Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme
Project date: 01.01.2018. - 31.12.2019.
Project acronym: Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie
Project title: Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie: visitor-friendly development of common cultural heritage thematic routes
Project No.: SKHU/1601/1.1/175
Total awarded support for the project: 1.301.386,91 EUR
Project partners:
- Palóc Út Kulturális Turisztikai Klaszter Egyesület (Lead Beneficiary - HU)
- Vanyarc Községi Önkormányzat (HU)
- Hagyományos Értékek Megőrzéséért Alapítvány (HU)
- Slovenské národné múzeum (SK)
- Komunikačné centrum Detva, n.o. (SK)
- Obec Hrušov (SK)
The following content is available for the project:
4. WORK SHOP PROJECT MEETINGS >>
Palócút cultural Tourism Cluster Association as a cultural thematic route in the Hungarian-Slovak border region, Podpolanie Cultural route planner, DC DETVA Founation for Preservation of Traditional Values, Slovak National Museum and municipalities of Hrusov and Vanyarc are putting forward a joint proposal. The common objective is to utilise the cultural traditions and natural values of the border region, to develop and connect new and current attractions and thematic routes, to create sustainable and family friendly tourism product sets, and the organisation necessary to manage the „Palócföld - Hont - Podpol'anie – Cultural Heritage Thematic Route”.
Target groups:
1.) Tourists, especially from the neigbouring country
2.) Population of the region
Our objectives - sustaining and improving attendance in order to increase the number of visitors by 10% -
- investments providing new functions,
- comprehensive resource survey of the region, and based on this
- the creation of a joint cultural thematic route.
New supply elements will be developed thanks to the project.
Open workshops, travelling exhibitions, new thematic routes for hikers, cyclists and car drivers with smart map application. Programme packages connecting cultural and natural values. New permanent exhibitions in the area and organisation of 10 major events. We establish 15 playgrounds with traditional games and bicycle rentals on those settlements in which family- and visitor friendly services are absent.
Our joint task is to make marketable products of current attractions, and to put together programme packages; to group events into unified series of programmes, new visual identity, brand building, introduction of trademark system, joint marketing activities, information points, printed and online marketing, travel film, exhibition participation, scientific research, publicity and knowledge transfer complete the project.
10. 04. 2019. Kriváň Press information is here
23. 04. 2018. Balassagyarmat Press information is here
10. April 2019 Press conference - Kriváň (Krivány):
Palóc Út Cluster Association held the interim press conference of its Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie project (no. SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme on the 10th of April 2019, at 11:00 o’clock in Restaurant Duvoux in Kriváň.
The Mayor of Kriváň opened the event, presenting the dynamically developing settlement. Elena Jankovičová, representing the Slovak lead partner KC Detva delivered information on the state of the project, then asked József Bózvári, chairman of Palóc Út Cluster Association and legal representative of the lead beneficiary, to present the outcomes so far from the project. In his presentation he shortly introduced the history of Palóc Út Cluster Association, the preparation of the proposal and the activities implemented during the first year, supplementing with the project elements to come. He also mentioned the results of the partners so far.
The joint aims of the project partners are to better utilise the cultural heritage and natural resources of the region, developing new and existing attractions, thematic routes and linking them, creating sustainable and family-centred tourism programme packages, and improving the necessary organisational system behind these. Representatives of the media and diverse professional organisations were invited to the press conference. The project partners as presenters introduced their role in Palócland-Hont-Podpolanie project and the expected outcomes of the cooperation.
Photo documentation is here.
23. April 2018. Press conference - Balassagyarmat:
Palóc Út Cluster Association held the kick-off press conference of its Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie project (no. SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme on the 23th of April 2018, at 14:00 o’clock in the Projects’ House in Balassagyarmat.
József Bózvári, chairman of Palóc Út Cluster Association and legal representative of the lead beneficiary opened the event. In his presentation he shortly introduced the history of Palóc Út Cluster Association, the preparation of the proposal and the activities planned by the lead beneficiary in the two years’ implementation period.
The joint aims of the project partners are to better utilise the cultural heritage and natural resources of the region, developing new and existing attractions, thematic routes and linking them, creating sustainable and family-centred tourism programme packages, and improving the necessary organisational system behind these. Representatives of the media and diverse professional organisations were invited to the press conference. The project partners as presenters introduced their role in Palócland-Hont-Podpolanie project and the expected outcomes of the cooperation.
Further presenters included: Teréz Nedeliczky, project manager from the Municipality of Vanyarc, Mrs. Miklós Báder, chairperson of the board of trustees from the Hagyományos Értékek Megőrzéséért Foundation (for Preserving Traditional Values), Gabriella Jarábik, the director of Slovenské Národné Museum, Elena Jankovičová, chairperson of Komunikačné centrum Detva, n.o. and Mayor Pavel Bendik representing Obec Hrušov.
Photo documentation is here.
17-18. 10. 2019 Study Tour
Palóc Út Cultural Tourism Cluster Association implemented its Study Tour programme on 17-18 October 2019 related to the Interreg V - A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme’s SKHU/1601/1.1/175 “Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie: visitor-friendly development of common cultural heritage thematic routes” project.
We sent out 80 invitations to different organisations: specialized tourist press, county newspapers, women's newspapers, news portals, local and national radios and televisions.
25 journalists applied for the tour in total, but some abandoned in the last couple of days. Finally 22 of them came, apart from the representatives of the local partners. Most of them were journalists, two from Slovakia.
The tour ran smoothly. Local partners were well prepared for welcoming, hosting and informing the journalists. The detailed programme was as follows.
17. 10. 2019 Thursday. The bus waited for guests in Budapest at 7:45. The bus kicked off for the two days study tour at 8:00 as planned, with the purpose of presenting the implemented actions and the partners of the above project.
