Edited by Anna Popper
Thanks to the collaboration of the Embassies of Japan and the Republic of Croatia in Hungary, a joint concert by Japanese pianist Yoko Nishii and Croatian guitarist, professor, and composer Petar Čulić took place on 22 October 2025 in the magnificent Wenckheim Palace – today home to the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library in Budapest. The event celebrated the friendship between Japan, Croatia, and Hungary.
The evening was hosted by H.E. Hikariko Ono, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary; H.E. Dr. Mladen Andrlić, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Hungary; and Mrs. Ágnes Koreny, Director of the Metropolitan Library.
The opulent hall, filled to capacity, welcomed a distinguished audience of ambassadors, diplomats, Hungarian guests, cultural patrons, and many devoted music lovers, creating a warm, appreciative, and deeply engaged atmosphere.
Opening Remarks
Director Ágnes Koreny opened the evening by highlighting the significance of hosting an international musical event in the palace’s historic setting and expressed her pride in presenting the artists’ first joint concert.
Ambassador Hikariko Ono emphasized the role of music as a powerful instrument of cultural diplomacy that effortlessly transcends national boundaries, expressing her delight that Japan and Croatia could be brought together in Budapest – a city long renowned for its vibrant musical life.
Ambassador Mladen Andrlić spoke about the deep cultural ties linking Croatia and Japan, noting that Yoko Nishii’s advanced musical studies in Croatia added a special symbolic dimension to the occasion. He praised the exceptional artistry of both performers, whose blend of classical masterpieces and Croatian folkloric traditions from Petar Čulić’s native Dalmatia resonated profoundly with the Budapest audience.
The Performing Artists
Yoko Nishii is a Japanese pianist who earned her Master of Music degree in Croatia. She has an extensive international performing career and a special dedication to Croatian music. She is widely recognized for her landmark world-premiere complete recording of Dora Pejačević’s piano works.
Petar Čulić is a Croatian guitarist, composer, and professor, whose international career includes performances in over 30 countries and a historic appearance as the first Croatian soloist with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. A laureate of 10 international competitions, he is a dedicated educator, juror, and active promoter of Dalmatian musical heritage.
The Repertoire: A Multicultural Journey
The concert offered a rich programme featuring Japanese, Croatian, Spanish, and European classical works. Petar Čulić opened the evening with the traditional Spanish El Vito, his own variations on the Japanese folk song Sakura, and a selection of Dalmatian dances. He also paid tribute to Croatia’s pioneering female composer Dora Pejačević, performing Rose from Flowers’ Life and A Whirl of Blossoms. Yoko Nishii followed with Kosaku Yamada’s Karatachi-no-Hana, as well as two works by Franz Liszt: Liebesträume and the virtuosic La Campanella.
After the intermission, the artists performed together in Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Fantasia, offering a rare and captivating piano–guitar duo that earned enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The concert was widely praised by the attendees as a celebration of musical excellence and cultural harmony.
A Historic Setting: Wenckheim Palace
The Wenckheim Palace is one of the architectural gems of Budapest’s Palace District. Built between 1886 and 1889 for Count Frigyes Wenckheim and Countess Krisztina Wenckheim, lady-in-waiting to “Sisi”, Empress Elisabeth of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy, the palace embodies the elegance of late 19th-century aristocratic life. Architect Artúr Meinig created a refined synthesis of neo baroque and neo-Renaissance styles, while the lavish interiors reflect Rococo, Biedermeier, and Louis XV influences. Elegant wrought-iron gates, railings, and candelabra enrich the exterior.
After Count Wenckheim’s death in 1927, the palace was sold to the City of Budapest and reopened as the Municipal Library in 1931. A major renovation completed in 2001 transformed the building into a cultural complex incorporating the neighbouring Berczik Palace. Today, besides being a grand library, it is a prestigious venue for concerts, diplomatic events, cultural gatherings, literary readings, book presentations, and film productions.
Harmony Beyond Borders
More than just a concert: the evening at Wenckheim Palace was a celebration of artistic excellence, shared cultural heritage, and diplomatic goodwill. Through music, the event embodied the essence of cross-cultural understanding and connection.
Following the performance, guests enjoyed a reception offering traditional Japanese and Croatian delicacies, where conversations continued in a warm and convivial atmosphere that reflected the spirit of the evening.
Source: Embassy of Japan and Embassy of Croatia in Budapest, Neda Maretić
Photos from Neda Maretić and Diplomatic Press Agency
