From October 19 to 22, 2025, the 4th China-CEEC Curators’ Forum of Libraries Union took place at the Hungarian National Museum Public Collection Centre (MNMKK) National Széchényi Library (hereinafter referred to as the National Széchényi Library) in Budapest, Hungary. Representatives from member libraries of the China-CEEC Libraries Union, including those from China, Hungary, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Poland, Croatia, and other countries, as well as representatives from international and European library organizations, attended the event.

The opening ceremony began with welcome speeches delivered by representatives of several distinguished institutions. Judit Gerencsér, Deputy Director General of the National Széchényi Library, opened the event on behalf of the institution, emphasizing the importance of cooperation, cultural connections, and dialogue on the future of libraries. She was followed by H.E. Gong Tao, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Hungary, who highlighted the strengthening of cultural and scientific relations between the two countries. Dr. Ádám Imre Szűcs, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, concluded the opening remarks by underlining the long-term value of international cultural dialogue and cooperation. Liu Dong, Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Union, read a congratulatory letter from Ambassador Chen Guoyou, Ambassador Chen Guoyou, Special Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China for China-CEEC Cooperation Affairs.

Judit Gerencsér, Deputy Director General of the National Széchényi Library, delivered a welcome speech

Liu Dong, Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Union, read a congratulatory letter from Ambassador Chen Guoyou, Special Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China for China-CEEC Cooperation Affairs

The keynote presentations took place in three consecutive sessions, featuring renowned international experts who presented trends and innovations shaping the future of libraries. In the first session, Helen Mandl, Deputy Secretary General of IFLA, in her presentation “Translating Trends – Transforming Ideas to Impactful Local Actions,” discussed how global library trends could be transformed into effective local initiatives. She was followed by Andrew Cranfield, Director of EBLIDA, whose talk “Shelter from the Storm” emphasized the social role of libraries as spaces for dialogue, inclusion, and transformation. 

Liu Dong, Director General of the Hangzhou Public Library, presented the concept of the community “New Reading Spaces,” while Ding Yong, Deputy Director of the Nanjing Library, spoke about collaboration-based methods for data analysis and knowledge sharing. In the third session, Judit Gerencsér, Deputy Director General of the National Széchényi Library, gave a presentation on the trends and Hungarian innovations shaping the future of national libraries, and Jasmina Ninkov, Director of the National Library of Serbia, concluded the keynotes by interpreting the future of libraries through the concepts of Connection, Creation, Interaction, and Inspiration.

at the forum site

The keynote presentations were followed by thematic sessions examining the role of libraries in the information society, the use of new technologies, and the building of cultural bridges among cities, countries, regions and continents. The session “Innovative Solutions, Best Practices for a Shared Future in Libraries” focused on showcasing good practices and innovative approaches in libraries, while “Collaboration Beyond Borders in Libraries: AI and New Technologies Shaping Tomorrow” placed emphasis on cooperation and the transformative role of artificial intelligence. “Bridging Cultures throughout Preservation, Digitalization, Services in Libraries” discussed cultural heritage preservation and digitalisation challenges, and “Future of our Profession with New Roles – Education and Lifelong Learning” highlighted the transformation of the librarian’s role and the importance of lifelong learning. “Decoding the Future: New Technologies and the Power of Reading” examined the relationship between technological development and reading, while “Bookmark Your Library – Marketing, Public Awareness, Promotion” addressed the enhancement of libraries’ visibility, social embeddedness, and communication strategies.

at the sessions site

group photo of the participants

On the afternoon of October 21, forum participants attended a cultural and artistic event titled “Dialogue and Connection” organized by the China Cultural Center in Budapest, where they explored the meeting points of Chinese and Hungarian cultures. The event featured a performance blending Eastern and Western cultural elements, and included a visit to the exhibition “Chinese White – The Silk Road Porcelain Charm: A Dialogue with Dehua White Porcelain Civilization” as well as a tour of the center’s facilities.

representatives participated in the “Dialogue and Connection” themed activity held on-site

(photos provided by the China Cultural Center in Budapest)

The forum concluded successfully thanks to the passionate cooperation of all parties involved. By blending international perspectives with local practices, and integrating cutting-edge ideas with real-world examples, the forum provided a high-quality platform for global library industry dialogue and effectively built consensus for the future development of the sector. The heartfelt messages from Ambassador Gong Tao and Ambassador Chen Guoyou further highlighted the significance of the forum. Moving forward, the Union will seize this opportunity to stay attuned to the pulse of the digital age and industry development trends, continuing to strengthen practical cooperation under the guidance of the Global Civilization Initiative. It will also explore innovative forms of cooperation, enrich its content, and improve collaboration quality, enabling libraries to play an even greater role in connecting civilizations and inspiring minds.