Tradition

The region to the south of Lake Balaton is said to be one of the richest areas in Hungary for the preservation of traditions, folk art and crafts.  Many towns and villages have museums and exhibitions that reflect the cultural and artistic wealth of the region.   Pottery, paintings, embroidered fabrics and lace can be seen at exhibitions and can be bought at shops and markets.  Throughout the Summer months, there are festivals throughout the Balaton area that celebrate old traditions and customs.

The annual Balatonboglar Wine Festival always takes place around the weekend of August 20.  It is a time when local crafts people display and sell their products that include, embroidery, traditional clothes, wood carving, paintings, pottery and other artefacts. Visitors can enjoy the displays of folk dancing, sample the wide selection of traditional Hungarian food and the best wines of the region.  Other wine festivals include the Balatonlelle Wine Festival, that usually takes place during the first week of August, and the Badacsony Wine Festival that usually takes place a little later.

The Kentaur Puszta in Balatonboglar, is a holiday village built in traditional Hungarian style with thatched cottages and many original peasant furnishings. Throughout the Summer, there are displays of horsemanship, folk dancing, gypsy music and wonderful evenings of traditional Hungarian food and wine.

Fonyod commemorates Hungarian history and traditions with a medieval drama festival in Early August.  Szantodpuszta, a few kilometres from Balatonboglar, has fine examples of peasant architecture, dwelling houses and farm buildings that can be seen in their original state. Zamardi has a museum house with original furnishings.  Buzsak has a thatched museum house.  Balatonendred has been associated with lace making for over a century and examples can be bought in shops and markets around the area.  

There is a growing revival of traditionally styled clothing in Hungary. Hampel Katalin has one of the best fashion houses in the country and produces beautifully crafted clothing from new and antique materials.  Her work can be seen at her shop on Vaci Utca in Budapest.