Programs and games for Children
It is amazing that in the traditional society there were nearly 300 kinds of folk games for children. More than that adults were happy to play together with their children. These former games were mostly characterized by the joy of movement, exercise and creation rather than the desire to win at any cost though the winning – losing outcome had always been part of the game.
The Festival of Folk Arts awaits the little ones and the big ones alike with games to enrich body, soul and spirit alike. It will be an exciting experience to jointly try the traditional crafts of the past and it will surely be a great success the Adults’ Corner, the Women’s Workshop or the Laundry. The little ones can relax in the Baby Corner while the folk logic, folk skills and traditional sports enthusiasts will be delighted to discover more and more fun.
The folk associations participating will await children and parents with toy workshops and many interesting games and activities.
The programme of the Hungarian Heritage House on the 38th Festivel of Folk Arts held between 17th and 20th of August 2024
Venue: the Buda Castle District, Dísz tér, Soldier’s Statue
Visitors are awaited at craft institution sessions, craft shows, folk puppet theatre, infant lap games, children’s dance instruction and concerts, storytelling sessions, publication and ticket sales, and the folk playground of Fabatka Porta.
Saturday, 17th August 2024, 4 pm to 7 pm
Craft playhouse with the participation of the present and former students of the Hungarian Heritage House
4 pm to 7 pm: Fabatka Porta folk playground
The Fabatka Porta folk playground uses natiral materials, folk motifs, and traditions. Its main element is the carved wooden carousel decorated with tulips. Many old commodities gain a new life here, such as the mill table turned into a hockey stick or the market scale turned into a balance toy. We welcome all children and adults who would like to test their dexterity. It’s worth a penny!
4 pm to 5 pm: Ziránó Theatre: Babszem Jankó (Tom Thumb): puppet farce based on the folk tale collected by Elek Benedek, accompanied by live music
In the performance, the well-known Hungarian folk tale comes to life following the traditions of fair puppet shows, introducing the absurd humour lying in glove puppetry and the experience of face-to-face storytelling to children and adults alike.
Puppeteers: Zsófia Pfeifer, Péter Róbert Varga
Written and directed by András Veres
Designed and produced by Szilárd Boráros
5 pm to 6 pm: Dance of the Little ones, lap games, dance instructions for young and older kids with Zsuzsanna Kovács; music played by Bernadett Gebri and Zsolt Vaskó
Within the framework of the family programme, even the youngest can learn about a wide range of traditions in a high-standard and authentic interpretation. They can also participate actively in the children’s dance house with live music.
6 pm to 7 pm: Folk music concert by Balázs Csonka and the Pitykés Band with singin instruction and instrument presentation
Sunday, 18 August 2024, 10 am to 7 pm
10 am to 7 pm: Fabatka Porta folk playground
The Fabatka Porta folk playground uses natural materials, folk motifs, and traditions. Its main element is the carved wooden carousel decorated with tulips. Many old commodities gain a new life here; for example, the mill table is turned into a hockey stick or the market scale into a balance toy. We welcome all children and adults who would like to test their dexterity. It’s worth a penny!
10 am to 7 pm: Craft show – basket weaving
The craft show with the works of the Járokszállás-based basket-weaving folk artist and basketry instructor of the Hungarian Heritage House, Zoltán Kovács, as well as a playhouse and community-building sessions with the participation of the present and former students of the Hungarian Heritage House.
11 am to 12 pm: Julcsi Paár: Kerekerdő (Round Woods) – a fairy tale concert for the family
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Jancsi. He, however small as my little pinkie, followed his dreams and went to roam the world, walking all around in the Round Woods. He met strange creatures and people wherever he went, but songs encouraged him, and dances led him on his way.
Featuring: Julcsi Paár – vocals, storytelling, Klára Csernók – violin, Endre Papp – viola, Bálint Könczei – accordion, Dániel Szabó – cimbalom, Péter Bede – wind instruments, András Bognár – bass, Beatrix Pálffyné Tóth – dance, Gergely Csiki – dance
1 pm to 3 pm: „From Game to Mastery” – interview with the basket-weaving instructor of the Hungarian Heritage House, the folk artist from Járokszállás, Zoltán Kovács, and two of his students who graduated this year
In the course of the conversation, we can find out what defining experiences led the artist and his students to their occupation, what the main stages they went through in mastering the craft were, what they consider the greatest challenge and joy of their profession, and how they see the future of their craft.
2 pm to 2.15 pm: Live storytelling with Áron Dóra, a storyteller of the Meseszó Storytelling Association
3 pm to 4 pm: Rőtökör Company: Jancsi Snaky – puppet show
Performed by the small team gathered around the Zselic forests, fields, and wild groves, traditional live storytelling is complemented by wood, felt, and leather figures, and music is played on old Hungarian folk instruments.
Played by: Zsuzsa Csépke, Tamás Czigány, Gergely Farkas, Áron Dóra, The Serpent King in person, and Jancsi…
4.15 pm to 5.15 pm: Dance of the Little ones, lap games, dance instructions for young and older kids with Ágnes Tálas; music played by Gyula Horváth and Róbert Kerényi
Within the family programme, even the youngest can learn about a wide range of traditions in a high-standard and authentic interpretation, and they can take an active part in the children’s dance house with live music.
5.15 pm to 5.30 pm: Live storytelling with Áron Dóra, a storyteller of the Meseszó Storytelling Association
5.30 pm to 7 pm: Folk music concert of the Bére Band with singing instruction and instrument presentation
The band’s goal is to get as many people as possible to fall in love with the ideal sound of the bourdon, an instrument developed in the Middle Ages.
