Prime minister Orbán opens renewed Fine Arts Museum

Hungary’s prime minister formally reopened Budapest’s renewed Museum of Fine Arts in a ceremony on Tuesday.

In his address Viktor Orbán noted the importance of preserving Hungary’s culture, identity and sovereignty “amidst a European culture fight”.

“We live in peace with our own culture and history which is a great gift in today’s world. This is something we must value highly. … We believe in ideals that have stood the test of time and hope that there will come a common order for which we can all strive; the Fine Arts Museum is an embodiment of that hope,” the prime minister said.

Orbán praised his government’s measures to promote culture and said that Hungary’s museums in 2017 had attracted more visitors than the country’s entire population.

“We have the courage and power to continue the millennial tradition,” Orbán said. Referring to the Liget Project, a programme aimed at building a museum complex in the City Park behind the Museum of Fine Arts, he said that the scheme would “heal (cultural) wounds” and help carry on traditions into the 21st century.

“There had been some who did not find the museum building beautiful or patriotic enough; they have not proven right,” he added.