The first stop of the Study Tour was Recsk, where participants could visit one of the infrastructural investments of Hagyományos Értékek Megőrzéséért Alapítvány (Foundation for Nurturing Traditional Values) project partner. The representatives of the organisation welcomed visitors at the gazebo constructed within the project next to the Recsk Country House and Palóc Gallery. They offered round wafers and fruit brandy to guests. Mrs. Károly Iván greeted the participants on behalf of the Foundation. Then József Bózvári, chairman of Palóc Út Cluster Association presented the project concerned. Mrs. Ferenc Kovács introduced the Recsk County House and the Palóc Gallery. Guests visited the artisan house and the embroidery presentation with guidance from Mrs. Miklós Pataki. In the meantime Pál Dsupin played on his rare old folk instrument, the bagpipe, giving the event a special atmosphere. At the end of the Recsk programme Mrs. Károly Iván gave everyone a local, hand-woven bag as a souvenir; Palóc Út Association gave participants backpack gift sets.
The next stop in the programme was the Folk Art House and the Palóc Barn in Mátraderecske, a project venue of Hagyományos Értékek Megőrzéséért Alapítvány also. The Mátraderecske Pensioners' Choir welcomed the group. Mrs. Anikó Vidi Kis project manager presented the project part of the Foundation, the Palóc Barn and its functions.
Following departure from Recsk the participants arrived to the Folk Art House in Mátraderecske at 11:15. The reception was arranged in the Palóc Barn with the Mátraderecske Pensioners' Choir and Mrs. Anikó Vidi Kis project manager. Lunch was prepared by 12:30; visitors were offered local Palóc soup, potato roundel and sweet cottage cheese pie. As the closing of the Mátraderecske visit everybody received a woven bookmark as a gift.
At 15:00 in the afternoon the group arrived to Alsósztregova, where the mayor and the head of the Slovak National Museum - Museum of Hungarian Culture in Slovakia received the guests. On the court of the Madách mansion the local children’s folklore group performed, and participants had a guided tour of the mansion with local specialities. The Alsósztregova project actions were presented in the great hall of the mansion.
The group arrived to Hrusov at 18:00, greeted by the mayor of the village. Guests visited the old country house, with an exhibition of old flat irons, then fruit brandy and oven-baked flatbread tasting in the cellars followed. The group had an overview of the Hrusov actions of the project, and viewed a travel film about Hrušov’s places of interest. Guests occupied their rooms after dinner (http://www.ubylinkarky.sk/).
18. 10. 2019 Friday. The group took a walk after breakfast to the venues of the Hont Parade, then kicked off to Vanyarc.
The Mayoress of Vanyarc, Mrs. Mihály Hrncsjár greeted guests in the Culture Hall. The performance of Mrs. Marika Fehér zither player singer created a special atmosphere for the day. Then the group visited the Fossils, the rock exhibition and the demonstration of Boglárka Hodnik shod egg maker. The tour continued at the County House and Doll Museum with a guide, then noodles making in the Culture Hall.
Presentations followed in the day: project actions of Vanyarc, Gyetva and Palóc Út were digitally presented to participants.
The study tour came to an end with lunch including specialities from Vanyarc (noodles and angel wings donut). The participants of the Study Tour arrived back to Budapest at about 16:00 o’clock.
The media coverage value of the implemented and planned appearances are significantly higher than the amount invested in the study tour, and the online releases increase further the number of reached potential guests.
Photo documentation is here.
10. April 2019. Work Shop Project meeting:
Palóc Út Cluster Association held its next Work Shop project meeting of its Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie project (no. SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme on 10. April 2019 in Kriváň. The project partners and representatives of invited expert organisations came to participate.
At first the project partners reported on their progress of the project, and on the process of implementation. There is a certain amount of slippage in the first year of implementation compared to what was planned.
Second, the submission of the report from the Lead Beneficiary was discussed. The Lead Beneficiary informed participants about the percentages of project progress on project and partner levels.
Third, the foreign language publications were reviewed. Partners agreed to help each other with the linguistic proofreading. The next press conference and the participation to be held at the Detva Folklore Festival were also discussed.
Photo documentation is here.
07. November 2018. Work Shop Projekt meeting:
Palóc Út Cluster Association held its next Work Shop project meeting of its Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie project (no. SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme on 07. November 2018. in Balassagyaramat, in the Projects’ House. The project partners and representatives of invited expert organisations came to participate.
At first the project partners reported on the state of the project, the activities implemented in the period concerned and, if there was any slippage compared to the planned schedule, the reasons for this.
The second point on the agenda was about the submission and approval of the 2. report. Reports of four partners had been already approved; another two partners are waiting for approval. The report of the Lead Beneficiary shall be submitted by the 29th of November, but this can only be submitted after every partner had been approved.
In the third point on the agenda public events were discussed. The partners from Detva invited the other partners to join the Slovak-Hungarian Court exhibition at the Folklore Festival of July 2018. There was a discussion about the venue of the interim press conference of Palóc Út, to take place in March or April in Slovakia, during the next Work Shop meeting.
Photo documentation is here.
24. August 2018. Work Shop Project meeting:
Palóc Út Cluster Association held its next Work Shop project meeting of its Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie project (no. SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme on 24. August 2018 in the Mofetta of Mátraderecske. The project partners and representatives of invited expert organisations came to participate.
In the first point of the agenda participants reported on the state of the project, the reimbursement of the different activities and the planned reporting. Unfortunately re-scheduling of costs occurred at more than one partners due to unexpected problems.
The second point was about the Lead Beneficiary’s report submitted on 8. August. Based on partners’ reports, the Lead Beneficiary elaborated and submitted its report, and the application for reimbursement for period 1.
Finally, the date of the next Work Shop was agreed on.
Photo documentation is here.
11. July 2018. Work Shop Project meeting:
Palóc Út Cluster Association held its next Work Shop project meeting of its Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie project (no. SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme on 11. July 2018 in Hrušov. The project partners and representatives of invited expert organisations came to participate.
At first the project partners reported on their progress of the project, and on the process of implementation. During implementation a deviation occurred from the planned schedule. The reason for this was the modification of the public procurement interface, and, in case of the Hungarian partners, the slippage in receiving the advance payment.
As the second point on the agenda the elements of Information and publicity were discussed. The Lead Beneficiary informed the project partners on the mandatory communication elements and the supporting documents for the elements contained in the project proposal.
