An Exhibition by the National Museum of Theatre History and Institute

Curator: Beáta Huber

Design and Execution: György Mihalkov

The first stone-built Hungarian theatre in Romania, located on Kogălniceanu Street (formerly Wolf Street) in Cluj, opened its doors on March 12, 1821. To commemorate the two-hundredth anniversary of its inauguration, we have organized a chamber exhibition celebrating the enduring legacy of Hungarian theatre in Transylvania, its significant events, and outstanding performances.

“It is not only the first in historical terms, but also for the invaluable services it has rendered to Hungarian culture and national thought,” wrote Jenő Janovics in his book The Theatre on Wolf Street. The pioneers of Cluj’s theatre aimed primarily at promoting the mother tongue, elevating moral standards, and fostering patriotic sentiments. Later, during the period of bourgeoisification, the focus shifted to artistic endeavors, with works from both European and Hungarian dramatic traditions being performed by prominent actors.

The theatre on Kogălniceanu Street served as the home of Cluj’s national theatre until 1906. Once considered modern in the early 19th century, the building increasingly struggled to meet the artistic and audience demands of its time, and fire safety concerns remained unresolved despite subsequent renovations. This iconic structure no longer exists in today’s Cluj, having been demolished between 1934 and 1935, replaced by a modern student residence.

In our exhibition, we trace the legacy of the theatre on Kogălniceanu Street, evoking its past through preserved photographs, playbills, blueprints, manuscripts, memorabilia, and recollections, reflecting on its challenging yet glorious history.