TIME TRAVEL AT THE BUDA CASTLE
The 18th Festival of Folk Arts in Hungary, August 19 - 22

Between August 19 and 22, the Castle District of Buda will come alive with the 18th Festival of Folk Arts – a unique celebration of folk culture and craftsmanship from different regions in Hungary. The most accomplished representatives of Hungarian traditional folk art will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills while working interactively with the audience. This year, the festival's art menu offers a myriad of programs, covering a wide territory of the folk art genre. Over the course of four days, the audience will get to attend various workshops in their full gear where Hungarian craftsmen and craftswomen will uncover the secrets of their trade handed down from many generations. Among the highlights this year will be blacksmith workshops, pottery making, embroidery, weaving, wood carving, egg painting as well as the making of musical instruments, harnesses, and other handicrafts. Food lovers will have the occasion to sample traditional Hungarian treats that will be on sale together with other arts and crafts products at the festival trade fair. Children will also have plenty to look forward to. Aside from puppet theater shows and other family programs, young members of the audience will get a hands-on experience with various arts and crafts productions.

Events for the grown-up traditional art aficionados include recitals by folk singers, dancers and other performing arts groups from Hungary and abroad. Over the years, the Festival has welcomed folklore professionals and devotees alike from countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, and as far as China. The feast of Hungary’s founding king Saint Stephen is marked on August 20 by a procession and the ceremonial blessing of bread. On the final day of the Festival, the top contestants from different age categories will be awarded the prize of Master of the Year and Young Master of the Year. Since 1987 the Festival has been organized by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists (NECZ) that took the place of its predecessor, the Studio of Young Folk Artists, in 1982.