Irish Art Blazes Bright at Pécs Lights Festival

Initiated by the Embassy, and supported by Culture Ireland and Pannonia Bio, the programme showcased the best of contemporary and traditional Irish culture with a series of large-scale light installations, Hungarian-Irish folk dance, and an Irish courtyard on Káptalan Street, with a range of brilliant Irish brewers, bakers and musicians. Alongside the work of award-winning Irish artist Aideen Barry, the programme featured a special tribute to Martyn Ferenc, the acclaimed Pécs painter and sculptor whose heritage is traced to Galway, and who imagined Ireland in much of his work.

Over 150,000 attended the festival across the four days. Amongst them were Ambassadors from 20 EU Member States who, on the invitation of Ambassador Almqvist and the Mayor of Pécs Attila Peterffy, visited the European capital of culture, touring its University, the oldest in Hungary; joining local MPs and the Chamber of Commerce for a gala dinner; before enjoying the magic of the Zsolnay Festival Lights.