One musician from each of the four Visegrad countries - Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia – come together to perform, creating an unique musical experience. Source: HUFO

The Consulate General of Hungary and the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) on April 27 organized a V4 Jazz Quartet Concert and gastronomic event on the occasion of the 2021/22 Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group.

Representatives of Embassies of the V4 countries, HUFO culture institution and expatriates. Source: HUFO

Present at the event were Szilvia Sojka, Consul General of Hungary in HCM City, Bruno Hromy - Deputy Head of the Delegation of the Embassy of Slovakia in Hanoi, David Jarkulisch - Head of Economic Department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Hanoi, Piotr Harasimowicz - Chief Representative of Polish Trade and Investment Office in Vietnam, Pham Dot Diem - Deputy Head of the city's Department of Foreign Affairs, Do Viet Ha - HUFO President, Phan Thanh Long - Director of Rex Hotel Saigon and members of the Bilateral Friendship Association between Vietnam and Visegrad Group.

Speaking at the event, Consul General Szojka emphasized that, since the Visegrad group formed, strengthening cultural, educational, scientific and sports exchanges between the four countries is a goal that the current Hungarian Presidency especially attaches importance to. In this spirit, this event is proud to introduce values ​​from the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the region to HCM City.

Szilvia Szojka, Consul General of Hungary in Ho Chi Minh City speaks at the event. Source: HUFO

According to HUFO President Do Viet Ha, the Jazz Quartet Concert and the introduction of cuisines of the V4 countries aim to contribute to strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese people in general, the people of HCM City in particular, and the people of the V4 countries, as well as to congratulate Hungary's term as the President of Visegrad Group and to congratulate its journey of more than 30 years - a typical example of close and comprehensive regional cooperation.

The four countries not only share geopolitical similarities, but also many things in common in terms of history, culture and tradition. Vietnam in general and HCM City in particular appreciate the friendship built with V4 countries. Vietnam and the V4 countries have created a basis for a long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation relationship between the parties and have made great strides in recent years, Ha stressed.

Celebrating its 31st anniversary in 2022, the Visegrad Group, the cooperation platform of Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, is one of the most effective and successful regional cooperation formats in Europe.

The V4 group -- named after the historical Hungarian town, Visegrad, north of Budapest on the Danube -- was established in February, 1991, among the erstwhile Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland. Since Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, the group became an association of the four nations.

The authentic jazz concert given by the V4 Jazz Quartet consisting of four talented musicians playing own compositions and well-known songs. Source: HUFO

The Visegrad countries have helped each other and their partners through different challenges in the past, demonstrating regional solidarity and collaboration.

As in difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic and other crises affecting the world, solidarity and cooperation become even more important, the main task of the Visegrad 4, and thus of the current Hungarian Presidency from July 1, 2021 to June 30 2022, reinforces cooperation, strengthen resilience and to represent the V4’s constructive ideas in the European Union and beyond.

The highlight of the event was a contemporary Central European jazz performance by Jazz Band V4 consisting of four musicians, each from a country in the Visegrad group, performing saxophone, double bass, drums and piano.

The event co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations in cooperation with the Czech and Slovak Embassies in Hanoi and with the support of the Honorary Consul General of the Slovak Republic in Ho Chi Minh City. Source: Consulate General of Hungary

It was followed by an exclusive gastronomic event prepared and conjured by Béla Prohászka, master chef of Hungary and vice president of the Association of Hungarian National Values and Hungarikums who presented the traditional and authentic drinks and dishes of the 4 countries. Source: HUFO

After the musical performance, the delegates and guests enjoyed Hungarian wines and Czech beers as well as delicious dishes prepared by Béla Prohaska, master chef of Hungary and vice president of the Association of Hungarian National Values and Hungarikums.

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