Visegrad Cooperation (V4) is a regional alliance of four Central European countries, Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, a long-standing framework for the promotion of the region’s joint interests in Europe and beyond. Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, the rotating presidency of the group was held by Hungary. As the official closing event of the presidency, the Grammy winner singer and composer, Ambassador of the Hungarian Culture and folk music, Márta Sebestyén gave a concert with her friends in the Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin on 27 June 2022.
The concert was organized by the Embassy of Hungary in Zagreb and the Liszt Institute Zagreb in cooperation with the Concert Office Varaždin, the city of Varaždin and the Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin. The event was supported by the Hungarian Cultural Fund. Ambassador of Hungary in Zagreb Dr. Csaba Demcsák in his welcome speech recalled the events carried out by the Embassy within the frameworks of the V4 presidency and expressed his gratitude to the City of Varaždin and Mayor Mr. Neven Bosilj, as well as to the director of the Concert Office Varaždin, Mr. Ramond Rojnik for their contribution to the realization of the concert.
Mayor Mr. Neven Bosilj in his speech stressed that we need unity, understanding and tolerance among the nations and states more than ever. Varaždin, a city of rich history, has through culture always succeeded in this mission, bringing people and countries closer together. Mr. Siniša Jenkač, Member of the Sabor, on behalf of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Mr. Gordan Jandroković, confirmed that Varaždin, through its rich cultural programmes, is a link not only between the peoples of Croatia and Hungary, but for all the Central European region. At their concert entitled “In the Centre of Europe”, Márta Sebestyén and her friends performed not only Hungarian, but also various Central European, including Croatian folk songs.
