”These photos document the age and personal history at the same time: creations of artistic value, conserving and authenticating past and present, serving as the foundation of the future.” this is how Imre Lázár, former mayor of the town, praised Miklós Szabó’s works. The exhibition of the photographer, ”My town, Hajdúböszörmény” opened on the 80th anniversary of his birth.
The opening ceremony was held on 27th October in Hajdúsági Gallery. For this occasion, a catalogue of identical title was published with some impressive introductory thoughts: ”When it comes to representational art, documentary photography is considered the most important art form to image reality. Miklós Szabó, however, was more than a passive observer of the recorded moment. His intuitive and straightforward technique invites the viewer to discover the people and the landscape of Hajdúság, to have a closer look at the most precious things in the photographer’s life”. At the event, Ildikó H. Fehér, editor reporter, highlighted that the exhibition was brought to life by the initiative of Hajdúsági Museum with the contribution of Szabadhajdú Public Benefit Nonprofit Ltd, the Municipality and the family of the photographer. The aim of this collaboration is to maintain and publish Miklós Szabó’s photo material, preserving and presenting his works, spirit and legacy. The introductory speech was followed by the performance of Sarolta Kapusi, teacher of the Music School, and Eszter Kiss. Imre Bertalan, executive director of Szabadhajdú Public Benefit Nonprofit Ltd., welcomed the audience and expressed his approbation for the intention and support of the Municipality to record and archive the major occasions, events of the Town in an appropriate way and hand these values over to future generations. Collaboration started in the beginning of last year and we can admire this wonderful collection as a result of the hard work. Director celebrated the contribution of Miklós Szabó’s family, the Municipality of Hajdúböszörmény and the representatives of Hajdúsági Museum with special praise to artist photographer, Tamás Horváth. Klára Lelesziné Sveda, deputy chair of the Educational and Cultural Committee, continued with some words about the life and career of Miklós Szabó. She mentioned that arriving as third child to the family, he received loving care and tenderness from his parents, as he became their only child after the early death of his siblings. His father, Zoltán Szabó was a prestigious merchant in Hajdúböszörmény, following the nationalization, he continued as a cashier at the municipal legal office. His mother managed the household whole-heartedly. He graduated at Teacher Training College in Eger and worked at Bethlen Gábor Primary School for 40 years as teacher and later deputy headmaster. His affection and passion for photography developed during the secondary school years. Klára Leleszné Sveda also talked about an important milestone in his private life, his marriage with his colleague Júlia Nagy at Christmas time in 1969, who became his trustworthy companion throughout the 26 years they spent together. They had two children whom they raised with loving care.
People of Hajdúböszörmény often refer to Miklós Szabó as the photographer of the town . He took up this profession in 1960 and was appointed municipal photographer between 1966 and 2006. ”Sharp eyes and heart make a good photographer” – he used to say. He attended different occasions of the town, taking tens of thousands of photos and documenting the history of the town throughout four decades. He was a chronicler who recorded the events, as well as scientists, politicians, artists coming to our town. During the past decades he became the photographer of the Town’s weekly newspaper, and he prepared photos used for the Photo News. Deputy chair added that Miklós Szabó always had plans and goals that kept him up and doing. He left us a considerable legacy and our obligation is preserving and sharing it with the wide public. At the end of the opening ceremony, Miklós Szabó, the photographer’s son thanked all the contributors who facilitated the organisation of the exhibition. He drew attention to the outstanding work of Tamás Horváth artist photographer and handed over his father’s analogue camera as a recognition. ”Miklós Szabó bequeathed a huge legacy to the residents of this town, we can keep decades of history in our hands and our ’only’ duty is to preserve them” said Imre Gargya, his former colleague. The collection can be visited until January 5th at Hajdúsági Gallery, Culture Centre.
Erzsébet Bertalan
