Exhibition of Marcell Jankovics in Rome
The exhibition of Marcell Jankovics (1941-2021), film director, cultural historian, illustrator, the late honorary president of HAA was presented by Hungary in the international cultural program series accompanying the Holy Year of Hungary in Rome at the Cancelleria Palace. The exhibition entitled FEDE, SPERANZA E CARTONI, which can be visited until 5 February was selected by the Holy See as one of the official events of the Holy Year.
The Hungarians joined the family of European peoples through the adoption of Christianity, while thanks to the Church they were able to preserve their national independence against the great powers of the region. While preserving their ancient traditions (folktales and legends), they achieved results through the Christian faith that make them full members of the contemporary Christian world, the modern West. This is reflected in the work of Marcell Jankovics, who, with the help of a cartoon that can be interpreted by a wide audience, integrates the specifically Hungarian heritage into the universal Christian cultural treasure. It encompasses not only Hungarian folk tales or the legend of John the Valiant, but also universal themes such as the Bible or humanity's pilgrimage in history, The Tragedy of Man.
The exhibition is held in four consecutive rooms. The sequence of the rooms, the themes, the presentation of installations – moving, still images, lights, smells, sounds – lend the exhibition an internal dynamic. The exhibition is available in three languages (Italian, English, Hungarian). The exhibition is characterized by the simultaneous presence of Christian historical traditions, contemporary reflections and responses. In the first room visitors can get to know the artist and the concept of the exhibition through the description and contextualization of the exhibition. The displays feature drawings, sketches, books, films, and personal objects from the artist and institutions.
The second room is entitled FAITH, the first part of the thirteen-part Bible film series, the beginning of which is called Creation, as the foundation of Christianity. The work is presented in a large-scale installation, supplemented by numerous original images. In the third room, HOPE takes center stage. The film excerpt tells the story of the hardships and brave, heroic journey of the young man who becomes a hussar, a knight, a hero, John, framed in a large-scale, unique installation. The room also provides insight into the details of cartoon production, and several original screenplay sheets are presented. The focus of the fourth room is PILGRIMAGE. The Tragedy of Man, a film adaptation of Imre Madách's work, depicts the relationship between man and God, through the relationship of different ideas to the divine plan. His conclusion is that "What a great idea it is to be free to choose between sin and virtue, and yet to know that God's grace stands as a shield over us," and the divine encouragement that results from this - "I said, man, fight and trust in faith!" – also summarizes the motto of the Holy Year 2025: "Pilgrims of Hope".
The exhibition was opened by Jan Maria Chun Yean Choong, an employee of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, and Jenő Szász, Ministerial Commissioner of the Institute for National Strategic Research with the participation of representatives of Italian, Hungarian and international diplomatic and cultural life. This is the first exhibition of Hungary in the Holy Year, which has been going on for less than a month, and is included in the official program of the Holy Year. In his speech, the representative of Vatican diplomacy emphasized that the creative message of Marcell Jankovics exactly corresponds to the motto chosen by Pope Francis for the jubilee Holy Year, that is, that Christian hope never disappoints.
"Jankovics' work is proof of the harmony of faith, culture and creativity," emphasized Jan Maria Chun Yean Choong. Jenő Szász reminded that as a representative of the Institute for National Strategic Research, he had the opportunity to interpret Hungary's Christian message in Rome for the third time. In 2019, the Blessed Virgin Mary exhibition presented depictions of the Virgin Mary by Hungarian artists, and in 2023, the Roman public could see Péter Párkányi Raab's photo exhibition Via Crucis. The ministerial commissioner quoted Bishop Áron Márton from his 1945 New Year's circular, stating that "Christianity is the most personal task for every person".
Jenő Szász said: "Hungary truly represents the heritage of Europe, or perhaps its most important heritage. It is no coincidence that Pope Francis visited our country twice in a row. Cultural diplomacy plays a huge role, as evidenced by the fact that we are able to appear in the Holy Year celebrations with Marcell Jankovics, a legend of our culture."
