The concert hall of the Széchenyi István University, the former synagogue of Győr, is a multifunctional cultural space: it is home not only to the music programmes of the Faculty of Design and Performance Arts, but also to numerous exhibitions. In addition to the exhibition entitled Jewish Excellence, which opened in the summer, visitors can also view valuable Győr- and University-themed photographs taken by members of the Hungarian Photographers' Free University Association. According to László Molnár, president of the NGO, the photos show the essence of the city and the institution. 

Captivating and special photographs can also be seen by those who visit the concert hall of Széchenyi István University. László Molnár, president of the Hungarian Photographers' Free University Association, said the idea for the exhibition in the former synagogue of Győr came from the University.

"We were asked to compile a photographic material on the theme of Győr and the Institution. We were happy to take on the task. Among other things, we visited the Jewish cemetery in Győr, but we also took photos in various places of the University," said the president, who added that he and seven colleagues worked for more than 100 hours on the exhibition material. He also pointed out that the few photographs of the synagogue's renovation, which happened almost two decades ago, taken from the archives of an elderly photographer, are a real curiosity.

"Our pictures show the essence of Győr and the University," said László Molnár. The buildings of the Institution are shown from a completely new perspective, literally, as the photographs were taken not only in the traditional way, but also with a drone.

For example, you can find a photo of the Győr Innovation Park in the evening twilight, when the building's giant LED wall was displaying one of the characters of the Jewish Excellence exhibition, Dávid Gestetner, inventor of the mimeograph machine – the copying machine of the times - which is also on display in the former synagogue. "This is how we were able to connect modernity - which the building represents - with the past," he noted.

László Molnár also pointed out that he often competes in prestigious international competitions with his photographs. Among other things, he has already photographed the Icarus statue on the University campus in Győr, with which he also achieved a ranking. He stressed that the photographic material on display at the Hungarian Photographers' Free University Association clearly goes beyond Győr, so it could be of interest not only to local residents but also to those from other towns.

The exhibition is open on Mondays from 10am to 2pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12pm to 4pm, and Fridays from 2pm to 6pm.

According to László Molnár, the photos of Széchenyi István University capture the essence of the institution (Photo: András Adorján)