Festival of Crafts celebrates Hungarian folk art at Buda Castle

The 40th Festival of Crafts was held at the Buda Castle, celebrating the preservation and excellence of Hungarian folk art and traditional craftsmanship. The event featured masters of folk art, including potters and representatives from various international guests such as the United States, Uzbekistan, and Poland.

During the ceremony, the Federation of Folk Art Associations (NESZ) presented several awards to outstanding creators and communities. Notable recipients included Tibor Bálint for basketry and Pali Ferenc Kovács for folk furniture painting. Other honors included the Master of the Year, Young Master of the Year, and the Golden Wreath award. Cultural State Secretary Ervin Nagy emphasized that handmade objects and folk craftsmanship represent the ‘gold reserve’ of Hungarian culture, noting the importance of passing these traditions from one generation to the next.

The awards also recognized innovation through the Tulipán Foundation, which collaborates with NESZ to support high-quality contemporary creators drawing from folk traditions.