Mileusnic, E: Hungarian Culture and National Identity in the

The theme of this work was to theoretically analyse the representation of Hungarian culture and national identity as presented in the ‘Magyar Magic Festival - Hungary in Focus‘ 2004 programme booklet. It was my intention to determine how and why specific aspects of Hungarian culture and national identity had been presented to the British public in this one year long programme. The Festival became my focus on examining Hungarian culture and I attended a number of events and exhibitions throughout Britain between 2003 and 2004 in order to gain a personal perspective on ‘Hungarianness‘. My interest in Hungary was motivated by my fine art practice in which I examined theoretical concepts related to identity. My artwork at this time referenced family and personal experiences related to my parents‘ experience of escape from Soviet-occupied Hungary in 1956 and subsequent settlement in Britain.