On 6 July 2026, Comendador Anthony Bailey, Hon Consul-General of His Majesty The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, attended the inauguration of the Hungarian contemporary art exhibition “Dum spiro spero…” at the historic Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora in Lisbon.
The exhibition was jointly organised by the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora – Patriarchate of Lisbon and the Embassy of Hungary in Portugal, at the invitation of H.E. Dr Emília Fábián, Ambassador of Hungary to the Portuguese Republic.
The exhibition was formally inaugurated in the presence of H.E. the Most Reverend Dom Rui Valério, S.M.M., Patriarch of Lisbon, together with Ambassador Fábián, representatives of the Hungarian Embassy, members of the diplomatic corps, civil and religious representatives and participating artists. In his address, the Patriarch highlighted the close relationship between the Patriarchate of Lisbon and the Embassy of Hungary and the spiritual dimension of the exhibition.
“Dum spiro spero…” – “While I breathe, I hope” – presents contemporary Hungarian art centred on themes of faith, hope and spirituality. The Lisbon exhibition comprises 26 works by 12 Hungarian artists and follows earlier presentations in Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year and at the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos in Spain. It remains at São Vicente de Fora until 30 September 2026.
Tonga and Hungary established diplomatic relations in 2011 and enjoy longstanding Royal and diplomatic links. The late HM King George Tupou V visited Hungary in 2011, while members of the Imperial House of Habsburg have maintained links with the Tongan Royal Family, including attendance at the Coronation of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu in Nukuʻalofa on 4 July 2015.
The Consul-General also has longstanding personal links with Hungary, having first lived, studied and worked in the country from 1990. In 2013, he was awarded the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary by President of the Republic HE János Áder.
The inauguration on 6 July 2026 provided a welcome opportunity to celebrate Hungary’s contemporary artistic and Christian cultural heritage and tom promote both spiritual and artistic ties between Europe and the South Pacific.
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