Who were the Hungarian Martians? A new Budapest exhibition explains
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“Martians – Hungarian Scientists and Nobel Laureates” is the title of a new interactive traveling exhibition celebrating the giants of Hungarian science, including the nation’s Nobel Prize winners, which opened Tuesday at Vörösmarty Square.
‘Martians’ come to Budapest
As noted during the opening ceremony, the exhibition’s name was inspired by physicist Leó Szilárd, who famously likened Hungarian scientists who emigrated to the United States to Martians, highlighting their genius and seemingly otherworldly intellect.
Miklós Szánthó, Director General of the Center for Fundamental Rights, emphasised in his remarks that the open-air exhibition, debuting in the lead-up to Hungary’s holiday celebrating its Christian statehood, connects “the greatness of Hungarian scientists with that of our founding king.” He added, “We owe not only the Hungarian state to them, but—as evidenced by the international careers of many Nobel laureates—also the success of a nation that knows no borders.”
Sacrificing progress at the altar of destruction
Szánthó reflected on the fact that while many of Hungary’s national icons developed their careers at home, numerous scientists were driven into exile. “Typically, this happened when empires tried to absorb us—but, inversely proportional to the success of these empires, our scientists’ achievements have thankfully left a lasting mark,” he said.
“Imagine the scientific and political success we might have experienced if peace and security had dominated our history instead of suffering,” he continued. “It is precisely because of our past—marked by heroes and scientists fleeing war—that we can now appreciate the value of a life without conflict.”
“That a small nation speaking what sounds like a Martian language to foreign ears has produced so many Nobel laureates—this is nothing short of a miracle, yet it remains a fact,” Szánthó concluded.
A fascinating journey through time
Balázs Gulyás, the exhibition’s curator and president of the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network, said the showcased Hungarian minds share the common trait of having significantly impacted their communities and the world at large. They created lasting value and contributed to humanity’s collective knowledge. “Even in their lifetimes, their work transcended the strict confines of science—and continues to influence many areas of life today,” he said.