The Italian Embassy in Budapest, within its promotional activity for scientific and technological co-operation between Italy and Hungary, has initiated a series of scientific and cultural events illustrating the role which Hungary played in Europe, not least by a celebration of the nation’s archaelogical and architectural heritage.

On this topic, Italy has a consolidated and long since partnership with Central-East Countries, mainly with Hungary, for their common cultural roots and unique Cultural Heritage which must be preserved for future generations. Italy and Hungary, in fact, more than other Countries, have the need and duty to preserve this unique Cultural Heritage which belongs to the entire humanity.

The integral connection between science and culture is something strongly felt by the scientists and scholars of both countries; and this has nourished closed and detailed cooperation, including cooperation among archaeologists, art historians and architects as it is documented by the many common projects which are already on way between the two countries.

The experts and scientists gathered together in this magnificent ceremonial room of the pretigious Hungarian National Museum will surely pave the way to policy makers in undertaking the best strategies of interventions for preserving masterpieces of arts and artefacts of our ancestors.

In offering my heartfelt thanks to the Hungarian and Italian scholars and researchers who made this major cultural encounter possible, I must also record my satisfaction at the support given by our Embassy in Budapest to an event which clearly illustrates how deeply-rooted are the relations, at this moment in history, between the Italian and Hungarian cultures, not least in the conservation of the artistic and architectural heritage in Budapest.

On remarking again the high cultural and scientific value of this symposium, I wish you an enjoyable stay and profitable work.

Paolo Guido Spinelli