Cultural diplomacy should make full use of the interest currently being shown in Hungary around the world, Ministry of Human Resources Zoltán Balog, told Hungarian cultural diplomats on Thursday.

Addressing Hungary's international Balassi Institutes, Minister Balog said they played an important role in the proper presentation of Hungarian events abroad. Hungarian institutes are considered outposts that bear great responsibility in communicating Hungary’s trendy and popular aspects abroad, as well as the less popular that are important to us, he said.

A new form of operation is currently being planned for the Balassi Institute and it will reflect a consensus between the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources, he added.

Balassi Institute director Pál Hatos stated that they continued to organise a diverse range of events that spoke to both older and younger generations. He cited the examples of a Hungarian family day on the banks of the River Thames, the Central Europe Week held in New York and an exhibition about the life of Cardinal József Mindszenty in Vienna.

Hungary's cultural diplomacy network is currently represented by 19 institutes in 17 countries.

(Prime Minister’s Office)