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Medici Ice-Skating Ball

24 January 2008 

Thursday, 8:30 p.m.-12 p.m.
at the City Park rink (Városligeti Műjégpálya)

A large-scale exhibition portraying life and art in Renaissance Florence will be launched in the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest on 24th January 2008. The Splendour of the Medici - Life and Art in Renaissance Florence will open on the 550th anniversary of the crowning of Matthias Corvinus as king and introduce visitors to the period through the display of some 200 works borrowed from nearly 60 Italian collections.

The museum extends an invitation to everybody, with or without their skates, on the opening night of the exhibition to a special programme: the ice-skating rink at the City Park will become the venue for a Renaissance ball, where visitors will be able to become acquainted with the well-known figures of the era.

Among the illustrious guests will be Lorenzo, one of the most highly celebrated members of the Medici family, also known as ’il Magnifico (the Magnificent), Caterina de’ Medici and Michelangelo. Occasioned by the 550th anniversary of Matthias Corvinus’ coronation, you can skate in the company of the young Corvinus and Erzsébet Szilágyi, and the crowning ceremony will also be re-enacted. Those seeking challenge will have the opportunity to participate in a medieval tournament and to have their skills tested in various games. A Renaissance casino will also be set up and visitors can study their personal horoscopes read in Leonardo’s astrological laboratory.

The entrance fee to the event is HUF 550, i.e. the number of years that have passed since Matthias’ ascent to the royal throne.

Programmes on the Renaissance stage (performed by the Mare Temporis group):
9:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Angel dance Sliding stage on ice: The crowning of Matthias Corvinus as king (special appearance by: the young Matthias Corvinus, Erzsébet Szilágyi, Mihály Szilágyi)
9:40 p.m.-10:10 p.m. All knights! Harken the summons to the tournament Sliding stage on ice: Florence in the era of the Medici: (special appearance by: Lorenzo de’ Medici, Lucrezia Tornabuoni, Michelangelo Buonarroti)
10:20 p.m.-10:50 p.m. Embraced by fire Sliding stage on ice: The Court of Matthias and Beatrix (special appearance by: Matthias Corvinus, Beatrix of Aragon, Galeotto Marzio)
11:00-11:30 Medieval games Sliding stage on ice: The children of Caterina de’ Medici (special appearance by: Marguerite of Navarre, Henry III)

Renaissance casino (9.00 p.m.-11.30 p.m.)
You can win Renaissance relics and amulets on card-roulette, a game of cards or on Trou-Madame skittles.

Leonardo’s astrological laboratory (9.00 p.m.-11.30 p.m.)
You can study your horoscope in a fun way. The astrologers will be spectacular Renaissance “machineries”.

Guests will be able to sample the Renaissance menu prepared by royal chef Attila Németh throughout the entire event.

Tickets (with or without skates) costing as many forints as the number of years that have passed since Matthias’ coronation* can be purchased on the spot or in advance at the gift shop of the Museum of Fine Arts.

*HUF 550