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László Baán, the director-general of the Museum of Fine Arts, expressed optimism about the upcoming construction of the new National Gallery during an interview on Spirit FM, reports atv.hu.
He indicated that the new building could open its doors by the end of the decade, providing significantly larger exhibition spaces for both permanent and temporary displays. The director-general confirmed that the National Gallery will be located at the former site of the Petőfi Hall, where it has been previously planned.
Mr. Baán expressed confidence in the timeline, suggesting that construction could start as early as next year, noting that there are no special agreements needed as a valid and enforceable building permit is already in place. He pointed out that if it were not for the war, construction would likely have already begun.
The director-general emphasized that limiting the project due to political disputes would result in a significant loss for the country.
Museum of Ethnography at the City Park, Budapest. It was built within the framework of the Liget Project. Photo: Hungary Today
He mentioned that the government’s commitment to making this plan a reality has been reiterated, and public sentiment towards recently completed buildings in the City Park (Városliget) has been positive. He also noted that new acquisitions for the gallery are already being collected and will soon be displayed. However, recent discussions surrounding the project reveal several challenges. While László Baán remains optimistic, concerns about rising costs have surfaced, with estimates for the project increasing from HUF 150B (EUR 372M) to HUF 250B (EUR 620M).
According to G7, the timeline for the gallery’s construction may depend on economic conditions and political decisions, despite the government’s continued commitment to the Liget Budapest Project, encompassing the National Gallery
Via atv.hu, G7; Featured Image: Liget Budapest