The third point was about the Study Tour to be organised in 2019. During the two days of the Study Tour event we aim to take approximately 20 journalists to the project venues. Project partners will be hosting the visitors, offering local cuisine and presenting their traditions as a programme.
Photo documentation is here.
12. March 2018. Work Shop Project meeting:
Palóc Út Cluster Association held its first Work Shop project meeting of its Palócland - Hont - Podpolanie project (no. SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme on 12. March 2018 in Balassagyarmat. The project partners and representatives of invited expert organisations came to participate.
The first point on the agenda was the selection of the Slovak lead partner. The Lead Beneficiary told that the Subsidy Contract for the proposal was signed on 19. February 2018. The role of the Slovak lead partner was taken by Komunikačné Centrum Detva. The representatives of the Slovak National Museum will help in communicating in common language.
The second point was about the preparation of the opening press conference. The Lead Beneficiary plans to organise 3 press conferences during the implementation period; a closing one, an opening one and an interim press conference in period 4. The Lead Beneficiary pays the costs of the press conference. Participants determined the venue and the date of the opening press conference:
Venue: Balassagyarmat, Projects’ House
Date: 23. April, 2018, 14:00 o’clock.
In point three on the agenda we discussed minor modifications related to events costs. The Detva project partner prepared the project poster, which project partners can use as a sample. At last, we discussed the project partner progress report due on 15. May.
Photo documentation is here.
17. August 2019. Varsány, Pie Festival
Varsány is located in North Nógrád, surrounded by the slopes of the Cserhát. The 1600 inhabitants kept the traditions and culture of the ancestors. This year the settlement turns 800 years old, it was first mentioned in writing in 1219. Several ceremonial and tradition-starting events have been organised to celebrate the anniversary, among others the 12. Pie Festival, where the famous sweet cottage cheese pie of Varsány played a major role. Many local people and NGOs prepared the typical gastronomic delicacies of the Palóc landscape.
The stage attracted guests with music, theatre and operetta, there were roundabout, playground and clown for children’s entertainment, full-day arts and crafts fair, motorbike show and fireworks in the evening.
Performers were Katalin Somogyi operetta singer, György Nádas, Laci Gitáno-Nagy and the motorbike show of RRT SE.
The mission of the event is to promote our traditions to the audience. During the 12 years, the number of participants multiplied, guests came from different places of the country beside locals. The number of visitors was 800-1000. The recognition and definition of local resources strengthens the parochialism and ties of local people. The Pie Festival is a beautiful example of how the co-operation among cultural institutions, NGOs, enterprises and schools is done for a common objective. When organising the Festival, the desire to rejuvenate and to develop the Festival is always a challenge.
Photo documentation is here.
3. August 2019. Rimóc, Village Day
The traditional Rimóc Village Day took place for the 24th time this year in the centre of the settlement, on the Event square.
The programme kicked off with the greeting from the Mayor János Beszkid.
The modern dance performance of the Savaria Elementary Art School from Salgótarján came first. The Rimóci Vadrózsa Romany Dance Group and the singing of Melissza Bada and Paulina Oláh followed. During the weekend of the Village Day we hosted the delegations of Rosice (Czech Republic) and Strenči (Latvia), who also performed at the Rimóc Village Day.
In the afternoon the women’s choir of Rosalky (Czech Republic) took the stage.
After the performers from abroad, locals got in the limelight: following the Rimóc Brass Ensemble’s prom, Alexandra Bangó was singing. The programme continued with the performance of the Taranis traditional knighthood, amateur fencing group (Czech Republic) from 18:00 o’clock. The knights in medieval armour presented the fight between the good and the evil titled “The eternal struggle”. The raffle draw began at 19:00. Star performers were Henna and Ferry, then Attila Balázs from Varsány played the violin until the fireworks. The Jump Rock Band delivered an hour of live concert after that, and an Outdoor Party lasted until dawn with DJs Persik, Ben Nyler, Dän Von Fice and Tailor B. Entertainment was guaranteed by the Pollák amusement park during the Village Day. People could try archery and the folk games of Izolda. An Environment protection tent was set in the venue. Artisan corner awaited children in the Rimóc tent, and teams could practice laser fight in the sports hall, a game similar to paintball for small children and young people alike.
Photo documentation is here.
26-28. July 2019. Parád-Parádfürdő, XXXI. Palóc Days
Parád is one of the most frequent tourism spots in Northern Hungary. It is located at the Northern foot of the Mátra, under the Kékes peak. Its attractions related to its past are the Cifra stable, the Károlyi castle, Erzsébet Park Hotel, the Freskó event hall, Parádfürdő State Hospital and the Palóc House. Visitors can become part of the Palóc traditions.
The most significant multi-days traditional event of the settlement is the Palóc Days organised since 1961. The event is an important happening of cultural experience, forming friendships and promoting tourism. The mission of the event is to transmit the nurturing of Palóc culture. The Municipality pay special attention to the preservation of the values of the Palóc past. Its long term objective is to awake the interest of young people for knowing and preserving the traditions.
Rich programmes awaited participants this year as well, among others “Music nostalgia evening” and a folk play of Palóc nuptials titled “Palóc wonders” by the Parád Kék Nefelejcs embroidery group, Balázs Verebélyi embroidery artist from Recsk, Junior Prima award holder, and the “Palóc homespun” and „Palócgála” amateur tradition groups. Following the Palóc day cooking competition one could taste the results in the “Meals street”. Children spent their time in the Palócland playground with the tale performance of Tamás Joós bard. In the “Craftsmen street” the artisan products could also be bought. In the evening the Szomszédnéni Production Office, György Ferenczi and the 1ső Pesti Rackák performed to the audience. Palóc Day festive mass was celebrated on the last day of the event, then people could enjoy the “Palóc Day Sunday afternoon with wind instruments and the standard and Latin American dance show”. An outdoor theatre performance closed the day.
Photo documentation is here.
