"This is the inauguration of the house of the future. Although we are not by any means closing a period, we are opening a new path," Hiller said.
The former home of the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Bucharest belonged to the state asset manager until March of last year, when restitution rules returned the property to its former owner and the culture institute was no longer able to rent the property out. As the result of diplomatic talks, the Romanian government found a new home for the institute in a grand villa built in 1936. In light of the short supply on the Romanian capital's property market, the offer of the building was seen as a remarkable political gesture.
Hiller said he was sure the institute, at its new venue, would become a cultural meeting place and continue to offer a rich programme.
The institute opened an exhibition of photographs and films from Hungary's MEDIAWAVE festival. MEDIAWAVE director Jenő Hartyándi, the photographers Mirela Vlad and Patrick Moraras, and the Romanian poet and television personality Mircea Dinescu were present at the opening.
Hiller met with Romanian culture and heritage protection minister Kelemen Hunor as well as with education minister Daniel Petru Funeriu during his visit to Romania.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / Photo: MTI
