The Hungary Pavilion marked an exceptionally important and memorable week at the Osaka World Expo. In recent days, Hungary’s exhibition space has not only provided unforgettable experiences for visitors but also served as a distinguished diplomatic venue with the visit of a member of the Japanese imperial family. Once again, Hungary’s presence offered true cultural treasures. The Ballet Company of Győr told stories of love through traditional folk music and modern dance, while chess legend Judit Polgár offered a taste of the game’s beauty through inspiring simultaneous matches.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Hisako of Takamado visited the Hungary Pavilion as a representative of the Japanese Imperial Family, further elevating international attention on Hungary’s presence at the Expo. Accompanied by Ministerial Commissioner Ákos Kristó, Princess Takamado toured the exhibition and attended the highly successful immersive musical performance designed to bring Hungary’s rich and diverse culture to life. Her visit was a tremendous honor for the Hungary Pavilion and further deepened Hungarian-Japanese relations while enhancing Hungary’s prestige on the international stage.
The line of distinguished visitors continued with Mr. Fumio Kishida, former Prime Minister of Japan, who toured the exhibition with great interest and engaged with its immersive experiences.
Alongside high-level diplomatic visits, Hungarian culture shone brightly throughout the week. The Ballet Company of Győr dazzled audiences with its sold-out performance of Romance, choreographed by László Velekei. The piece combined elements of modern ballet and Hungarian folk music, interwoven with the timeless melodies of Zoltán Kodály. The emotionally moving performance reflected on the power and fragility of love, and the profound depths of the human soul – receiving resounding applause from the audience.
The star guest of the week was Judit Polgár, the most successful female chess player of all time, who played a simultaneous chess exhibition against 16 opponents at once. Her challengers included representatives of the French, Italian, Dutch, and Hungarian pavilions, as well as players from the Japan Chess Federation. The “Queen of Chess” remained undefeated, and later delivered an inspiring talk at the Women’s Pavilion, where she shared her personal story and spoke about female achievement and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
This week, the Hungary Pavilion once again proudly represented our nation on the world stage, showcasing our world-class cultural heritage. The imperial visit, prestigious performances, and full-house events all demonstrate that Hungary’s values, traditions, and talents are capable of engaging creatively in global dialogue. These memorable diplomatic and cultural moments have inspired new connections, long-term plans, and continue to build Hungary’s image – one of the primary missions of our participation in the World Expo.
