NIGHT OF MUSEUMS 2023

Museums’ Night at Hopp Museum is dedicated to Japanese culture this year, as our ongoing temporary exhibition presents outstanding pieces from one of the oldest core collection in our Japanese Collection Department, which was purchased by Count Bishop Péter Vay in Japan in 1907, on behalf of the Hungarian state.

On the garden stage, a series of short educational presentations await visitors – on the kimono tradition, ikebana, tea ceremony and anime culture – finally, a film screening closes the programme.

PROGRAMME

GARDEN STAGE

6 – 6.20 p.m.: Official opening and a short presentation by Japan Foundation  

Mami Fujii, Director of the Japan Foundation, welcomes visitors and opens the evening. This is followed by a presentation where colleagues from Japan Foundation introduce the Foundation's goals, operations, services, programmes and all facilities available to the public.

The Japan Foundation was established in 1972, with the support of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its aim is to promote the development of cultural relations between Japan and the rest of the world, and to promote the widespread knowledge of Japanese culture. The Japan Foundation's activities are divided into three areas: cultural and artistic exchanges, Japanese language teaching, and research and intellectual exchanges in Japanology. The Japan Foundation Budapest Office was established in 1991 under an intergovernmental agreement between Japan and Hungary. The Budapest Office, located on Oktogon, also has a free access library with Japanese literary masterpieces, manga, reference books and language books – not only in Japanese, but in several languages as well.

6.20 – 6.30 p.m.: Piano music interlude

Japanese piano music performed by Tadaaki Hayasaka and Marika Murata, students of the Liszt Academy, Budapest.

Tadaaki Hayasaka and Marika Murata are young Japanese pianists, both graduated from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Arts and then continued their studies at the Liszt Academy, Budapest. They have prepared a special programme for tonight: romantic, melodic works by Japanese composers, setting to music Japanese themes such as cherry blossoms in spring, the sacred Mount Fuji and autumn rains.

6.30 – 7.20 p.m.: Traditional tea ceremony – presentation and introduction by Urasenke Association

The Urasenke Tea School and the art of Japanese tea ceremony have been represented in Hungary by the Urasenke Association for more than 20 years.

During the presentation, visitors can gain insight into this magical, special world, a complex art form that is based on harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity, which is both refreshing and calming, and focuses on connecting to the present moment. For this occasion, Urasenke members are preparing a performance in tune with the summer, Midsummer Eve and the Tanabata Star Festival.

After the performance, members of the Urasenke Tea School will be available at a booth for further discussion. There will also be an opportunity to taste the speciality teas presented in the stage programme.

7.20 – 8.10 p.m.: Much more than flower decoration – Presentation on ikebana by Judit Várhelyi designer and ikebana artist

Judit Várhelyi lived in Tokyo for more than two decades, first as an architect and later as a university lecturer. She chose ikebana (Japanese floral art) because, as an architect, she was attracted by the beauty of the lines and the space formed by the handful of materials. Instead of colour and mass, ikebana art works with brushstroke-like lines and empty space; it is characterised by asymmetry rather than symmetry, kept in dynamic balance. It is restrained in colour, treats plants with great imagination and generally achieves a strong effect with few materials. Ikebana art is strongly linked to both Buddhism and Shinto, the ancient Japanese religion. Judit Várhelyi takes it as her mission to make the 'way of flowers' known to as many people as possible in her home country.

8.10 – 8.20 p.m.: Piano music interlude

Japanese piano music performed by Tadaaki Hayasaka and Marika Murata, students of the Liszt Academy, Budapest.

Tadaaki Hayasaka and Marika Murata are young Japanese pianists, both graduated from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Arts and then continued their studies at the Liszt Academy, Budapest. They have prepared a special programme for tonight: romantic, melodic works by Japanese composers, setting to music Japanese themes such as cherry blossoms in spring, the sacred Mount Fuji and autumn rains.

8.20 – 9.10 p.m.: The world of kimono and Japanese traditional dances. Presentation by Viktória Holló, kimono expert

The Japanese traditional costume, the kimono, is famous all over the world and is familiar all from movies and books. But what does the term really mean? How did it evolve? What are the different types? How to wear it? All these questions will be given answers during the lecture, with a close-up look at real pieces.

