New Hungarian ambassador introduces abstract art

Hungarian Ambassador to Korea Istvan Szerdahelyi, second from left, poses for a photo with guests during a reception at the "Folded ― Unfolded" exhibition at Sungkok Art Museum, Friday. Courtesy of Hungarian Cultural Center Seoul

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Ambassador Istvan Szerdahelyi, Hungary's new envoy to Seoul, held a reception wrapping up an exhibition that introduced the country's contemporary art to Korea, Friday.

The exhibit, "Folded ― Unfolded: Abstract painting by Hungarian artists in the 1960-1970s," was held at Sungkok Art Museum from Aug. 27 to Oct. 15, featuring art from MNB Arts & Culture, a contemporary art collection of the Central Bank of Hungary (Magyar Nemzet Bank, MNB).

About 70 artworks by 15 Hungarian artists from the collection showcase the characteristics of abstraction in Hungary's historical and geographical context in the 1960s and 1970s.

Recently arrived in Korea, Szerdahelyi is an Asia expert, whose previous ambassadorships include postings to Japan and Singapore.

Guests attend a reception at the "Folded ― Unfolded" exhibition, showcasing Hungarian abstract art, at Sungkok Art Museum in central Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Hungarian Cultural Center Seoul

The ambassador recently attended a ceremony commemorating the opening of a passenger flight route connecting Incheon and Budapest, Oct. 3.

"We are very glad for Korean Air to open this direct flight because (it reflects that) there is a need from the market, not only from business people, but also tourists. Budapest is a very popular destination with beautiful scenery and historical places. I can recommend to anyone, but especially to young tourists," he said.

"I think that the visitors from Korea to Hungary or from Hungary to Korea will increase significantly.”

The ambassador noted that Korea is becoming more well-known in Hungary thanks to Korean culture such as K-pop and Korean dramas as well as the advancement of Korean companies to Hungary.

"More young Hungarians want to study Korean among the Oriental languages department and Korean popular culture is also very popular," he said.

He said that Hungary is an economic powerhouse of the central European region, a dynamic, economically developing region of Europe, which Korean companies and students are well aware of, and said he hopes to develop bilateral relations stronger during his time here.

"Our relations are very diverse, from the business to the culture, to the sport (and) to the tourism. I try to improve all of them. I think there is more opportunity and possibility to strengthen our cooperation in the field of sport for example," he said.