Kalonda is located in the neighbourhood of Ipolytarnóc in Nógrád County. It was first mentioned in 1238 as “Kalanda”. Until 1554 it belonged to the Kalondai and Széchenyi families. The settlement was split into two villages in the 14-16th Centuries, re-united again after the Ottoman conquest. In 46 houses 481 people lived here in 1828, being mainly active in farming. At present, there are 220 inhabitants. In the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to prince St. Emmerich (built in 1854) the tombstone of György Kalonday can be seen. In the Church garden there is a memorial for the deported people. The exhibition about the village’s history can be seen in the local village museum. The exhibition in the ethnographic museum presents period village life.
The venue of the event was the border crossing point Kalonda – Ipolytarnóc, its court and the road between the two settlements. 75 settlements donated the timber for the Palóc Border Cross (erected ceremonially in May 2018 by the Ipoly valley Palóc people) standing next to the former crossing point building. A worthy commemoration this year was the event titled “1. Pilgrimage Festival at the Palóc Border Cross”, with nearly 700 participants, not only from Hungary and Slovakia but from other EU countries as well. The event symbolically took place between the two settlements, emphasising and proving many years of co-operation. One of the main happenings was the formation of a human chain, showing the borderless unity of local people in the past, the present and the future. Holy Mass opened the event in Ipolytarnóc (HU) followed by the festive programme in Kalonda (SK). A live concert of the band Omega Revival closed the day.
The event enjoyed great community success, since many people heard about the human chain from the news, who were not present personally.
Photo documentation is here.
12-14. 07. 2019. Folklore Festival (Detva)
As part of our “Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie: visitor-friendly development of common cultural heritage thematic routes” project (SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme Palóc Út Cluster Association was represented at the Folklore Festival Detva (Folklórneslávnostipod Pol’anou v Detve). The event took place in Detva between 12-14. 07. 2019.
The focus during the opening was mainly on the Slovak traditional folklore and the tourism supply apart from entertainment. Traditional Slovak cuisine was also present, and many craftsmen offered their goods for sale. Organisers paid attention to deliver entertaining, cultural and informative programmes for all age groups. Beside photo exhibitions, traditional tool presentations, folk skill games and the presentation of the Janosik art wood carving, Palóc folk culture also awoke attention. At the stall of Palóc Út the dress collection of Tünde Kiss, Judit Fáy Tornóczky’s local jams and syrups, the products of CRUXX Ltd. were on display; we offered several recreational, gastronomic and local products and accommodations from Palócland. The dolls of Éva Bocsi folk applied artist were dressed in the traditional folk dress collection.
Photo documentation is here.
06. July 2019. Herencsény, Palóc Feast and Village Day
Herencsény with barely 600 inhabitants is to be found in the heart of Palócland, among the gentle slopes of the Inner-Cserhát. The hospitable settlement in beautiful natural setting nurtures its traditions and does everything possible to keep its population in place and fight ageing. The Municipality makes serious efforts to increase tourism attractiveness of the area, to preserve Palóc culture and our architectural and material relics.
The main local attractions are the Arethusa spring which is a conservation area since 1943, the St. John of Nepomuk listed statue from the 18th Century, the Roman Catholic Church built in the 1300s and the Gothic styled Haraszti grassland church from the 14th Century. A modern day attraction is the Guardian Cross of Palóc people from 2005 with the related cave chapel; it is a pilgrimage place.
The Mayor’s Office is located in the one-time Lisznyai mansion, a marble plaque commemorates this.
A yearly celebration of Palóc culture is the Herencsény Palóc Feast and Village Day. The 50-60 pilgrims were welcomed on the 6th of July 2019 arriving from Varsány, Rimóc and Nógrádsipek. People gathered at 10:00 o’clock at the outdoor stage, then Festive Mass followed, celebrated by a young debutant priest. Lunch was scheduled for 12:00. The festive opening ceremony took place at 13:00. Entertainment performances started at 13:30 given by kindergartners, pupils, traditional groups, bands and dancers. An outdoor ball closed the day. There were more than 700 visitors at the event. The event also included baking competition, mini football match and multimedia laser show.
Photo documentation is here.
06. July 2019. Dejtár, Village Day
Dejtár is located in the valley of the river Ipoly, in the Northern part of Nógrád County, along the Slovak border. The number of inhabitants is 1300. The location is favourable for tourism, since the river Ipoly flows by the edge of the village. The road leading to there is part of the Danube-Ipoly National Park, a conservation area. From the bird watching tower as part of the Páskom pasture study trail one can witness the life of bird species in the reed beds. The M2 dual carriage way is 8 km away, leading from the capital to the border crossing point Parassapuszta (15 km from Dejtár). Considering the above, the management of the village reconstructed the former barrack into a youth hostel, creating another opportunity for tourists to get acquainted with the area.
We have been organising the Village Day for 19 years now, for the pleasure of local and nearby people. Traditionally, the event takes place on the sports court, as the fenced plot is safe for children as well.
Thanks to a funding opportunity this year, the Village Day programme kicked off with the ceremonial opening of the artificial grass football field and a football championship. In the afternoon the creative house of pupils and kindergartners was in focus with clowns, henna painting, pet caressing and Euro jumping. The guest performer was Orsi Molnár. The Mayor announced the Clean Courtyard, Ordinary House project for the village’s homes, including a prize for the most beautiful kitchen garden. The audience was entertained by local performers as well, such as the theatre group of the Primary School, Csupaszív Romany Folklore or the Aerobic Team. Star guests were Fresh Andi, Richard Szőke and his sister, Diana. The night began with fireworks, and DJ Bodó played till dawn. We had approximately 750 enthusiastic participants, visiting the stalls and enjoying the performances.
Photo documentation is here.
30. 06. 2019. Terény, Palóc Village day
Terény is a disadvantaged small village in Nógrád County, at the foot of the Cserhát mountain. It has got 370 inhabitants. Catholics and Lutherans (Slovak nationalities) live in the settlement. There is a municipality office, kindergarten-kitchen, GP’s and health visitor’s service and lower primary school.
The community takes care of its folk traditions. 105 of the 240 dwelling houses still have their characteristic peasant folk architecture. Albert Szent-Györgyi, Nobel Prize winner scientist spent his childhood years in Kiskérpuszta belonging to Terény.
