Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Yesterday, a ceremonial event dedicated to the historic spring holiday Navruz took place in Budapest.

The event was organized by the Representation of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) with the active support of the embassies of member states, including the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Hungary.

Approximately 150 guests attended the event, including representatives of Hungary’s political, academic, expert, and cultural circles, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

The participation of the Republic of Uzbekistan as the Guest of Honor in the cultural program gave special significance to the celebration. The Uzbek delegation was led by First Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Avazxon Tadjikhanov, who delivered the keynote cultural speech and emphasized the country’s contribution to preserving and promoting Navruz traditions.

The event was opened with welcoming remarks by the Executive Director of the OTS Representation in Hungary, Mr. Balaj Hendrix. He noted that Navruz is one of the key cultural symbols of the Turkic world, embodying shared values such as unity, solidarity, and dialogue. He also emphasized the importance of celebrating this holiday in Hungary as a country open to cultural exchange and expressed gratitude to the diplomatic missions of member states.

After that, speaking on behalf of the OTS chair country, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Hungary, Mr. Tohir Tagizoda, addressed the audience. He highlighted the global significance of Navruz and its role as a cultural bridge between civilizations. Referring to the Budapest Declaration of 2025, he noted that the heads of state reaffirmed the transnational importance of Navruz. He also outlined Azerbaijan’s priorities in developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation within the OTS framework.

The central part of the ceremony was the speech of Avazxon Tadjikhanov. He emphasized that Navruz is an integral part of Uzbekistan’s national identity, reflecting respect for traditions, love for the homeland, and collective values. He also noted that celebrating Navruz in Budapest symbolizes meaningful dialogue between East and West and connects diverse cultural heritages. On behalf of Uzbekistan, he expressed gratitude to Hungary and the OTS for organizing the event and wished all participants peace, prosperity, and new beginnings.

The celebration continued with a rich cultural program. A Hungarian musical ensemble led by Tilla Tyoryok opened the concert with refined compositions, creating a spring atmosphere.

The audience was especially captivated by the performance of the Uzbek ensemble “Turon.” The artists presented a vibrant program combining traditional music, choreography, and expressive stage movements. Their performance received great applause and became one of the highlights of the evening.

The concert concluded with a symbolic moment: Uzbek and Hungarian artists performed an improvised joint duet without prior preparation. This spontaneous creative collaboration became a vivid expression of cultural understanding and friendship, demonstrating the high level of trust and strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Hungary. The musicians’ immediate harmony on stage left a strong impression on the audience.

The celebration of Navruz in Budapest clearly demonstrated that this ancient tradition continues to hold importance in the modern world, uniting peoples and strengthening cultural ties. The event not only showcased the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Turkic states but also highlighted high-level cooperation with Hungary as an important partner in Europe. As a symbol of renewal and hope, Navruz once again demonstrated its power to inspire dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation.