Culture – the Soul of the Nation
Dear Fellow Citizens, Esteemed Museum Visitors,
On June 21, we gather for the twenty-third time across the country to celebrate what unites us: our shared past, our national values, and the power of culture that transcends generations. The Night of Museums is more than just a summer event – it is a celebration of the Hungarian spirit. It offers us the chance to repeatedly reaffirm our connection to our nation, our history, and to one another.
With more than 400 venues and nearly 2,500 programs, Hungary’s largest cultural event welcomes all who wish to take part. This evening is about being one community: Hungarians. We speak the same language, we share the same heroes, and we bear a collective responsibility to preserve the legacy handed down to us by our forebears.
In this mission, families play a vital role. They are the keepers of culture, passing it on to their children so that even from an early age they may partake in the intellectual heritage that has shaped and nurtured the Hungarian nation from generation to generation. That is why it is especially heartening to see the Night of Museums becoming more and more of a family celebration – where time spent together and shared experiences strengthen the feeling of belonging.
This year, we place special emphasis on the legacy of Mór Jókai, born two hundred years ago. He is not only one of the greatest figures in Hungarian literature, but also a thinker and patriot whose writings consistently promoted national consciousness, the power of community, and faith in Hungary’s future. His work continues to set an example, reminding us that we can only build the future of our nation if we know and cherish our past.
Year after year, the Night of Museums proves that culture does more than entertain – it guides us, shapes our spirit, and binds us together. In a rapidly changing world full of challenges, it is especially important to have moments that allow us to reconnect with our roots, to strengthen our national identity, and to celebrate our Hungarian heritage together.
So let us meet on June 21 – and fill one of the shortest nights of summer with the light of Hungarian culture, the power of our shared memory, and the love of families!
Balázs Hankó
Minister of Culture and Innovation