Interesting sights: Open-reel Tape Recorder Museum, Lutheran and Catholic (listed) Church, Lace museum, Village House, Vineyards, Bell cage, Szent-Györgyi Albert statue, Jurta angling lake and outdoor stage. The national Blue hiking trail leads across the village. There is accommodation for a total of 250 people managed by locals and NGOs.
This year the Palóc Village day was organised for the first time in Terény, on 30. June 2019, on Sunday. Several venues were involved in the event. From 9:30 the access to the Village House was free. Visitors could see the objects used by our ancestors. Children and adults alike enjoyed the musical performance of the Pesti Zenés Színpad from 10:30, titled “Discovering the realm of tales”. From 12:00 o’clock guests could view an exhibition of our Palóc folk dresses and traditional homespun textiles at the outdoor stage.
During the event the tent of Palóc Út provided information to visitors on local and nearby sights to see, and on local customs. Local folk dresses were presented in a live form. Approximately 500 participants attended the event.
Photo documentation is here.
09. 06. 2019. – Sirok, Pentecost Sunday
The village of Sirok is located at the Eastern edge of the Mátra, its history can be traced back to the 14th century. It has got 1800 inhabitants. The most significant tourist attraction is the fortress of Sirok standing on a 296 m high rhyolite tuff hill. The history of the fortress goes back to the 7th and 8th centuries. It had several owners, and a strategic role during the Ottoman conquests; its state deteriorated until the beginning of the 20th century and became uninhabitable. In 2002 actions started to renovate the fortress and the road to it, then in 2010-2012 a comprehensive reconstruction followed. The first Fortress games were organised in 1996, lasting for two days each time for 20 years. In 2017 the event was changed to Sirok Pentecost Sunday a one-day event on Pentecost Sunday.
The Sirok Pentecost Sunday took place for the third time in 2019. From the morning hours until late afternoon there are programmes for visitors at the fortress gate. The exhibition can be attended the whole day in the fortress and walks can be made in and around the fortress, the Barát (Monk) and Apáca (Nun) rocks and the Turkish table.
The Bene Bowmen, the Saint Sebastian Crossbow Company and the Szittya Horseback Archers give more performances during the day at the fortress gates. The airplane show consists of three lightweight airplanes in formation, in one of them the local Gábor Szakács (Boeing) pilot, the flight director of Travel Service Airline. The Mátra Outlaws guaranteed the entertainment of the visitors, and they also did well in the quiz show. From year to year there is a tournament of strong people, archery contest (with the participation of the Crossbow archers) and skill games enrich the programme involving guests as well.
Each year, folk playground, roundabout, climbing wall, beading, clay spinning, leather decoration and jewellery making and enamel painting are parts of the event. This year we also had ceramic painting and gingerbread decoration.
Photo documentation is here.
02. 06. 2019. Ludányhalászi, Music Evening
Ludányhalászi is located along the river Ipoly, in the Northern part of Nógrád County, 90 km from Budapest. The village was built on the edge of the river’s wide valley, on higher floodless ground. The 6 km long village – being the longest village in Central Europe – lies along the road linking the UNESCO world heritage Hollőkő and the European Diploma Ipolytarnóc Fossils, 5 km from the town of Szécsény. Ludányhalászi was created with the fusion of smaller villages. In 1820 the village is mentioned as Alsóludány and Felsőludány.
The venue of the Ludányhalászi Music Evening was the sports court of Ludányhalászi. Before and after the Holy Mass at 10:30 chamber music filled the day. The Mass celebrated in St. Andrew's Grand Church for those who died heroic death for the village’s freedom 100 years ago and for the people of Ludányhalászi, was a worthy continuation of the commemoration for heroes. The main venue for the evening was shifted to the Ráday Gedeon Primary School and the stage on the sports court. From 16:00 o’clock those interested participated at the writer-reader meeting with József László Végh.
The evening continued with popular music. Prominent bands took turns on the stage. The band “EDDA Majdnem” opened the show from Vilke, Slovakia, playing songs from the band EDDA Művek. At 17:00 o’clock Tamás Sipos F. performed some great songs from his more than 30 years singing career.
Performers attracted audience from the neighbouring villages and towns. The band Bikini awoke special interest; people came by cars in a convoy.
Photo documentation is here.
01. 05. 2019 Felsőtárkány, IV. Retro May Day
The settlement Felsőtárkány is located in Heves County, near Eger. With roughly 3600 inhabitants it does not belong to the smallest ones. Felsőtárkány is also called the Western gate to the Bükk mountains, since the municipality does not have a neighbour, and from here the road leads to the beautiful hills; the main road across Felsőtárkány is a gate for hikers. Many hiking and study trails start from here.
The settlement organised the Retro May Day for the fourth time. We evoked the not-so-old classic: the procession, whereas different local and nearby groups walk through Felsőtárkány, wearing traditional folk dresses or other funny or creative costumes with placards and matching music.
After the procession the programme continued by the lake with various stage performances, including the concert of the well-known singer, Szandi as the closing act. During the event we also had a fair and an amusement park.
More than 30 groups took part in the procession and more than 3,000 visitors arrived – not only from nearby settlements, but from further afield as well.
Photo documentation is here.
„Let's go World…!” Travel exhibition (Miskolc) 08-09. 03. 2019.
As part of our “Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie: visitor-friendly development of common cultural heritage thematic routes” project (SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme, the representatives of Palóc Út Cluster Association participated as exhibitor at the „Let's go World…!” Travel exhibition. The event took place in Miskolc, between 08-09. 03. 2019.
Our stand displayed promotional and other exhibition materials: Palóc dressed dolls of Éva Bocsi, potters’ works, embroidered folk products and other local products. We also presented the period lace dresses and the Palóc Út 3D image film funded from the project.
The guest of honour was the Canary Islands, the opening also focused on their tourism offers. There were many other exhibitors as well (Szeged, Makó and Kosice from the Highlands). The closing event was also centred on the Canary Islands, then lunch and entertainment show followed.
90 exhibitors participated at the exhibition and 5,000 visitors attended.
Photo documentation is here.
TOUREX Tourism Exhibition and Fair (Kecskemét) 01-02. 03. 2019.
