On 21 June, Hungary’s Night of Museums will offer a unique experience for military history and defence technology enthusiasts, with events and exhibitions hosted at several key locations including the Bálna Centre of Military Culture, the RepTár Aviation Museum in Szolnok, the Börgönd airfield, and the Pintér Military Park in Kecel.
At Budapest’s Bálna Military Culture centre, visitors can dive into the world of Hungarian military intelligence and wartime cryptography. Highlights include the iconic WWII-era German Enigma machine and battlefield optical tools. Guests will also learn about historical grooming customs of Hungarian soldiers and view propaganda posters from 1941 to 1945, including rare Soviet publications on armistice agreements and Red Army successes.
Rare photographs from the military archive will be on display, alongside interactive demonstrations by Hungarian Defence Forces showcasing today’s military equipment and capabilities. The Bálna centre will be open from 6pm to midnight.
The Hungarian Military Cartography Museum, open from 5pm to 10pm, will feature the history of Hungarian military mapping, including historical measuring instruments and printed documents. Lectures will touch on European geodetic history and the mapping of Hungary’s post-Trianon borders. An exhibit marking the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Austerlitz will showcase Austrian infantry gear and Napoleonic tactics.
In Szolnok, the RepTár Aviation Museum opens its gates from 4pm until midnight, offering access to its entire collection. The programme includes guided tours, a 4D cinema, a MiG-29 simulator, a military training course, and a themed playground. Iconic buildings will be lit with projection mapping throughout the evening.
The Börgönd airfield, under the Albatrosz Flying Association, will host vintage aviation and automobile displays from 2pm to midnight. Among the featured aircraft are historical gliders such as the Futár, Superfutár, and Blériot XI, alongside exhibits of the MiG-15, Mi-2, and a growing collection of onboard weaponry.
Kecel’s Pintér Military Park will also participate from 4pm, honouring founder József Pintér with an aerial salute from an Agusta A119 Koala helicopter. The park will open a new exhibition on wartime memorabilia, and cadets from a local technical school will perform formation drills. Demonstrations will be held by rocket modellers and rescue drone pilots.
The Kecel venue also features a 3-hectare open-air museum, free to visit on Museum Night. It displays restored military vehicles and hardware from the Hungarian People’s Army and the Hungarian Defence Forces, including the MiG-21 and T-72 tanks, which visitors can explore during the ‘vehicle unveiling’ programme.
This year’s Night of Museums promises an engaging journey through Hungary’s military past and present, blending historical insights with hands-on experiences.
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