On August 16, MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) in Budapest will hold film screenings, a treasure hunt for children, a guided tour and a short story and photo exhibition to mark the 140th anniversary of the opening of Keleti Railway Station.
The railway company is preparing a series of programs for all ages to celebrate the anniversary, MÁV said in a statement. Starting Friday afternoon, children can play a treasure hunt at Keleti Station, while adults can take a guided tour of the station. Due to the high interest in the latter, MÁV is no longer able to accept new registrations, but plans to announce the program again in the fall.
On Friday afternoon, an exhibition of short stories and photographs covering 14 decades of the station will open in the Lotz Room, while the Passenger Service (Utasellátó) will welcome visitors with serving trolleys to revive the old tradition.
Passenger service serving car (1971). Photo: Fortepan / Farmer Sándor
The Kerepesi Hall of the station will be transformed into a cinema for the celebrations, where the audience can watch the comedy film “The stationmaster meets his master“ (“Indul a bakterház”) in the evening,
In the opening programme of the screening, actor Róbert Koltai will be interviewed by radio presenter Zoltán Somogyi about the background of the film. The railway company will also show short films on the occasion.
Detailed information about the program can be found here. You can also register for the evening performance there.
Keleti Railway Station, opened on 16 August 1884, was designed by chief engineer Gyula Rochlitz and its iron structure by bridge engineer János Feketeházy.
140 years ago, the first train went to Miskolc and the first passengers arrived at the station from Ruttka and Zimony. The famous Kandó V40 locomotive also started its first journey here, as did the Árpád diesel railcar to Vienna and the Orient Express to the Balkans.
Photo: Facebook/MAV
Budapest Central Station has played a key role in the life of the railway over the past 14 decades and the building remains a central element of our architectural heritage and plays an irreplaceable role in national and international transport.
About MTI, selected image: Facebook/MÁV
