The leaders of the Jewish communities of the Visegrád Group (V4) countries are taking part in a two-day conference in Budapest, organised by the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities (MAZSIHISZ). At the reception and guided tour that closed the first day of the meeting on 13 April, Minister of State for Cultural and Science Diplomacy István Íjgyártó gave a speech at the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives.

In his speech, Mr. Íjgyártó praised the initiative by MAZSIHISZ, which organised the conference for the second time this year. The Minister of State also pointed out that cooperation between the countries of the V4 is increasingly pointing towards the renewed reinforcement of Central European identity.

“The Jewish communities in our region have always nurtured dynamic family and business relations and Central Europe cooperation is something that came naturally to us. Accordingly, it is self-evident and most welcome that Jewish communities are also becoming involved in planning the future of the new Central Europe via their cooperation”, Mr. Íjgyártó said.

“The Hungarian Government is paying particular attention to V4 cooperation and we welcome the expansion of these active and lively relations to include the network of Jewish communities”, he continued.

In addition to Jewish community leaders, V4 ambassadors and other diplomats accredited to Budapest were also present at the event. President of MAZSHISZ András Heisler, the Museum’s director Zsuzsa Toronyi and Israeli Ambassador Ilan Mor also greeted the invited guests.

The leaders of the Jewish communities of the V4 countries first met within a similar framework in 2015, also in Budapest. The increased momentum of cooperation is indicated by the fact that this year’s conference also includes a wide spectrum of professional discussions and workshops.

The participants of the conference reviewed topics relating to tourism, culture, heritage protection, the Hungarian Government’s programme to renovate Jewish cemeteries and modern anti-Semitism, as well as security and geopolitical issues. At the guided tour that formed part of the first day’s closing events, the participants became acquainted with the renewed permanent exhibition, entitled “100 Years – 100 Objects”, of the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding this year.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)