Museum of Ethnography
H-1146, Budapest, Dózsa György út 35.
Phone: +36 1 474 2100
Email: info@neprajz.hu
Carnival season lasts from Epiphany (January 6) to Ash Wednesday (March 5 in 2025). In traditional rural culture, this period was a time of celebration, liberation, and fewer physically demanding workdays. The Museum of Ethnography invites you to join in the festivities!
On February 22, 2025, we offer a wide range of programs for families and visitors of all generations to explore the traditions of the most exhilarating season of the year!
In the morning, families can enjoy the Carnival MÉTA Matinee, while in the evening, the Los Andinos concert will take place—preceded by the story of how a stunning Bolivian carnival costume recently found its way into the museum. Spotlight will also be cast on the Busó traditions, featured in the museum’s permanent exhibition. Not only will we have an expert guide in the Heritage exhibition section, but visitors will also have the opportunity to try their hand at carving a Busó mask in the MÉTA space.
Through presentations and guided tours, we will gain fascinating insights into the carnival season, including age-old customs surrounding masquerade attire—what transforms a costume into a ritual outfit? How does courtship, matchmaking, and marriage tie into this period?
Alongside unique ethnographic films, we will screen Lajos Boglár’s 1967 documentary Women’s Carnival in Mátraalmás, which caused such an uproar upon its release that local women never dared to hold the event again.
Visitors can also immerse themselves in the joys of a traditional pig slaughter, enjoy the dramatized puppet play Truka, the Dancing Goat, and listen to live zither music in the museum’s temporary exhibition May the Zithers Sing Merrily!
Important information:
A single-entry ticket will be available for the day at 2,500 HUF, granting access to all exhibitions and programs. In other words, we offer a full day of events for the price of a temporary exhibition ticket.
Discounts (for students, seniors, teachers, or persons with disabilities) will NOT be applicable, as this is a special event ticket.
Ethnoshop discounts cannot be applied.
Visitors arriving in costume will receive a 10% discount at the Etnoshop!
Tickets will be available and issued at the two ticket offices, with ticket control at the entrance.
Free crossing of the museum building will be restricted on this day.
Tickets available at Néprajzi Múzeum műsora | Jegy.hu
Join us for a day of tradition, music, and festive joy!
Programme
Location: Zither Exhibition / Time: 11:00–12:00 Mátyás Király Zither Orchestra Concert featuring the zither and other instruments
Location: MÉTA Square, MÉTA Eta / Time: 13:00–15:30 Busó Secrets Family busó mask-making programme and workshop with mask carver Gábor Baráth and tradition bearer Gábor Bősz
Location: Zither Exhibition / Time: 15:00–15:30 Cinka Trio Concert featuring folk music adaptations and original songs
Location: MÉTA Square / Time: 16:00–17:15 "Gyöngyösi Koszorúm" Concert, performance, and song-learning session with Szilvia Bognár, themed around carnival weddings, including a bride's farewell and a wedding request Guests: Radna Lászlófi and Anna Albert, students of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
Location: Level -2, Aula / Time: 17:00–17:45 Folk Dance Workshop with Zither Music Led by Balázs Kiss, dancer of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble Music by the Kispest Zither Ensemble, led by András Széles
Location: Entrance Hall (Damjanich Street Side) / Time: 18:00–19:00 Los Andinos Concert Andean folk music from the Bolivian mountains of Potosí, through the Peruvian valleys of Cusco, to the Ecuadorian volcanoes of Chimborazo and Imbabura