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Good morning. I am delighted to be here at this new and modern Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center. I would like to very much thank Orsolya Kőrösi for her kind invitation this morning. I would also like to acknowledge distinguished guests – Dr. Péter Hoppál, Ms. Cynthia Young and Mr. Robert Pledge. I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to Mr. John G. Morris, famous picture editor and photojournalist. It really is an honor to meet you this morning, Mr. Morris!
We are here today to pay tribute to legendary Hungarian-American war photographer and photojournalist Robert Capa and also to recognize the photos of Mr. Morris who not only edited iconic Capa’s D-Day landing photos for LIFE Magazine, but also risked his life by landing in northern France in 1944 with the Western Naval Task Force to take photos of civilians, refugees and German prisoners. These poignant images of the lesser known participants of the World War II speak volumes about what war really was.
Robert Capa, or in his original Hungarian name, Endre Ernő Friedmann, was one of the many wonderful people hailing from Hungary who eventually found their home in the United States alongside artists and musicians like composer and pianist Béla Bartók, conductors Eugene Ormandy and George Szell and Hollywood filmmakers, such as George Cukor or Béla Lugosi.
Capa’s name as a legendary Hungarian-American war photographer and photojournalist embodies U.S.-Hungarian cultural relations as both of our nations are justly proud of him and consider his works their cultural heritage. So, it is quite natural that present “Capa in Color” exhibition was made possible as a result of the collaboration with the New York-based International Center of Photography (ICP) and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Cultural connections between our two countries for nearly two centuries have endured time and political turmoils, but our connections remain strong and, as Ambassador of the United States to Hungary, it is my honor and privilege to be able to further strengthen them through events such as this.
I’m very excited to discover a rarely seen aspect of Capa’s career – his color photographs and also Mr. Morris’ photos. Thank you very much for this opportunity. Köszönöm szépen.
