Budapest celebrates Türkiye’s 102nd Republic Day in grand style
More than 800 distinguished guests filled the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest on Monday evening to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye.
The national day reception, hosted by H.E. Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Hungary, highlighted the growing strength of diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between Ankara and Budapest.
Among the attendees were diplomats, government officials, artists, and members of the business and media communities, including Balázs Hankó, Hungary’s Minister of Culture and Innovation.
Ambassador Karanis Ekşioğlu: “Our partnership has reached a new level”
In her address, Ambassador Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu reflected on how the past two years have marked a turning point in Türkiye–Hungary relations.
“Two years ago, when I spoke here on the centenary of the Republic of Türkiye, I proudly announced a new era in Turkish–Hungarian relations,” she recalled. “Shortly after, President Erdoğan visited Budapest, and together we elevated our cooperation to the level of enhanced strategic partnership.”
The ambassador emphasised the success of the Türkiye–Hungary Cultural Year 2024, which reached more than one million people through 114 events in 14 Hungarian cities.
“We travelled across Hungary’s beautiful regions and met wonderful people. It was truly unforgettable,” she said.
Building on that cultural milestone, 2025 was declared the Türkiye–Hungary Year of Science and Innovation, focusing on the future of cooperation between the two nations. The initiative has already connected universities, research institutions, and businesses in 32 joint projects, spanning digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and SME competitiveness.
Energy, defence, and trade driving cooperation
Ambassador Karanis Ekşioğlu also underlined Türkiye’s expanding role in Hungary’s energy sector:
“Türkiye is proud to be present across the full energy spectrum — from natural gas to solar and nuclear power,” she said.
The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) is partnering with Hungary’s MOL Group on new hydrocarbon exploration projects, while another Turkish company recently won the tender for a modern gas turbine power plant in Tiszaújváros.
According to the ambassador, bilateral trade could reach a record USD 5 billion by the end of 2025, representing over 30% annual growth.
She added that the upcoming High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, to be held in Ankara this December, will set new goals for trade, energy, and innovation partnerships.
Minister Hankó: “Sovereignty and cultural identity unite us”
Hungary’s Minister of Culture and Innovation, Balázs Hankó, emphasised the shared principles that underpin the Türkiye–Hungary relationship.
“Both Türkiye and Hungary are committed to preserving their national sovereignty and protecting their interests on the international stage,” he said. “We believe that cultural identity and independent decision-making are the cornerstones of stability and development.”
The minister also recalled that the Treaty of Friendship, signed on December 18, 1923, was the first international agreement concluded by the newly founded Republic of Türkiye — a cornerstone that continues to guide bilateral relations to this day.
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Music, history, and friendship under one roof
Following the speeches, the celebration turned into a cultural showcase. Students of the Budapest Maarif Foundation School, which recently moved to a new building, opened the evening by performing the national anthems of both countries.
Guests then enjoyed a performance by the Türkiye–Hungary Quartet, led by Márta Ábrahám and Mevsim Engin, featuring compositions by Ahmet Adnan Saygun and Béla Bartók — two musicians who, nearly a century ago, discovered the shared roots of Turkish and Hungarian folk music.
A special exhibition in the museum’s foyer, organised in collaboration with the Budapest City Archives, presented the long history of Türkiye’s diplomatic missions in Hungary — from the Ottoman consulate to the modern republic — through archival photographs and fascinating personal stories.
Traditional Turkish cuisine and warm conversation concluded the evening, turning the event into a true celebration of friendship between Türkiye and Hungary.
Representing both Daily News Hungary and Helló Magyar, Mr Alpár Kató, owner of DNH Media Group, and his wife also attended the reception as invited guests.
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