The Colorful City Group paid tribute to Mór Jókai with a spectacular public art program linked to the Jókai200 anniversary: the winning fire wall painting by young artists was created on Kis Diófa Street in Erzsébetváros and has already become a permanent feature of the cityscape.

As part of the Jókai200 commemorative year announced on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Mór Jókai's birth, in 2025 the Hungarian National Gallery implemented a public art initiative of national significance Colorful City Group with the support of the National Cultural Fund. The highlight of the program was the creation of a large-scale mural painting, which spectacularly combines Hungarian literary heritage with contemporary urban visuality.

The aim of the competition was to inspire young artists to rethink the visual image of the urban environment, drawing inspiration from the life and work of Mór Jókai, and to bring literary tradition closer to everyday life. The months-long creative and preparatory process culminated in a ceremonial announcement of the results and the presentation of the winning entry, which is now a permanent feature of the city's public space.

The award-winning work was placed on the firewall of the apartment building at 2 Kis Diófa Street in Erzsébetváros. The work presents the diversity of Mór Jókai's work and its messages, which are still relevant today, in a modern visual composition that also evokes classical elements. Prior to installation, the wall surface underwent comprehensive thermal insulation to ensure the long-term preservation and aesthetic quality of the painting.

Péter Flór, secretary general of the Colorful City Group, emphasized: “The mural painting is not only a spectacular public art event, but also a tribute to one of the most influential figures in Hungarian literature, as well as a good example of how cultural heritage and contemporary public art can be combined.”

The chair of the professional jury, Balázs Vargha, professor at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, said:

"The complex symbolism of the work, as well as its ability to reflect both Mór Jókai's literary legacy and contemporary urban culture, made it stand out. Dorottya Mérges's design reinterpreted Jókai's intellectual legacy in a contemporary formal language, adding a fresh, modern layer to the classic oeuvre."

The members of the professional jury were:

Dr. Anna Farkas (DLA), assistant professor, Hungarian University of Fine Arts; Oszkár Boskovitz, department head, University of Pécs; Dr. Zoltán Balázs, associate professor and head of department, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania; Benedek Sólyom (DLA), chief architect of Erzsébetváros; Noémi Nádudvari, aesthetician and art curator.

First place Dorottya Mérges, a graphic arts student at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, won first place. Second place went to Barbara Ambrus, also a graphic arts student at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, while third prize was awarded to Karina Grandpierre, a graphic arts student at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design. The artists received a total of HUF 2,000,000 in gross design fees.

Nearly fifty applications were received for the competition, which clearly demonstrates the professional interest in the program and the commitment of young artists to contemporary public art.