Vibrant Hungarian cultural life overseas

In recent months, the Liszt Institute in New York has welcomed audiences with a wide range of Hungarian cultural programs. They organised a visit to the US by Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation, and opened a photo exhibition in Orlando showcasing the rich natural heritage of the Veszprém-Bakony-Balaton regions. The Institute also hosted a joint concert by Hungarian Emerging Artists and the Altalena Artists Collective, and participated in the prestigious Photography Show 2025. In early May, the Institute supported the participation of two Hungarian artists at MAD About Jewelry, one of the world’s most prominent events for contemporary jewelry art.

Between April 6 and 9, 2025, Dr. Balázs Hankó, Hungary’s Minister of Culture and Innovation, and his delegation held talks at the Ivy League universities of Harvard, Yale, and Columbia, coordinated by the Liszt Institute in New York. The visit aimed to strengthen Hungarian-American cooperation in higher education, innovation, and cultural affairs. Dr. Veronika Varga-Bajusz, State Secretary, Gábor Csaba, Deputy State Secretary and László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary were the members of the ministerial delegation, who represented the different fields. Minister Hankó delivered sold-out lectures at Yale and Columbia Universities, as well as at the New York Young Republican Club.

From April 4 to 7, the renowned Mills Gallery in Orlando hosted the photo exhibition Lights of the Landscape. Organized by Honorary Consul Piros Pazaurek in collaboration with the Liszt Institute, the exhibition showcased the rich natural heritage of the Veszprém-Bakony-Balaton region through the lens of photographer Csaba Toroczkai.

On Palm Sunday, a joint concert by the Hungarian Emerging Artists and the Altalena Artists Collective took place at the prestigious Rose Studio of the world-renowned Lincoln Center, organized by the Liszt Institute. The program featured performances by outstanding young Hungarian and international musical talents from top U.S. institutions such as Bard College, The Juilliard School, and the Manhattan School of Music. The finest works of classical music, with special emphasis on the works of Rezső Kókai, György Ligeti, and Béla Bartók were presented. The concert featured distinguished pianist Reiko Aizawa, professor at the Bard Conservatory of Music, and honored guest Dr. Albert-László Barabási, renowned neuroscientist. The event was an excellent and successful example of both support for young talent and active outreach to the most prestigious music institutions in the United States. Following the concert, guests were invited to a celebratory reception, where they could enjoy authentic Hungarian wines.

Recognized as one of the most important international events in contemporary and classical photography, The Photography Show 2025, organized by the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), once again served as a prestigious professional platform for leading figures in global photography—this year with the support of the Liszt Institute. Among the works exhibited at the booths of participating international galleries were photographs by acclaimed Hungarian artists, including László Moholy-Nagy, Gyula Zaránd, and, previously featured figures by the Institute, such as André Kertész and Brassaï (Halász Gyula). The strong Hungarian presence further solidified the position of Hungarian talents among the greats of the photography world, while also contributing to the expansion of the Institute’s professional network and its audience of visual arts enthusiasts.

From May 4 to 7, MAD About Jewelry—one of the most prominent international events in contemporary jewelry art—was held in New York. Organized annually by the Museum of Arts and Design, the event features fifty acclaimed and emerging designers from around the world. This year, thanks to the support of the Liszt Institute New York, Hungary was represented by jewelry designers Katalin Jermakov and Anna Bánkúti at this prestigious exhibition. On May 5, the Institute’s partners were invited to a guided tour of the show led by curator Bryna Pomp.

An interview with Katalin Jermakov was also conducted, and will soon be available on the Institute’s website and social media platforms for those who are interested.