Debrecen4U July 18, 2025

A special exhibition opens in Debrecen

An exhibition featuring illustrations inspired by the works of Lőrinc Szabó and János Térey opened on July 17 at the Bényi Gallery in Debrecen.

The call for submissions sought to create narrative-style visual artworks that reflect on specific literary texts, reimagining and showcasing the diversity and innovative power of contemporary Hungarian illustration. 

The competition was announced by the Budapest Illustration Festival and Graphifest, under the patronage of the city of Debrecen. The selected works are now on display in the city known as the “cívisváros.”

The organisers’ long-term goal is to strengthen the presence of contemporary illustration in rural areas and to regularly involve major Hungarian cities in future festival events—Debrecen being the first stop on this journey.

The exhibition is hosted by the Bényi Gallery, located in the Kölcsey Centre, and will be open to visitors until September 18.

“Different age groups interpret the works in different visual moods. There are comic-style pieces, bold expressionist works, abstract pieces, conceptual works, and ornamental pieces. So there’s a great variety to see. Our secret hope is that this will work both ways—perhaps the images will inspire people to read as well,”  art historian Emese Révész emphasised.

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu