Hungarian culture minister: ‘Classical culture has a key role’

Classical culture has a key role nowadays, the minister for culture and innovation said, addressing the grand gala closing the 6th Éva Marton International Singing Competition in the Hungarian State Opera on Sunday evening.

Éva Marton International Singing Competition, a celebration of classical culture

Balázs Hankó, who was also the patron of the event, welcomed that “the competition opens up a wealth of career opportunities for the participants”. He thanked participants that they helped preserve cultural values and pass them on from generation to generation.

Commending world-renowned soprano Éva Marton, the event’s namesake, Hanko said that her charisma had left an unforgettable mark on the world’s most prestigious opera stages. “Éva Marton is a shining star not only of Hungary but of the world of opera, she is an inspiration for generations,” the minister said.

Marton welcomed that the competition had maintained its level of prestige since its launch, adding that “in fact, better and better singers appear on stage year by year who set the bar high for the contestants”.

The first prize of the competition went to Korean tenor Park Jihoon, the second prize to Romanian baritone Mihai Damian and the third prize to Chinese mezzo-soprano Wu Hongni. Marton’s personal special prize was awarded to Russian soprano Alexandra Zotova, while the audience prize went to Korean soprano Yeo Yeeun.