May the Zithers Sing Merrily!

The zither was once one of the most widespread and beloved folk instruments in the musical life of traditional Hungarian communities. Due to its simple structure, skilled villagers could craft it themselves, and it often accompanied home festivities and communal work occasions. Thanks to the revival of folk music movements and the folk music education that began in the 1990s, the zither is now experiencing a renaissance. It is frequently used in music activities starting from nursery school age, as it is relatively easy to learn to play, and thanks to the sympathetic strings, a simple accompaniment can instantly complement the melody.

The Museum of Ethnography houses around 3,000 folk instruments from all over the world in its various collections. The exhibition May the Zithers Sing Merrily! showcases a wide spectrum of zither types and runs from 23 January 2025 to 29 June 2025.

The exhibition focuses primarily on introducing zithers used within Hungarian-speaking regions, with the curator selecting pieces from the Museum of Ethnography's Instrument Collection. Visitors will also gain detailed insights into the organological (instrument-related) characteristics of zithers, their structural features, tuning methods, and the occasions for playing them. The first zithers entered the museum at the end of the 19th century. In addition to the current collection of 150 zithers, other primarily international collections house a further 50 zither-type artefacts — the oldest of which dates back to 1868. Over time, the collection has grown with the contributions of renowned instrument makers, including Zsigmond Tuka, Sándor Budai, János Nácsa, and Mihály Bársony. Thanks to the museum's ethnomusicologists, numerous recordings of zither performances have also been preserved.

Alongside the nearly 90 instruments on display, the experience is enriched by 20 audio recordings and 3 films. One video features master instrument maker Tibor Gáts revealing the secrets of zither crafting. Visitors can also observe the workings of the zither’s ancestor, the monochord, and try playing both diatonic and chromatic zithers, with films and interactive tools aiding the learning process.

In connection with the exhibition, the museum has issued a call to amateur and professional musicians, ensembles, students, and teachers who are passionate about the zither. Through a digital map, the exhibition aims to spotlight contemporary zither players and orchestras in Hungarian-speaking regions. Beyond this showcase, the museum remains dedicated to passing on the tradition of zither music.

The museum education corner places special focus on zither decoration and motifs. Here, visitors can try out a new interactive game on their smartphones. EthnoFusion, an online application developed by the Budapest Museum of Ethnography, is accessible from anywhere. It invites users to creatively explore and "tune into" the rich folk music collection of the institution, founded in 1872. Users can blend the sounds of traditional instruments — such as the zither, flute, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipe, dulcimer, viola, shakuhachi, and koto — with modern musical bases and effects, and even send their custom mix to themselves.

From February, the Museum of Ethnography also plans to bring live zither music within its walls. On Saturdays, the exhibition's stage will host concerts featuring ensembles participating in the collection campaign. Once a month, families can learn and sing together at the Muzsikamorzsoló sessions.

A fresh and creative spirit characterises the entire zither exhibition, drawing on the museum's collection. The exhibition's design is inspired by the distinctive elements of the instrument, particularly the rhythmic, dynamic movement of the strings, its simple yet unique form, and the pulse of the music it produces. Abstract forms and lines merge the tradition and contemporary interpretation of the instrument, while emphasising the timeless nature of music.

A highlight of the exhibition is that it does not only present Hungarian zither traditions but will also be complemented by a sensational addition from 21 March 2025: a selection from the Chongqing Three Gorges Museum in China will introduce the ancient Chinese instrument, the guqin, to the Hungarian audience.