János Csák said the programme had been designed to “support decades-long excellent ties by way of culture and to reinforce our cultural presence in the other country”.

Gülşen Karanis, the Turkish ambassador to Hungary, said the cultural year was “a best way to highlight our comprehensive and deep-rooted ties”, adding that cultural years were “the best examples” of cultural diplomacy.

Péter Hoppál, government commissioner in charge of the programme, said it will offer more than one hundred art, scientific and innovation events aimed “not only at promoting Hungarian culture in Türkiye in general but to launch long-term cooperation to build tighter relations in particular areas.”