Women Against War: A Powerful Outdoor Exhibition Now Open in Budapest
If you’re visiting Budapest this spring, make sure to stop by Madách Imre Square in District VII, where a striking and thought-provoking outdoor exhibition is on display until April 30, 2026. The Women Against War exhibition tells the stories of fourteen women from Russia who faced persecution, police violence, and imprisonment simply because of their courage and political convictions. Free to visit and open to the public, this is one of the most meaningful cultural experiences you can have in Budapest right now.
What Is the Women Against War Exhibition?
Women Against War is a traveling outdoor exhibition featuring powerful portrait artwork created by Russian and Belarusian feminist artists. Each portrait represents a real woman who has been subjected to state repression, police brutality, or imprisonment in Russia for standing against the war in Ukraine. Many of the artists who created the portraits have themselves experienced political persecution, and some chose to participate anonymously to protect their safety.
The exhibition was organized by the Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR) movement in collaboration with the Austrian Cultural Forum Budapest. It has already made a significant impact in two major European cities — it launched in Paris in 2023, then traveled to the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna in December 2025 with support from the Austrian Ministry of Culture. Budapest is its third and current stop.
The Stories Behind the Portraits
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, thousands of Russian women have taken remarkable risks to resist the war. They have taken to the streets in protest, distributed banned anti-war leaflets, exposed war crimes through underground actions, obstructed military mobilization, and provided aid to Ukrainian refugees and displaced people from occupied territories.
The consequences have been severe. Over 20,000 people have been detained in Russia for anti-war views or activities since February 2022. By 2024, women made up 27% of all political prisoners in Russia — the highest proportion in the past 14 years. According to the Memorial human rights organization, at least 4,000 people are currently held on political grounds in Russia and the occupied territories, though the real number may be twice that. Experts estimate that over 260 women — potentially up to 1,000 — are currently imprisoned for political reasons, despite only 70 being officially recognized as political prisoners.
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About the Feminist Anti-War Resistance Movement
The Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR) is a grassroots movement founded on February 25, 2022 — just one day after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. What started as an emergency chat room quickly grew into a network of dozens of autonomous groups operating both inside Russia and internationally.
The movement is made up of people of various genders, ages, and backgrounds, including members of marginalized communities who have experienced multiple forms of violence and discrimination. Some FAR activists have been forced to flee Russia; others remain and continue their work underground. The Russian government has labeled FAR a “foreign agent” and banned it as an “undesirable” organization. Despite this, the movement was awarded the prestigious International Aachen Peace Prize in 2023 for its courage and civic commitment. You can learn more about their work at femantiwar.org.
Visiting the Exhibition
Location and Dates
The Women Against War exhibition is completely free to visit and takes place outdoors, making it easy to fit into any sightseeing itinerary. You’ll find it right in the heart of Budapest’s vibrant District VII, also known as the Jewish Quarter.
- Address: Madách Imre tér, 1075 Budapest (District VII)
- Dates: April 9 – April 30, 2026
- Admission: Free, open-air exhibition
Getting There
Madách Imre Square is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest metro station is Blaha Lujza tér on the M2 (red) line, just a short walk away. The square is also well-served by several tram and bus lines. If you’re already exploring the Jewish Quarter’s famous ruin bars, synagogues, and street art, the exhibition is perfectly placed for a cultural detour.
How You Can Help
The exhibition is not just a cultural experience — it’s also a call to action. The organizers have launched a humanitarian appeal to support women who are currently political prisoners in Russian jails, where outside support can make a life-saving difference.
As the organizers put it: even a donation of just 1 euro can be vital for a political prisoner who sacrificed her freedom for peace. If the exhibition moves you and you want to make a difference, consider contributing to the cause and standing against repression.
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