From the Plains to the Pastures: Hortobágy’s Autumn Drive Brings Tradition to Life

The St. George’s Day Drive-In Festival, was cancelled in the spring, but autumn brings back the rider vibes. The event, scheduled for April 26 this year, always attracts thousands of visitors to the puszta (plain land), to watch as sheep, cattle, and horses are herded across the Nine-Hole Bridge to the pastures.

However, in 2025, the event was canceled in order to prevent the spread of the contagious foot-and-mouth disease virus that appeared in Hungary and to preserve the safety of the genetically valuable livestock managed by Hortobágyi Nonprofit Kft. however, the event’s counterpart, the autumn cattle drive festival, will be held in the fall.

The long-awaited program will be preceded by another traditional Hortobágy (eastern Hungary) event: the 9th Hungarian Grey Horse Friends Meeting will be held on October 4 at the Hortobágy Fairgrounds. The cooking competition will start at 8 a.m., and folk games, singers, a running race, and a great atmosphere await all interested parties, confirm the organizers.

With the onset of cold weather and the days getting shorter, in Hortobágy, following old folk customs, shepherds and their livestock prepare for winter by driving the animals from the pastures of the puszta to their winter quarters, as the animals have “brought the snow home on their backs,” meaning they can no longer find food in the fields.

At the Herding Festival, shepherds parade with their animals – racka sheep, gray cattle, Nonius horses, and buffalo – while those interested can listen to interesting information about the ethnographic background of herding. After the spectacular parade, there is an opportunity to get to know the shepherds and their livestock, followed by a horse show.

The roundup celebration is complemented by a craft fair and accompanied by a crane festival. Crane pulling is the most spectacular natural phenomenon in Hortobágy, a celebration of nature in autumn. The crane is also the symbol of Hortobágy National Park.

Via Haon.hu; Featured image: Facebook/Hortobágyi Lovasnapok

The post From the Plains to the Pastures: Hortobágy’s Autumn Drive Brings Tradition to Life appeared first on Hungary Today.

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