Beautiful Hungarian Map 2015 – exhibition

The first Beautiful Hungarian Map competition dates back to 1996. The aim has been to raise the level of Hungarian map culture and help beautifully made maps gain more ground. To achieve this aim, the Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics of Eötvös Lorand University (formerly Lazarus Mapping Foundation) and the Map Collection of NSZL invite entries to win the title of “Beautiful Hungarian Map” each year.

This year, 15 contestants sent in 29 entries which have been evaluated and awarded, respectively, by a jury including experts and laymen at the same time. Chairman of the jury was János Káldos, Deputy Director-General of National Széchényi Library. An exhibition, based on the competing items, will present an overall view of maps produced by the Hungarian map making community in 2015 to the general public.

The aim of the exhibition is to promote companies and organizations making cartographic works and to draw the attention of not only professionals but also of the general public to new developments in this field.

This year a total amount of 29 maps entered the ”Beautiful Hungarian Map 2015” competition, two of which were published in a digital form. The majority of competing cartographic works serve tourist purposes, presenting mainly the natural and historical values of Hungary.

The Jury did not find it necessary to set up various categories for awarding the competing items. Evaluation has been performed on the basis of taking into account both content and aesthetic form. In addition to the 1^st prize and the 2^nd prize, a 3^rd prize was granted to two maps. Honorable mention was granted to two cartographic works.

Opening and award giving ceremony

An exhibition based on competing items will be open in NSZL between April 1 and April 30, 2016. You can have a look at the exhibition in the Ceremonial Hall of National Széchényi Library on Floor 6, Tuesday to Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. During the opening ceremony, the exhibition can be attended free of charge. Visitors who are not registered readers of the Library can attend our temporary exhibitions for a flat fee of HUF 400.