The Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary, led by Ambassador Alexander Renggli, has launched the 2026 anniversary year, marking 80 years since diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Hungary were resumed following a brief interruption at the end of the Second World War. This milestone laid the foundation for a partnership that has grown steadily over the past eight decades.
Today, Switzerland and Hungary enjoy close and multifaceted relations spanning politics, diplomacy, business, culture, education, science, and people-to-people exchanges. Under the anniversary motto: “Connected in Many Ways!”, the Embassy, together with its partners, is presenting a series of diverse programmes and events throughout 2026.
Anniversary Logo
The anniversary program is presented under a shared visual identity in the form of a commemorative logo. It features the national colours of both countries and incorporates edelweiss and tulip as symbols of the flourishing and ongoing cultivation of bilateral relations.
2026 – A Year of Dialogue, Culture and Exchange
The anniversary program reflects the richness and diversity of Swiss–Hungarian relations, with a particular focus on culture, economic cooperation, diplomacy and science. Many of the key events will take place in the second half of the year, as the official acts restoring diplomatic relations occurred between September and November 1946.
The anniversary year officially kicked off on 30 April in collaboration with Art is Business magazine, which dedicated a special issue to Swiss culture, art and business. The publication was presented at the Apollo Gallery in Budapest. The event was organised through a strong partnership between SwissCham Hungary, Art is Business magazine and the Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary. The evening was opened by H.E. Alexander Renggli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Hungary.
On 9 June, the First Swiss–Hungarian Innovation Forum was held at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). The event, jointly organised by SwissCham Hungary, the Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary and BME, brought together over 220 representatives from business, academia, research institutions, government and the innovation ecosystem.
The forum pursued a clear objective: to provide a platform for dialogue on how innovation can contribute to competitiveness, economic growth and societal progress, while further strengthening cooperation between Switzerland and Hungary.
A key message of the Forum was that Hungary regards Switzerland as both a model and a strategic partner in fostering innovation. Particular emphasis was placed on accelerating the commercialisation of research results, strengthening cooperation between research institutions, higher education and industry, and unlocking new opportunities in technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
After the summer break, the anniversary program will continue from September with a series of highlights, including:
- the official anniversary celebration in September;
- a collaboration with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, concert at Heroes’ Square on 12 September;
- Switzerland’s participation as the German-language Guest Country at the 31st International Book Festival Budapest, to be held at Hungexpo between 1–4 October;
- a Carl Lutz Lecture on the role of Swiss diplomats in Hungary in 1944 and 1956;
- a conference on democratic innovation at Andrássy University Budapest in November.
October and November will also feature important economic events, including the 4th Swiss–Hungarian Healthcare Forum, as well as business and institutional delegation visits to and from Switzerland.
Campaign: “Faces and Stories”
Throughout the year, the anniversary will be accompanied by the online campaign “Faces and Stories”, showcasing personal perspectives and experiences that illustrate the depth and diversity of Swiss–Hungarian relations.
Information
The full anniversary programme will be regularly updated on the Embassy’s website. Individual events will also be announced on the Embassy’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn channels. The anniversary hashtag is #CH80HU.
Source: Embassy of Switzerland in Budapest
National Day of Switzerland in 2026
Switzerland celebrates its National Day every year on 1 August, commemorating the signing of the Historic Federal Charter (Federal Pact) in 1291 by the three founding cantons of Uri, Schwyz (from which Switzerland takes its name), and Unterwalden.
This landmark agreement laid the foundation of the Swiss Confederation.
In 2026, the 26 cantons of Switzerland mark the 735th anniversary of this momentous event.
Happy Swiss National Day!
