December 8, 2008

American University's Art Center Founder, Dr. Cyrus Katzen Receives Hungarian State Award

Dr. Cyrus Katzen was awarded with the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his promotion of Hungarian-American cultural relations, and his work and wide range of support in the field of institutional cooperation. Ambassador Somogyi presented the decoration at the Hungarian Embassy on Tuesday, December 2 personally to the 90-year-old Dr. Katzen who was accompanied by his wife, Myrtle Katzen, his daughter, Linda Katzen Schwartz, his nephew, and an associate.

Myrtle Katzen, Dr. Cyrus Katzen, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, Andrea Bors Somogyi

The Embassy of Hungary and Dr. Cyrus Katzen have a long history of cooperation. The Katzen Center provided the venue for the photo exhibition organized on the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in September 2006 (http://www.huembwas.org/56Emlekev/KatzenUj.htm), the piano concert of world famous Hungarian pianist couple György Ránki and Edit Klukon (http://www.huembwas.org/Z_News/RankikoncertNk.htm), and the Freedom Concert of György Ádám and Steven Spooner (http://www.huembwas.org/Z_News/GyorgySpooner.htm), both in October 2006.

 

Two self-portraits of Lajos Vajda

This successful cooperation continues with the 'Lajos Vajda and Contemporary Hungarian Artists' exhibition from April 7 to May 24, 2009 during 'Extremely Hungary', the Hungarian cultural year to be organized in New York and Washington next year. You may see the whole program of the cultural festival here.

Dr. Cyrus Katzen and his wife, Myrtle Katzen (middle) surrounded by (from left to right) Cultural Attaché Béla Gedeon, Press Attaché Zoltán Fehér, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, his wife, Andrea Bors Somogyi, Dr. Katzen's daughter, Linda Katzen Schwartz, Dr. Katzen's associate, John Brunner, Deputy Chief of Mission Zoltán Gábor, and Dr. Katzen's nephew, Sheldon Cohen

Dr. Katzen funded and developed the Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Art Center at American University. The 300,000-square-foot Center consists of an art gallery, recital hall and classrooms. Dr. Katzen's major cash gift and endowment fund was recorded as one of the largest donations in the United States that year. He has also given over 300 pieces of major art work consisting of contemporary folk art, glass art and sculpture to the Art Center at the University.