Hungarian calligraphers reinterpret Hangeul in new Seoul exhibition

Munbangsawu, a Hungarian calligraphy group, is exhibiting its interpretations of Hangeul at the 2026 Asian Calligraphy Festival VI in Seoul, which opens Thursday at the Seoul Calligraphy Museum inside Seoul Arts Center. The exhibition runs through Nov. 14 and features 15 works by 12 members, the only invited group from outside Asia. Members are attending the opening to explain their work and share their experiences studying Hangeul calligraphy. The delegation also plans meetings in Seoul to discuss future cultural programs and exhibitions in Hungary.

Munbangsawu began with Korean calligraphy classes offered by the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary in 2013, and participants have continued studying the art form.

The invitation followed visits to Hungary by Lee Sang-bae, vice chairman of the Korea Literary Painting Association, in 2025 and August 2026.

The delegation plans to visit the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center in Seoul to discuss potential joint programs and cultural initiatives between the two countries.

Members will meet with the Asian Calligraphy Association to explore organizing Hangeul calligraphy exhibitions and workshops in Hungary.

Yoo Hye-ryeong, director of the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, said the exhibition reflects sustained local interest in Korean calligraphy developing into international cultural exchange.

Published Nov 5, 2026 1:57 pm KST

Updated Nov 5, 2026 5:55 pm KST

Hangeul calligraphy by Queen Hyoui (1753-1821), wife of King Jeongjo (1776-1800) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), preserved in book form at the National Hangeul Museum. The work is designated a National Treasure. Courtesy of National Hangeul Museum

A Hungarian calligraphy collective has brought its unique interpretations of Hangeul to Seoul, showcasing Korean lettering through a European artistic lens.

Munbangsawu, a Hungarian calligraphy group formed by students of the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, has been invited to participate in the 2026 Asian Calligraphy Festival VI, which opens Thursday at the Seoul Calligraphy Museum inside Seoul Arts Center.

The exhibition runs through Nov. 14 and features 15 works by 12 Hungarian members, making Munbangsawu the only invited foreign group from outside Asia.

The members are also traveling to Korea to attend the opening ceremony, explain their works and introduce visitors to their experiences studying Hangeul calligraphy.

The group traces its beginnings to Korean calligraphy classes offered by the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary in 2013, where participants have continued learning the traditional art form over the years.

The invitation followed visits to Hungary by Lee Sang-bae, vice chairman of the Korea Literary Painting Association, in 2025 and August 2026, when he encountered the students' calligraphy skills and enthusiasm for Korean traditional culture.

Beyond the exhibition, the delegation plans to visit the Liszt Institute Hungarian Cultural Center in Seoul to discuss potential joint programs and cultural initiatives between the two countries.

Members will also meet with the Asian Calligraphy Association to explore opportunities to organize Hangul calligraphy exhibitions and workshops in Hungary, extending the exchange beyond the current event.

Yoo Hye-ryeong, director of the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, said the exhibition represents the development of a sustained local interest in Korean calligraphy into an international cultural exchange.

“This exhibition is meaningful because Korean calligraphy activities that have continued steadily in Hungary have developed into exchanges with Korea’s calligraphy community,” Yoo said.

“It is also a significant achievement that the center’s educational programs have grown into local community activities and expanded into an invited exhibition in Korea and international cultural exchange.”

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.

匈牙利书法团体“文房社”（Munbangsawu）正在首尔举行的第六届亚洲书法节上展出其韩文作品。展览于周四在首尔艺术中心内的首尔书法博物馆开幕，将持续至11月14日。此次展览将展出12位成员的15件作品，他们是唯一受邀的非亚洲团体。成员们将出席开幕式，讲解作品并分享学习韩文书法的经验。代表团还计划在首尔与各方会面，探讨未来在匈牙利开展的文化活动和展览。

Munbangsawu 起源于 2013 年韩国文化中心在匈牙利开设的韩国书法课程，参与者们一直持续学习这门艺术形式。

此前，韩国文学绘画协会副会长李相培分别于 2025 年 8 月和 2026 年 8 月访问了匈牙利，随后收到了邀请。

代表团计划访问位于首尔的李斯特匈牙利文化中心，讨论两国之间潜在的联合项目和文化合作计划。

成员们将与亚洲书法协会会面，探讨在匈牙利举办韩文书法展览和研讨会的可能性。

韩国驻匈牙利文化中心主任柳慧玲表示，此次展览反映了当地对韩国书法持续浓厚的兴趣，并发展成为国际文化交流。

发布于2026年11月5日下午1:57（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年11月5日下午5:55（韩国标准时间）

孝伊王后（1753-1821）的韩文书法作品，孝伊王后是朝鲜王朝（1392-1910）正祖（1776-1800）的妻子，现藏于国立韩文博物馆。该作品被指定为国宝。图片由国立韩文博物馆提供。

一个匈牙利书法团体将其对韩文的独特诠释带到了首尔，通过欧洲艺术视角展现了韩国书法。

由韩国驻匈牙利文化中心学生组成的匈牙利书法团体“文房社”受邀参加2026年亚洲书法节第六届，该节日将于周四在首尔艺术中心内的首尔书法博物馆开幕。

展览将持续到 11 月 14 日，展出 12 位匈牙利成员的 15 件作品，使 Munbangsawu 成为唯一受邀的亚洲以外的外国团体。

成员们还将前往韩国参加开幕式，讲解他们的作品，并向参观者介绍他们学习韩文书法的经历。

该团体起源于 2013 年韩国文化中心在匈牙利开设的韩国书法课程，多年来，参与者一直在学习这种传统艺术形式。

此前，韩国文学绘画协会副会长李相培于 2025 年 8 月和 2026 年 8 月访问了匈牙利，期间他见识了匈牙利学生的书法技巧和对韩国传统文化的热情，随后便发出了邀请。

除了参观展览外，代表团还计划访问位于首尔的李斯特匈牙利文化中心，讨论两国之间潜在的联合项目和文化合作计划。

成员们还将与亚洲书法协会会面，探讨在匈牙利举办韩文书法展览和研讨会的机会，将交流活动扩展到本次活动之外。

韩国驻匈牙利文化中心主任柳慧玲表示，此次展览代表着韩国书法在当地持续发展成为国际文化交流。

“这次展览意义非凡，因为在匈牙利持续进行的韩国书法活动已经发展成为与韩国书法界的交流，”柳说。

“该中心的教育项目发展成为当地社区活动，并扩展到韩国的特邀展览和国际文化交流，这也是一项重大成就。”

本文由生成式人工智能协助发布，并由《韩国时报》编辑。