Thousands of culture lovers have filled museums across Hungary as venues opened their doors overnight. In its nineteenth year, the annual Night of Museums event in the country sees cultural institutions host special programs and welcome patrons until the early hours of the morning. 

After last year's program was moved online, the return of the event has been labeled a turning point in the pandemic - it's the largest cultural event Hungary has held since COVID-19 began. 

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The first 'Long Night of Museums' was held more than two decades ago in Berlin and has taken on different forms in 120 cities across the globe. In Hungary, visitors were given entry to all 250 institutions with one wristband for venues across the country. 

There are similar programs being held in other European nations over the summer, but the pandemic has stopped some going ahead. 

Hungary's cultural institutions reopened just over a month ago after 18 months of closures. Program organizers said numbers at this year's event numbers bounced back to where they were before the pandemic. 

"I suspected fewer people because I thought people would be much more worried but I'm really glad to see there are many, many people, so fantastic! Life has come back. We are very happy," said Edina Deme, the head of education for the Museum of Fine Arts.

Across the venues, permanent and visiting collections are open for the public with special events throughout the night, including live music, pop-up dance performances, children's activities and guest lectures. 

Everything from sculptures, historical paintings, photography and religious artifacts are all on show, with the University of Veterinary science even including animals in their program.

The university's star attraction for a guest lecture on dog training was the dog itself, while rescue animals were also part of the evening.  

Hungary's museums are back at full capacity. Entry requires wearing a mask and showing an immunity certificate to prove vaccination or recovering from COVID-19, while children can enter with their parents. 

The new entry routine has already become normal in Budapest, with residents excited to be able to join in these kinds of events. 

Boroka said it was a relief to have institutions open again. 

"I have been in online teaching for a while, and I stayed at home for most of the time, so it is really good to be back and walking through the city and going to museums because I really enjoy going to museums," she said. 

Those behind the exhibitions are hopeful they'll stay open for the summer but are confident if there is a fourth COVID-19 wave that the industry will cope. 

"I think we are cautiously optimistic but if things don't go as well as we think they might, then I think we can handle it," Edina Deme explained. 

Hungary is expected to hit 5.5 million first-dose COVID-19 vaccinations this week, a target that will trigger the further lifting of restrictions.

Mask requirements will be removed altogether and people will be allowed into some venues without proof of vaccination. Vaccine certificates will still be required for mass events like the night of museums.

_{Cover image: CGTN}