As part of our “Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie: visitor-friendly development of common cultural heritage thematic routes” project (SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme, the representatives of Palóc Út Cluster Association participated as exhibitor at the TOUREX Tourism Exhibition and Fair. The event took place in Kecskemét between 01-02. 03. 2019.
Our stand displayed promotional and other exhibition materials: husk and reed mace spinning works of Tünde Kiss, Palóc dressed dolls of Éva Bocsi, potters’ works, embroidered folk products and other local products). The Palóc Út 3D image film funded from the project was also presented. A private individual organised the exhibition, thus it was a smaller event.
17 exhibitors came in total, the honorary exhibitor being the Mátra - Bükk TDM; 3,000 visitors attended.
Photo documentation is here.
Travel Fair of Debrecen 2019 (Debrecen) 01-03. 03. 2019.
As part of our “Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie: visitor-friendly development of common cultural heritage thematic routes” project (SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme, the representatives of Palóc Út Cluster Association participated as exhibitor at the Travel Fair of Debrecen. The event took place in the Kölcsey Centre of Debrecen between 01-03. 2019.
Our stand displayed promotional and other exhibition materials: Palóc dressed dolls of Éva Bocsi, potters’ works, embroidered folk products and other local products. We also presented the period lace dresses and the Palóc Út 3D image film funded from the project.
The guest of honour was Cyprus, they delivered the opening and the closing event. Continuous stage performances entertained the audience. Exhibitors offered different prizes to be won by the visitors during the exhibition. Exhibitors also evaluated each others’ stands, and there was a prize also for the most beautiful booth.
Altogether 55 exhibitors arrived to the event from different countries, and 8,000 visitors attended. The advertisement of Palóc Út was published in the Hajdú-bihari Hírmondó’s travel attachment.
Photo documentation is here.
Travel Exhibition (Budapest, Hungexpo) 21-24. 02. 2019.
As part of our “Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie: visitor-friendly development of common cultural heritage thematic routes” project (SKHU/1601/1.1/175) funded by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme, the representatives of Palóc Út Cluster Association participated as exhibitor at the Travel Exhibition in Budapest. The event took place at the Hungexpo between 21-24. 02. 2019.
Our stand displayed promotional and other exhibition materials: Palóc dressed dolls of Éva Bocsi, potters’ works, embroidered folk products and other local products. Apart from providing information, we enriched our presence with embroidery and lace making shows. We also presented the period lace dresses and the Palóc Út 3D image film funded from the project. The Fáy family from Terény announced a prize draw with registration. Many exhibitors came from abroad: Slovakia, Canary Islands and Algeria as the guest of honour.
300 exhibitors took part from 30 countries, and 35 thousand people attended the exhibition.
Photo documentation is here.
15. December 2018. Kalonda, Play with fire!
On the 15th of December 2018 the event “Play with fire!” took place in Kalonda and the border crossing point to Ipolytarnóc. The event commemorated the 11th anniversary of the Schengen border opening. Approximately 380 people came from 35 Hungarian and Slovak settlements.
The programmes on the border crossing point between Kalonda and Ipolytarnóc went on from 16:00 to 19:00 o’clock, where there were panel discussions about the border opening in 1996 and the Schengen border opening in 2007 with public figures of the time. A spectacular fire show followed the discussions titled “No borders!”, wish lanterns flew to the sky thereafter.
The cultural and folk art programme began at 19:00 o’clock in the Palóc Museum and Community House and in the Culture Hall of Kalonda, lasting until midnight. Those interested could participate in a dancing lesson, followed by Palóc dance house, and the exhibition was also open. Another candle on the outdoor Advent wreath was lit.
Photo documentation is here.
24. November 2018. Mobile application training
On the 24. of November 2018 Palóc Út Cluster Association held a technical presentation on one of the project elements of its Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie project (SKHU/1601/1.1/175, funded by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme) in Salgótarján: the mobile application and its operations to interested organisations.
In the first point on the agenda the makers of Guide@Hand application delivered theoretical training. The presentation was about the control interface of the application, the appropriate script-writing supporting the creation of online trails and the introduction of specific script elements.
In the second point we invited participants for a short walk, during which they could learn how to assess a given trail and how to record specific navigation points and interesting sights.
The third point was about the administrational interface for recording trails: the trail, and the related navigation points and interesting sites of the walk can be uploaded here, adding photos, videos, texts and written comments.
Photo documentation is here.
13. October 2018. Sirok, I. Fortress Race Tournament
Sirok is a picturesque village where the Mátra and the Bükk mountains meet, along the Tarna creek. The number of inhabitants is about 1700. Due to the proximity of Eger, young people willingly move here where tranquillity meets country charm.
The venue of the event on the 13. October 2018 was the Fortress of Sirok. The level difference between the village and the fortress gave the idea of the race tournament which, we hope, will become a country-wide event.
Primarily local and nearby students were addressed, but individual contestants were also welcome. There were more age groups for the runners. Those who successfully performed the distance could enter the fortress free of charge and watch the exhibition, receiving short information on the current state of the fortress, and its reconstruction a few years ago.
Diverse programmes awaited children. They could prepare amulets written Sirok on them, or decorate burnt clay forms with pencil or acrylic paint. Mainly boys were interested in the show of the Mátraalja outlaws with period weapons and tools. The outlaw contest followed with physical challenges like tug of war or tire throwing. Of course there was no stake for the competition.
198 persons participated at the event, they left exhausted after the announcement of results.
Photo documentation is here.
29. September 2018. Herencsény, I. Harvest Festival
Herencsény is a village with 600 inhabitants, in the heart of Palócland, the middle of Nógrád County, on the gentle slopes of the Inner-Cserhát. Herencsény is to be accessed from the directions of Balassagyarmat or Pásztó.
The village lies in beautiful natural surroundings; a hospitable community that preserves its traditions and struggles against the aging process. This determines the municipality’s activities as well. We make serious efforts to increase touristic attractiveness of the area, and to nurture Palóc culture, therefore we participate in European Union programmes and we strive to utilise the opportunities in village tourism.
