The first public statue of Queen legend Freddie Mercury in Hungary has been unveiled on the shores of Lake Balaton, in what is – somewhat surprisingly – only the third such monument in the world.
The statue was inaugurated on Saturday evening in Balatonszemes, a lakeside town that has hosted an annual Queen fan camp for the past 32 years, organised by the Queen Fan Club Cultural Association – making the choice of location a natural one. More curious, however, is the observation that the sculpture bears a remarkable likeness to a celebrated Hungarian poet.
According to a report by Blikk, the project was realised as a joint venture between the association and the local council. Among the guests at the unveiling was Peter Freestone, Mercury’s former personal assistant. The rights to Mercury’s name and legacy, currently managed by Sony Music, were also formally cleared for the statue in an official letter.
“This is my second visit to this wonderful place, where I have once again been able to meet Hungarian Queen fans in person,” said Freestone, who spent 12 years as Mercury’s assistant, close friend and confidant. He first visited Hungary for an exhibition in Budapest. He added that he appreciated the artist’s decision to depict not the flamboyant performer on stage, but a more reflective and quietly brilliant figure.
This year will mark the 33rd Queen camp in Balatonszemes, commemorating both what would have been Mercury’s 80th birthday on 5 September 2026 and Queen’s legendary 1986 concert in Budapest.
As for the Hungarian poet many believe is echoed in the statue’s features, the answer is Attila József.
One thing, however, is certain: in 1986, Freddie Mercury even sang in Hungarian – and the footage still survives.
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