Two young women, forever engrossed in a book. This is the Olvasó lányok Statue. We stand before a testament to the enduring power of literature. The Olvasó lányok Statue, also known as the “Reading Girls,” captures a serene moment of shared literary passion.
The Olvasó lányok Statue has a fascinating history. It wasn’t originally intended to stand alone. Sculptor Alajos Strobl envisioned these figures as part of a larger monument to the celebrated Hungarian writer, Mór Jókai. He began the Jókai statue design in 1911. He initially included the reading girls as ancillary figures. He even used his daughter, Zsuzska Strobl, and her friend, Teri Kelemen, as models. This personal touch adds another layer of charm to the piece.
Unfortunately, the Reading Girls didn’t make it to the initial unveiling of the Jókai statue in 1921. Financial constraints likely led to their omission. Jókai stood alone in Jókai Square, missing his intended companions. Strobl died in 1926, leaving behind only a clay model of the Reading Girls. A year later, the city council decided to bring the Reading Girls to life. They commissioned Rafael Vignali to cast the statue in bronze.
The Olvasó lányok Statue finally found a home in Budapest’s City Park in 1929. However, their placement near the more imposing Lajos Pósa statue overshadowed the smaller artwork. The Reading Girls were relocated in 1933. They were moved to a quieter spot near the Budapest History Museum, where they have remained for decades. Recently, plans have surfaced to return the Olvasó lányok Statue to its original intended location alongside the Jókai statue in Jókai Square. This potential relocation has sparked debate about the best setting for this captivating artwork. Whether they remain in their peaceful City Park location or return to their intended place beside Jókai, the Olvasó lányok Statue continues to enchant. They serve as a charming reminder of the joy and connection found within the pages of a good book.