“Can you hear it?” The walls of Trafó – Kortárs Művészetek Háza whisper stories of transformation and rebirth. This building stands as a unique receptive venue in Hungary. Trafó is a cornerstone of the international contemporary arts scene.
Once a transformer station built in 1909, it hummed with a different kind of energy. The building showcases various genres. Theatre, dance, new circus, music and visual arts all find a home here. They are presented in a unique and authentic manner. For forty years, this space lay abandoned. Nature and time threatened to reclaim it.
In 1991, a French anarchist collective called Rézonances squatted here. They breathed new life into the forgotten building. Performances and concerts filled the space. Fine art happenings took place in great numbers. It functioned on a half-illegal basis.
The Budapest City Council stepped in the next year. They bought the building with funds from the unrealized World Expo. Trafó House of Contemporary Arts was established. It became the successor to the Andrássy Avenue Young Artists’ Club.
Trafó opened its gates in 1998 during the Budapest Autumn Festival. The opening piece was by Yvette Bozsik. The industrial hall was converted into a multifunctional arts center. It is well-equipped and appropriate for current times.
Trafó embraces experimental and audience-friendly approaches. New innovations and cultural heritage inspire it. The venue provides a space for Hungarian and international artists. It serves as a forum for social issues. Trafó is a platform for establishing values and generating new ideas.
Trafó is not afraid to introduce audiovisual musical theater or digital performances. The venue’s professional program is presented in a post-industrial space. It is based on a unified yet diverse approach.
Its performances and concerts focus on younger generations. They are accessible to all seeking something new. Trafó is an inclusive contemporary art space. It includes a gallery that organizes brave and high-quality exhibitions. Instead of having its own troupe, it provides a stage for independent groups. These troupes may lack a permanent venue.
So step inside Trafó – Kortárs Művészetek Háza. Experience the vibrant energy of Budapest’s contemporary art scene. Let the innovative performances spark your imagination.