The codex will be the first of a series of Hungary?s most treasured tomes and documents to be put on public display at the National Széchényi Library. In a brand new display room in the F wing of the Buda Castle, the library will show a different book every three months, including the Illustrated Chronicles, the Pray Codex, the original hand-written copy of the Hungarian national anthem and many more.
"I believe that which has cultural value should be brought close to the public, rather than being kept in a storeroom," Hiller said at the ceremony opening the exhibition. He added that the national treasures to be displayed during the series of exhibitions ?unite us, strengthen our connections and make us remember,"
The Philostratus Corvina is the work of Philostratus, a leading third-century Athenian sophist and his nephew. It contains descriptions of the lives of ancient heroes and philosophers. The text was translated from Greek to Latin by court historian Antonio Bonfini in 1487. Viennese humanist Johannes Gremper acquired the Philostratus codex in 1513, and it eventually became a part of the collection of the Austrian National Library. It was returned to Hungary under the Treaty of Venice in 1932.
Péter Dippold, the library?s scientific director, said the series of exhibitions was the brainchild of library director István Monok, who responded to requests by numerous institutions and individuals to show the library?s treasures. Dippold noted the space had been designed to ensure maximum security for the objects, adding that the three-month period for each to be shown was a matter of necessity: such old and rare books should not be displayed for any longer.
The exhibitions are expected to attract an annual 100,000 visitors.
Hungarian National Gallery Director Loránd Bereczky also presented at the opening ceremony a three-piece tapestry bearing the Corvinus seal created over several years by members of the Hungarian Association Tapestry Artists.
Also opened on Thursday was an exhibition entitled ?Myth and Reality?, which examines Hungary?s Latin histories. László Szörényi, director of the Literary Studies Institute at the Hungarian Academy of Science, opened the exhibition.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
