What did Hungarian writers collect in the 19th century, at the turn of the century, and in the 1970s, and what do they collect today? What, in turn, has the Petőfi Literary Museum acquired?
This exhibition presents the writers' passion for collecting and the history of their objects in six thematic groups of art objects.
The exhibition features, among other items, Ervin Lázár's necktie collection, paintings that once adorned the walls of Endre Ady and Csinszka's former apartment on Veres Pálné Street, Áron Tamási's cigar boxes, Tibor Gyurkovics's hats purchased in various countries, a door from Ferenc Karinthy's house in Leányfalu signed by notable figures, and Dezső Tandori's toy bears.
Writers' collections reflect their owners' personalities, habits, relationships, and even their memories and desires, but they can also speak of the worlds they created. The theme of collecting is prominent in fictional texts: they reveal differ- ent types of collectors and collections limited only by imagination.
Writers' objects have a special aura by their very nature, and, among these, items from their personal collections are even more special.
Visitors to the exhibition can also explore the collections of eight contemporary writers: Attila Bartis, Endre Kukorelly, László Márton, Zsuzsa Rakovszky, Anna T. Szabó, Krisztina Tóth, Zsolna Ugron, and Szabolcs Várady share stories about their objects, the connections between their collections and their literary works.
This exhibition offers a glimpse into a more hidden corner of a writer's inner world, revealing curiosity, playfulness, and passion.
