This may be as simple as shedding a new light on our mundane challenges, thus giving us choices and responses otherwise not possible tailored to personal or family needs. Sometimes all it takes is for culture is to expand the space that surrounds us, shining a beacon on thus far hidden beauties.

Over the past few decades, economists from both the private sector and from academia have made half-hearted and largely unsuccessful attempts at putting price tags on everything cultural, be it a tangible object or a phenomenon. Some of these efforts were doomed to fail, as there is no way of comparing the monetary value of a good recital of Bach's Matthew Passion or a performance of Shakespeare's Othello under the direction of Nekrosius. This, of course, also makes it very difficult to justify from an accounting perspective the spendings on culture.

In this context, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to the 10th, anniversary Night of the Museums, an event which compresses into a single summer night the best culture can offer. This in the capital, Budapest we will be able to enjoy these things at 102 locations, and at other 176 locations across the country.

This year will be no exception in that it will offer every form of cultural entertainment the public has become accustomed to. Yet - as in every previous year - there will also be new experiences. I invite you to browse the offers, look at what's new, but, above everything else, do not miss this night that is "unlike any other night".

Participating museums

More information: muzej.hu