Just announced by new mayor Gergely Karácsony, long-term plans have been proposed by City Hall for the renovation and relocation of two major cultural institutions in Budapest. One, the Merlin Theatre, has been a mainstay of English-language productions in the Hungarian capital.
According to mayor Gergely Karácsony, the sale of Bálna, the riverside complex in south Pest known as ‘The Whale’, has left the New Budapest Gallery in limbo. This exhibition space is due to move to City Hall on downtown Gerlóczy utca, and restart operations at its new location in the second half of the year. Not only will the NBG find new lodging there, but other cultural establishments as well.
The Merlin Theatre, once known in town for being the most reliable venue for staging English-language drama, has sat unused for years. It is now due to undergo renovation, another of City Hall’s long-term developmental projects.
Everything points to the new leadership setting in motion progressive initiatives to preserve diversity, and help engineer a change in cultural attitudes.