The opening was attended by Éva Rubovszky, the widow of Marcell Jankovics, who called it extraordinary that the first chapter of the biblical series designed by the artist, Creation, which was born "in the roaring socialism", was now being screened in the Vatican. György Szemadám, a painter, writer, and regular member of the HAA highlighted the human and creative greatness of Marcell Jankovics.
The exhibition was realized with the support of, among others, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, the Embassy of the Holy See in Rome, the Hungarian Academy in Rome, the Pontifical Hungarian Institute, the Hungarian Academy of Arts, and the National Film Institute.
The exhibition is held in four consecutive rooms. The sequence of the rooms, the themes, the presentation of installations – moving, still images, lights, smells, sounds – lend the exhibition an internal dynamic. The exhibition is available in three languages (Italian, English, Hungarian). The exhibition is characterized by the simultaneous presence of Christian historical traditions, contemporary reflections and responses. In the first room visitors can get to know the artist and the concept of the exhibition through the description and contextualization of the exhibition. The displays feature drawings, sketches, books, films, and personal objects from the artist and institutions.
The second room is entitled FAITH, the first part of the thirteen-part Bible film series, the beginning of which is called Creation, as the foundation of Christianity. The work is presented in a large-scale installation, supplemented by numerous original images. In the third room, HOPE takes center stage. The film excerpt tells the story of the hardships and brave, heroic journey of the young man who becomes a hussar, a knight, a hero, John, framed in a large-scale, unique installation. The room also provides insight into the details of cartoon production, and several original screenplay sheets are presented. The focus of the fourth room is PILGRIMAGE. The Tragedy of Man, a film adaptation of Imre Madách's work, depicts the relationship between man and God, through the relationship of different ideas to the divine plan. His conclusion is that "What a great idea it is to be free to choose between sin and virtue, and yet to know that God's grace stands as a shield over us," and the divine encouragement that results from this - "I said, man, fight and trust in faith!" – also summarizes the motto of the Holy Year 2025: "Pilgrims of Hope".
The exhibition was opened by Jan Maria Chun Yean Choong, an employee of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, and Jenő Szász, Ministerial Commissioner of the Institute for National Strategic Research with the participation of representatives of Italian, Hungarian and international diplomatic and cultural life. This is the first exhibition of Hungary in the Holy Year, which has been going on for less than a month, and is included in the official program of the Holy Year. In his speech, the representative of Vatican diplomacy emphasized that the creative message of Marcell Jankovics exactly corresponds to the motto chosen by Pope Francis for the jubilee Holy Year, that is, that Christian hope never disappoints.
"Jankovics' work is proof of the harmony of faith, culture and creativity," emphasized Jan Maria Chun Yean Choong. Jenő Szász reminded that as a representative of the Institute for National Strategic Research, he had the opportunity to interpret Hungary's Christian message in Rome for the third time. In 2019, the Blessed Virgin Mary exhibition presented depictions of the Virgin Mary by Hungarian artists, and in 2023, the Roman public could see Péter Párkányi Raab's photo exhibition Via Crucis. The ministerial commissioner quoted Bishop Áron Márton from his 1945 New Year's circular, stating that "Christianity is the most personal task for every person".
Jenő Szász said: "Hungary truly represents the heritage of Europe, or perhaps its most important heritage. It is no coincidence that Pope Francis visited our country twice in a row. Cultural diplomacy plays a huge role, as evidenced by the fact that we are able to appear in the Holy Year celebrations with Marcell Jankovics, a legend of our culture."
The opening was attended by Éva Rubovszky, the widow of Marcell Jankovics, who called it extraordinary that the first chapter of the biblical series designed by the artist, Creation, which was born "in the roaring socialism", was now being screened in the Vatican. György Szemadám, a painter, writer, and regular member of the HAA highlighted the human and creative greatness of Marcell Jankovics.
The exhibition was realized with the support of, among others, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, the Embassy of the Holy See in Rome, the Hungarian Academy in Rome, the Pontifical Hungarian Institute, the Hungarian Academy of Arts, and the National Film Institute.
2025. február 1.
