August’s Artefact of the Month at the Hungarian National Museum is a special treat for music lovers and those fascinated by the history of photography and cinematography: Queen Backstage – Budapest 1986 is an unmissable photo exhibition in our capital.

On display for the first time ever, this remarkable series of photographs offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Queen’s legendary 1986 concert in Budapest. The images capture the band members themselves as well as many unique moments from this iconic event. Queen Backstage – Budapest 1986 is a great program for all the music lovers an all those fascinated by the history of photography and cinematography.

 Queen Backstage – Budapest 1986: unforgettable moments right before our eyes

The exhibition marks a special occasion: in 2023, the family of the late photographer Egon Endrényi generously donated his legacy—thousands of negatives and prints valued at millions of Hungarian forints—to the Historical Photo Archive of the Hungarian National Museum. Among these were the backstage photographs taken by Egon Endrényi and Miklós Gáspár during the preparations for Queen’s historic show.

Queen Backstage - Budapest 1986 photo exhibition Budapest 2025

The film documenting Queen’s 1986 Budapest concert was a groundbreaking production in its time and remains a milestone in the history of music and media in Eastern Europe. This chamber exhibition is the first dedicated event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the concert, offering a unique insight into the days and preparations leading up to the performance.

Creative legacy through the photographer’s lens

On display are negatives of some of the most striking images taken during Queen’s time in Budapest, complemented by enlargements and a slide show capturing moments from the original film.

Queen Backstage Budapest 1986 photo exhibition 2025 negative

Visitors can also view some of the personal equipment used by Egon Endrényi, the still photographer of Magic – Queen in Budapest.

Blending photography, music history, and cultural memory, this intimate exhibition offers music fans, photography enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike a chance to relive an era, a concert, and a creative legacy through the photographer’s lens.

The exhibition is open from 29 July to 3 September 2025 in the Széchenyi Hall of the Hungarian National Museum.

Source: mnm.hu/en, MTI.hu

Photos: mnm.hu, MTI.hu