The yearly recurring feast of nurturing Palóc culture is the Herencsény Harvest Procession and Ball. The event kicked off at 15:30, on 29. September. The programme started with a procession, with 200 local and nearby participants in folk and Hungarian dresses. More than 600 people attended. There was a straw puppet beauty pageant, where not only four straw puppets received prizes, but also the beauties of the harvest, in six categories.
Photo documentation is here.
08. September 2018. Szanda, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Szandaváralja is located in the middle of the Cserhát, at the Northern foot of the Szanda hill. The easiest way to reach is to leave the main road linking Balassagyarmat and Aszód between Becske and Magyarnándor. The nearest village is Terény, 2 km to North.
The event has years of tradition, and is organised in the honour of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for which occasion the Mary spring in the nearby forest had been renovated as well.
The event on Saturday kicked off at noon with a cooking contest, in which local and nearby teams participated. The Festive Mass began at 16:00 o’clock, celebrated by Károly Ipolyi, vicar of Magyarnándor, to which numerous guests arrived. The show on the outdoor stage followed. The audience loved the funny, rollicking performance of the Szügy folk song circle and the Kalácska tradition group from Terény. The evening finished with an enthusiastic outdoor ball.
Photo documentation is here.
07-08. September 2018. Noszvaj, Oven day
The Oven day in Noszvaj has been organised for the 20. time this year. The mission of the event is to present the local resources and traditions to the visitors, involving the village’s inhabitants, NGOs and to strengthen the identity and community of local people.
The event started with the Zoltán Pintér Memorial Wine Tour, traditionally on Friday, at the cellars of Szomolyai and Jókai streets.
On Saturday the event is focused on the traditional ovens standing at the houses of the village, and the related cooking contest. Every team shall prepare food made in the oven.
Apart from the cooking contest guests could enjoy children’s programmes, stage performances, outdoor fair and street party. Programmes began at 11:30 on the stage standing on the court of the De la Motte Castle.
Photo documentation is here.
01. September 2018. Recsk, Miners’- and village day
On 1. September, on Recsk Miners’- and village day we welcomed guests with the members of the local artisan circle, outdoor exhibition and handcraft presentations - embroidery, carving, straw plaiting and weaving. Many of the Recsk people and the guests just got acquainted with the recently renovated Recsk Folk House and Palóc Gallery (the oldest in Hungary), which displays the residential culture of the early 20th Century, woven and embroidered re-used Palóc objects in its guestroom and its open-chimney kitchen.
It is our pleasure that our visitors could get to know the renovation works done under the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme – Palócland – Hont – Podpolanie proposal, preserving places for perpetuating and transferring our traditional values and knowledge for the future.
Thanks to the meetings the number of applicants to the embroidery circle of Mrs. Ferenc Kovács local folk artist had already increased; this expert community further facilitates the elaboration of local embroidery traditions, and the transfer of tangible and intangible resources.
Photo documentation is here.
24-26. August 2018. Mátraderecske, Palóc Pillow Festival
The more than 600 years old Palóc village is located in Heves County, 120 km from Budapest, on the Northern edge of the Mátra. It is a popular place for excursions and due to its thermal spa. The settlement is rich in natural resources, its surroundings are spectacular and its air is clean.
The Palóc Pillow Festival was organised for the 12th time this year in Mátraderecske. We started this programme 12 years ago with the aim of creating a tradition, and it seems that we have managed it.
The audience could get acquainted with this noble treasure at three locations. The Folk Art House and the Mofetta building hosted exhibitions and artisan programmes.
The Festival was opened on Friday, in the court of the Folk Art House, where the Barn was inaugurated. Later on, two exhibitions opened in the Mofetta: one presenting the works of István Tóth local inhabitant titled “Sword, bayonet and mining exhibition”, and the other from the works of Csillagvirág Folk Art Association. In the evening the band R-Go with lead singer Róbert Szikora delivered a lively party, and from 21:00 o’clock the band 30Y stroke between the strings for young people. From 23:00 the band Superstation performed its songs.
Saturday morning people could try weaving, clay spinning and wood carving in the court of the Folk Art House. In the afternoon the children from the Kindergarten and the Primary School, the Folk Song Circle, members of the Pensioners' Club, the Recsk Pensioners' Club and the Bodony Kenderszer Folk Dance Ensemble had a procession. During the procession the Bodony Kenderszer Folk Dance Ensemble and the Recsk Pensioners' Club began to dance at the Weavers’ House. During the afternoon, the honorary citizen's title was awarded. The pride of Mátraderecske, children dance groups, the Pensioners' Club and the women's choir performed to the guests. From 18:00 o’clock the PG group performed a groundbreaking play titled “Ezüstbojtár” with a high standard. From 21:00 the audience sang together with the band Vad Fruttik, and after the fireworks the Univerzal Party Band played for the street party until drop.
The Festival finished with the Holy Mass on Sunday.
Photo documentation is here.
24. August 2018. Mátraderecske, Palóc Pajta inauguration
Where folk music, folk dance and artistic folk art depicts the traditional treasures of Palócland
The artisans of Csillagvirág Folk Art Association celebrated the inauguration of the Palóc Barn in Mátraderecske as part of the Palóc Pillow Festival funded by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cross-border Cooperation Programme and organised by the Foundation for Nurturing Traditional Values.
With the direction of Mrs. Miklós Kis folk artist from Derecske the weavers presented the processing of traditional local Palóc pillows, the embroiderers presented the application of decorative sheet motifs with facilitator Mrs. Miklós Pataki, Master of Folk Art, and Palóc dresses were displayed on the dolls of Zsuzsanna Kolumbán Master of Folk Art.
Lajos Fazekas, Master of Folk Art familiarized the audience with the forms applied in pottery, while László Veres folk artist presented the motifs of wood carving. Guests could also witness the process of making original shepherd’s cloak patterns.
The exhibition in the Mofetta gallery enriched the event, where re-designed contemporary object groups were on display.
Zsuzsanna Szőnyi Tóth, the director of the Mofetta praised the presentation of local values and the cooperation among the communities, and Mária F. Tóth retired counsellor complimented the extraordinary talent of the artist.
