On 22 April, the Modern Műtár contemporary exhibition space was inaugurated in Balatonfüred, which was funded by the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture (ECOC) programme.
Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Regional Development, was the first to speak at the opening ceremony, emphasising that culture is the powerhouse of economic growth, of regional cohesion and of creating, maintaining, and strengthening community cohesion. He noted that in its forty-year history, the European Capital of Culture initiative has always been more than just about cultural events and the useful use of free time. It was an effort to build on the community-building force of culture to give more to the people of the region than just a series of festivals with a good atmosphere, the minister said.
Art historian Judit Geskó, who opened the exhibition space, said that the collectors, hydrologist professor András Szöllősi-Nagy and painter Judit Nemes, a married couple, successfully thought through one of the essences of the pleasures of relaxing by the shores of Lake Balaton: „to smuggle high culture alongside the pretty beach slippers”. The new art gallery also shows that there is a link in the arts that connects civilisations, nations, and museums, because the impact of artworks is felt by everyone, he added.
András Szöllősi-Nagy thanked all those who contributed to the creation of the Modern Art Gallery and announced that on 23 June, during the Night of Museums, an exhibition of the oeuvre of Vera Molnár, who is now in her 100th year of life, will open on the third floor of the building.
According to the organisers, curator András Rényi has selected works by Bob Bonies, Carlos Cruz-Diez, István Haász, Hantai Simon, Anna Mark, Dóra Maurer, Marta Pan, and Luis Tomasello for the debut exhibition of fine art entitled Europe Connects.
The photo exhibition curated by Rita Somosi presents the works of Brassaï, Paul Alamssy, Imre Benkő, Lucien Hervé, Gábor Kerekes, Imre Kinszki, and Kata Sugár.
