“A haza nem hitbizomány” – Exhibition on the legitimist Károlyi

INVITATION

TO THE EXHIBITION OPENING ENTITLED

“A HAZA NEM HITBIZOMÁNY”

The Legitimist Károlyi

Date:
Friday, 4 July 2025, 5 p.m.

Venue:
Fehérvárcsurgó, Károlyi Castle, Visitor Centre

Charles of Habsburg-Lorraine reigned as head of the Austro–Hungarian Empire for barely two years (1916–18). He could not have ascended to the imperial throne at a more difficult time: after a series of fateful turns of events, amid a crisis of ideologies and a world war, at the height of nationalist fervour and social unrest, he had to “remain human in inhuman circumstances” while shouldering what he believed to be his God-given responsibility for the welfare of his people.

The developments of the 20th century also posed challenges for the Károlyi family, prompting varying reactions from individual family members regarding their commitment to family interests and the common good, which in turn shaped the course of their political activities. The two sons from the late Lord of Fehérvárcsurgó Castle, Gyula Károlyi’s separate marriages, Mihály and József, who were raised similarly, illustrate how ideological influences and differing human qualities can lead two brothers down such divergent paths during the turbulent period following World War I.

The temporary exhibition of the Otto von Habsburg Foundation offers insight into the relationship between Mihály and József Károlyi, their connection to King and Emperor Charles, as well as the political career of the older sibling. Our primary aim was to highlight József Károlyi’s sense of responsibility and integrity in a situation where Hungary’s fate depended on numerous external factors and loyalty to the king was by no means a foregone conclusion. In the wake of the monarch’s unexpected death, level-headed judgement and a thorough understanding of domestic affairs were crucial to the intellectual development and historical and political worldview of the dowager queen and the dynasty, and later its head, Otto von Habsburg.

Programme:

Welcoming addresses

Count György Károlyi
Gergely Prőhle, Director, Otto von Habsburg Foundation

The exhibition will be opened by

János Lázár, Minister of Construction and Transport

Piano performance

Balázs Fülei

The event will be held in Hungarian.