project culTOUR

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