DECEMBER 2018 HUF 1710 EUR 6 The end of the year is a festive time in most parts of the world and Hungary is no exception. IT IS THE Open air markets offer toys, handicrafts, souvenirs and culinary specialties in Budapest and throughout the FESTIVE countryside. SEASON! SEE MORE on page 41 18012 18006 9 771558 980700 9 771558 980700 18001 18007 9 771558 980700 9 771558 980700 18002 Japan18008 The overall goal Kuni Sato set for herself 15 years of when she began her tenure as the Japanese 9 771558 980700 9 771558 980700 Ambassador in Budapest was “to further develop DIPLOMACY&TRADE the close and amicable relationship with Hungary that we and our ancestors have built up, so far.” Thank you for the past 15 18003 In an 18009interview, she tells Diplomacy&Trade that years cooperation as we bilateral economic relations are built “through the goodwill and steady efforts of many people” look forward to our future 9 771558 980700 9 771558 980700 and that Japanese people have a surprisingly together. country good knowledge of Hungary. We wish our readers, 18004 18010 FOCUS see articles on pages 10-31 advertisers and partners happy holidays and a 9 771558 980700 9 771558 980700 prosperous new year! 977155898070018011 One-stop shop 18005 The 18011Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA) has an important role in attracting German investments to Hungary. Its President, Róbert Ésik says in the Germany section of Diplomacy&Trade that in 2017, 30% of their projects 9 771558 980700 9 771558 980700 were related to German companies and this ratio is even higher, some 35%, when considering the number of jobs or the value of the investment that these German companies represent. see article on page 35 Book 1.indb 1 12/5/18 3:55 PM culture THE HEALING POWER OF FILMS AND FILM-MAKING ‘VERZIÓ 15’ FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS WAPIKONI’S FRIENDS This year’s annual International received the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh the trainings, and with this new opportunity to Human Rights Documentary Film Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and be seen and recognized, participants have had Festival titled ‘Verzió 15’ presented Non-violence, on the occasion of the a boost in self-esteem and improved their 59 films from 35 countries as well as a huge International Day for Tolerance (November ability to manage stress. They feel less number of programs including roundtable 16), at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. isolated, less invisible and therefore less and panel discussions, concerts and more. dependent on drugs and alcohol. This is how Organized in November, the festival started in Learning by doing making short films about their own culture can Budapest and continued in Pécs, Kecskemét The mobile studios travel thousands of save lives.” Wapikoni Mobile also creates jobs, and Szeged. In Budapest alone, the fest had kilometers each year, visiting new and old employing a dozen people in its administrative up to 10,000 visitors over six days. One of Aboriginal communities, providing workshops offices and approximately 60 contractual the highlights of the festival, the screening for First Nations youth that allow them to field workers, a half of them indigenous. of Mathieu Vachon’s ‘Wapikoni – Encounter master digital tools by directing short films Officially partnering with UNESCO, the in Kitcisakik’, followed by a discussion on and musical works. During each stopover, company extended its workshops throughout women’s roles in Canada, with special guests ‘mentor filmmakers’ welcome and train the country, and stepped thru the borders Isabelle Poupart, Ambassador of Canada thirty young participants during all stages of of Canada, effectively giving a voice to more to Hungary and Canadian documentary implementation. By bringing youth together, and more young Indigenous people in South filmmaker Manon Barbeau was organized by participating in positive and rewarding America, Europe and the Middle-East. the Visual World Foundation. activities, the arrival of Wapikoni Mobile offers earned her people’s trust: she was the "respite" to communities often faced with Why Wapikoni? primary candidate for the position of tribal severe social issues. Sometimes referred ‘Wapikoni – Encounter in Kitcisakik’, in chief in her community. Her senseless to as a ‘youth center on wheels', at times, 51 minutes, documents a visit by the death, and the many other tragedies among Wapikoni Mobile hosts, children, parents Wapikoni Mobile, the celebrated studio Canadian indigenous people, upset me so and grandparents who become involved in on wheels that for the past six years has much that I decided to take action.” The different ways in creative youth projects. “Our travelled through Aboriginal communities launch of Wapikoni Mobile took place in mobile studios offer a safe and friendly place in Quebec, providing production training 2004 during the Montreal First Peoples of creation, equipped with the latest digital to youth. “Wapikoni Mobile today is also a Festival. Motorized vehicles outfitted with technology in film-making and music. They are non-profit organization based in Montreal, editing and recording equipment were sent an environment conducive to communication Quebec', explains Manon Barbeau, who to indigenous communities, offering youth and intergenerational relationships essential co-founded the organization in 2003 the opportunity to express themselves by for the transmission of cultural traditions and along with the Council of the Atikamekw shooting documentaries, music videos practices between youth and seniors. They Nation and the Youth Council First or short films. “The idea also serve as venue for the public and media VERZIÓ 15 FESTIVAL Nations of Quebec and Labrador was an instant hit. The during special events, forums, conferences, The primary aim of documentary filming is to record the (currently known as First Nations first permanent studio was exhibitions, product launches, and more,” events of the world, to reveal hidden phenomena, and to of Quebec and Labrador Youth inaugurated at Wemotaci in Barbeau notes, adding that since Wapikoni’s show human stories: to create a visual imprint of what is going on around us. Therefore, the slogan of this year’s Network). According to Barbeau, 2006; other communities inception, more than 5,000 participants have festival is the Latest Imprint of the World! the name Wapikoni pays tribute have since acquired similar been trained or initiated in documentary film or to a 20-year-old Atikamekw studios. Today, the company musical recording; 300 to 500 new participants IMPLEMENTING WAPIKONI MOBILE girl who lost her life in a car is proud to have helped each year. “70 short films and 30 musical METHODS IN HUNGARY accident on the badly maintained produce over a thousand recordings are created every year in Canada Following the screening at Toldi cinema, within the frame- work of the ‘Wapikoni’s Friends’ program, a workshop was road leading up to a reservation. short films – an unparalleled and abroad, which make a one-of-a-kind organized, bringing together 60 people, including Counsellor “Wapikoni Awashish, with her cultural heritage,” says indigenous cultural heritage collection that is Charlotte Garay from the Candian Embassy in Budapest, MATHIEU BUZZETTI/MBMPHOTO, VICKY MOAR-NIQUAY, TÍMEA HAJDRÁK pure heart, bravery, and dedicated Barbeau, who, shortly unique in the world, so far featuring over 1,000 along with representatives of organizations working with community-building work, had after her visit to Budapest, films and 750 musical recordings. As a result of Roma populations and advocates for vulnerable groups. photos by DECEMBER 2018 | DIPLOMACY& TRADE | www.dteurope.com 46 Book 1.indb 46 12/5/18 3:59 PM.