by H.E. María Lorena Capra, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Hungary
Budapest: A Diplomatic Milestone
My arrival in Budapest as Argentina’s ambassador was, in many ways, both a return and a discovery. A return to Central Europe, a region I had studied and explored from various angles throughout my career, and the discovery of a country that welcomed me with a heartfelt blend of history, sophistication, identity, and warmth. But above all, it marked the beginning of a deeply personal chapter: this is my first experience as an ambassador, making this post not only a diplomatic mission, but also a vital professional and emotional journey that will stay with me forever. On 14 November 2023, I handed over my Letter of Credentials to the President of Hungary.
Culture – Bridging Hearts and Nations
At the end of 2023, as I met with officials and key figures from the business and cultural sectors to plan the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of bilateral relations between Argentina and Hungary, I began to shape a strategy to celebrate and simultaneously relaunch the relationship. I discovered many more similarities between our countries than I had imagined: a shared sensitivity to music, a history marked by political shifts, a rich and bold cuisine, and a creative spirit that spans generations.
Tango: A Common Language
In that sense, it became a powerful connecting thread. I discovered that tango can be danced almost every day in Budapest. There are milongas, excellent dancers and teachers, some of whom are Argentines who have become valuable allies of the Embassy. Among them, one person was instrumental: Lídia Demján, whose passion for tango enabled us to create an unforgettable National Day celebration as part of the centenary events.
When I visited the National Dance Theatre to introduce myself to its director, the experience was magical from the very first moment: the modern architecture, the building’s seamless integration into the park, the warmth of the theatre hall. At the end of our meeting, in which we discussed the possibility of hosting our National Day there as part of the centenary commemorations, the director invited me onto the stage. We danced a few steps of tango and Hungarian folklore. It was a spontaneous, simple, and deeply symbolic gesture – something I will never forget.
National Day in Argentine Spirit
And finally, 25 May 2024 arrived. Our National Day took shape as a genuine embrace between our two cultures within the framework of the 100th anniversary of bilateral relations. I had the honour of being joined by Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Zsolt Semjén, who delivered a heartfelt commemorative speech and gave great significance to the occasion.
On the stage of the National Dance Theatre – the same one I had stepped onto weeks earlier with a mix of shyness and enthusiasm – Argentine tango filled the air and was lived with all the passion it inspires, even far from Buenos Aires. But the most moving moment was seeing Hungarian dancers interpreting it with such sensitivity and technical skill, born only from a deep love for that music pulsing in 2/4 time.
László Budai and his company were outstanding. It was a profound experience to see the Hungarian audience applaud with enthusiasm – not just out of diplomatic courtesy, but because something had truly touched them. This cultural program was more than just a performance: it symbolized a bilateral relationship that is constantly evolving, that moves us, and that – like tango – always finds new ways to express what words cannot.
That evening, we celebrated surrounded by the best of both worlds: the Argentine community in Hungary, local authorities, diplomatic colleagues, and leaders from Hungary’s business, cultural, and social spheres. It was a night full of emotions, of encounters and reunions, of those conversations that only arise when protocol becomes personal.
A Thriving Link of Argentina in Hungary
Among the guests was an Argentine who has been making his mark in Hungary for years: Carlos Coelho. His story is another example of the silent but powerful fusion between our cultures. For the reception, Carlos provided wines he produces in Etyek, a wine region near Budapest, along with Malbec, which he imports from Argentina. It was a generous and meaningful gesture: a glass that blended lands, grapes, and passion – crafted with the same respect and dedication that define those who build lasting bridges between countries.
As if that symbolic toast had set the tone for the centennial year, we soon celebrated another major milestone in 2024: the opening of the Hungarian market to Argentine beef. A long-awaited step, the result of joint work, ongoing dialogue between the health authorities of both countries, and – most importantly – the concrete commitment of those who believe in Argentina from the ground up.
Once again, Carlos Coelho became a bridge. With his entrepreneurial vision and confidence in Argentine potential, he took on a new challenge: bringing the world’s best beef – ours – directly to Hungary. Not as part of a long and anonymous supply chain, but as a project that honours the origin, the product, and the story behind it. Thus, the Malbec that already united us found its natural partner in asado, and diplomacy once again became a shared table.
Celebrating 100 Years of Diplomatic Ties in the Hungarian Parliament
Another particularly moving celebration, held jointly by the Argentine Embassy and the Hungarian authorities – including members of the Parliament’s leadership and officials – as part of the centenary of bilateral relations, took place in the Hungarian Parliament, one of the country’s most imposing and symbolic institutional settings. There, surrounded by legislators, diplomats, and representatives from various sectors of society, we celebrated the value of cultural bridges and parliamentary friendship groups, highlighting 100 years of diplomatic ties between our nations. It was a moment that emphasized how relations between countries are shaped not only by governments, but also by their people and representatives. Tango was present there too, with a performance by Argentine dancers Antonella Terrazas and Lucas Molina, accompanied by the Hungarian orchestra Tango Art’s Harmony.
Shared Passion for Sport
Because sport also creates connections, we celebrated Hungarian Footballer’s Day in 2024 with a very special guest: Alberto “El Conejo” Tarantini, the 1978 World Cup champion, who had played in Hungary just before that historic tournament. It was a gathering filled with emotion, memory, and shared affection among fans, young players, and nostalgic of great football feats. The day concluded with a screening of “Muchachos, la película de la gente” at the Urania National Film Theatre, thanks to support from Pampa Films. The film captures the Argentine people’s experience during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Polo and Tradition
We also marked the centenary of bilateral relations at the International Polo Tournament organized by La Estancia Polo Club, which brought together players from all over the world – including, of course, Argentines. A setting that was athletic but also social and cultural, offered another opportunity to showcase Argentine talent and share our unique way of living sport – with passion, elegance, and commitment.
High-Level Visits and Strategic Cooperation
And as if the calendar knew that this year needed a strong closing gesture, in November 2024 – nearly a year after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Buenos Aires for President Javier Milei’s inauguration – we had the satisfaction of working on another high-level visit: that of Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to Argentina. It was a key moment to solidify ties and project the relationship toward an even more strategic dimension.
During this visit, five major agreements were signed, including a Joint Statement on Nuclear Cooperation for Peaceful Uses and a Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation in the field of space activities for peaceful purposes. Two areas in which both countries possess technological, scientific, and academic capabilities that can be mutually enhanced. It was, without a doubt, a clear sign that bilateral relations are also nourished by a shared vision for the future. These two agreements had great significance for me, since I had worked in these fields in my previous position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Director of International Security and Nuclear and Space Affairs.
The Soft Power of Diplomacy
If the year of celebrating the 100th anniversary of bilateral relations between Argentina and Hungary taught us anything, it is that diplomacy carried out with dedication, empathy, and creativity can successfully combine identity with innovation, warmth with strategy, emotional closeness with technological ambition. And that, to me, was more than an achievement: it was a profound responsibility and an unforgettable experience.
15 September 2025
Photos from the Embassy of Argentina in Budapest and DPA
Edited by Anna Popper
