As part of the exchange Hungary will organize a programme of events during the year to introduce Germans to the best of Hungary?s cultural offerings.
To mark the start of the season, images showing Hungarian history and cultural ties between Germany and Hungary will be projected onto Berlin?s Brandenburg Gate, they city?s most famous monument. But the ?ray paintings? will be the start of only the season?s ?overture?, which will run until the start of the FIFA World Cup, which Germany is hosting this year.
In the second phase of the Cultural Season, which will run into 2007, the 50th anniversary of Hungary?s 1956 revolution will in the spotlight. The third phase of the season will focus on Hungary?s regions and cities, especially their partnerships with cities in Germany. In the South of Germany alone there are more than 200 municipalities with sister cities in Hungary.
During the Cultural Season in Germany, work on rebuilding the Collegium Hungaricum, which opened in 1926, but was destroyed during WWII, will continue. The new building?s inauguration in 2007 will be a fitting close to the season.
In addition to Germany, Hungarian Cultural Seasons have been organized in Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Holland, and Russia. The season in Germany will receive roughly as much funding as the UK season, according to deputy state secretary at the Ministry of Culture Marta Schneider. The current budget for the event exceeds HUF 300 million.
