Szeged highlights mental health through the 15th PsychArt24 art marathon │ Szegedify

The 15th edition of PsychArt24, the 24-hour painting marathon promoting inclusion and mental health awareness, was held September 26–27, 2025. The nationwide event took place simultaneously in nine cities — Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, Pécs, Békéscsaba, Kecskemét, Kalocsa, Miskolc, and Sopron — with each location hosting its own marathon. All venues were linked through a livestream, allowing participants to see and connect with one another in real time.

All painting supplies were provided free of charge, and anyone interested was welcome to join over the 24-hour period. Participants included people living with psychosocial disabilities, health care professionals, faculty, students, hobbyists, and community members — all painting side by side in an atmosphere free from judgment, competition, and thematic restrictions.

Organizers describe PsychArt24 as an anti-stigma program rooted in the tradition of art brut, emphasizing the joy of creation, mutual acceptance, and the public visibility of mental health issues.

In Szeged, 221 registered participants created a total of 256 works, using 22 easels and three large tables set up in the SZTE József Attila Study and Information Center. Among the creators were patients, Hungarian and international students, and university faculty, with many returning participants joining once again. The event was open to anyone interested, allowing people from all backgrounds and skill levels to take part in the marathon. The University of Szeged’s Department of Psychiatry, which joined the national program in 2017, has been instrumental in organizing the local edition every year since.

As in past years, a professional jury will select standout works from this year’s creations for inclusion in a traveling exhibition. The 2025 collection is expected to be displayed in all nine participating cities — Szeged among them — in spring 2026.