Hungarian photographers share impressions of China_Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries

Hungarian photographers share impressions of China

Xinhua

2023/12/17

People attend a sharing session "China Through the Eyes of Hungarian Photographers" at Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center in Budapest, Hungary, on Dec. 14, 2023. A group of Hungarian photographers shared their beyond-expectation trips in China when attending a session in Budapest's Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center on Thursday evening. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A group of Hungarian photographers shared their beyond-expectation trips in China when attending a session in Budapest's Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center on Thursday evening.

The sharing session "China Through the Eyes of Hungarian Photographers" is jointly organized by the China Cultural Center in Budapest, the Association of Hungarian Photographers (MFSZ), the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center, and the Wink International Cultural Arts and Sports Association.

"I hope this event will help more people understand China, to make the friendship between Hungarian and Chinese people stronger, and further develop the cultural connections as well," Jin Hao, director of the China Cultural Center in Budapest, said in his opening remarks.

Recalling their visit to China in September, MFSZ President Zsolt Hamarits expressed overwhelming awe at the sheer richness of Chinese culture. "I arrived in a dream world. I'm still dreaming about this journey. It's hard to put into words how amazing it felt," he told Xinhua.

He said that if he could, he would return to China "tomorrow."

Former President of MFSZ Zsolt Olaf Szamody, a seasoned visitor to China, reminisced about his initial encounter with China in 2008 when he participated in the Pingyao International Photography Festival.

"At that time, China was exotic and strange for me," he said. "But now, everybody knows that China alone in the world is capable of such a spectacular and special development, be it the architecture or the public transport, or the communication."

The recent trip to Suzhou, a city in eastern China, was his first to China after the pandemic. He marveled at the vibrant social life and the bustling economy in Suzhou, signifying the resilience of the region.

Chinese photographer Wei Xiang, a council member of the MFSZ, has been organizing activities bridging Hungary and China since 2013. His initiatives include visits of Hungarian photographers to China.

"Perceptions of China in Hungary often rely on local media reports, which may carry biases, creating skepticism among Hungarians," he told Xinhua. "One photographer, initially hesitant about the trip to China due to concerns about food and accommodation, later found immense joy upon arrival."

He said he believed in the power of personal experiences and photographic works to authentically introduce China to Hungary.

Hungarian photographers' sharing session on Thursday kicked off a series of "Chinese Stories" lectures organized by the China Cultural Center in Budapest.

The Hungarian photographers' works reflecting their 8-day visit to China will be shown to the public during the "Silk Road's Reflection" exhibition in 2024. ■

Zsolt Olaf Szamody (2nd R, Rear), former president of the Association of Hungarian Photographers, shares his trips in China during a sharing session "China Through the Eyes of Hungarian Photographers" at Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center in Budapest, Hungary, on Dec. 14, 2023. A group of Hungarian photographers shared their beyond-expectation trips in China when attending a session in Budapest's Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center on Thursday evening. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Zsolt Hamarits (R, Rear), president of the Association of Hungarian Photographers, speaks during a sharing session "China Through the Eyes of Hungarian Photographers" at Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center in Budapest, Hungary, on Dec. 14, 2023. A group of Hungarian photographers shared their beyond-expectation trips in China when attending a session in Budapest's Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center on Thursday evening. (Xinhua/Chen Hao)