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By Unknown | Published 3/22/2013

Or in this case: Keep Calm and Explore More of Budapest

Flag Museum (some fun with flags)

By Unknown | Published 3/17/2013

After the Telephone Museum, I have visited yet another exhibition that does not concentrate on art, but something very different: national flags. Flags are important, not only because they are national symbols, but they also represent the historical foundation of each country; they are objects to be treated with respect. Furthermore, flags often play a significant role in historical upheavals, such as the Hungarian revolutions of 1848 and 1956. Countries have even set up elaborate rules prescribing how their national (federal, state, or county) flags should be flown and displayed. In many countries the desecration of the national flag is a punishable offense and those who misuse or dishonor this sacred symbol, can be prosecuted. (For example in Austria, Croatia or China, offenders can be punished with imprisonment).

The Flag Museum of Budapest is among the three biggest flag museums globally, and what is more, this is the first and only museum entirely devoted to assembling the national flags of countries around the world.
For tourists fascinated with flags and vexillology, this museum is obviously a must see, but even those less inclined to visit such a museum would surely enjoy the search for their own flags and explore the national symbols of other countries. I, for one had no idea that even the territories of Antarctica have their own flags and I had a lot of fun trying to guess which flag belongs to which country. ( Also, anyone who watches The Big Bang Theory and loves 'Fun with Flags' should go; Sheldon would approve! )

Canada

Flags are sorted and displayed according to continents and often the flags of states within countries are exhibited as well. László Balogh, the owner, has assembled a huge collection along the years, comprising up to 6000 flags. “He could not have visited every country in the world and purchase each flag individually, it would take forever…how did he collect all these flags by himself?”- you may ask. The answer is simpler than you would think. He was mailing the prime ministers, kings or administrative organizations of each country to request them to send him their national flags.

By 1995, László Balogh had accumulated a collection big enough to open a museum (with the contribution of the VIII. district local government). In 1998, the Nepal Hungary Friendship Association asked the owner to hold an exhibition about Nepal. The event turned out to be a huge success that a lot of diplomats attended, among others, the culture minister of Nepal himself. The idea of temporary exhibitions focusing on a particular country have become so popular, that the small exhibition hall has not been out of use ever since. Foreign ambassadors and ministers are frequent visitors of the opening ceremonies which demonstrates the significance of this small museum. The current temporary exhibition highlights the customs and everyday life of Paraguay.

It is a pity that this museum is too small to put all the 6000 flags on display at once but even considering the low budget, the exhibition provides a unique experience. Besides, to see the result of László Balogh’s persistence to establish this collection and open a museum is truly inspiring. The Flag Museum may not be one of the fancy museums of Budapest, but it still represents important values, such as dedication and patriotism.

Paraguay exhibition

The flag of the Cayman Islands

Spain

Tips and facts:

- should groups wish to visit when the museum is closed, it can be arranged by calling the following number: +36 1 3139 883

- visitors need to ring the bell on the right side of the entrance to get in

- maps, books and posters with the national flags of countries can be purchased in the museum

- tickets: 500 HUF

- the website is only available in Hungarian, however, information about upcoming events will be soon uploaded to this blog

Flag Museum
1085 Budapest, 68 József krt (on the corner of Nap street)
Tuesday-Friday: 12-5 pm
http://www.zaszlok.hu/index.php/esemenyek

Posted in Budapest, Flag Museum, László Balogh, The Big Bang Theory | Leave a comment

Museum of Applied Arts

By Unknown | Published 3/10/2013

My chosen museum for this week is neither small, nor hidden, but as it receives less publicity than other prestigious museums of Budapest, I thought it definitely deserved a visit and a review. My companion for this week was my godmother, who has taken me to more museums than I could count, and who is essentially responsible for my museum fetishism. We started discussing the purpose of this blog on the way to the Museum of the Applied Arts and we have asserted the following.

We do not always have huge revelations nor do we have our minds blown every time we visit museums, but these experiences certainly broaden our knowledge. Of course tourists will visit the most prestigious museums first, as they should; however, I do hope that now and then some tourists and even Hungarians get motivated enough to discover the unsung museums of Budapest.

Back to the point. The museum is located in the city center, easily accessible by the M3 underground or 4/6 tram, on Üllői Street. Although the building is currently under renovation, the main entrance is still in use. The first thing that hit me when I entered the Art Nouveau building was the artistry of the enormous white hall in the middle and the glass dome above. That sight alone was worth the visit for me. Needless to say, these photos taken with my mobile phone do not do justice to the beauty of the museum, but my intent has always been to pique my readers’ interest rather than show them everything.

In the lobby there is a little museum shop stocked with books on art, porcelain tea cup sets, jewelry, post cards, or my favorite, decorative gift wrap paper. There is also a tiny café and their espresso is pretty good.

The museum was founded with the purpose of raising the standard of artistic crafts and establishing a collection of artifacts to refine the taste of the public. A much needed effort, since the industrial revolution caused a decline in decorative arts. It was the third such institution to be founded in Europe. The permanent exhibition, Collectors and Treasures, highlights the important periods in the history of the museum, as well as its most valuable relics. The collection includes, among other things, donations received from Archduke Joseph Habsburg and creations purchased at the World Exhibitions.

The exhibition displays pieces from all around the world (France, Belgium, Denmark, Scotland...etc.) and it covers several centuries of art so everyone can find something to satisfy their artistic hunger. I especially loved the antique key collection, the decorative furniture, and the astronomical clock. All in all, our visit was time well spent: we learned a lot about applied arts and saw things we had never seen before. Mission accomplished, again.