On 20th November 2023, the Directorate of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Hungarian Open Air Museum, state institution coordinating the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme in Hungary since 2019, organised a national coordination meeting for the representatives of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe crossing Hungary. The meeting was hosted by the Hungarian Open Air Museum in Szentendre.
The meeting was attended by representatives of eleven Cultural Routes crossing Hungary, as well as of institutions planning to join Cultural Routes or applying to the "Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe" certification with a new thematic network.
After a video message by Mr Stefano Dominioni introducing the European Institute of Cultural Routes and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme, Mr. Máté Vincze, Deputy State Secretary for Public Collections and Cultural Development of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation highlighted the significance of the Cultural Routes Programme in Hungary. He emphasized its role in fostering connections between Hungary and other European nations through shared historical heritage and its crucial contribution to the intergenerational transmission of culture.
Cultural Route representatives described their activities, emphasizing challenges and sharing good practices. Moderated by Dr. Eszter Csonka-Takács, the subsequent discussion allowed for the exchange of experiences, collaboration discussions between Cultural Routes, and the sharing of future plans and ideas.
In 25-27 September 2024, Hungary will host the 13th Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes in Visegrád and Budapest. On behalf of the Hungarian Open Air Museum, Mr Miklós Cseri PhD, Director General, affirmed the museum's commitment to extend comprehensive professional support for the successful execution of the 2024 Forum.
Dr. Eszter Csonka-Takács, Director in the Directorate of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Hungarian Open Air Museum is the national representatives of Hungary to the EPA on Cultural Routes. She is also a member of the Bureau of the EPA Governing Board
