Laser show to bring Budapest’s iconic Liberty Statue to life

On 11 October, Budapest will witness a spectacle unlike anything before: the city’s most iconic landmark, the Liberty Statue, will come to life with the help of technology.

Budapest’s skyline is dotted with many famous monuments and buildings like the Parliament, Vajdahunyad Castle, and the Buda Castle complex. Since July, however, one of these iconic sites, the Liberty Statue atop Gellért Hill, has been shrouded in scaffolding and hidden behind barriers, Rakéta writes. But now, in a dazzling drone show organised by Yettel, the monument will be “freed” from its confinement, if only for a short time.

Photo: Facebook/Yettel Hungary

The best spot to watch the laser show from

The best viewing spot for this event is Fővám Square, where visitors can enjoy the extraordinary light show, complete with a musical accompaniment. If weather conditions are unfavourable, the event will be rescheduled to 13 October.

Citadel renovation underway

Visual plan. Photo: FB/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program

The renovation project aims to transform the Citadel, long seen as a symbol of oppression by many Hungarians, into an accessible site for visitors. For the first time, the historical fortress will have multiple entry points, as opposed to the single entrance that existed until now, Economx reports. New paths have been created by breaking through the fortress walls near the cannon tower in both the northern and southern directions and behind the Liberty Statue itself, making the Citadel easier to access from three sides.

A new staircase has already been built behind the Liberty Statue, and the first piece of cladding has been placed on the wall bordering the path. To ensure durability, the white limestone from Süttő used for the walls and the red limestone from Tardos capping the structures have been treated with a special coating. Regarding the planned cross atop the statue’s pedestal, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony has expressed his disapproval, calling it an unnecessary, divisive issue that does nothing to help all residents feel at home in the city.

The “bottle opener” of Budapest

The Liberty Statue, standing 14 meters tall and reaching a height of 40 meters with its pedestal, is one of Budapest’s most recognisable symbols. Located atop the 235-meter peak of Gellért Hill at the Citadel’s southeastern bastion, the monument, a woman holding a palm branch symbolising victory and peace, was created by sculptor Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl in 1947. Initially named the Liberation Monument, it commemorated the Soviet army’s victory over the German forces in Budapest.

Source: depositphotos.com

After the fall of socialism and a re-evaluation of Soviet “liberation,” the monument was slightly altered. The 4-meter statue of a Soviet soldier holding a machine gun, which once stood in front of the monument, was removed, and the inscription on the pedestal was changed, giving the Liberty Statue new meaning. Despite these changes, the female figure representing freedom quickly became one of Budapest’s key symbols, even earning the nickname “the bottle opener” due to its shape in local slang.

Liberty Statue to come to life with technology

For more details and updates about the laser show, you can visit the event’s Facebook page. The organisers at Yettel have described the programme as follows:

“Budapest is not just a city, it’s our playground. The city lights, the roar of the metro, the clatter of the trams, and all the unforgettable moments spent together—that’s what makes it truly ours! And of course, there are iconic figures in this city! One of our favourites? The Liberty Statue! She’s witnessed countless stolen kisses, knows the most secrets, and hears every friendly laugh and argument.

But lately, she’s been feeling left out, fenced off in isolation, cut off from the bustling city life. She deserves some freedom! How about bringing her back to life in a whole new dimension, high in the sky? Join us at Budapest’s most extreme drone show, where technology will awaken the towering statue of Gellért Hill!

Location: Fővám Square
Date: Friday, 11 October 2024
Date in case of rain: Sunday, 13 October 2024
Time: according to a Facebook post by Yettel, the time is 7.30 PM

Experience the power of digital freedom without barriers on an unforgettable evening!”

Read also:

• Renewed Budapest Citadel will look breathtaking – PHOTOS
• After 123 years, Budapest’s iconic statue from the top of Heroes’ Square removed