Celebrating Irish-Hungarian Collaboration: A New Chapter Unveiled
At a press conference at the Irish Ambassador's residence in Budapest on 10 April, a historic tripartite cooperation agreement was signed between the City of Szombathely, the Embassy of Ireland to Hungary, and the Leopold Bloom Art Foundation.
At a press conference at the Irish Ambassador's residence in Budapest on 10 April, a historic tripartite cooperation agreement was signed between the City of Szombathely, the Embassy of Ireland to Hungary, and the Leopold Bloom Art Foundation.
The cornerstone of this collaboration is the placement of the Leopold Bloom Foundation's extensive collection of outstanding contemporary Hungarian art in the Szombathely Gallery. The collection will be unveiled on June 15, 2024, as part of the Bloomsday Szombathely festivities, from the 14 to 16 June.
In welcoming the agreement, Ambassador Almqvist's reflected on the deep-rooted connections between Ireland and Hungary, drawing parallels between the literary legacy of James Joyce and the shared European identity:
“More than anything, the pride Szombathely takes in its Joycean heritage. A pride that’s clear in its brilliant Bloomsday festival. In its stunning statue of the author – the best I’ve ever seen. And now in the marvellous murals across the city’s walls. The mural project is an incredible creative collaboration between some of Ireland and Hungary’s best artists. We’re deeply proud to support it.
As we embark on this journey of collaboration and creativity, we invite you to join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of Irish-Hungarian relations. Together, we honor our shared history, embrace our cultural heritage, and pave the way for a brighter, more interconnected future.
Ambassador Almqvist’s full speech is available here: