Trendsetting 2023 – Night of Museums in the NSZL

 

On 24 June, the buzz of the national library will also fill the night of Midsummer's Eve. The evening will be a sparkling mix of colourful activities, with something for all ages.

This year's Night of Museums is also a glimpse into the world of the National Széchényi Library. Whether it is a bilingual building tour, secret corners of the library, giant jigsaw puzzles, craft activities, exhibitions, theatre productions, auctions, second hand book sale, clothes fair, photo booth, slide film show escape room or the voice of Pál Oberfrank in Zirc, everyone can bring the colours and sounds of the night into their everyday life.

From 9am on the day of the event until 1am the next day, free registration will be available for everyone, and there will also be no charge for renewing existing library cards. The extension is valid until the Night of Museums 2024.

HOW TO GET TO THE LIBRARY

The National Széchényi Library is located in the 1st district of the capital, in the F building of the Buda Castle. The main entrance opens from the Lion Courtyard between the Hungarian National Gallery and the NSZL.
The main entrance can be reached by 4 routes:

• from Dísz Square on foot,
• from Dózsa György Square on foot, and then by using the lifts on Palota Street,
• from Castle Garden Bazaar on foot or using the lifts,
• from Clark Ádám Square on foot or by using the Castle Hill Funicular.

 

PROGRAMMES

 

PERFORMANCE OF THE CAPITAL CIRCUS OF BUDAPEST

 

Location: the Lion Courtyard, in front of the library
Time: 17.45–18.00

 

 

 

 

LIBRARY BUILDING TOUR – Wandering around the Buda Castle Palace Building F

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, starting from the main staircase
Duration: 60 minutes

Time:

• 16.00
• 17.30
• 20.00
• 21.00
• 24.00
• 01.00

 

GIANT JIGSAW PUZZLES, CRAFT ACTIVITIES

You can also play with giant puzzles this night, courtesy of Gondosdesign. Smaller and larger, up to 180 cm in diameter, the aesthetic games - inspired by corvina patterns, Arabic ornaments or fractal designs - will offer a variety of options for participants to create their own compositions. The games' designer, Gábor Gondos, will also be present on the night.
Our craft workshop will also offer the chance to make a minibooks, a fridge magnet or a badge.

Design (story) illustrations using mixed media!

In our drawing session, you can create fabulous drawings with animal characters, plants and vehicles using pastels, needle felting and coloured pencils. You can also make the pictures a little more three-dimensional by gluing them together. You can use this technique to create mushrooms hiding in the forest or a book cart scooting through the night, or pictures with a more serious theme.

Introduction to calligraphy!

Bring your favourite quote and learn about simple calligraphy! You can bring a short, one-sentence quote from any piece of literature that means something to you, or you can choose from our collection of quotes.

Location: level V
Time: ongoing

 

 

THEY WERE ON TREND, TOO – EXHIBITION

What is trendy, what is fashionable, determines our everyday lives. Just think of the countless fast fashion shops, fashion magazines, the "guidelines" published year after year, what will be the colour of the year, for example!

Well, it was no different in the past. What did influencers look like back then? What were the cool tunes that were played in the famous cabarets and revues or balls of the time, and how did you get into someone's dance card? What is a dance card anyway? It did exist.

If you want to know all this and more, from the 16th century onwards, visit the latest exhibition at the NSZL, exclusively on display during the Night of Museums!

Venue: room 516
Time: ongoing

 

 

FELEDI PROJECT: EXCERPT FROM THE PERFORMANCE "SPLINTERS" INSPIRED BY JÁNOS PILINSZKY

Splinters. We are born. We begin to experience. We start on a journey. We form a delicate, fragile shell around ourselves. Where are we in our own state of life, in our own development? How are we fitting into the world and where is our personal and spiritual development?
Performers: Korinna Spala, Brigitta Tóth, János Feledi

Location: Ceremonial Hall
Time: 17.00–17.30

 

PERFORMANCE BY THE BUDAPEST OPERETTA THEATRE – A SELECTION OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OPERETTA SONGS

Starring Diána Kiss, Luca Bojtos, Zsolt Vadász, Viktor Dénes
Accompanied on piano by László Szekeres

Location: Ceremonial Hall
Time: 21.30–22.30

 

 

SISI'S WARDROBE - Mónika Czédly's dress exhibition

The past will be evoked this night as Queen Elizabeth of Hungary's wardrobe moves into Buda Castle for the Night of Museums. Six of Elizabeth's dresses will be on display in their original sizes, and Mónika Czédly, the dress maker, will be talking about them. How were they worn? What was the Queen's hairstyle? A dress will come to life before our eyes.

Venue: Northern Reading Room
Time: ongoing

 

EXCERPTS FROM THE MUSICAL ELIZABETH
Singers: Anita Potrovszki and Melinda Vilman

Attendees can experience what life at court was like behind the scenes. How did the royal couple live their everyday lives? Queen Elizabeth of Hungary herself, brought to life by Melinda Vilman, will tell the story of her life through her clothes. Her Majesty also expresses her feelings in song, performed by Anita Potvorszki.

Venue: North Reading Room
Time: 20.30–21.00

 

JEWELLERY EXHIBITION AND FAIR

Andrea Bogláriné Soponyai has been making 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.

Venue: level VII
Time: ongoing