culture Márta Schneider.
Essen's choice of Hungary as a guest fell at the same time as the Hungarian Cultural Year in Germany. The invitation was also special because Essen will share the title European Capital of Culture 2010 with the Hungarian city of Pécs and Istanbul, Schneider said. She added that the event had strengthened the long-term cooperation between artists and institutions in both countries.
"Light Weeks may close at the weekend, but the agreements between Hungary and Essen will continue on the basis of the European Cultural Capital programme," Schneider said. She noted that Essen had organised a conference for April at which representatives from past and future holders of the European Capital of Culture title would attend.
At the opening of Light Weeks, Hungarian Minister of Education and Culture István Hiller looked on as an array of 95,000 red, white and green lights - Hungary's national colours - lit up in a display welcoming Hungary.
Since 2000, Essen has invited a different European guest to Light Weeks under the motto "Europe in Essen". Previous guests have included the Netherlands, the UK, Finland, Poland and Italy.
