Mihály Kolodko’s Newest Mini-Statue Lands Right Beside Budapest’s National Bank

If you’ve spent any time exploring Budapest, you’ve probably already stumbled upon one of Mihály Kolodko’s tiny, witty bronze sculptures without even realizing it, they’re famously easy to miss and impossible to forget once you spot one. The Ukrainian-Hungarian artist has quietly become something of a local legend, scattering pocket-sized statues across the city that reward curious wanderers and dedicated “Kolodko hunters” alike. His latest creation has just appeared in one of Budapest’s most symbolically loaded spots: right next to the Hungarian National Bank (Magyar Nemzeti Bank) building at Liberty Square (Szabadság tér), near the corner of Hold Street.

A Tiny Statue With a Big Financial Joke

The new piece, nicknamed “Money Blower” (Pénzfújó), depicts a small figure dressed in work clothes and ear protection, calmly using a leaf blower to send a scatter of old pengő banknotes flying away. It’s a classic Kolodko move: playful on the surface, but layered with historical meaning once you know the backstory.

The location is anything but random. Placing a tiny worker blowing away obsolete currency directly outside the National Bank is exactly the kind of cheeky, site-specific commentary that has made Kolodko’s work so beloved among both locals and visitors. Budapest’s public art scene rarely gets this witty, or this small.

Why the Pengő, and Why Now

Here’s the historical hook that makes this statue click into place: August 1, 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the introduction of the Hungarian forint, the currency still used in Hungary today. Back in 1946, the forint replaced the pengő, Hungary’s previous currency, which had collapsed under one of the most extreme hyperinflation crises in recorded history. As part of that transition, streets across the country were literally swept clean of worthless pengő notes with brooms, a striking, almost surreal image of a nation clearing out its old currency to make way for something stable.

Kolodko’s leaf-blower-wielding figure is a playful nod to that exact moment, swapping the historical broom for a modern leaf blower, but keeping the spirit of the gesture intact: out with the old money, in with the new. It’s a tiny sculpture doing a lot of storytelling, and it’s a great example of how Kolodko consistently ties his art to the specific history of the ground it stands on.

Finding It for Yourself

If you’re keen on tracking this one down, head to Liberty Square, specifically the corner near Hold Street, right in front of the Hungarian National Bank building. This puts it within easy walking distance of other central Budapest landmarks, including the Hungarian Parliament Building and the city’s downtown district, making it a natural stop to fold into a walking tour of the area.

Part of the fun of Kolodko’s statues is the hunt itself. They’re small, often at ground level or tucked into unexpected corners, and finding one feels like a small personal victory rather than checking a box on a typical tourist itinerary. This latest piece is likely to join the ranks of his most photographed works fairly quickly, so if you’re in Budapest before or around the forint’s 80th anniversary on August 1, it’s worth seeking out while the story is fresh and the novelty is at its peak.

For travelers who enjoy a city that rewards close attention over big, obvious landmarks, Kolodko’s miniature sculptures offer exactly that kind of experience, and this newest addition, with its sly commentary on Hungary’s financial history, is one of his most conceptually rich yet.