The exhibition is created in collaboration with World of Freddie and House of Music Hungary, which has become one of the most significant cultural institutions in the region during its four years of existence. Visitors will be guided through nine thematic spaces – from Mercury's musical rise through the backstage of grand concerts to intimate moments of his private life.
Part of the exhibition will feature more than a thousand original artifacts: from stage costumes including the iconic jacket and shoes that Mercury wore during the Budapest concert, to handwritten song lyrics, his own drawings, antiques collected during travels, and furniture from his home, Garden Lodge. However, this is not just an "ordinary exhibition." Visitors will step directly into Freddie's world – surrounded by original items and people who truly knew him. A unique element of the exhibition is the participation of Peter Freestone, Mercury's long-time personal assistant and close friend. His authentic memories will accompany visitors in audio and video recordings.
“Freddie thought much more of others than of himself,” recalls Freestone. “He carried a special notebook in which he wrote down the birthdays of friends, so he would never forget them.
Even in the last days of his life, he bought gifts to surprise his loved ones when he was no longer here. I just want people to know the real Freddie. To see that this brilliant musician, this creative giant, was also an ordinary person – sensitive, kind, and full of interest in others.”
Czech collector who kept Mercury's world together
The project is led by Tomáš Hykel, a lifelong fan of the band Queen from Olomouc. His more than fifteen-year passion culminated after 2023, when Mary Austin announced the auction of Freddie's personal items at Sotheby’s.
“When I saw how fans reacted to Mary Austin's decision to hold the auction, I realized that it couldn’t just be about acquiring items for myself,” recalls Hykel. “People didn’t want Freddie’s world to be scattered around the globe. They called for a place where his story would remain whole. I felt that I had to take on this challenge,” explains Tomáš Hykel.
His collection now includes over 600 original pieces and another 400 artifacts acquired on loan from collectors around the world. “The decision to create the exhibition came instantly, in a single second. It was followed by years of preparation.” His very first acquisition was a set of promotional photographs for Vogue with Freddie's signature, while at the Sotheby’s auction he acquired item no. 104 – the original sketch of the Queen logo along with several handwritten setlists. It was not just a purchase, but – as Tomáš describes – “a piece of history that embodies Freddie's creative spirit.”
According to Hykel, the project is unique even on a global scale: “We are the first project in the world that, after Freddie's death, reunites his world in such a scope. Everyone went their own way back then – and now everything is coming back together. That is an immensely powerful moment.” However, the journey has not been easy. “At the beginning, distrust was palpable,” he admits. “People said, ‘It’s too big a bite for one fan from Olomouc.’ But those doubts didn’t break me. On the contrary, they motivated me. In my head, I kept hearing Freddie's own words from the hit We are the champions: We’ll keep on fighting till the end. That kept me going.”
In the impressive environment of House of Music Hungary, it will be a full-fledged multisensory experience: visitors will see Freddie's artifacts up close, taste his favorite chocolates, smell his perfumes, and even touch selected items – all surrounded by his music. “Freddie never settled for anything less than perfection,” adds Tomáš. “We owe it to him, and to his fans, to create something equally uncompromising – an experience that will be authentic and unforgettable.”
The exhibition will also highlight the historical dimension of Freddie's presence. Mercury was one of the first global artists to perform in Central and Eastern Europe, then still behind the Iron Curtain. His concert in Budapest in 1986 became remarkable not only for its atmosphere but also because Freddie humbly and with extraordinary professionalism sang the Hungarian folk song Tavaszi szél.
Separate sections will also recall his favorite leisure activities: marathon Scrabble games backstage, his love for Japan and opera, as well as his passion for shopping and gifting friends. The exhibition will guide visitors through his final years up to his death, before focusing on Mercury's mysteries: how he managed to become universally recognized during his lifetime and how he continues to inspire and remain a legend even more than thirty years after his death.
About the World of Freddie project
World of Freddie is a unique overarching project created by lifelong fan and collector Tomáš Hykel together with Peter Freestone, Mercury's long-time personal assistant, as a consultant to ensure authenticity. Based on verified stories, original artifacts, and memories of people who truly knew Freddie, it reveals the man behind the legend. Visitors can thus look beyond the myths and tabloid images and embark on an intimate, personal journey through the real life of Freddie Mercury. Follow World of Freddie on social media and become part of the story.
www.worldoffreddie.com