The programme will conclude with a traditional Japanese dance performance in kimono.

9:10 – 10.00 p.m.: The world of anime and a clue to its popularity. Presentation by Katalin Farkas (Hungarian Anime Society)

The exotic world of Japan is the birthplace of the compelling and unique genre of manga and anime. But when did it start its world tour? How has it gained such an overwhelming success? Why do we love the world of anime so much? In this lecture we will explore these themes.

10.00 – 11.40 p.m.: Film screening: Mirai – Girl from the future

Japanese animated adventure fantasy comedy film written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, 2018 (98 mins) 

Set in the strange border realm between reality and imagination, Mirai - Girl from the future is an exciting tale, a playful adventure and coming-of-age story for children and adults alike. The story's protagonist, four-year-old Kun, has been angry at the world ever since her life was turned upside down by the birth of her little sister. But one morning, he finds a secret, fairytale world in their garden, where he meets the little girl who will become his mum and the man who was once his great-grandfather. On his magical adventures, jumping between timelines, he is joined by a big girl with the same name as his hated little sister.

EXHIBITION (3rd room)

6.30 – 6.45; 7.30 – 7.45; 8.30 – 8.45: Shakuhachi

Dr. László Kenéz is a teacher at the Dharma Gate Buddhist College in Budapest and a board member of the Zen Academy. His main research interests include the Japanese bamboo flute, the traditional music of shakuhachi, traditional forms of meditative use of the instrument, and the possibilities of integrating the artistic practice of Japanese Zen Buddhism. His performance evokes a distant Japan through the sounding sockets of the exhibited objects, with their own particular atmospheric undertones.

BACK GARDEN (ON VARIOUS LOCATIONS)

6.00 – 10.00 p.m.: Creative handcraft activities, related to and inspired by our ongoing exhibition – available (almost) all night

Infinite views of the Fuji. Creative museum education activity with Katalin Szeivolt

Come and imagine the waves of Hokusai in our garden museum workshop and create your own vision of Fuji! We welcome young and old alike to come and join us for a creative programme!

Origami plants and flowers

Visitors can make paper specialities inspired by the exhibition and the Hopp Museum garden with the guidance of two members of the Hungarian Origami Association (Anikó Gulyás and Szilvia Hunyadvári).

FRONT GARDEN

Sushi Sei

The mission of the Japanese restaurant, which has more than 10 years of history, is to introduce Japanese gastronomy to the Hungarian public. Each of their dishes is a perfect harmony of fresh, quality ingredients and authentic flavours. In addition to the many sushi variations, their sophisticated menu offers the best of Japan's renowned cuisine for the adventurous diner: grilled salmon with teriyaki sauce, octopus salad, or roasted beef tenderloin strips with sesame-ginger sauce are just a few examples of the masterpieces prepared here, which impress Hungarian guests and members of the Asian community alike.

Both dedicated fans of Japanese cuisine and avid foodies will find their number at the Sushi Sei booth.

Omiyage – the right place to find Japanese specialities

Omiyage World, which means 'gift world', is an online shop selling products mainly from Japan, with a range of Japanese specialities. Everyone can find items and flavours to suit their interests and tastes: exclusive Japanese sweets, soft drinks, snacks, calligraphy equipment, porcelain, sushi, ramen, udon, sake and tea sets, origami sets, ikebana items, products related to the Japanese art of wrapping cloths, or furoshiki, decorative items, maneki neko, daruma dolls, fans, wind chimes and many more specialities to excite fans of Japanese culture.

Kimmidoll

Behind the creation of the kimmidoll™ brand there is a philosophy of bestowing luck and good fortune upon friends and family. Kimmidolls™ are contemporary collectable dolls combining a fusion of traditional and modern creativity inspired by Asian cultures, especially by traditional Japanese Kokeshi dolls. Kimmidolls are elegant decorative gift as well as homeware items.

Múzeum Shop

On Museums’ Night our Museum Shop offers special products and souvenirs related to the Japanese culture and visual world: bookmarks, postcards, notebooks, fridge magnets, fans, etc. Besides, our latest publications as well as earlier catalogues will be available.