The exhibition consists of more than one hundred books, manuscripts, illustrations, paintings, and documents. For security reasons, the exhibition consists only of high-quality facsimiles and copies. Among them are the first Bible printed by Gutenberg, the prayer book of Frederick the Wise illustrated by Albrecht Dürer, prints by Lukas Cranach, manuscripts by Luther, and a letter by his wife. Also included are paintings of Luther?s parents, a replica of his goblet, and paintings of his closest friends.
The exhibition, which opened in Winnipeg in 2003 and has travelled all around North America and Europe, comes to Budapest from Bratislava. It aims to visualize the fascinating and so human life of this learned theologian, powerfully eloquent preacher, teacher, and considerate family man, as well, the exhibition?s organisers write.
As a Reformer he helped renew Western Christianity. As an author he won a mass audience as nobody had before him. As a poet, writer, and translator he ?reformed? the German language in ways that can be felt still today so that he can be considered the father of the modern German language. His life is inseparably connected with the Reformation, first in Germany, then across Europe, and ultimately on to America, Africa, and, even, Asia. It is rare that one individual gains such an influence on own his epoch. Even rarer that such effect can still be felt today, the organisers write.
A unique feature of the exhibition in Hungary will be the inclusion of mostly original material loaned by Hungarian institutions showing the links between Luther and Hungary.
The Budapest History Museum is located in Building E of the Budavári Palace.
Source: www.mult-kor.hu / www.luther-zentrum.de
