Hungarian Cultural Centre, Brussels

The Place

Hungarian Culture Brussels (HCB)
Cultural Service of the Hungarian Embassy in Belgium

The primary mission of the Cultural Service of the Hungarian Embassy - Hungarian Culture Brussels (HCB) is to bring Hungarian culture into the mainstream of European culture. We strongly believe that cross-cultural exchanges and collaboration across national borders and cultural boundaries are of key importance to the European integration process. Culture has its own influences on economic and other forms of co-operation among the nations of Europe, which in turn is vital to the growth of the European Union.

HCB operates in Brussels, in the “heart” of Europe, and thus our activities are focussed primarily on Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Our aim is to bring Hungarian culture closer to the three main communities of the region (Flemish, French and German). At the same time, we also intend to cater to the interests of those who work in the multi-cultural environment of the European institutions.

For us, culture means not only art but also the beliefs, values and practices specific to different societies. We look at culture as a way for expressing intellectual notions. In our perception, culture mirrors the heritage of a nation, and it also influences the lifestyle and mentality of the people.

Furthermore, culture has a bearing on our social attitudes and consumption habits, and it affects the way we improve and protect our environment.

Our goals are not restricted to promoting Hungary’s artistic achievements. We would like to organise and join cultural initiatives which rest on mutual understanding and which require a constant dialogue among participants. We fully identify with the concept of cultural diversity, and in this vein we would like to refrain from “forcing” our nation’s cultural and artistic accomplishments onto our audience.

There is no cross-cultural communication without a simultaneous striving for unity. If we want our audience to be curious about Hungary’s national cultural heritage, we should be equally interested in their taste, expectations and background. Accordingly, HCB considers it part of its mission to promote the culture of the Benelux nations in Hungary.

The last key element of our mission is “versatile mediation”. We encourage all institutions and individuals in both Hungary and the Benelux states to contact us and involve us in projects that aim to bring our nations and peoples closer together. All questions, ideas and proposals are warmly welcomed!

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