DIANA – A Celebration
Sunday, February 1 – May 3, 2009
Károlyi Csekonics Rezidencia, Budapest, Hungary
Múzeum utca 17., 1088 Budapest
Source for the below information, and tickets: Eventim
On loan from Althorp Estate in England, Diana A Celebration chronicles the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales, through 150 objects, including her famed royal wedding gown
Budapest- Over a decade after her death, Princess Diana’s memory still stirs interest and emotion. The award-winning exhibition Diana, A Celebration, which chronicles the life of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, will open at Károlyi – Csekonics Residence on 31st January 2009.
The exhibition presents the life and humanitarian work of one of the 20th century’s most remarkable women through nine galleries containing 150 objects-ranging from her royal wedding gown and 28 of her designer dresses to family heirlooms, personal mementoes, paintings and rare home movies and photos. The exhibition is on loan from the Althorp Estate, the Spencer family’s 500-year-old ancestral home.
The exhibition is being produced by Arts and Exhibitions International. All profits generated to the Althorp Estate from exhibition will support the ongoing work of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to benefit communities living with the legacy of landmines, cluster bombs and other explosive remnants of war. Since 1998 the Exhibition at Althorp has generated over $1,899,708.41 for charities supported by the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
Diana, A Celebration, comes directly from the Althorp Estate in England, the Spencer Family’s ancestral home, where it has been on display since 1998 and has attracted over 700,000 visitors, although open for only three months of the year.
The exhibition showcases the life and work of one of the most remarkable women of her time – certainly one of the most photographed, with over one billion television viewers who watched the 1981 Royal Wedding. Her charm, beauty and easy grace touched people worldwide during her short and complex life.
A series of 150 stunning objects chronicle her life and invite the visitor to share the milestones of her many roles: as a youngster, schoolgirl and athlete; as the shy kindergarten teacher who captured the heart of the Prince and the public; as the young, ravishing royal bride; as the devoted mother, sister and daughter; and as the tireless charity advocate and spokeswoman. The strength of the Spencer women and their roots in the bucolic 500-year-old Althorp Estate form the backdrop for Diana’s formative years.
Also featured in the exhibition are portraits of her ancestors, family jewels, heirlooms, paintings, artifacts and photos, which provide the historical context. Home movies filmed by her father and scenes from her childhood, her engagement to Prince Charles and the events leading up to the Royal Wedding are remembered and animated with video clips, personal possessions, photos, displays and letters. The glorious Royal Wedding features her resplendent gown, diamond tiara, veil and 25 ft. train, shoes and parasol, her bridesmaid’s dress among other items.
One entire section is devoted to her energetic and multi-faceted public life and the myriad of charities and causes, including her pioneering efforts in AIDS, the homeless and landmines.
A three-screened video presentation highlights the hundreds of associations that continue to benefit from her patronage and energetic dedication. The world’s grief at her untimely death is dealt with sensitively, in a display of books of condolence and space for reflection and remembrance.
A few of the many dazzling items on display include:
– Over 20 dresses, suits and evening gowns worn by the Princess during her public life, accompanied by photos and designer details from the event at which the outfits were worn.
– Two diamond tiaras and other priceless family jewels.
– The original text of the Earl Spencer’s moving tribute to his sister at the funeral in Westminister Abbey.
– The score and lyrics of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin composition, adapted from “Candle in the Wind.”
– Original heritage family paintings.
– Diana’s magnificent Royal Wedding gown (as described above).
