The intricacy of culture in Israel, its artistic repertoire and naturally its scientific development exceeding so many others, its diversity, galore, its facets both ancient and modern, European and Middle-Eastern, traditional and innovative, may not have been evident to everyone until now.

We go beyond the boundaries of Jewish culture: as a cultural melting pot, Israel is also Muslim and Christian from a religious perspective, ethnically speaking it covers also Arab and many other diverse groups. The Institute in Budapest sets as its goal to paint the clearest and most complete image possible.

The creators of the Institute aspire to show the receptive and accepting Israel, with its exciting culture, its people and the experimenting artists born in an ancient land while experiencing modern life; they wish to do all that in the equally receptive and accepting Hungary.

Founding was also made possible through cooperation: amongst the founders we find civilians, private people and the Sochnut, which nurtures relations between Jewry throughout the world and Israel. The Sochnut’s chairman, Natan Sharansky also participated in the opening. Hence, this is not a national or governmental representation. The Israeli Cultural Institute of Budapest is thus unique in this aspect as well.

Experience in other countries was not harnessed at the founding, since it was felt that Budapest, paramount on its own accord regarding cultural heritage, should by all means have a place where Israeli culture is introduced. So many Budapest ex-pats and their descendants have made a mark and are a continuous influence in Israel, that it is a valid assumption: Budapest dwellers today deserve to know what their fellow-citizens from the past accomplished through hard work and talent, what the Hungarian spirit achieved in this Middle Eastern melting pot.

In addition to being receptive and accepting, the Institute also ascends above politics. If their activities harmonize with the mission of the Institute, communities, clubs and associations are accepted without question. The regional offices of the Sochnut will also be here.

The best way for the Israeli Cultural Institute to accomplish the goals it set, is to cooperate with mainly Hungarian partners, and via creating a bridge between Israeli and Hungarian cinema creators, writers, performers, musicians and representatives of the fine arts, becoming a forum for Israelis and Hungarians alike to discover each other from a cultural perspective."

Our homepage is: israelculture.hu
Our address is: 1061, Budapest Paulay Ede u. 1., Mala Zisser House

For further information please contact:
Ella Salgo by clicking here or call: +36 1 889 3330 or +36 30 376 9761