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Svédületes! is a Hungarian play on words: “Szédületes” means “bewildering” or “dizzying” in a positive sense, and “svéd” means “Swede.”

Svédületes! – Swedish–Hungarian Meetings in 2004

On January 23, Prime Minister Göran Persson visited Budapest. That signaled the official launch of this year’s major Swedish project in Hungary, “Svédületes! − Swedish-Hungarian Meetings in 2004.” However, the project had already jumped the gun with an exhibition by young Swedish comics artists in Budapest. This spring a variety of other activities will follow, such as an environmental technology seminar in Budapest; a trade seminar in Debrecen; a jewelry exhibition in Budapest; and Swedish Days in Eger, Kaposvár och Salgótarján.

Among members of the Swedish Government visiting during the spring will be Hans Karlsson, Minister for Employment; Lena Sommestad, Minister for the Environment; and Laila Freivalds, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The year will be filled with Swedish-Hungarian meetings. Our good relations and Hungary’s accession to the European Union (EU) will provide new opportunities for expanded cooperation. This is why we are carrying out a project to strengthen ties between the two countries. The theme during 2004 will be Svédületes! Swedish-Hungarian Meetings, and we look forward to many exciting meetings, which will especially emphasize cooperation with Hungary in four fields:

In the POLITICAL FIELD, the focus is on EU cooperation. We would like the project to result in more intensive contacts between public agencies and officials in the two countries. Numerous Swedish Government ministers and Members of Parliament will be visiting Hungary during 2004 as part of Svédületes!

By means of CULTURAL EVENTS AND INFORMATION, we would also like to stimulate interest in contemporary Sweden. Dance, new circus, art, design and various children’s and young people’s activities are on the program. We have also produced extensive information about Sweden in Hungarian. In various projects related to social matters, we would also like to highlight other important issues like gender equality, children’s rights and sustainable development.

BUSINESS PROMOTION ACTIVITIES such as seminars on biotechnology, environmental technology and design are being organized in different parts of Hungary. Meetings between Hungarian and Swedish companies and business-related organizations are being arranged, in the hope that these may generate new mutual business opportunities.

REGIONAL COOPERATION between Sweden and Hungary will intensify during 2004. Today three Swedish counties − Värmland, Västernorrland and Örebro − are already working together with Hungarian counterparts: Heves, Somogy and Nógrád. Events focusing on such topics as tourism, entrepreneurship and gastronomy will be organized in conjunction with special Sweden Days in these regions. During the autumn, a series of exciting activities will also deepen the contacts between the Stockholm region and Budapest.

So there will be lots of Swedish-Hungarian meetings in 2004. We would like to give you an opportunity to experience something of Sweden today. In Hungary.
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