László Balogh certainly has a deep affinity for flags. Whether it represents a great power or a tiny island of the South Pacific, he cherishes them all and he doesn’t hide them away from public view. The majority of Balogh’s comprehensive collection is on show at Budapest’s Flag Museum, found at the corner of Nap utca and József körút, just steps away from the Harminckettesek tere stop of tram line 4-6.
Here, a nondescript subterranean space is enhanced by masses of colorful flags mounted on the wall side by side. Many are hoisted on wooden poles, all arranged according to geographical locations. If you venture into this surprising attraction, you will more than likely discover your home country displayed and if not, it’s only because this single hall, where the exhibition is presented, doesn’t have enough space to feature Balogh’s vast collection in its entirety.
The collector developed a lasting dedication to state emblems in his youth, while browsing a school atlas. “I was intrigued by the design of the flags featured in the book. I wanted to understand the meaning behind their colors,” says Balogh. Driven by this newly discovered fascination, Balogh soon found himself in a bookshop spending nearly all his pocket money on a pricey publication that features the world’s flags.
Then a 1983 TV broadcast showing Burkina Faso inaugurating their new national emblem inspired Balogh to take his passion for flags a step further: “I visited a key Budapest shop specializing in producing and selling world maps and I asked the publishers to amend the next edition of their books to feature the West African state’s new flag”. As Balogh was not considered an official source of information, the publishing company rejected the young man’s suggestion.
“It was then when I decided to write a letter to the leader of Burkina Faso to send me the country’s new coat of arms and flag,” Balogh continues. “At the same time, I also mailed to nine other states to ask them for their emblems. Five of them including Burkina Faso got back to me with the requested items”.
Since then, Balogh has sent thousands of letters worldwide, while his mailing list has seen historic politicians, including Indira Gandhi, Muammar Gaddafi, Boris Yeltsin, the Chechen Dudayev and even royalty. Country leaders are generally quick to respond to Balogh’s request. “There are museums around the world showcasing an assortment of flags alongside other relics, but my collection is the only one to feature all of the currently recognized countries by their flags,” highlights Balogh.
When you are there, you can take time to discover gems such as the flag of Vanuatu. After Balogh contacted this South Pacific island it took him a year to receive his parcel, which literally traveled around the world, postmarked in more than a dozen countries before it finally landed in Budapest.
The permanent exhibition at the Flag Museum is complete with symbols of a variety of administrative bodies, coats of arms, maps and The Green Book, a publication setting out the political philosophy of Muammar Gaddafi. Besides, the gallery also features seasonally changing displays that provide more details about a specific country by featuring photos and artefacts of the nation. The current temporary exhibition presents life in the exotic land of Bhutan, while you can learn more about Greenland during an upcoming presentation open from early March.
Upon leaving this eccentric establishment, you will pass Balogh’s own symbol he uses as an emblem for his museum. Naturally, it’s a flag, with stars for each continent.
Flag Museum
Address: Budapest 1085, József körút 68 Website
