Edited by Anna Popper
The Embassy of Ecuador in Hungary hosted a memorable cultural event on 21 July 2026 at the prestigious House of Music Hungary in Budapest. The gala concert, performed by the Luis Humberto Salgado Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador under the baton of Maestro Gustavo Moreno, commemorated two historic milestones: Ecuador’s National Day – the First Cry of Independence – and the 80th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Hungary.
The event brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Hungarian institutions, the Ecuadorian community in Hungary, and lovers of classical music.
Opening the celebration, H.E. Cynthia Mayer Zavala, Ambassador of Ecuador to Hungary, reflected on the history of Ecuador’s struggle for independence, which began with the First Cry of Independence on 10 August 1809 and ultimately led to the country’s freedom and sovereignty.
Ecuador and Hungary formally established diplomatic relations on 3 January 1946, in Washington, D.C. through an exchange of diplomatic notes. At that time, President José María Velasco Ibarra sought to reaffirm Ecuador’s sovereignty, while Hungary, under President Zoltán Tildy, aimed to diversify its international partnerships after World War II.
Ambassador Mayer Zavala emphasized that eight decades after this milestone in bilateral relations, Ecuador continues to build upon this solid foundation by further strengthening the excellent relationship between the two countries through close cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to friendship and partnership.
In his address, Iván Medveczky, Deputy State Secretary for the Development of Relations with the South at Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, praised the longstanding and friendly relations between Hungary and Ecuador on behalf of the Hungarian government.
He highlighted the steady expansion of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade, economic relations, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges, noting that collaboration continues to deepen across a broad range of areas.
The carefully curated musical programme created a captivating dialogue between European and Ecuadorian musical traditions. The audience enjoyed Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances by the great Hungarian composer, Gustav Holst’s St Paul’s Suite, and Luis Humberto Salgado’s Variaciones en estilo folklórico. The concert concluded with two beloved Ecuadorian pasillos – Alma en los labios and Aguacate – drawn from Ecuador’s rich musical heritage. The performance by the young musicians received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The programme was further enhanced by the inspiring setting of the House of Music Hungary, one of Budapest’s most remarkable architectural and cultural landmarks, located in the heart of the City Park.
Founded in 2019, the Luis Humberto Salgado Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to the renowned Ecuadorian composer Luis Humberto Salgado (1903–1977).
Since its creation, the orchestra has established itself as a leading example of artistic excellence and social inclusion, uniting talented young musicians from diverse regions and social backgrounds of Ecuador.
Through performances in major concert halls and collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists, the orchestra has become an important ambassador of Ecuadorian culture.
The concert of the orchestra’s tour was led by Maestro Gustavo Moreno, an internationally celebrated Argentine conductor whose career spans orchestras and festivals throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Renowned for his artistic excellence and commitment to cultural dialogue, Moreno has become one of Latin America’s leading musical ambassadors.
The event concluded with a special recognition ceremony, during which Ambassador Mayer Zavala presented Maestro Gustavo Moreno and the members of the orchestra with formal accolades in appreciation of their outstanding artistic contribution to the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Hungary.
The concert demonstrated the unique ability of music to transcend borders and bring people together, reaffirming the enduring friendship between Ecuador and Hungary, while honouring eight decades of diplomatic ties and looking ahead to continued cooperation, mutual understanding, and cultural exchange.
Source: Embassy of Ecuador in Budapest
Photos from the Embassy of Ecuador in Budapest
