In October, the Museum of Ethnography will celebrate two special events: the bicentennial of the birth of the museum’s founder, John Xantus, and the first anniversary of the collection exhibition.
On October 5, the Xántus 200 event will feature family programs, playful explorations, lectures, and curator-led tours that evoke Xantus’s multifaceted life, from his adventures in the American Wild West to his expeditions in East Asia.
Fact
John Xantus (János Xántus) (1825–1894) was a Hungarian naturalist, ethnographer. Beyond his museum work, he collected thousands of zoological, botanical, and ethnographic specimens during his travels in the United States and East Asia, many of which remain key holdings in Hungarian collections today. His work not only documented diverse cultures and wildlife but also helped establish ethnography and natural history as scientific disciplines in Hungary.
John Xantus. Photo: Wikipedia
On October 11, the museum will celebrate the first anniversary of the collection exhibition with a full day of programs, showcasing the successes and international awards of the past year. The highlight of the day will be a fashion show by the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble, but there will also be a musical guided tour with the Stellaria Media women’s choir, Ethnosound Experience Drumming, an improvisational theater program, and behind-the-scenes secrets from the restorers. Conductor Gábor Hollerung will enrich the program with his personal musical reflections.
At the same time, the Collection Exhibition TOP 10 vote will begin, where visitors can select the ten most important objects, including the Lucasz chair and the worn doll. Voting will continue until March 5, 2026, the anniversary of John Xantus’s appointment in 1872.
The museum will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence by presenting the richly documented Oceanic collection, particularly the research of Lajos Bíró. Through digitization, the museum is making this valuable heritage accessible to source communities. On October 11, they will welcome the New Guinean communities with an improvisational theater program.
Related article
Italian Ensemble laReverdie Headlines Saint Gerard Festival
Choir workshops, medieval music, and a new monastery photo album highlight this year’s three-day event. Continue reading
Via MTI; Featured photo: Hungary Today
The post Ethnographic Museum Celebrates John Xantus Bicentennial appeared first on Hungary Today.
Source link
