Opening of the Rédei Ferenc (HU) Retrospective
Despite a summery atmosphere with tropical touches, the Oradea public gathered in large numbers in the heart of the medieval citadel, beneath the arcades steeped in history of the Princely Palace. The EFA Oradea-Romania Exhibition Center (“Matei Stegerean” Gallery) thus became the setting for another exceptional event organized by the International “Euro Foto Art” Association (AIEFA), in partnership with Summit Agro Romania, as part of a series dedicated to the great figures of world photography. This time, the walls of the UNESCO-recognized gallery host the retrospective exhibition titled “Moments,” curated by the renowned photographer and photojournalist Rédei Ferenc (HU). The 56 works on display at the Exhibition Center of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP)—a UNESCO-recognized institution—the “Euro Foto Art” Gallery carries on the traditions of classic photojournalism. With remarkable precision, the images capture historical moments, major political events, scenes of daily life, and sports, transforming personal experience into collective memory. Each photograph becomes a visual testament to an era and a profound invitation to reflect on the human condition. The opening remarks were delivered by the exhibition’s curator and AIEFA president, photographer Ștefan Tóth István AFIAP, ESFIAP, HonEFIAP. He outlined the context behind this retrospective, emphasizing the artist’s human and professional qualities: “In him, we have discovered an extraordinary person with a distinguished character. The exhibition we are opening today serves as a model, through which the exhibiting photographer has demonstrated that photojournalism can be achieved at the highest artistic level.” Next, the poet, journalist, and editor László Szűcs praised the master’s work, offering a moving interpretation in both Romanian and Hungarian: “I could summarize what I’ve seen by saying that these photographs should not only be viewed, but also read. And those of us who lived through that era feel as though we know them by heart. We feel as if we, too, were there, in those places, as if all of this were part of our own memories. And perhaps it really is part of our collective memory. We thank Rédei Ferenc for helping to preserve this memory and for helping us to evoke it once again today.” At the end of the speeches, the renowned photographer and photojournalist Rédei Ferenc himself took the floor, expressing his gratitude for the excellent logistical and organizational support provided in Oradea. In a festive setting, the president of AIEFA presented the honored artist with the FIAP Certificate of Auspices and the AIEFA Certificate of Patronage. The evening’s atmosphere was enhanced by a high-quality musical performance by the members of Duo Solo Fide: Andrea Fórián (piano) and Sándor József Thurzó (viola). The selected program featured works by illustrious representatives of Hungary’s musical heritage—Béla Bartók, János Lavotta, Zoltán Kodály, Alfréd Macalik, and Zsolt Lászlóffy—offering the audience a synesthetic experience in which the dialogue between image and sound was fully realized. The exhibition will remain open until July 27, 2026, and can be visited free of charge on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. For those who cannot visit in person, the works are also available in virtual format on the AIEFA website. Furthermore, guided by its mission to bring culture to the heart of the community, the “Euro Foto Art” Association is continuing its partnership with the local transportation company OTL SA. As a result, selections from the exhibited works will be displayed on the screens of public transportation vehicles in Oradea. Through this unique initiative, artistic photography steps outside the confines of the gallery to accompany commuters in their daily routines, transforming a simple commute into a discreet yet authentic encounter with high visual culture.
Exhibited photos
