The Liszt Institute London reopens its doors to the wider public
After weeks of renovation, the Liszt Institute London has reopened its doors, signalling a vibrant return to fulfilling its role as the London’s leading Hungarian cultural hub. Nestled just off of Trafalgar Square, the institute welcomes audiences back with an ambitious programme showcasing visual arts, music, film and theatre — all in the spirit of cultural dialogue. Join the institute on its journey of cultural discovery!
A mainstay for Hungarian theatre in Central London
The most important result of the renovations was the refurbishment of the auditorium, where Hungarian theater productions now welcome audiences every two months. It is symbolic that the first performance after the reopening should also be dedicated to the theater, the 90 minutes long one-act production Hungarian Heroes which invites audiences to reflect on the past and present, linking history and identity in meaningful ways to commemorate the 1956 Revolution and Fight for Freedom.
A special strand of the programme takes up the theme of our shared heritage — in particular the Jewish-Christian roots that shape Hungarian culture and history. Radix with actor Géza Röhrig, flautist Noémi Győri and pianist József Balog interweaves drama, dialogue and music, inviting the audience to explore the deeper layers of identity, memory and faith that underlie much of Hungarian creative life.
Film culture cannot be left behind either: as part of the Beyond Kino Hungarian Film Club, audiences may discover the impact of Hungarian cinema on the international scene through a number of archive and more recent films. The event Korda & Korda – Insiders Outside British Cinema offers an exciting insight into the golden age of British filmmaking in the 1940s, which was greatly influenced by the Hungarian Korda brothers.
New temporary exhibitions
This autumn has seen two striking exhibitions come to life. The solo show Sense of Calm in conjunction with London Design Festival by British-Hungarian multidisciplinary artist Laura Medcalf transforms stillness into an immersive experience: layers of light-sensitive crystals, water-borne materials and the textures of soil converge to evoke a meditative space amid the London rush. Her exhibition in London was shaped through Britain’s Jurassic Coast, along the Danube and Tisza rivers, and the tranquil surface of Lake Balaton, all the way to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas.
Next comes Biophilia, an exciting crossover exhibition combining photo-art and science, bringing together the works of neuroscientist Dániel Barabási and photographer-artist Balázs Csizik to explore our bond with nature and living systems, and the relationship between biological and urban growth.
A place for jazz exchange
The Institute’s popular musical programming once again takes centre stage. Among the highlights is a concert by the celebrated Hungarian jazz guitarist and composer Attila László, who will perform at the 606 Club, while Krisztián Oláh’s Quartet and Lőrinc Barabás will appear as part of the EFG Jazz Festival at the Barbican and the Toulouse Lautrec Bar. The vibrant light music programme culminates with a performance by the MÜPA Jazz Showcase-award-winning Szabolcs Horváth Quartet at the Liszt Institute. Through a series of collaborative events and close partnerships, the Institute positions Hungarian jazz at the forefront of the contemporary music scene in one of the world’s leading capitals for popular music, London.
The Liszt Institute in London is the UK's leading Hungarian cultural venue, a living, breathing space for cultural exchange. Visitors may find tranquility in an exhibition, rhythm in a jazz evening, and history in a film or theater event.
