Vasarely Memorial Year to Be Held in Pécs in 2026

A series of programs will be held in 2026 in thesouthern hungarian city of Pécs, the seat of Baranya County, to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of Hungarian-born painter Victor Vasarely and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the museum in Pécs that exhibits his works, Pécs Mayor Attila Péterffy told MTI on Friday.

In a press release issued by the local government, he recalled that 50 years ago, the Vasarely Museum of the Janus Pannonius Museum in Pécs opened, which remains one of the most important collections of Hungarian and international op art to this day, and that 120 years ago, Victor Vasarely, one of the most influential creators of modern visual art, was born.

This double anniversary is an exceptional opportunity for Pécs to gain international attention as a city of modern art, innovation, and visual thinking, he wrote, emphasizing that as mayor, he supports the JPM's initiative, which will result in events being held in the city of Pécs under the title Vasarely 2026 - Pécs, a unified city season of events in the city at the foot of the Mecsek Hills.

The mayor said that Victor Vasarely's art is still extremely relevant today, as the combination of visuality, mathematics, and creativity is the driving force behind 21st-century thinking, which could also shape the future of Pécs.

According to him, the Vasarely memorial year provides an opportunity for Pécs to present itself in Hungary and Europe as a city of modernity, creativity, and technological renewal, while preserving its past and heritage.