Night of the Museums 2022

In our exhibition Land of Poems, you will be guided through the original manuscripts of the Himnusz [Hymn], Szózat [Appeal], and Nemzeti dal [National Song], put on display for this night only, and you will be able to see a number of interesting facts in English using modern IT tools. 

In our chamber exhibition inspired by famous Hungarian brands, we also feature a selection of old illustrated advertising posters. 

During the library building tour, you can explore the different halls of the library. 

Patterns from foreign and local designers are combined with her own style in Andrea Soponyai’s exceptional jewellery collection made of quality beads – Swarovski crystal, Czech faceted minerals and Japanese pearls – which can be tried on and purchased.

Rolando's magic shows will entertain young and old alike, and giant jigsaw puzzles by Gondosdesign will welcome families who enjoy playing with unique jigsaw puzzles. 

 

Programme for the night 

Some of our programmes are subject to prior registration.  

 

Floor 5 (main entrance) 

 

 

LAND OF POEMS. Himnusz (Hymn), Szózat (Appeal), Nemzeti dal (National song) – our emblematic poems 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three manuscripts, three poems that have become part of the Hungarian history of the last two hundred years. In addition to the original manuscripts of the three poems – available only on this night – and some other documents, touch screens presenting the history of the poems, new recordings of the poems on monitors and a moving installation on a giant projector will help to enhance the exhibition experience.    

Venue: Floor 5, National Relic exhibition space  

 

GUIDED LIBRARY BUILDING TOUR – Wandering through Building F of the Buda Castle 

 

During the walk, visitors can learn about the fascinating history of the building, and discover parts of it that still preserve a small fragment of the original royal palace.  

Participation in the programme is subject to pre-registration with a maximum of 25 people per each tour.  
Guided tours in English: 17.30, 20.30 

Meeting point: Floor 5, departure from the main staircase 

 

 

GIANT JIGSAW PUZZLES  

 

You can play with giant puzzles courtesy of Gondosdesign this night. Smaller and larger, up to 180 cm in diameter, aesthetic collaborative puzzles – inspired by corvina patterns, Arabic ornaments or fractal-like composition – will allow participants to create their own designs. The games' designer, Gábor Gondos, will also be present on the night. On our handicraft workshop, the participants can make bookmarks, fridge magnets or badges inspired by our new exhibitions. 

Time: ongoing throughout the night 
Venue: Floor 5, hallway  

  

Floor 6

  

AUTHENTIC QUARTET 

The quartet was founded in 2002 on the initiative of Zsolt Kalló with the aim of presenting rare music from the period as authentically as possible, with a focus on historical performance. Their repertoire ranges from early Classicism to Romanticism. In addition to the masterpieces of widely know musical legends, they are constantly expanding their repertoire with works by the so-called 'lesser masters' that they consider valuable. The subject of their programme is based on manuscripst treasures in the OSZK, including works by Jospeh Haydn and Johann Georg Albrechtsberger. 

Time: 17.40–18.25  
Venue: Floor 6, Ceremonial Hall  

Pieces to be performed:  

• G. J. Werner – J. Haydn: Three preludes and fugues  
• I. F major Larghetto – Vivace  
• II. D minor Largo – Allegro  
• III. C minor Grave – Allegro  
•  J.G. Albrehtsberger: G minor quartett op.7 no.5.  
• Adagio – Menuett – Presto e con fuoco  
•  J.G. Albrehtsberger: C major quartett op.7 no.4.  
• Allegro moderato – Adagio – Menuett – Allegro 

  

 

TAMÁS ÉRDI’S PIANO CONCERT 

 

Prima Primissima and Liszt Prize-winning pianist Tamás Érdi won the Louis Braille Piano Competition in Moscow at the age of 17, and after two years at the Vienna Music Academy, he received his Artist Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, as a student of Leon Fleisher. His concerts, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Barbican Center, have been enjoyed by audiences in 28 countries. Since his return to Hungary, his recordings of Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, Liszt, Bartók and Beethoven have been released by Hungaroton, with Zoltán Kocsis and Tamás Vásáry as his main mentors, with whom he has given dozens of highly successful concerts. In 2010, Zoltán Kocsis remarked: ‘He plays the keys more delicately than sighted people... in his playing, in certain dynamic ranges, there is a tenderness that is not naturally possible for us. I dare say that one could measure this ability by Chopin's standards...’ 

 The following pieces will be performed:

• F. Chopin: D-flat major ‘Raindrop Prelude’ Op.28. Nr.15
• F. Chopin: Berceuse Op.57
• F. Chopin: Fantaisie-Impromptu Op.66
• F. Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp minor, No 20, Op. Posth
• F. Liszt: Les jeux d’eaux à la Villa d’Este (The Fountains of the Villa d’Este)
• F. Liszt: D-flat major Consolation
• F. Liszt: Sposalizio
• F. Liszt: 6. Hungarian Rhapsody

Time: 18.35–19.20

Time: 18.35–19.20  
Venue: Floor 6, Ceremonial Hall  

   

MAKÁM CONCERT 

Makám is an internationally recognised ambassador of world music in Hungary. The orchestra's epochs span tradition and modernity, East and West, the duality of the collective and the individual, the search for ancient unity and harmony. Founded by Zoltán Krulik, the ensemble initially burst onto the music scene as an ambassador of improvisational chamber music from Central and Eastern Europe, a period subtly nuanced by Asian and Far Eastern roots, Balkan and African influences and repetitive elements of contemporary music. This trend continued in the 90s, when jazz elements were combined with Makám's style.    

Time: 23.30  
Venue: Floor 6, Ceremonial Hall   

 

 

HUNGARIAN BRANDS, HUNGARIAN POSTERS – CHAMBER EXHIBITION 

 

Tradition and renewal in the history of six well-known Hungarian brands: Stühmer, Dreher, Közért, Corvin, Orion, IBUSZ.  Sweets, beer, shopping, radio and travel! The history of Stühmer, which was relaunched a few years ago, dates back to the 19th century, and the well-known "brand" of the second half of the 20th century is Közért. And the rest – in a slightly different form – is still with us. Brands have always had to be advertised in order to attract customers. From the end of the 19th to the end of the 20th century, the most effective means of doing this were posters. In addition to a brief presentation of the development and history of a brand, our exhibition will give an insight into the diversity and variety of graphic posters preserved in the NSZL. 

Venue: Floor 6, Ars Librorum exhibition space 

  

MAGIC SHOW FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rolando the magician is one of the key figures of the national magic scene. In his shows he combines humour with sleight of hand and mentalism. His aim is to entertain and distract the audience from the problems of everyday life with his magic shows, his unique and special performances. Join us for this unforgettable, magical experience full of wonder and humour!   

Time: 17.00, 20.30  
Venue: Floor 6, Ars Librorum aula 

   

JEWELLERY EXHIBITION AND SALE  

Andrea Boglári-Soponyai has been designing jewellery since 2007. In her work she strives for harmony and perfection, she loves modern, delicate jewellery, varied techniques and colours. She works from patterns of foreign and domestic designers, adding her own colours, taste and ideas. She uses quality beads: Swarovski crystal, Czech faceted minerals, Japanese pearls. 

Time: ongoing throughout the night 
Venue: Floor 6, Manuscript Collection hallway