Budapest Photo Festival
If you're into photography, the 9th Budapest Photo Festival is a must for your bucket list. Kicking off on March 28 and running until May 11, it brings the national and international contemporary art scene right to you. Explore the city's biggest galleries, museums, and International Cultural Institutes while taking in one (or several) of the festival's 50 exhibitions. But that's just the beginning – expect lectures, workshops, book fairs, talks, a photomarathon, and interactive museum events to pop up along the way.
It's tough to choose just a few, but we've rounded up 6 must-see exhibitions you won't want to miss. This year's festival launched with a major national premiere: the first-ever Hungarian exhibition of legendary German fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh's (1944–2019) iconic works.
Peter Lindbergh
Since the 1980s, Peter Lindbergh has been one of the most influential figures in fashion photography. A true pioneer, he used minimalist techniques to capture timeless characters, redefining beauty with his distinctive vision. His raw, authentic portraits and unconventional approach to fashion and advertising stood in stark contrast to the polished, rigid aesthetics of the time. Lindbergh gained international recognition with his 1988 American Vogue shot, featuring six models in simple white shirts, casually gathered on a beach (see the cover photo). This now-iconic image – a symbol of candid moments and effortless beauty – challenged the conventions of the era and cemented his legacy.
- Where? Kunsthalle
- When? 29 March - 22 June
- Details here
Invisible to the Naked Eye
The exhibition Invisible to the Naked Eye brings together works by visual artists Philippine Schaefer, Ádám Schór, and Yorgos Yatromanolakis, challenging the way we frame reality and perception. Blending three distinct artistic approaches, the exhibition delves into a world beyond the visible, pushing the boundaries of traditional visual experience. Through their works, the artists invite us to step outside the familiar and explore new ways of seeing.
- Where? HAB
- When? 8 April - 18 May
- Details here
Fresh Meat
Fresh Meat is a group exhibition featuring photographers under 35. As part of an annual competition, it serves as a platform to spotlight the next generation of contemporary Hungarian photographers as part of the festival's key events. With no set theme, the open call invited young artists to showcase what inspired them today – the questions and ideas shaping their work. The exhibition's curators prioritised originality and unconventional perspectives, both in subject matter and artistic approach.
- Where? K6 Gallery
- When? 31 March - 21 April
- Details here
Parallel Hungary
Street photography is one of the most dynamic and inspiring genres, capturing more than just reality – it creates atmosphere through light, shapes, and reflections. The camera records, but reality remains fluid, and that's where its power lies. What happens when an image is free from distortion or ideology – when it simply documents? Streetphoto Hungary photographers don't aim to distort reality; they observe it. Their work, sometimes satirical, sometimes poetic, invites viewers to interpret freely, offering a vivid, multifaceted glimpse into the Hungary we live in – not an idealised version of it.
- Where? CEU Gallery
- When? 22-30 April
- Details here
How do you fit in?
'How do you fit in?' is a group exhibition by photography students from Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design on belonging. In a world of diversity and division, we all navigate the tension between individuality and fitting in. This exhibition explores that journey – moments of empathy, alienation, and self-discovery. Through the perspectives of Dorottya Deák, J. Hartelin, Róbert Nunkovics, Emma Szabó, Márk Szabó, Dániel Szarka, and Ádám Zsíros, we see intimate stories of identity and connection. From Ádám Zsíros's encounter with Zsuzsa in Csepel to Dániel Szarka's drag portraits, these works reflect what we seek in relationships and the world around us. Whether capturing Budapest's high school life (Emma Szabó) or questioning masculinity and aging (J. Hartelin), each project reveals how our environment shapes who we are. As you explore, ask yourself: Do I belong here?
- Where? Turbina Cultural Centre
- When? 11 April - 2 May
- Details here
Fresh Eye - Budapest, Bécs, Belgrád streetphoto
This street photography exhibition captures the soul of three cities: Budapest, Vienna, and Belgrade. Showcasing the winners of the FRESH EYE competition, photographers from Austria, Hungary, and Serbia explore the defining urban moments and landscapes of these cities during their summer journeys in 2024. How do photographers interpret a city, and what makes it unique? The answers unfold in a collection of images reflecting modern life, culture, and contrasts, told through the lens of street photography.
- Where? Austrian Cultural Forum Budapest
- When? 30 April - 30 May
- Details here
Check out all the events and exhibitions here.
(Cover photo: Estelle Lefebure, Karen Alexander, Rachel Williams, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, Vogue USA, Los Angeles, 1988 * Peter Lindbergh / * Peter Lindbergh Foundation)
