Final Notice

Thank you very much for the confirmations of attendance which have arrived so far.  We had much feedback by e-mail asking us to detail the message of the conference we are planning. Several of these e-mails inquired how this event is different from or similar to others of ISPA.

The most important advantage and difference of the Budapest conference is the significant affordability, with cheap contractual hotel prices (until the early bird deadline), no registration fee, and all meals provided during the meetings. Also, we strive to draw up with a circle of lecturers on a standard you already got accustomed on other ISPA meetings. Additionally, we make efforts to make your stay enriching and colorful, including an organ concert in the Palace of Arts, a boat cruise on the Danube, and an excursion to Szentendre, a small, charming town have been attracting a lot of artists. We also think that this conference would be an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with our brand new arts center, the Palace of Arts (opened in March 2005) which will host the whole event.

As we are announcing a European conference (without, of course, excluding overseas professionals and other notable organizations), the topics will ponder the roots, traditions as well as the future of the continent in light of the developments of the 21st century. It is very interesting to analyze this topic from a Central-European capital, gently bypassing the bored “hey EU newcomers, globalization will affect you firmly” comments.      

Our keynote speakers will analyze the following two main subjects besides other sub-topics:

• Traditions in Europe and the Cultural Globalization
• Arts Centers in the 21st Century

Invited speakers:  Gérard Mortier, General Director of Opera National de Paris
György Konrád, writer, Hungary
Yudhistir Raj Isar, President, EFAH
Richard Pulford, President, PEARLE
Graham Sheffield, Artistic Director, Barbican Centre
Moderator: Géza Kovács, Director General, Hungarian National Philharmonic
ISPA representatives: Johann F. Zietsman, ISPA CEO
Benson T. S. Puah, ISPA Chair Elect           
Martha H. Jones, ISPA Chair

Practical informations:

EXTENDED EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE UNTIL JULY 31, 2006!

• there will be NO conference fee, but our guests are kindly invited to pay via banking transfer or by credit card pre-charging
• 1 night in advance in the selected hotel at our CONTRACTUAL PRICE (as an Early Bird registration, until July 31, 2006)
• 1 night in advance in the selected hotel at ACTUAL HOTEL PRICE - up to triple more than the contractual price!!! (after July 31, 2006) 
• translation will be surely in English, and we will make efforts to extend it onto French and German.

Please find enclosed the draft program-material and the list of hotels.

Please note that the organizers should know about your intention of coming as soon as possible. Please respond to the International Affairs Department in the Palace of Arts.
Telephone: +36 1 555 3027; +36 1 555 3075
E-mail: palfi.gabor@mupa.hu, szilagyi.katalin@mupa.hu

The very best regards,

Géza Kovács