A Journey Through Heritage: Exploring Hungarian Folk Art at the Ethnographic Museum
In January, I visited the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest to explore Hungarian folk culture and gather inspiration. My main focus was the special exhibition titled "Székelyek: A Transylvanian Hungarian Community." This exhibition offered a deep dive into the traditions, crafts, and everyday life of the Székely people, a Hungarian ethnic group from Transylvania. Walking through the carefully curated displays, I was immersed in the world of this unique community, discovering their rich heritage through objects, textiles, and stories.
After taking in the Székely exhibition, I continued exploring the museum and came across an area I had never seen before—a breathtaking showcase of Hungarian folk art. The space was filled with hand-painted cabinets, ceramic plates, folk clothing, tools, and carpets, all offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of Hungarian rural communities. One of the most striking sections featured walls adorned with beautifully hand-embroidered leather jackets, each one a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Seeing these garments up close, with their intricate stitching and traditional motifs, was truly mesmerizing.
The museum's collection is remarkable, preserving the artistry and heritage of Hungarian folk culture. The textiles section, in particular, stood out, with its extensive display of handwoven fabrics, embroidered household linens, and traditional garments. The motifs and colors used in these pieces reflect centuries of tradition and these traditional techniques, though time-consuming, were inherently sustainable and taught the value of effort and hard work, reminding us that quality and craftsmanship are worth preserving.
This visit left me with a profound appreciation for Hungary’s rich folk heritage. As Lengyel Györgyi wrote in The Heritage of Our Grandmothers: "The world was once filled with women who painted, men who carved, folk ballads, songs, creation and death myths and folk tales. Let us take care to ensure that the singing peoples, the myth-making peoples, the painting women and the carving men do not disappear, for humanity itself perishes with them.". If you have an interest in traditional crafts, textiles, or history, I highly recommend you visit to gain a more in-depth appreciation for local folk art.
