Picasso exhibition to headline Night of Museums in Szeged

SZEGED, Hungary – A major exhibition exploring the relationship between Pablo Picasso and Hungarian artists will open Saturday at the Móra Ferenc Museum, serving as the centerpiece of this year’s Night of Museums celebrations in Szeged.

The exhibition, titled “Dear Friend, Picasso!,” will remain on view through the end of December and feature nearly 30 works by the Spanish artist, including paintings and ceramics. Alongside Picasso’s works, visitors will see pieces by Hungarian artists who maintained personal and artistic connections with him during his years in Paris.

The exhibition includes works by Vilmos Aba-Novák, Béla Czóbel, Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, Ödön Márffy, Lajos Tihanyi, Róbert Berény and Lajos Szalay, among others. Organizers say the exhibition aims to highlight the often-overlooked role Hungarian artists played in Picasso’s artistic circle and development.

The exhibition also incorporates immersive elements, using large-scale projections to surround visitors with artworks and create an interactive experience.

Night of Museums programs at the Móra Ferenc Museum begin at 6 p.m. Saturday and continue until midnight. Guided tours of the Picasso exhibition will depart every hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. The tours will be conducted in Hungarian.

In addition to the Picasso exhibition, ticket holders will have access to the museum’s indoor programs and exhibitions, including the display of a rare Byzantine coin made partly of gold that was recently discovered during excavations at the medieval Monastery of St. Philip in Szőreg. Researchers say the find could prove significant, although its origins and connection to an unusual burial at the site remain under investigation.

Several outdoor programs will also take place in front of the museum and can be attended free of charge.

The evening will open with a welcome ceremony, followed by a concert by the Szélműves ensemble and a folk dance performance by the Hatetudnád Dance School. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the mascot of the OTP Bank Pick Szeged handball team.

Singer Angelika Tóth, who is set to appear in the upcoming Szeged Open-Air Festival production of “Wicked,” will perform one of the musical’s songs during the event.

A fashion show featuring abstract, surrealist and Cubist-inspired designs from creators across Hungary will return to the program after drawing large audiences in previous years.

The outdoor lineup will also include a fire-juggling performance by Fire Fantasy and a traditional St. John’s Eve fire dance. The evening will conclude with a concert by the Docpiano Band.

Beyond the Móra Ferenc Museum, Night of Museums visitors can also explore the Fekete Ház, Kass Gallery, the Vármúzeum and Kőtár, and the Szent-Györgyi Albert Agóra, all of which will offer special programs as part of the nationwide event.

Night of Museums is Hungary’s largest annual museum celebration, with museums, galleries and cultural institutions across the country offering extended opening hours, special exhibitions and unique programs for a single summer evening.

Featured image only for illustration. Szegedify archive