Ancestors Day to Celebrate Hungary’s Ancient Heritage

Ancestors Day will once again be held in Bugac, a village in southern Hungary, between August 8 and 10, featuring horseback archery demonstrations, traditional sports, and exhibitions.

At the event, people will commemorate the greatest and most history-shaping ancestors of the Hungarian nation, said András Zsolt Bíró, chief organizer and President of the Hungarian-Turán Public Benefit Foundation, at a press conference in Budapest on Thursday, presenting the programs.

Ancestors Day is one of the largest celebrations of Hungarian heritage in the Carpathian Basin, with Hungarians

from Transylvania (in Romania)
Vojvodina (in Serbia)
Felvidék (in Slovakia)
Burgenland (Őrvidék, in Austria)
and Transcarpathia (in Ukraine) coming together to celebrate and organize the event.

Now in its eighth edition, Ancestors Day will include the “Nomadic Procession” parade, horseback archery, falconry and greyhound shows, lectures, a craft fair, and various exhibitions.

During the “Nomadic Procession,” 500–600 horseback and on-foot re-enactors will appear in historically accurate nomadic clothing, with weapons and wagons.

In addition to the horseback archery, falconry, and greyhound shows, there will be nomadic strength competitions, including horse and archery contests, saber fighting, and belt wrestling.

Archaeological and anthropological exhibitions presenting the Hunnic and Avar heritage will be displayed inside a large yurt. The event will also be enriched with scientific and educational lectures, craft fairs and demonstrations, and special programs for children.

Zoltán Varga, technical director of the Hungarian-Turán Public Benefit Foundation, stated that several misting gates have been installed at the venue, along with over 2,000 square meters of shaded area and a baby-mother yurt. Free drinking water will be available at multiple locations.

László Szabó, mayor of Bugac, recalled that 2010 brought a significant change to Bugac when excavations began that led to the discovery of an Árpád-era center near Pétermonostora. Since then, numerous people have visited the Aranymonostor Visitor Center. He added that this was the time when tradition-based festivals such as Ancestors Day and Kurultaj were founded, becoming a lasting source of pride for Bugac’s community.

On the first day of the event, performers will include Gergely Agócs, Andrea Navratil, Misztrál, and Hungarica. The next day will feature a ritual falcon release and shamanic drumming, a horseback play titled The Legend of the Miraculous Stag, and a concert by Mária Petrás. On Sunday, Boglárka Fehér will perform Eastern and Hungarian folk music, and the groups Varkocs and the Regélő Fehér Táltosok will also take the stage. The event is free of charge.

Archaeologists Uncover the Former Roundel of Szeged Castle