Imre Égerházi exhibition, Hajdúhadház, János Földi Bilingual Primary and Art School
November 22 – December 13, 2013
Arriving at the opening at the Földi János school, an uplifting spectacle welcomed me in the hall. Margó Szabó, the Hajdúhadház Gallery, and Éva Égerházi, art teacher of the institution, arranged the pre-selected exhibition material perfectly.
Over the last 13 years, I had the fortune to organize quite a few thematic exhibitions and selections. Now I wanted us to exhibit paintings that weren’t featured here yet and aren’t as well known. Thus, the material of the exhibition was selected from the family legacy. Some of them appeared for the first time in public. It was good to see these artworks together, I was pleased to acknowledge that they fit together well with this unique selection. I feel I have managed to illustrate both the characteristic themes and the different picturesque eras of my father quite well.
Before the opening, we talked to dear acquaintances and relatives. Former mayor László Béres, my father’s greatest patron from Hajdúhadház, also attended.
The painting of my daughter Sára, which she brought with her to the opening of the exhibition, was also included, placed under the exhibition’s most recent painting (Nagybányai Cemetery, 2001). It was a symbolic gesture for everyone.
The event was opened by the school principal Ilona Vargáné Sőrés. We learned that the renovation of the Imre Égerházi memorial house, which was previously damaged in the storm and is currently closed, is slowly starting with EU support. We were pleased with the news, which was also confirmed by Deputy Mayor Péter Asztalos.
After the opening speech, the representatives of the institutions and the family placed a wreath at the bust of Imre Égerházi.
The students of the art school, led by teacher Éva Égerházi, presented a high-quality literary chamber lecture on Imre Égerházi. The program compiled from biographical recollections and critiques, we got to know my father’s attachment to Hajdúhadháza, his childhood, his artistic ambitions, and his brief biography. I must admit I was surprised by the quality of the compilation and of the performance. I was properly emotional. Furthermore, much of what I wanted to say was said by these kids. It was an uplifting and wonderful feeling!
After the commemoration, I greeted those gathered and said a few words about the material on display, about what and why they see on the walls. As part of my presentation, we also summoned my father’s voice from recording.
At the end of the ceremony, Éva Égerházi announced a drawing competition, the theme of which was works inspired by Imre Égerházi. My daughter, Sara Égerházi, who also received a special prize from the jury, was also invited to the competition. She painted a flower still in his grandfather’s style. I am pleased to say that she received recognition for the quality of the picture and not for her family relations.
At the opening, we heard the performances of the students of the school’s music department several times, who added color to the event.
Attila Égerházi
Invitation
