Cultural and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Hungary have been traditionally strong and are still improving, and can be traced back to the shared points of the history of the two countries, to ethnographic relations and kinship. The common ancestors of the Hungarian and Kazakh people are connected through nomadic peoples and tribes, the descendants of which still live in Hungary: for example the “Kun”, the “Pecheneg” and the “Kipchak” ethnicities.
Hungarian-Kazakh connections are easy to detect in the words (e.g. alma, anya, kapu, balta, szakáll - apple, mother, gate, axe, beard) and the sayings (e.g. I’m telling my daughter, my daughter-in-law should understand as well) that the two languages share.
Good relations have further improved over the years, as our peoples have great respect for each other because of our common historical roots. The Hungarian Pavilion wishes to honour these traditions during the Expo, so Kazakh-Hungarian motifs and connections will be recurring elements in the cultural, scientific and tourism-related programs.
Symbols are important in both cultures, and symbolism based on trinities plays a prominent role. This motif is also present in the Tree of Life, which is the idea the Hungarian Pavilion is centered around. The root of the Tree of Life symbolizes the past, the canopy of the tree symbolizes the future, while the trunk is the present, a bridge between the two. Dr. László Orlóci, head of the Pannon Breeding program, developed this concept.
It is important for Hungary to introduce Hungarian enterprises and corporations that can have valuable business relations with Kazakh and international partners in the temporary and permanent exhibitions in the pavilion.
The Hungarian Pavilion will offer programs to the Kazakh hosts that connect Hungarian and Kazakh traditions: visitors will enjoy unique events, including the Kipchak Days with Jászkun programs and the spectacular entry of the “Kun captains” (representatives of the Hungarian Kun Association). István Bencze, the mounted pilgrim is expected to arrive in Astana from Baku on horseback, straight to the stage of the National Day, paying homage to the nomadic lifestyle that played such an important role in both nations’ past.
The Hungarian Pavilion pays tribute to the elements of folk music that are the same or similar in Kazakh and Hungarian folk music tradition with a unique program: a performance by folk musician Sándor Csoóri and performer Miklós Both. “Shared Tunes”, a contemporary musical production based on authentic Kazakh, Kipchak, Kun and Hungarian music, which is both a traditional and an innovative musical experience created specifically for this event, will be performed on the closing day.
With a view to the Kazakh people’s love of folklore, special events have been added to the program like the grand folk dance show entitled The Hungarian Spirit, Tilla Török and her band, who are regulars at Kazakh cultural events, and a show by the Folktrend! team, presenting handicraft masterpieces by Hungarian fashion designers.
In addition to Kazakh-Hungarian relations, real Hungarian specialties, “Hungaricums” will also be part of the program: visitors will see excerpts from the classic operetta, The Csárdás Princess, a performance by the Tárogató és Cimbalom Hungarikum orchestra, as well as the Bihari János Táncegyüttes (a long-standing folklore-based dance ensemble) will perform authentic Hungarian folk music, Rákóczi songs and recruiting songs.
The Pavilion will also offer guests some permanent events. Besides The Tree of Life, which is the central element of the installation, there will be a smaller tree called the Wishing Tree. Beside this tree, ribbons of different colours will be placed to symbolize the various forms of alternative energy. Every Pavilion guest will be given a ribbon on which they can write a short message to Hungary or the Pavilion, or they can share their views on the subject of the exhibition.
In addition to the “Wishing tree” there will be a futuristic technical piece of work, the Holo-pyramid, which presents The Tree of Life in a holographic 3D animation. Children can enjoy the kids’ corner, where playful youths can participate in programs connected to the concept of the event, such as interactive leaf-picking, or logical/escape games.