In fact, the essence of the Hungaricons Collection is to introduce, with the help of emblematic objects, the public to individuals we are proud of.

The formula is simple: Someone creates something from something belonging to someone. Specifically, contemporary artists create statues or paintings incorporating these objects into their work – a baton or light meter, a boxing glove or the ballet shoes of some famous Hungarian dancer.

This is how, thanks to Pauer, Kass, Szikora, Nádler, Konok, Gyémánt, Kő, Harasztÿ, Fehér and others, exceptional iconic objects have undergone a metamorphosis into Hungaricons. Gathered together, they make for a very special collection unprecedented in art history which, preserving as well as creating value, presents our eminent individuals and our own eminence to the world.

What’s more, our best writers, art historians and poets – Péter Nádas, Tandori, Kányádi, Parti Nagy, Anna Jókai, Ferenc Juhász, Szakonyi, Háy, Márton Karinthy and others – have agreed to write essays to accompany them.

In the wake of Vienna, Dunaszerdahely (Dunajská Streda, Slovakia), Rome and London, and before next year’s World’s Fair in Milan, the expanding collection, now numbering one hundred and twenty pieces and recently honored with the Hungarian Olympic Committee’s Fair Play Prize, can now be seen together for the first time on several floors of the Guardsmen’s Palace of the Castle Bazaar.

Furthermore, the display cases also contain relics such as Flórián Albert’s select #9 jerseys, which he wore as guest of honor at the Sydney Olympics, Houdini’s iron handcuffs, István Bibó’s jail correspondence, and Vaclav Nijinsky’s tarot card, all waiting for inspired hands to turn them into Hungaricons.

For the first time, the public can also see those rare relics that have found their way into the Hungaricons Collection as “by-products”: John Lennon’s silk tie, Jiří Menzel’s pullover, Frida Kahlo’s paintbrush, Botero’s palette, Tony Curtis’s painting – and the latest addition, the Napoleon hat worn by Depardieu at the Szeged premier of the opera, “János Háry”.

By Tamás Kárpáti

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