Crafts & Folk Arts of Hungary !
The Classic Traditions of Embroidery and Beading!

When: Sept. 9 - Sept. 20, 2010

Led by: Adam Molnar

Featuring:

  • Workshops with Village Masters
  • Collecting Museum Pieces

Hungarian folk art is one of the richest in Europe. Though generations of scholars have tried to prove that the Hungarian language, traditions, and arts can be traced back to Central Asia, most Hungarian folk art is derived from European “high” culture, e.g. the Italian Renaissance. On this trip you'll see the highlights of traditional Hungarian crafts, visit public and private collections, attend a Juried Handicraft Fair in Pecs, have the chance to buy museum pieces, visit craftspeople in their workshops or homes and learn embroidery and beading from the village masters you will meet on this trip. Join us and take this extraordinary opportunity to collect museum-quality pieces.

There will be an English-speaking guide with the group at all times and transport will be provided by a private bus. Accommodations will be in friendly, small three-star hotels or family hostels. There will be two meals a day. All admissions to museums, private collections, and sight-seeings are included, as well as tips and taxes (except for gratuities for the guide and driver). This trip is like a “dobos-torte”—seven-layer cake of delight! Hope to hear from you soon.

Price:

Land only: $3080

About Adam Molnar
Adam has his Ph.D. in Oriental Studies, and has lectured in the history, languages, anthropology, and religious history of Central Asia at the University of Szeged, Southern Hungary. His book "Weather-Magic in Inner Asia" was published in Bloomington, Indiana.

He is Secretary of the International Society for Shamanistic Research, publishes "Shaman", journal of the society as well as a book series and journal of "Hungarian Heritage" for the European Folklore Institute. As a guide, he offers programs in Hungarian folk dance, music and crafts.


         

Our Itinerary Map    Travel Tips

Day 1: Thursday, Sept. 9:
Leave your home port.

Day 2: Friday, Sept. 10:
Arrive at Budapest Int'l Airport. Meet at airport and transfer to your hotel. Orientation walk in city center, welcome dinner. Overnight in Budapest.

Day 3: Saturday, Sept. 11:
We have a half day tour of Budapest to show you the unique geographical setting and rich cultural heritage of the city. We will look at the City Park, Heroes' Square, Parliament and St. Stephen's Cathedral, marvel at the panorama from Gellert Hill and stroll through the majestic Castle Hill, stopping at Matthias Church. Visit Museum of Ethnography, see the exhibit "Traditional Culture of the Hungarians."
Dinner. Overnight in Budapest.

Day 4: Sunday, Sept. 12:
In the morning we'll visit the Museum of Applied Arts and the Textile Museum. In the afternoon we will drive on to Szentendre, one of the highlights of Hungary, an artist colony and a shopper's paradise. See the Open-Air Museum Village, meet craftspeople. Walking tour in city center. An hour of free
time to discover the town on your own, and browse around in the shops. Dinner and overnight in Budapest..

Day 5: Monday, Sept. 13:
We travel to Northeast Hungary (the Northern Uplands), the land of the Palots ("the highlanders") people. We'll visit the village of Holloko, a UNESCO Word Cultural Heritage site, see small local museums and meet craftspeople. On our way to Eger, we'll stop at Matrafured to see a private collection
of Palots folk costumes. Drive on to Eger, the most beautiful Hungarian Baroque town, and a center of a wine country. Guided walk in city center, visit to a local folk artist, embroiderer and fashion designer. Dinner with wine tasting and overnight at Eger.

Day 6: Tuesday, Sept. 14:
We'll continue to the town of Mezokovesd, situated on the edge of the Hungarian Great Plains. Mezokovesd is the center of the 'Matyo' country, famous for its embroidery. The 'Matyo' style, characterized by a profusion of patterns and colors, flourished at the end of the 19th century. We'll visit the
restored old town center with small local museums and collections, you can try your hands at a Matyo embroidery workshop. You can also "try your legs" at a Hungarian folk dance workshop. Dinner and overnight near Mezokovesd.

Day 7: Wednesday, Sept. 15:
In the morning we drive further to the East, the Hortobagy National Park, the Hungarian cowboy country, see the Shepherd's Museum and the Crafts Center. Visit a traditional weaver's workshop near Debrecen (the folk artist is a weaver, a carpet maker and uses the wool of the Hungarian 'racka' sheep
you will see in the cowboy country). Dinner and overnight near Mezokovesd.

Day 8: Thursday, September 16:
In the morning we drive to the town of Tiszakecske to see a fascinating blueprint fabric dyer's workshop, then continue to the town of Kecskemet. Guided walk in the city center, Kecskemet is famous for its Art Nouveau-style architecture. Visit the Museum of Folk Crafts, this is the best collection
of folk arts and crafts in Hungary. Dinner and overnight in Kecskemet.

Day 9: Friday, September 17:
On this day we drive on to the town of Kalocsa, one of the most important centers of folk arts and crafts in Hungary. Visit the Baroque Cathedral, the Paprika Museum and the permanent exhibition of Kalocsa folk arts in the local museum. The director of the museum will invite embroiderers, egg-painters and other folk artists to a special event he will organize for our group. Dinner with the local craftspeople.
Overnight in Pecs.

Day 10: Saturday, September 18:
Sightseeing in Pecs, the main town of SW Hungary. See Roman, early Christian, medieval, Ottoman and other architectural monuments. We'll see a wonderful folk craft fair, an ideal place for shopping, and Pecs will be the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2010! Dinner and overnight in Pecs.

Day 11: Sunday, September 19:
Some free time in Pecs at the craft fair, visit the Museum of Folk Arts Pecs. Early afternoon drive back to Bud. A farewell dinner and overnight in Budapest.

Day 12: Monday, September 20:
Up and away.