„Rise, Hungarians! – Cult and Memory” Ceremonial programmes at the National Széchényi Library

Time: 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. 15 March 2013
Venue: Budapest, Szent György tér 4–6., Buda Castle Palace, Building „F”

On 15 March, the National Széchényi Library will join the series of Buda Castle festivities with interactive programmes for children and families, film showings and unconventional guided tours.

The exhibition entitled Rise, Hungarians! – Cult and Memory may be visited for the first time on this day, with the aid of which the „memory of the nation”, the National Széchényi Library will present a segment of its rich materials related to 1848 to the wider public. The exhibition will bring visitors closer to the atmosphere, actors and happenings of the March events through the presentation of original manuscripts, engravings, posters and newspapers. The audience may gain a wider insight into the documents and objects preserved that range from contemporary memorabilia to the later objects of the cult.

Visitors to the library may take part in a magical time travel and may, as part of the programme, view the following, inter alia:
- National Song – Petőfi’s manuscript dated 13 March 1848;
- original poster of 15 March 1848 of the National Theatre;
- marching songs of the revolution and freedom fight, original musical compositions;
- editorials on the revolution – contemporary press materials;
- signed books and letters from Kossuth’s library;
- visitors may listen to the digitised version of sound recordings preserving Kossuth’s voice on a 1890 phonograph-cylinder – Kossuth’s message from Turin for the ceremony uncovering the monument dedicated to the Arad martyrs;
- the memory of 15 March amidst the turbulent events of the 20th century: how 1848 was remembered during different historical periods – 20th century posters and newsreels;
- Pest-Buda in the 1840s, contemporary engravings and lithographs: clothing of the period;  our great figures in literature – as presented in popular fiction; sieges and moments of the freedom fight in contemporary representations.
Visitors may take photos of themselves in a contemporary engraved representation.

The curators of the exhibition will conduct unconventional guided tours from 12.00, 2.00 and 4.00 p.m.

Venue of programme: 6th floor of the building.

Further programmes:

10.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. Chocolate concert

Playful introduction to wind instruments for children aged between 4 and 12. As part of the fifty-minute concerts, children may acquaint themselves with the compositions performed in an interactive manner under the guidance of Győző Lukácsházi as moderator and will be given chocolate for correct answers to the playful questions. The programme will focus on classical music; however, there will also be folk music, world music, jazz and some pop.

Venue of programme: 5th floor.

10.00  a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Readers’ orchard (venue: 6th floor)

10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Craft workshops (venue: 5th floor)

12.00 p.m. – 1.45 p.m.
Showing of the film Mrs Déry made in 1951 (venue: 6th floor)

4.00 p.m. – 5.45 p.m.
Showing of the film Mrs Déry made in 1951 (venue: 6th floor)



Programmes may be visited free of charge between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on the 5th and 6th floors of the building. The reading rooms of the library will be closed during the day.