A guide to the export and import of cultural goods between Russia ...

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Hungary
CHAPTER
In the last five years, contemporary Hungarian culture has returned to the intellectual and
artistic stage in Russia. After the Heads of State of both countries reached the relevant
agreement, Russian – Hungarian cultural relations witnessed a great leap forward. It was
agreed to establish new quality principles and forms of cooperation between the Ministries
of Culture of Hungary and Russia, as fixed in protocols signed for 2005–2007, and
the process of planning for the next three years has already started.
Cultural seasons in both countries from 2004–2006 opened genuinely new chapters in
the field of artistic relations between Hungary and Russia. In a parallel way and almost
at the same time, over 200 cultural events were organised, not only in both capitals, but
also in regional centres. Nearly 800 artists, painters, musicians and scholars took part in
those events. Exhibitions such as “The Hungarian Monarchy between two empires” and
“Budapest in the eyes of two generations: 1945–2005” in the State Museum of History in
Moscow, “100 years – 100 puppets” in both capitals, as well as the exhibition of selected
Hungarian art of the early 20th century at the Hermitage became significant elements of
the introduction of Hungarian artistic traditions to the Russian public.
At the same time, shows of the most contemporary trends of different Hungarian artistic
generations (including multimedia) led to the renewal of contacts between the educational
institutions of both countries in the arts fields. The regular and varied presence of
Hungarian artistic culture in the exhibition halls and festivals of Russia is completed by
the increasing number of books published: in the past three years nearly fifty books by
Hungarian authors have been published in Russian and distributed, not only in Moscow
but also in larger regional libraries.
The Embassy of Hungary in Moscow together with the Hungarian Cultural, Scientific and Informational
Centre in Moscow are the key institutions for the organisation of cultural exchanges
between both countries and their activity reaches outside Moscow, including those areas with a
similar Finno-Ugrian population. In 2005 the construction of a network of “Hungarian cabinets”
was begun in different Russian cities. These have been created for teaching Hungarian language
and culture. At present, the cabinets of Saint Petersburg and Khanty-Mansiisk are already functioning
and, by the end of 2007, it is planned to open another three such regional cabinets.
WHAT LEGISLATION APPLIES TO THE IMPORT/EXPORT OF CULTURAL GOODS
BETWEEN HUNGARY AND RUSSIA?
NATIONAL
Act No. 64 of 2001 on the Protection of Cultural Heritage
Decree 17/2001 on Restrictions to the Export of Cultural Objects
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