On 22 November 2021 an exhibition was held in Lahore, cultural capital of Pakistan from the paintings of the Hungarian artist August Schoefft (1809-1888) restored by experts from Hungary. The event took place in the Lahore Fort, which was attended by Mr. Tristan Azbej, State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program (Prime Minister’s Office) and Mr. Márton Schőberl Deputy State Secretary for Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) on the invitation of the Governor of Punjab.
The paintings represent the legendary members of the Sikh ruling family of Punjab in the 19th century making them not only iconic pieces of the cultural heritage of the province inhabited by 120 million people, but also an important part of the Sikh identity-forming historic heritage. One of the main highlights of the religious celebrations organized on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, was the exhibition of the paintings from the Hungarian painter, which was also viewed by prominent members of the global Sikh diaspora. The Lahore Fort’s Sikh Gallery gives home to the 11 paintings restored to their original splendour, and while visiting the collection several descendants of the ruling family thanked Hungary for renovating the paintings.
In his speech, Mr. Márton Schőberl greeted members of the Sikh delegation from India and from overseas. He emphasized that in addition to their artistic value, the paintings, especially the picture titled Court of Lahore, also serve as a historical chronicle and provide candid insight into the life of the Sikh court and the history of the 19th century Punjab.
The Embassy of Hungary in Islamabad hereby would like to thank again the generous sponsoration of the Bank of Punjab, the enthusiastic work of the Hungarian restorers (Ms. Erika Szokán head restorer, Ms. Alexandra Török-Erdős, Ms. Nóra Somodi, Ms. Zsófia Mária Pethes and Mr. Gyula Terebesi restorers) and Mr. Fakir Aijazuddin art-historian, the valuable support of the Governor's Office Lahore, the tireless assistance of the Walled City of Lahore Authority, the Archaeology Department of Punjab and the Aga Khan Cultural Service.
One of the leaders of the Sikh delegation and descendant of the Sikh ruling family thanks the renovation of the paintings to Hungary:
August Schoefft paintings exhibition in the Lahore Fort:
Márton Schőberl Deputy State Secretary for Cultural Diplomacy speaks to the Pakistani and international media:
