From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

As we rode the tram from the train station up to the stadium in Debrecen we could easily see that in this town the celebration of St. Istvan's Day (Szent István napja) is no small event. In fact, it's a week-long festival full of concerts featuring Hungarian and foreign artistic groups, dance companies, majorette groups, and other events that all culminated with the big parade and fireworks on August 20th. And of course, as this is the Flower Festival (Debreceni Virágkarnevál) there's dozens of creations and displays of flowers. The parade floats were so creative and detailed that only by standing next to them could you see the flowers. It's said that some floats use as many as three million of them!

Most of the events were free, but a small admission got you into the stadium to see the floats up close and to watch the Folk Dance Show. We particularly enjoyed the group from Sopron and the whirling dervish. Outside the stadium, the carnival feel prevailed and there were plenty of chances to spend money on food (of the not so healthy variety), trinkets, and other flea market stuff. There were more booths scattered downtown, especially clustered near the main square in front of City Hall where a number of the events took place.

Clearly Debrecen knows how to celebrate, then again this festival, which also commemorates the wheat harvest, has been around for over 100 years. It was pleasant to get away from the tourist crowds in the capital and experience how a provincial city honors such important day in Hungarian culture.

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Around August 20th tourist season begins to wrap up and children get ready for school, but first comes the celebration of St. Stephen's Day (Szent István napja), the celebration of the day King Stephen was crowned and the Hungarian (Magyar) state was founded back in the year 1000.

In Budapest, some of the festivities occur at Castle Hill, including the weekend-long Festival of Folk Arts (Mesterségek Ünnepe). Skilled craftsmen and women from all regions of Hungary come to show, sell, and demonstrate their talent and passion at preserving tradition. Booth after booth colorfully displayed felt work, lace, hand-painted wood pieces and pottery, puppets, kids' toys, porcelain pieces and baskets, and so much more. One of my personal favorites was the historic maps and Hungarian poems printed on authentic feeling parchment. And as you may have picked up from other posts, another favorite thing of mine is Hungarian food--so I was delighted to see the kürtőskalács (chimney cake). paprikáskrumpli (paprika potatoes), and kemencés kenyérlángos (a pizza-like lángos).

Whether it was a chance to enjoy the food, watch the dancers and musicians, or to admire the skilled artisans at work, the event was well-attended, even crowded at some points, and a healthy mix of nationals and tourists. Festivities wrapped up with an air-show on Monday afternoon (which I got to see them practicing on Saturday) and fireworks that evening.

If you find yourself in Hungary at this time year, you will not want to miss the chance to celebrate Hungary's birthday and enjoy the festivities on Castle Hill and the Danube.

From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

Visitors expecting only to see the wonderful views, architecture, and art available on Castle Hill were afforded an extra treat this past weekend. June 28-July 1st found Hungarians celebrating a few of the things that make up who they are--great food, drinks, and tradition--at A Magyarok Nagyasztala (The Grand Table of Hungary). As attendees from all over the country stroll through the dozens of booths that line both sides of the castle they are surrounded by a feast for the senses. Pastries baking over slow burning fires. Savory meats roasting. Various blends of fruit and nut balls creating a rainbow of colors. And the beverage of your choice, including an award-winning palinka, to cleanse the palette--or cool it off if you stopped at the paprika booths!

As you satisfy your taste buds, you have only to turn about to find enjoyable entertainment. Street performers in medieval dress stroll about--some singing, some dancing, others jesting and jousting. If you prefer more formal entertainment, you need only to stop by the main stage. A small folk band plays so that partners could be twirled and heels slapped in traditional dances until cooks who battle in the back step forward to claim their awards in different categories. Of course, if you need to walk off a few off those delicious calories and still have some forint in the pocket, walking the lower drive could allow you to deplete both. Vendors there offer both traditional and contemporary books, maps, clothes, furniture, and more.

It may be no coincidence that this great taste of Hungary falls during the Duna Nap (Danube Day) which celebrates the cultures of the Danube River Basin.