Prime Minister Péter Magyar and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Dávid Vitézy jointly opened a new temporary exhibition at the Hungarian Technical and Transportation Museum on Saturday, marking the institution’s return after a one-year break.
Transportation Museum reopens after a year
The exhibition, titled Fasten Your Seatbelts!, is being held in the former Northern Railway Repair Depot (Északi Járműjavító), the planned future home of the museum. As Index writes, visitors can explore the history of transport safety through a wide range of exhibits, including road, rail, aviation, maritime and urban transport artefacts.
In his opening speech, Magyar reflected on the development of transport from the past to the present day and highlighted the educational value of transport museums. He described such exhibitions as family-friendly programmes where visitors can learn through play, discover technological achievements and spend quality time together.
“Transport museums are among the most popular museums in many countries, and Hungary is no exception,” the prime minister said. He also used the occasion to promote the nationwide Night of Museums programme, which this year is being held for the 24th time and involves around 300 museums and cultural venues.
Strong praise for Vitézy
Magyar reserved special praise for Vitézy, describing him as perhaps “the greatest enthusiast of Hungarian transport”. He expressed confidence that under the minister’s leadership, Hungary would see new initiatives and programmes that bring the world of transport closer to families and younger generations while giving fresh momentum to the country’s transport sector.
Vitézy thanked the prime minister for the compliment but jokingly said that his enthusiasm could not rival that of the young railway volunteers attending the event.
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They even hinted at some criticism of the previous minister
The minister also addressed the recent history of the museum, criticising the political approach of his predecessor, János Lázár. Vitézy argued that divisive politics had negatively affected the institution, claiming that tensions between Budapest and the countryside had contributed to the museum’s temporary exhibition not opening last summer.
He emphasised that modern museums have an important mission to pass on knowledge away from digital screens and said the transport safety-themed exhibition serves this goal, particularly for younger visitors.
Following the speeches, guests toured the exhibition, with both Magyar and Vitézy exploring historic trams, cars and aircraft on display. Vitézy also revealed that public consultations on Hungary’s new Highway Code are expected to begin in July.
