Around 450 institutions nationwide are set to welcome visitors with approximately 2500 programmes on 22 June for the Night of Museums. This year’s highlighted locations are Székesfehérvár and Esztergom, with numerous accompanying events tied to the European Football Championship.
‘This is the twenty-second time we are organising the Night of Museums. This year, the museums will draw attention to significant forerunners of various artistic styles and also to new trends,’ Róbert Zsigó, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation on Wednesday in Budapest at a press conference held at the Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism. He pointed out that, in addition to permanent and temporary exhibitions, museums will also offer family and children’s programmes, film screenings, interactive events, folk art attractions, and concerts.
‘This year’s theme is the assist, in connection with the European Football Championship. The assist signifies that successful football requires the collective effort of the entire team. Similarly, today’s cultural values are also created through a series of assists,’ Zsigó explained. He expressed hope that the number of visitors for this year’s Night of Museums will reach or exceed last year’s record of 380,000.
In Székesfehérvár, visitors will be able to enjoy 50 programmes at 15 locations.
‘The most important task of the municipal structure is community organisation, which is unimaginable without culture and sport. The Night of Museums is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our cultural and historical values,’ András Cser-Palkovics, Mayor of Székesfehérvár noted in his remarks. He highlighted some of the city’s programmes for 22 June, including a joint exhibition by the Military History Museum and the King Saint Stephen Museum, a Chinese exhibition at the István Csók Gallery in collaboration with Szeged and Székesfehérvár, and the visitor centre of the Coronation Basilica. He added that visitors can support the István Regőczi Foundation for charitable purposes this year.
In Esztergom, 65 programmes will be available at 13 locations.
‘Esztergom is Hungary’s first city, and its past, historical, religious, and cultural memories endow us with special opportunities and responsibilities. For us, the Night of Museums is a celebration and a collaboration, with Párkány (Štúrovo) also participating as an additional cross-border location,’ remarked Zoltán Szekér, CEO of Visit Esztergom. He highlighted the presentation of King Charles IV’s coronation throne at the Christian Museum. Róbert Török, director of the Hungarian Museum of Trade and Tourism, the host of the press conference, spoke about various activities at their institution for the Night of Museums, including a football-themed playhouse, guided tours, lectures, an oriental café, interactive photography, and oriental music. The ambassador for the 22 June event is actor Gábor Csöre.
In Budapest, events and exhibitions for the Night of Museums can be attended with a unified wristband: adult wristbands cost 3000 forints, and children’s wristbands (ages 6-18) cost 1500 forints. These wristbands not only provide entry to participating institutions and programmes but also allow free use of the BKK museum bus routes.
The main organizer of the Night of Museums is the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, with key media partners being public M5 cultural television and Kossuth radio.
Read about last year’s event:
