Do we need to protect Hungarian art objects by keeping them in Hungary? MúzeumCafé 11. Péter Buzinkay Art historian, Inspectorate of Art Treasures, National Office of Cultural Heritage (NOCH) The question is both provocative and misleading, since protection is not about keeping items in Hungary. Protection primarily involves conservation, research and presentation. Legal tools of cultural heritage protection are necessary. Unfortunately, market forces often have a negative effect. Within Europe, […]
Linz09 European Capital of Culture – Austrian style MúzeumCafé 11. author: István Paszternák In recent years the title ‘European Capital of Culture’ has been awarded to towns close to Hungarian hearts, including Krakow and Sibiu (Nagyszeben). In 2013 Košice will pride itself as the bearer of the title and next year Hungary will be aiming to succeed with respect to its own ‘culture capital’, the town of Pécs, […]
They can all have their s(pr)ay Graffiti in a museum MúzeumCafé 10. author: Péter Hamvay Graffiti … a sign on the wall. Some think it is art, some regard it as spoiling walls and surfaces. It’s a fact that it can be created artistically and it can also be daubed in a bungling manner. The Angyalföld Local History Collection has compiled graffiti from Budapest’s 13th district for its exhibition open […]
Where the attic is also full of bones Dr Zsófia Demeter, chief counsellor, director of Fejér County Museums MúzeumCafé 10. author: Roland Borsos Dr Zsófia Demeter, appointed last May after a 34-year career in modern history, would like to initiate a new museum “golden age” in Fejér County. “We are going through times when it would be nice to lock yourself in and open the gates wide at the same time. We not only have to display the […]
A dangerous operation Zsolt Berta, head of the fine arts packers’ group in the Museum of Fine Arts MúzeumCafé 10. author: Viktória V. Nagy There are some people in an exceptional position. They are the privileged ones who can not only admire but also hold in their hands Van Gogh’s paintings, statues and chalices from the time of the Medicis or Sigismund of Luxemburg, not to mention treasures from ancient Egypt. Needless to say, they have to be careful […]
It is not honourable to trade with God Imre Pákh, businessman, “art buyer” MúzeumCafé 10. author: Mézes Gergely Imre Pákh calls himself a buyer, rather than a collector. He says that those who buy art do not take risks or discover anybody. However, one thing differentiates Imre Pákh from other purchasers of art objects – a passion for Mihály Munkácsy. Though he claims he discovers no one, he has an important mission – […]
In memory of Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum One of the most famous museums in the world celebrates its 250th anniversary this year MúzeumCafé 10. author: Orsolya Radványi Hans Sloane decided, that after his death the collection should be bequeathed to the nation. He was born in the northern Irish village of Killyleagh in the year 1660. Contemporary sources as well as current biographical encyclopaedias about famous personalities of the British Isles agree that he was a keen naturalist from early childhood, enthusiastically […]
The whole world in a cellar The largest permanent collection of flags MúzeumCafé 10. author: Noémi Tóth Beside the flags of five continents there are coats of arms, emblems and maps. A Welsh dragon attacks from the left and the lion of Sri Lanka from the right, farther on a sea cucumber embroidered on the flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands is a bright contrast. “At first I couldn’t get information […]
Where the poet found ‘respite’ The story of Mihály Babits’s house in Esztergom MúzeumCafé 10. author: Ádám Sztankay Three months before its scheduled opening in May, the renovated Mihály Babits Memorial House in Esztergom has no display cabinets. Nor are there any photographs on its walls. There are some items of furniture, though only one piece was originally in the house. Some others have been moved here with the help of the Petőfi […]
Khmers’ Heritage The Heaven on Earth Angkor National Museum, Siem Reap, Cambodia MúzeumCafé 10. author: Erzsébet Marton Cambodia’s Angkor National Museum, created with a European approach and Thai finances, opened in 2008. Its collection, the largest in country, is owned by the National Museum in Phnom Pen, which was built by the French between 1917 and 1920 using concepts about traditional Khmer architecture elaborated by French museologist and art historian George Groslier. […]