BUDAPEST, June 19 (Xinhua) -- A three-day exhibition showcasing Chinese intangible cultural heritage, tourism resources and creative industries kicked off in Budapest on Friday, bringing together artists, cultural institutions and tourism representatives from China and Hungary.
The event, titled "Conversation and Connection" -- 2026 Budapest Silk Civilization Dialogue& Best From China-China intangible Heritage, Tourism & Cultural Creativity Expo -- is being held at the Balna Budapest cultural center from June 19 to June 21.
The event is co-hosted by the China National Tourist Office in Budapest, the Investment Promotion Agency of China's Ministry of Commerce, the European Regional Bureau of Xinhua News Agency, and China Center of International Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion.
The exhibition features a wide range of traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural products, including ceramics, embroidery, silk craftsmanship, tea culture and digital creative works, alongside interactive presentations highlighting the latest applications of artificial intelligence in the cultural sector.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao said that China and Hungary have long respected each other's cultural traditions and have steadily expanded cooperation in education, culture and tourism, helping strengthen the social foundation of bilateral relations.
Gong said the exhibition offers Hungarian visitors an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture while creating new opportunities for cooperation in culture, tourism and creative industries.
Katalin Bogyay, president of the Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO, said the exhibition serves as "a meeting point of cultures, traditions, memories and ideas."
She highlighted the importance of cultural dialogue in an increasingly interconnected world, noting that mutual curiosity, respect and openness to learning from one another remain essential for building trust among nations.
Bogyay also underlined that 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Hungary's accession to UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, describing living traditions, craftsmanship, music and cultural practices as important links connecting communities across generations.
Judit Eva Nagy, president of the Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association, said culture forms the foundation of long-term cooperation. "Culture is not an accessory to economic relations," she said. "It creates the trust and curiosity on which long-term diplomatic, scientific and economic partnerships are built."
She added that the exhibition demonstrates how cultural heritage can serve simultaneously as a carrier of values, an economic resource and a tool for strengthening connections among people.
The program includes cultural performances, tourism promotion activities, exhibitions of contemporary ceramic art and traditional handicrafts, as well as discussions focusing on cultural heritage preservation, creative industries and the role of new technologies in cultural communication.
Organizers said the event aims to deepen people-to-people exchanges, promote mutual understanding and contribute to the continued development of China-Hungary cultural relations. ■