Petra Buglyó – vocals, strike cello, Miklós Szigeti – bagpipe, singing, Marcell Horváth – hurdy-gurdy, violin, Zsombor Tulipán – E-flat-clarinet, recorders
Monday, 19 August 2024, 10 am to 7 pm
10 am to 7 pm: Fabatka Porta folk playground
The Fabatka Porta folk playground is built using natural materials, folk motifs, and traditions. Its main element is the carved wooden carousel decorated with tulips. Many old commodities gain a new life here; for example, the mill table is turned into a hockey stick or the market scale into a balance toy. We welcome all children and adults who would like to test their dexterity. It’s worth a penny!
10 am to 7 pm: Craft Show – carpet weaving and loom weaving
Craft show of the works of the carpet weaver and weaving instructor of the Hungarian Heritage House, Piroska Pintér, as well as a playhouse and community-building sessions with the participation of the present and former students of the Hungarian Heritage House.
11 am to 12 pm: Bahorka Company: Comedy Express
Dear Passengers, Please hurry up and get on quickly! Comedy Express is now going on a musical trip!
The train will stop at the Luggage Depth, Upper Pocket Bottom, Shoe Heel, Madhouse, Gardrobe Top and Greasy Pot stations.
Song and tale: Melinda Balogh, Sára Horváth, Lili Kaszai and the music band of the Bahorka Company
Music director: Melinda Balogh
Props: Luca Módy and Melinda Balogh
1 pm to 2 pm: „From Game to Mastery – an interview about the craft with the carpet weaver and weaving instructor of the Hungarian Heritage House, Piroska Pintér and two of her students who graduated this year.
In the course of the conversation, we can find out what defining experiences led the artist and her students to their occupation, what the main stages they went through in mastering the craft were, what they consider the greatest challenge and joy of their profession, and how they see the future of their craft.
2 pm to 2.15 pm: Live storytelling with Richárd Németh, a storyteller of the Meseszó Storytelling Association
3 pm to 4 pm: László Gulyás, a wandering musician: Mouse Parade – puppet show
Small-step circus attempts for young and older kids, with puppets and lots of razzle-dazzle!
It’s a little fun with the audience’s help for the pleasure of all of us.
Designed by Erik Grossmith, puppets by Erik Grossmith and Éva Bodor
4.15 pm to 5.15 pm: Dance of the Little ones, lap games, dance instructions for young and older kids with Andrea Szerényi; music played by Kristóf Grundy
Within the family programme, even the youngest can learn about a wide range of traditions in a high-standard and authentic interpretation, and they can take an active part in the children’s dance house with live music.
5.15 pm to 5.30 pm: Live storytelling with Richárd Németh, a storyteller of the Meseszó Storytelling Association
5.30 pm to 7 pm: „From Dog Skin to Gyimes…” – concert of the students of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
The band is no permanent formation but students at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. They will bring the music of the most beloved and popular musical regions to the audience. The concert will feature the diverse musical formations in the Carpathian basin and various performance styles, and finally, the students will invite the audience to sing along and present them briefly with multiple folk instruments.
Tuesday, 20 August 2024, 10 am to 7 pm
10 am to 7 pm: Fabatka Porta folk playground
The Fabatka Porta folk playground uses natural materials, folk motifs, and traditions. Its main element is the carved wooden carousel decorated with tulips. Many old commodities gain a new life here; for example, the mill table is turned into a hockey stick or the market scale into a balance toy. We welcome all children and adults who would like to test their dexterity. It’s worth a penny!
10 am to 7 pm: Craft Show – felt-making
Craft show of the works of the felt-maker and felting instructor of the Hungarian Heritage House, Bea Németh, as well as playhouse and community-building sessions with the participation of the present and former students of the Hungarian Heritage House.
11 am to 12 pm: Guliba Company: Pinch it, grab it, get it! – a programme full of tales and dance telling the story of Knight George and the shepherd searching for his goat
1 pm to 2 pm: „From Game to Mastery – an interview about the craft with the felt-maker and felting instructor of the Hungarian Heritage House, Bea Németh and two of her students who graduated this year.
In the course of the conversation, we can find out what defining experiences led the artist and her students to their occupation, what the main stages they went through in mastering the craft were, what they considered the greatest challenge and joy of their profession, and how they see the future of their craft.
2 pm to 2.15 pm: Live storytelling with Annamária Dósa, a storyteller of the Meseszó Storytelling Association
3 pm to 4 pm: Fabók Mancsi: The Land of Immortality – puppet show
Each piece of our rich folktales symbolically reveals the real purpose of human life, its challenging tasks, and the difficulties that lead to them. The eternal mystery of humanity drives the protagonist of our tale: is there a realm of eternal life and immortality?
We strictly recommend that children watch our puppet show under the supervision of an adult!
4.15 pm to 5.15 pm: Dance of the Little ones, lap games, dance instructions for young and older kids with Anna Körtvélyesi; music played by Péter Lipták and Botond Bese
Within the family programme, even the youngest can learn about a wide range of traditions in a high-standard and authentic interpretation, and they can take an active part in the children’s dance house with live music.
5.15 pm to 5.30 pm: Live storytelling with Annamária Dósa, a storyteller of the Meseszó Storytelling Association
5.30 pm to 7 pm: Folk music concert of the Korinda Ensemble with singing instruction and instrument presentation
The Korinda Ensemble has committed itself to providing an authentic interpretation of the traditional folk music of ethnic groups living at the eastern edges of the Hungarian-speaking world. In addition to their roots in Szeged, the Department of Folk Music of the Liszt Academy has played an important part in the musical life of many of the members. There, they had the opportunity to study with the emblematic figures of the Dance House Movement and gain valuable professional experience. Although the main path for the ensemble is the folk music of the Moldavian csango, the Hungarian and Romanian folk music of the Gyimes, Barcaság, Szeklerland and Bukovina also form part of their repertoire.
