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The Budapest villa where Bela Bartok lived in the early 20th century has been renovated and turned into a museum to mark the 125th anniversary of the renowned Hungarian composer's birth.
The large villa, hidden behind the Buda hills, was officially opened Friday by the deputy mayor of Budapest, Janos Schiffer, and by Gabor Vasarhelyi, who inherited Bartok's musical legacy.
"We decided to renovate the villa two years ago so that visitors could see how Bela Bartok lived," said Vasarhelyi.
The renovations cost 120 million forints, around half a million euros, and was funded entirely by the family, which retains the copyright on the composer's works.
The house was bought by the Budapest municipal authorities in 1981, at the time of the composer's 100th anniversary, and has since been altered to add a concert hall. But the three main rooms are still furnished in the way were when Bartok lived there.
The composer's piano, a small Boesendorfer, has also been renovated and there are plans for a series of televised concerts showing well known pianists playing the instrument.
The house opens its doors to the public on Saturday March 25, Bartok's birthday.
Bartok lived in Budapest between 1932 and 1940. He then left for the United States, where he died five years later.
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AFPEntertainment-Hungary-Bartok-museum
AFP 241949 GMT 03 06
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