The institute opened an exhibition of work by Kohán, who was born a hundred years ago, with a concert featuring mostly works by Erkel, who was born 200 years ago. The Bartók Ensemble from Gyula?s neighbor Békéscsaba performed at the event.
Visitors could sample the city of Gyula and Békéscsaba?s famous salami at the opening.
The event was opened by Hungarian MEP Tamás Deutsch, who said the works of both artists offered a picture of 200 years of regional and national history. Erkel was a witness to the waking of Hungarian national self-consciousness, to the lost war for freedom and to the cultural and economic developments under the double monarchy. Kohán survived World War II, saw Europe divided and lived through socialism.
The Hungarian Cultural Institute in Brussels also plans to highlight the region of Eastern Hungary, where Gyula is located, as part of a series in which they have already focused on Budapest and the 2010 European Capital of Culture Pécs, said institute director Krisztina Reményi. Northern Hungary and the region around Lake Balaton will also be part of the series.
The centenary celebrations will not end in Brussels, said Gyula mayor Klára Perjési. The show of paintings is expected to travel to Romania around the winter holidays, added Corvin Museum director Péter Havassay.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / Photo: MTI
