On September 25, the capital’s most important contemporary art exhibition, Budapest Contemporary (BCT), opens its doors again. This year, visitors will be greeted with a surprise highlight: an original Victor Vasarely painting will be showcased at the event held in the Bálna.

Forty galleries will bring thousands of artworks to the Budapest Contemporary, including one of the most celebrated Hungarian-born artists, Victor Vasarely. His painting Yva-B will travel from Paris to Budapest and can be admired at the Art Advisory Budapest stand from September 25 to 28. The work’s estimated value is between HUF 50–60 million.

Born in Pécs, Vasarely moved to Paris between the World Wars and rose to international fame as a pioneer of kinetic art and an icon of op art. His influence in Hungary has remained strong since the late 1960s, although the art market usually only features his reproduced works. “It’s a rare opportunity to admire a large Vasarely painting from a private foreign collection outside of a museum setting. We are proud to add such a remarkable piece to the BCT. Vasarely has inspired countless Hungarian artists over the decades, many of whom will also be represented at the fair”, said event director Ádám Tausz. Painted in 1982, the piece’s title is thought to reference Vasarely’s son, Jean-Pierre, better known by his artist name Yvaral.

The Third BCT Offers the Broadest Program Yet

This year’s edition presents a wider scope of the contemporary scene than ever before. For the first time, an academic institution (MOME) and a museum (the Ferenczy Museum in Szentendre) will host their own stands, alongside forty exhibiting galleries. The international booth of the Association of Hungarian Contemporary Galleries will also showcase works from in-demand foreign artists.

“The BCT is the city’s most exciting art program, where both collectors and casual visitors can find what they’re looking for. The value of works ranges from tens of thousands of forints to multi-million pieces. Beyond buyers, we welcome those who want a clear overview of where Hungarian and international contemporary art stands in 2025. Visitors will be greeted with a stunning visual spectacle”, added Tausz.

The event is complemented by guided tours, children’s programs, and unique side exhibitions. The Szipál Archive, celebrating the Szipál Márton Memorial Year, will dedicate a 101 m² space to 48 works honoring Hungary’s famed photographer of Hollywood stars. His vintage shots and iconic portraits will be displayed exclusively at the BCT for these four days.