The double anniversary gives special relevance to the exhibition created jointly by House of Music Hungary and World of Freddie. Through hundreds of original personal objects, stories and immersive installations, the exhibition reveals a lesser-known, more human side of Freddie Mercury. The personal stories are narrated by Peter Freestone, Mercury's longtime personal assistant and friend.
Márton Horn, director of House of Music Hungary and co-curator of the exhibition, spoke about the project as follows:
Freddie Mercury’s global impact is unquestionable, but for Hungarian audiences, his legacy also carries a deeply personal meaning. Queen’s 1986 concert in Budapest symbolically pushed further against the crumbling walls of socialism, while Mercury’s Hungarian-language performance of the folk song Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt created a unique shared experience for local music lovers. That is why this exhibition is not only about an international icon, but also, in a way, about our own story. Thanks to its universal appeal, I believe we have created an exhibition that could also attract international interest.
9 thematic spaces tell Freddie’s story
The exhibition dedicated to one of the world's most charismatic frontmen guides visitors through nine thematic spaces, gradually revealing a more detailed and nuanced portrait of Freddie Mercury. Behind the globally recognised image of the stage performer, the exhibition uncovers Mercury's more personal and human side for the first time.
The exhibition begins with the world-famous performer persona of Freddie Mercury, offering insight into his pre- and post-show rituals, the everyday reality of touring, and the exceptional creativity and precision that allowed him to create spectacular and highly distinctive concert experiences even in the analogue era. Visitors can also revisit some of his most iconic performances, including Queen's legendary appearance at Live Aid - one of the largest live music events in history, watched by more than 1.5 billion viewers worldwide through televised broadcasts.
A separate section focuses on Queen's legendary 1986 Budapest concert, which became not only a defining musical moment of the era in Hungary, but also an event of wider social and cultural significance. Through personal memories, organisers and contributors behind the filmed concert - including concert organiser László Hegedűs, producer György Mihály and Z'Zi Labor frontman István Janicsák - reflect on the historical importance of the event.
Personal stories and memories
Freddie Mercury's more human side comes to life through personal stories shared by his close friends and collaborators, whose memories reveal a more intimate and nuanced portrait of the global superstar.
Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury's personal assistant and close friend, who lived alongside him for 12 years, still speaks about him with great admiration today:
He amazed me in every possible way - both as a person and as an artist. As a singer-songwriter, you can clearly hear the difference between the early 1970s and the late 1980s, how much he matured and evolved during those decades, while still radiating this raw, unstoppable energy. He never had vocal training; it simply came naturally to him. And he just kept pushing himself further and further, even reaching the highest notes, constantly testing both his own limits and the boundaries of music itself. In my opinion, he crowned his life's work with the release of the Barcelona album in October 1988.
Alongside Peter Freestone, the exhibition also features contributions from photographer Richard Young, photographer Denis O'Regan, Mike Moran, co-writer and producer of the Barcelona album, costume designer Diana Moseley, director Rudi Dolezal, bodyguard Terry Giddings, former bandmates Chris Chesney and Tim Staffell, as well as British doctor and HIV/AIDS specialist Graeme Moyle.
Endre Vazul Mándli, head of exhibitions at House of Music Hungary and co-curator of the exhibition, highlighted that the Freddie exhibition presents a new perspective on the globally known image of the superstar:
As a curator, it was especially exciting to get closer to the roots of Freddie Mercury's personality and then share that discovery with the public. By the end of the exhibition, a complex portrait emerges in which artistic achievement and personal stories exist side by side. The exhibition not only pays tribute to his legacy, but also shows how Freddie's experimentation, boundary-pushing approach to pop music and constant innovation continue to inspire people to this day,
Alongside interactive installations, the exhibition also showcases hundreds of original and valuable objects connected to Freddie Mercury. Highlights include stage costumes such as the iconic jacket and shoes worn during the Budapest concert, the vest from Live Aid, a robe featured in the Bohemian Rhapsody music video, Mercury's famous microphone stand, his 1970s Martin guitar, handwritten lyrics, personal sketches, antique objects collected during his travels, his favourite Scrabble set and furniture pieces from Garden Lodge. The original artefacts were provided by World of Freddie and several private collectors.
This exhibition is the result of several years of research, collecting and preparation. Our goal was to present Freddie Mercury's story from a more personal perspective. By combining original objects, personal memories and contemporary technological solutions, we aimed to create an experience that feels both intimate and authentic.
– said Tomáš Hykel, founder of World of Freddie.
The exhibition opening was attended by Freddie Mercury's close friends and collaborators, as well as organisers of the legendary 1986 Budapest concert, who shared personal stories that brought the iconic artist closer to the audience. Among those visiting the exhibition together were László B. Tóth, Chris Chesney, Rudi Dolezal, Peter Freestone, Terry Giddings, István Janicsák, György Koós, Teri Losonci, Diana Moseley, Mike Moran, Denis O'Regan and Tim Staffell.
The temporary exhibitions at House of Music Hungary follow a clearly defined conceptual direction. After the 2023 exhibition exploring the history of Hungarian pop music, the venue presented a 2024 exhibition examining the influence of international and Hungarian divas, followed in 2025 by a showcase that brought different cultures closer to audiences through traditional music. The newly opened Freddie exhibition is the institution's own original production, designed to later travel to international exhibition spaces as a touring exhibition. Tickets are available online.
(Cover photo: Mohai Balázs)
Freddie exhibition at the House of Music Hungary
Event details
Megjelent első bookazine-unk, ne maradj le róla!
Már 15 éve lélegzünk összhangban a fővárossal. Jubileumi kiadványunkban mindent megtalálsz, ami magazinunk és eddigi munkánk esszenciája. Gasztronómia, kultúra, városi legendák és Budapest arcai, interjúk, történetek és a legjobb helyek – úgy, ahogyan mi látjuk a fővárost.
Rendeld meg itt vagy keresd a nagyobb könyvesboltokban!
hirdetés
