Hungarian calligraphers reinterpret Hangeul in new Seoul Exhibition

A Hungarian calligraphy collective, Munbangsawu, has presented its distinctive interpretations of Hangeul at an exhibition in Seoul. The group, composed of students from the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, has been granted an invitation to showcase their works at the 2026 Asian Calligraphy Festival VI. The exhibition, which runs until November 14 at the Seoul Calligraphy Museum within the Seoul Arts Center, will display 15 pieces created by 12 Hungarian members, making Munbangsawu the sole foreign group invited from outside Asia.

The members of Munbangsawu will also travel to Korea to attend the opening ceremony of the festival, providing explanations for their works and sharing their experiences of studying Hangeul calligraphy. The collective's roots can be traced back to Korean calligraphy classes offered by the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary since 2013, where participants have continued to learn the traditional art form over the years.

The invitation to Munbangsawu was a result of visits made by Lee Sang-bae, vice chairman of the Korea Literary Painting Association, to Hungary in 2025 and again in August 2026. During these visits, he encountered the shared passion for Hangeul calligraphy and recognized the potential for cultural exchange between the two nations through this unique art form.