Szeged’s REÖK at 18: restored Green Salon unveiled amid full-day program

News

Aug 20

The Regional Arts Center, known as REÖK, celebrated its 18th anniversary last Saturday with the reopening of the restored Green Salon, a room in the Reök Palace that has preserved the building’s original 1907 design.

The renovation began in mid-July, with workers carefully repairing damage on the wallpaper-like decorative walls using fine brushes. The city allocated 5 million forints (about $14,000) for the project.

The Green Salon is the only space in the 118-year-old Art Nouveau palace that has retained its original aesthetic.

At the handover ceremony, City Council member József Kozma, who chairs the committee for culture, education, tourism, and youth, reflected on the building’s history.

“This 18th birthday marks the coming of age of the Regional Arts Center — not the palace itself, which has such a long past that it’s already history,” Kozma said. “Over the past 18 years, this hall has hosted and witnessed countless important cultural events. It is our responsibility to use this beautiful palace and this salon worthily, keeping the city’s cultural life alive within it.”

László Barnák, director general of the Szeged National Theater, which operates REÖK, also spoke at the event.

“A hundred years after the palace was built, the city transformed it into the Regional Arts Center, with municipal support, 18 years ago,” Barnák said. “Since then, it has grown into one of Hungary’s leading venues for contemporary art. Visitors can see not only fine and applied arts exhibitions, but also theater performances and concerts.”

He added that ticket-holders of the Szeged Open-Air Festival can tour the building free of charge, and guided palace tours are also available. “This is a truly magnificent Art Nouveau building — not only a jewel of Szeged, but of European architecture as well,” Barnák said.

Following the handover, Szeged National Theater opera singers Krisztina Kónya and Szilveszter Szélpál performed a concert titled We Musical Souls in the refurbished Green Salon, accompanied on piano by Dániel Erik Fülöp.

The full-day celebration also featured family and children’s programs, artist-led tours, light art projection, music performances, and a photo salon.