Imre Day, as envisioned by an Égerházi
In 2025, cooperation between the descendants of painter Imre Égerházi and the municipality of Hajdúhadház was renewed. Mayor Dénes Csáfordi and I agreed to move the exhibition of Imre Égerházi’s life’s work back to the renovated Imre Égerházi Memorial House based on my concept, and to open the house to the general public in May. All this has been a great success, with the renovated building and the exhibition representing Imre Égerházi’s work in a fitting manner. When designing the exhibition rooms, I took my father’s original concept into account as far as possible, which was primarily based on a chronological presentation of his life’s work. Of course, I also took into account the content and aesthetic aspects of the works, and we use photos and wall decorations to present Imre Égerházi’s work.
During discussions about the reopening of the Imre Égerházi Memorial House, we agreed with the mayor that we would commemorate the European-renowned painter, who was born 100 years ago, with exhibitions and commemorative events during the fall. As part of the Égerházi 100 anniversary year, which has become the umbrella name for Hajdúhadház’s cultural activities in 2025, we held Imre Égerházi Day in Hajdúhadház on November 5. November 5 is also Imre’s name day, and he was greeted many times in the city on this occasion.
As part of Imre Égerházi Day, we welcomed visitors with a full day of programs. At 2 pm in the Imre Égerházi Memorial House, we donated two rare works to the city. These mosaics, made from Mettlach tiles in the 1960s, are unique and very valuable pieces from Imre Égerházi’s artistic legacy. Art writer Balázs Feledy presented the mosaics to city leaders and visitors. He then gave a detailed guided tour of the renovated Imre Égerházi Memorial House.
Imre Égerházi Memorial House
The program continued at 3:30 p.m. at the János Földi Library. Here, Deputy Mayor Péter Asztalos opened the exhibition entitled “Imre Égerházi – From Hortobágy to Gyergyó,” and art writer Balázs Feledy presented the works. I tried to compile the exhibition from paintings that differ from those continuously exhibited in Hajdúhadház. As part of the opening, at 4 pm I presented my book on his life’s work, entitled “Imre Égerházi – Master of 20th-Century Great Plain Painting.” The audience listened with interest to the details of the book’s creation, the secrets of the workshop, and the stories I recalled in connection with them.
János Földi Library
The program series continued at 6 pm in the City Hall council chamber. The exhibition entitled “The Decades of Imre Égerházi,” compiled from the timeline of Imre Égerházi’s life’s work, was opened by Dénes Csáfordi, mayor of Hajdúhadház, my brother Péter Égerházi, and art writer Balázs Feledy. After the opening, a panel discussion was held in memory of Imre Égerházi. Participants included painter Rudolf Velényi, art writer Lajos Arany, and art writer Balázs Feledy. I moderated the approximately 50-minute remembrance. At 7 pm, we gave a concert with the band Djabe, playing songs from our two albums based on Imre Égerházi’s paintings, Táncolnak a kazlak (The Sheafs are Dancing) and Csodaszarvas (The Magic Stag).
The memorial day was a great success, and on behalf of the family, we would like to thank Hajdúhadház for its exemplary attitude in preserving the memory of this world-renowned painter. Based on local and subsequent feedback, the audience found the programs very meaningful and enjoyable, and last but not least, the Égerházi family and the band also had a good time. At the end of the day, the mayor and I agreed that we would like to continue our cooperation. We hope to meet again in 2026 for another meaningful Imre Égerházi Day.
City Hall council chamber
February 17 2026
Attila Égerházi