The husband and wife violinist duo of Barnabás Kelemen and Katalin Kokas play at a press conference at the Palace of Arts to mark the start of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID 2008), which follows the Year of Equal Opportunities For All in 2007, aims to encourage all those living in Europe to explore the benefits of the region's rich cultural heritage and learn from different cultural traditions.
With the slogan "Together in diversity", the European Year aims to contribute to mutual understanding and better living together. It will explore the benefits of cultural diversity, active civic participation in European affairs and seeks to foster a sense of European belonging.
International stars who have agreed to become "European Ambassadors for Intercultural Dialogue" during the year include the French singer Charles Aznavour, the Swedish writer Henning Mankell and the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. Hungary's ambassadors - introduced at the Palace of Arts - come from the broadest palette: the husband and wife violinist duo of Barnabás Kelemen and Katalin Kokas (who played Bartók duets at the event), the Kerekes Band, the chess master Judit Polgár and the water polo champion Dániel Varga. It's not by chance the ambassadors are young: the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is specifically aimed at young people.
Hungary's European Ambassadors for Intercultural Dialogue: Ákos Csarnó, Csaba Kónya, Zsombor Fehér, Csaba Námor and Viktor Fehér, all members of the Kerekes Band; Katalin Bogyay, in charge of international relations at the Ministry of Education and Culture; chess master Judit Polgár; and the married violinist duo Katalin Kokas and Barnabás Kelemen.
All of the ambassadors are enthusiastic about their mandate. Though she says she is accustomed to representing Hungary on the chess board, Judit Polgár says she is happy to be an ambassador for intercultural dialogue. She adds that her talents have brought her around the world since she was six years old. Zsomobr Fehér, the flautist for the Kerekes Band, is delighted with his tasks. He notes that it is important for a genuine dialogue of cultures to be established, "not just a simple meeting of cultures."
The programme of events during the year will be based on eight thematic areas: culture and media, education and science, migration, minorities, multilingualism, religion, youth and the workplace, common understanding and peaceful association. Forty projects have been picked for the EYID 2008, and Hungary's KultúrPont Office is working on bringing these to a broader public.
Gábor György, who heads the European Commission's delegation to Hungary, says that "art and culture are the tools with which we can understand each other." He adds that the aim of the year should extend for more than just 365 days.
Katalin Bogyay, who is in charge of international relations at the Ministry of Education and Culture, likens the European Unions unified cultural framework to a treasure chest. "It is full of valuables, with which we can enrich each other."
