Easter Festival at The Museum of Ethnography

Why celebrate Easter in spring? Its roots go back to prehistoric times: the spring blossoming of nature was a time when people welcomed fertility and rebirth. In spiritual terms, it is symbolised by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus on the third day, as well as by the life-bearing egg, the purifying water or the bunny rabbit, known for his fertility. 

What makes a holiday personal and special for us is that the period leading up to it is filled with anticipation and preparation. The joint activity creates an opportunity for discussions, provides experience and knowledge for the children, and through the joy of creation the whole family can get closer to this multifaceted holiday and its traditions, which are perhaps little known but still alive today. On 12 April, the Ethnographic Museum will host a fun-filled Easter day of activities to make all this happen! 

Children will be enchanted by exciting fairy tales and playful adventures: the story of the shepherd boy comes to life in a performance by the Rozsnyói Meseszínház, where children can also take part in a puppet and mask game. Auntie Zsuzsi's basket of tales will be filled with rabbit-tail stories, where butter donuts roll around, hedgehogs and rabbits compete. The interactive fair storytelling in the Székelys exhibition will take participants on a special journey - will the left knee of a twelve-headed dragon fit into the museum? In addition, the little ones can enjoy a spelling bee, poem-crafting activity and an exciting egg hunt with Barka the cat and Buga the dog, the Collection Exhibition's pets. 

The adults are not left without a programme either! Besides craft activities such as needlework and seed bomb making, there will be a number of presentations and thematic guided tours to help them learn about Easter traditions. What textiles were part of the festive preparations? How did Christian and ancient beliefs mix in the Volga region? Which ceramics are linked to the Easter holidays and what symbols do their decorations reveal? Visitors to the Museum will find answers to these and many other fascinating questions.

Alongside traditional festive customs, other aspects of folk culture are also brought to life. An interactive demonstration of Palóc hairdressing will introduce visitors to the traditional hair and headdresses of Bag. Folk art master Julianna Sápi and her family will not only tell you about the traditions of the Palóc hairstyle, but you can also try it on and see how it would look on you.

Why did more people get married in Hungary during the covid than in other countries? What happened to museums when they were closed for months during the pandemic? Two recent books and a discussion on the impact of the pandemic remind us of what it is like not to be able to live our traditions as we normally would, not to be with our loved ones, and to lose the communal power of the holiday. Pál Győrfi, spokesman for the National Ambulance Service, will also reflect on the era.  

Traditions will be brought even closer to the public with a special film selection that gives an insight into the customs of the spring festive season. The forms of sprouting, wheat harvesting, green harvesting and watering will be brought to life on the screen. 

The EthnoEco plant and seed swap event and a presentation by poet Tibor Weiner Sennyey on the universal history of bees and man from prehistory to the present day, and the art of beekeeping, will also bring spring freshness. Meanwhile, a concert by Folk on 45, a lively dance-hall and a full day of zither performances will set the mood for a joyful and lively Easter. 

Detailed programme description coming soon!

Tickets

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. 

• Tickets will be available and issued at the two ticket offices, with ticket control at the entrance. Therefore, free crossing of the museum building will be restricted on this day. 

• The exhibitions close at 18:00 and the shops on Damjanich Street side of the building will be open until the end of the concert at 19:00.

Thank you for your understanding!