The Hungarian capital’s second largest concert hall, the Vigadó, was officially reopened on Friday following extensive restoration, with the ceremony attended by Hungarian President János Áder, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Mayor of Budapest István Tarlós. Minister for Human Resources Zoltán Balog presented the symbolic key to the building to György Fekete, President of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA).
Mr. Balog said that the reopening was scheduled for the eve of 15 March, Hungary's national holiday commemorating the 1848-49 revolution, because liberty has always been a major inspiration for Hungarian art, adding that the fully restored building was given into the care of the MMA because artists are meant to be free and art must always have a home.
Mr. Balog also pointed out other major cultural investments in Budapest, including the reconstruction of the Liszt Academy of Music last year, the restoration of the Mathias Church in the Buda Castle District, the beginning of the Museum Quarter project and the upcoming construction of the Ernő Rubik museum.
Mr. Tarlós said that Budapest is a key destination for international cultural tourism and the Vigadó will serve to further enhance the number and quality of cultural events the Hungarian capital has to offer.
The Vigadó concert hall, built by renowned Hungarian architect Frigyes Feszl in 1865, has hosted concerts by such illustrious performers as Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, Camille Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy, Bruno Walter, Herbert von Karajan, Vladimir Horowitz and Arthur Rubinstein.
(Ministry of Human Resources)
