Night of Museums 2025 at the National Széchényi Library

 

On Saturday evening, 21st June 2025 the HNMPCC National Széchényi Library welcomes visitors again with special programmes. During the Night of Museums, from 6 PM to 1 AM, you will have the opportunity to explore the hidden treasures, unique collections, and some of the areas of the national library that are usually locked in building F of the Buda Castle. The evening will be filled with exciting lectures, concerts, arts and crafts workshops, and interactive experiences, making it a memorable event for all ages. 

One of the highlights of the event is a performance by the Feledi Project called Wedding, which portrays primal feminine power through the stories of three women on the night before their wedding. 

Those curious to have a look behind the scenes can join guided tours of the building of the library. Fans of arts and crafts can enjoy Japanese bookbinding, while those seeking active relaxation will find delight in Gábor Gondos's giant jigsaw puzzles, which offer both fun and visual enjoyment.  

During the event, the NSZL offers free membership: new members can sign up with no library usage fee, and existing readers can also renew their membership free of charge. 

The National Library of Foreign Literature also joins this special night: visitors can take part in ‘Tünde’ writing (Hungarian runic writing) workshops and they can enjoy a chanson evening by Bori Orbán and Kristóf Pánczél. In addition to French and Hungarian songs, this time the concert will feature Italian, Portuguese, and other international melodies. 

The Cistercian Historic Library of Zirc Abbey will also be part of the celebration: visitors can join a special guided tour and enjoy a classical concert by the Kodály String Quartet. 

 

Join us for this cultural adventure that goes far into the night! 

 

 

GETTING TO THE LIBRARY

The National Széchényi Library is located in the 1st district of the capital, in building F of the Buda Castle. Its main entrance opens from the Lion’s Courtyard, located between the National Gallery and the National Széchényi Library. 

The main entrance can be accessed via four routes: 

• On foot from Dísz Square, 
• On foot from Dózsa György Square, then using the elevators on Palota Street, 
• On foot from Várkert Bazár, then using the elevator, 
• On foot from Clark Ádám Square, or by funicular, then on foot. 

 

 

On the day of the Night of the Museums, on Saturday 21st June 2025,  the library will be open between 9 AM to 4 PM. Requests to storage room can be made until 3 PM, and the reading rooms for the main collection and special collections can be used until 4 PM.

The Night of the Museums in the OSZK starts at 6 PM. After that you are required to show the official wristband of the event at the entrance.

 

 

National Széchényi Library
(Buda Castle, building F, 1014 Budapest, Szent György square 4–5–6)
Saturday, 21st June 2025
Opening hours: 6 PM–1 AM
PROGRAMMES

 

WEDDING – A performance by the Feledi Project 

Three women – three feminine archetypes – on the dawn of their wedding day, in the hours before the ceremony, evoke their pasts, dreams, and fears. They are not just brides but three aspects of primal feminine power – archaic spirits, victims and at the same time creators of the ritual.

Location: Arcade in front of the main entrance 
Time: 6:00 PM 

 

 

ENGLISH GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE BUILDING OF THE LIBRARY 

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

Location: 5th floor, departure from the main staircase 
Duration: 60 minutes 

Start times: 

• 6:15 PM
• 8:30 PM
• 11:00 PM 

 

 

CREATIVE GAMES – DO A JIGSAW PUZZLE WITH US! 

Thanks to Gábor Gondos and Gondosdesign, giant, beautifully designed puzzles will be available to play with. Inspired by Corvina patterns, Arabesque designs, and fractals, these board games (some as large as 180 cm in diameter) offer multiple solutions and participants can also create their own design. On this evening, we’ll debut two new sets: one based on Csángó folk motifs and the other a tetrahedron-shaped 3D puzzle. 

Location: 5th floor, corridor 
Time: ongoing 

 

 

MINI BOOKMAKING WITH JAPANESE BOOKBINDING TECHNIQUE 

At the corner of arts and crafts, you can try a simple version of traditional Japanese bookbinding, where pages are stitched together with strings. This rare, traditional technique allows for unique, personalized covers using magazine clippings or decorative paper. 
We use plastic needles for stitching, so children can safely participate, however the activity is not recommended for kids under 8. 

