In the summer of 2018 the Hungarian National Museum acquired another unique 1956 relic. Three former freedom fighters have presented the large flag with a hole in the middle that used to fly over Széna square speaking of the revolutionaries’ courage.

It was János Szabó (the legendary Mr. Szabó) who carried with him the flag after the negotiations at Budapest University of Technology and the Bem Barracks on October 28 and handed it over to the revolutionaries of Széna square, then commissioned Lajos Kellner to raise it on the tower of the underground construction site. After the fights Lajos Kellner rescued the flag and delivered it out of the country wrapped around his waist.

The flag was not at rest during the years of emigration, however: Lajos Kellner and his old fellow warriors demonstrated with it several times during the visits of prominent members of the Kádár-régime in Western-Europe, reminding them of the 1956 revolution and its bloody repression.

Lajos Kellner brought home the relic after the transition of the régime and guarded it until his death. According to his will his friends donated the flag to the Hungarian National Museum.

Donators:
                 Tibor Schrötter
                 v. Prof. Dr. Miklós Géza Zilahy
                 v. Ottó István Sándorffy

The donators are talking about their memories in the documentary screened in the exhibition.