The presentation, which includes an exhibition of photographs documenting the concert venue and cultural centre's first years, was hosted by the Collegium Hungaricum in Vienna. The programme was rounded out with a concert by the Elemér Balázs Group.
In spite of its relatively young age - MUPA opened in March 2005 - it has drawn the attention of professionals as well as audiences. The aim of the road show was to raise the profile of MUPA from the cultural point of view as well as the architectural one.
The most significant cultural developments and events in Hungary are tied to the Palace of Arts, said Collegium Hungaricum director Zoltán Fónagy. Slowly a new city centre is being built up around the arts centre, he added.
The presentation showed a chronology of MUPA's programmes over the past several years, including last year's Tchaikovsky marathon and this year's Dvorak marathon as well as the Budapest Wagner Days. The Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art, which shares the same building as MUPA, was also part of the presentation.
The exhibition of photographs included images of everything from dance pieces to performances by famous musicians that MUPA has hosted. The Hungarian conductors Ádám Fischer and Zoltán Kocsis are among them, as are Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club, and the singer Thomas Hampson.
András Csonka, MUPA's deputy director, noted that Vienna and Budapest are very close to each other, and not just on the map.
Photo: MUPA