Location: 6th floor, in front of the Corvina Wall 
Time: ongoing 

 

 

JEWELLERY EXHIBITION AND SALE

Since 2007, Andrea Bogláriné Soponyai has been creating jewellery that blends harmony, elegance, and diverse techniques. She loves modern, delicate jewellery. Inspired by international and local designers, she adds her own artistic flair and ideas. Materials include Swarovski crystals, Czech and Japanese beads, and natural mineral stones. 

Location: 7th floor, in front of the Corvina Wall 
Time: ongoing 

 

FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL (DIGITALIZATION TECHNIQUES) 

Curious about how your favourite book, comic, newspaper, or a previously unknown map becomes digitally available? Visit the largest and most advanced digitalization centre of Central Europe and have a look behind the scenes. We show you the tools and methods used to preserve Hungarian written culture online. 

Location: 8th floor
Duration: 60 minutes

Start times: 

• 6:30 PM
• 8:00 PM
• 9:30 PM
• 11:00 PM

 

National Library of Foreign Literature  
(1056 Budapest, Molnár street 11)

 

LEARN ‘TÜNDE’ SCRIPT (HUNGARIAN RUNIC WRITING)

The beautiful writing system called Tengwar is more complex than it first appears! Discover its rules and try your hand at writing. By the end of the session, you’ll know the special spelling of your own name! 
This program is carried out in collaboration with the Hungarian Tolkien Society. 

Location: Event Room, National Library of Foreign Literature
Duration: 45 minutes 

Start times: 

• 4:30 PM
• 5:30 PM

 

 

CHANSON NIGHT with Bori Orbán and Kristóf Pánczél 

Bori Orbán (vocals) and Kristóf Pánczél (piano, vocals) will enchant the audience with chansons in French, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, and more. Expect pieces like The Godfather theme in Italian, La bambola, and Água de Beber. The young singer/actress evokes memories of the era, when chansons expressed everything about the world of emotions, love, and passion. 
Their journey began at the Etűd Conservatory, where Kristóf taught Bori classical singing. They found themselves working perfectly together. Since then, they’ve performed in Budapest and widely across Hungary. 

Location: Reading Room, National Library of Foreign Literature
Duration: 70 minutes 

Time: 8:00 PM 

 

 

RETRO CORNER / FREE LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP FOR A YEAR

Don't miss this chance to register for a whole year for free and start your summer with library access! 

Location: Retro Corner, National Library of Foreign Literature
Time: Between 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM 

 

 

TREASURES OF THE MUSIC COLLECTION 

Discover hidden gems from our music collection. 

Location: Music Collection, National Library of Foreign Literature 
Time: Between 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM 

 

 

Cistercian Historic Library of Zirc Abbey
(8420 Zirc, Rákóczi square 1)

The sights of the Cistercian Abbey of Zirc, including the historic library, and its programmes are open to the public at a reduced price (1000 HUF).
Tickets can be purchased at the Abbey ticket office (free for children under 6 years).
Opening hours: 6 PM – 0:00

 

CONCERT BY THE KODÁLY STRING QUARTET 

With a history spanning over five and a half decades, the Kodály String Quartet (Attila Falvay, Ferenc Bangó, Zoltán Tuska, György Éder) is one of the most prominent representatives of 20th-century Hungarian chamber music culture, both in Hungary and internationally, with a name that is a guarantee of high quality. In addition to extensive touring, the ensemble has recorded numerous albums. Their work has been recognized with the Liszt and Bartók–Pásztory Prizes, and in 2022 they received the prestigious Kossuth Prize. 

For this concert, they have selected two pieces that promise enjoyment for fans and newcomers to the genre: 

• Haydn: String Quartet in C major, Op. 33 No. 3 "The Bird" 
• Mendelssohn: String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13 

Location: Baroque Hall, Cistercian Historic Library of Zirc Abbey
Time: 9:00 PM

 

We reserve the right to change the program.