A REMARKABLE ANNIVERSARY AT THE “EURO FOTO ART” GALLERY ORADEA
The FIAP Exhibition Center Oradea-Romania, located in the Princely Palace of the Oradea Medieval Fortress (Building E, ground floor), was filled to capacity on Friday, June 26, 2025, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Romania’s longest-running permanent photographic art gallery. The celebration brought together over 60 guest photographers from Rzeszów (PL), Cluj-Napoca, Baia Mare, Oradea, Sighetu Marmației, and Târgu Mureș (RO), as well as Budapest (HU). The first part of the anniversary event took place in the “Matei Stegerean” Gallery of the Exhibition Center, where a retro poster exhibition was staged. The audience, attending an event organized in partnership with Summit Agro Romania, was welcomed by photographer Ștefan Tóth István AFIAP, ESFIAP, President of the International Association “Euro Foto Art” (AIEFA). He presented the context in which the Euro Foto Art Gallery was founded and expressed gratitude to all those who have supported the organization of 638 exhibitions by artists from around the world, always open free of charge to the public. Next, Andrei Borbély, Executive Director of the Bihor County Directorate for Culture, highlighted that: “Time has proven that this Gallery has become the Cultural Embassy of Oradea, of our county, and equally of Romania around the world!” Dr. Eng. Patricia Știrbu, President of Summit Agro Romania, praised the partnership established with AIEFA in 2021, which has enabled the promotion of both photographic art exhibitions and the company she proudly leads. Gyula Zatykó, chief organizer of the Saint LadislausDays Festival, emphasized: “It is an honor for us to include such an exceptional anniversary within the Festival’s program.” Art historian and critic Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramona Novicov remarked that, in her opinion, the Gallery has become “a phenomenon,” managing to present in Oradea more than 60,000 photographs from across the globe. At the close of the first part of the vernissage, the audience was invited to view an exhibition featuring the most representative images from the countless openings organized over the past 35 years. These photographs are also available online athttps://eurofotoart.ro/en/euro-foto-art-gallery-35-years/ Also displayed at the FIAP Exhibition Centerwas a message received from the Presidential Administration, Department for Culture, Religions and Nationalities, which stated: “We deeply value the contribution of the International Association ‘Euro Foto Art’ in promoting photographic art and visual culture. Please accept our highest appreciation and best wishes for continued success in organizing and developing the ‘Euro Foto Art’ Gallery, an important landmark in both the Romanian and international cultural landscape.” The second part of the celebration took place at the “Millesime” Center for Wine Culture and Civilization, where Member of Parliament Ödön Szabó underlined: “35 years of activity! Ștefan Tóth István does not dig chasms between people, but fills them, cultivating bridges through culture. Even as a simple civilian, he is a true cultural diplomat. Through all his endeavors, he manages to bring together people who otherwise might never have exchanged a greeting. I would dare say this is an art in itself – at least as valuable as the art of photography.” On this occasion, a 136-page jubilee catalog, published by Euro Foto Art Publishing House, was also launched and can be browsed online: https://online.flipbuilder.com/eurofotoart/crof/ A multimedia presentation also unveiled rarely seen images documenting the behind-the-scenes work that made these results possible. The musical program of the anniversary was offered by those who, over the decades, have performed at the gallery’s vernissages: representatives of the Sola Fide Community and Cultural Association, ThurzóSándor József (viola), Rock Filarmonica Oradea, Alexandrina Chelu Schorr (voice) & Florian CheluMadeva (guitar), and Prof. Georgiana-Iudita Mircescu & Quai Chiara (flute). A series of congratulatory messages also arrived from photographers in Africa, India, Japan, the USA, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, and Hungary. The exhibition will remain open to the public until July 24, 2025, on weekdays between 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with free admission. Thanks to a partnership between AIEFA and OTL SA, the exhibited photographs will also be displayed on the screens of modern public transport vehicles in Oradea.