In the park of the Folk Art House various folk music, folk dance and artisan performances of Palócland awaited visitors, with funding from the National Cultural Fund. The members of the Szabad Szombat Dance Group from Barkóföld and the Kenderszer Folk Dance Group from Bodony had success with their traditional dances and adaptations. The Women’s Choir of Mátraderecske sang traditional Palóc tunes, the Mátra Echoes Mixed Choir performed folk song covers. The Palóc music of Pál Novák and János Cseh finished the programme of the Folk Art House Palóc Barn with great success, attracting several hundreds of participants.
Photo documentation is here.
17-18. August 2018. Erdőkürt, Meeting of Kürt villages, Village day
The settlement of Erdőkürt hosted the event “International Meeting of Kürt villages” on 17-18. August 2018 in the scope of the traditional Palóc Flavours Festival and village day. The village day is the most precious event of the village in the year, at which most of the locals participate, and expect relatives and friends from far away. Delegations with approximately 50 members arrived from the invited Kürt-settlements, so 800-1,000 people participated at the event together with guests, locals and visitors.
Programmes kicked off in the afternoon of 17. August. In the spirit of reconciliation between religions guests gathered for ecumenical worship in the Evangelical church of Erdőkürt at 17:00 o’clock. After supper the Csibaj band from Acsa played on the outdoor stage of the Culture House with dance.
The village day meeting began on 18. August at 9:00 o’clock with football matches and a nice walk, introducing the village to the guests. Wreaths were laid at the memorial of World Wars I and II in the middle of the village, erected by villagers.
The event continued in three venues, where everybody could find programmes to her or his liking. On the sports court the Kürt Mayors’ challenge cup football tournament took place. In the leisure park next to the Culture House traditional performances, bouncy castle for children and roundabout awaited guests, and outdoor cooking also happened here. Cultural programmes took place the whole day on the stage in the court of the Culture House. Following the evening fireworks the ball went on till dawn with the band Palócok.
Photo documentation is here.
11. August 2018. Erdőkövesd, Erdőkövesd Challenge
Erdőkövesd is a small Palóc village with 650 inhabitants on the right bank of the Tarna creek. From the North and from the East forested hills surround the settlement, providing clean air, beautiful landscape and opportunities for hiking, horse riding and hunting.
The Erdőkövesd Challenge event took place on the sports court, from here participants left for the 25 km and 50 km long distance hike, and for trail running and MTB races for the 8th time on field and forest tracks between Erdőkövesd and Váraszó settlements. The youngest ones participated on a 10 km hike in the fields and on the hills of Erdőkövesd.
Organisers welcomed campers on the previous evening and village accommodation on the Petőfi street was also available.
In the Palóc Út information tent Icuka Halláné welcomed guests in local folk dress, kindly recommending the publications and promoting Palóc Út to visitors from many places. The palóc character of the tent was strengthened by the handcrafted palóc dolls, homespun textiles, tablecloths and cashmere kerchiefs from Auntie Gizella Szekeresné.
147 participants registered in total for the hike, from which 44 chose the 50 km distance, 81 chose the 25 km distance and 22 young people took the 10 km distance.
Photo documentation is here.
4-5. August 2018. Felsőtárkány, Strudel days
The settlement Felsőtárkány is located in Heves County, near Eger. With roughly 3600 inhabitants it does not belong to the smallest ones. Felsőtárkány is also called the Western gate to the Bükk mountains, since the municipality does not have a neighbour, and from here the road leads to the beautiful hills; the main road across Felsőtárkány is a gate for hikers. Many hiking and study trails start from here.
In 2011 a totally new Village Hall was opened, constructed originally as a community space and is appropriate for small and not so small scale programmes. The “Bell House” also works as a place for events, renovated in 2010 which is home for the Country House. The Country House regularly hosts our tradition-nurturing programmes, like Easter Celebrations, the Village Feast or lately Communities Week). One of the most beautiful outdoor event space of Felsőtárkány is the lake shore formed by nature. We organise the Felsőtárkány Strudel days here every year.
The idea of the Strudel days came from enthusiastic members of the local Pensioners’ Club more than 15 years ago. Its foundation was the local speciality, the salty cottage cheese strudel. This food got into the Local Value database as well. The salty cottage cheese strudel was complemented by the sweet cottage cheese and apple strudels.
There are staged programmes the entire days during the strudel-making. The folk dance groups of Felsőtárkány Traditions Public Foundation perform regularly on the two days of the event.
Photo documentation is here.
4. August 2018. Rimóc, Village day
As usual, the Rimóc Village day took place in the centre of the settlement (with 1750 inhabitants) on the Event square between the school and the sports hall, on 4. August 2018, Saturday. The event was opened by the local Gréta Golyán, singing the Rimóc folk songs with which she successfully participated at county and national folk song contests. Gréti was followed by the Palóc Folk Dance Ensemble from Szécsény, delivering more performances at the village day. The Rimóci Vadrózsa Romany Dance Group entertained the audience with traditional gipsy dances and singing. Then the members of Csini-Tini Majorette Group from Mihálygerge followed on the stage, performing different dances. The dance show was enriched by the song of the local singer Alexandra Bangó (“Legyen valami” from the band Hooligans).
The second part of the village day kicked off by the greeting of János Beszkid, mayor of Rimóc. After that Miki-Niki and the Bombshells gave an hour of lively retro Rock n’ Roll show, and starting from 19:00 o’clock in the evening the Rimóc Brass Ensemble and the Rimóc Traditions Association took the stage, preserving and transferring the Rimóc traditions to the young people of the village. The fireworks came after the live concert of the band Hangszedők. At last, the outdoor party lasted until the morning.
This year, approximately 1,000 people came to participate at the Rimóc Village day. Due to the high temperature in the afternoon there were not so many people, but for the evening the square was filled. On the Facebook site of Palóc Út we had live stream from the venue of the Village day, at 19:17 for about 20 minutes, then at 21:42 for more than 11 minutes.
Photo documentation is here.
28. July 2018. Iliny, Jam pockets festival and Village day
Iliny is a beautiful little village, its location and old peasant houses are its attractions. The village had changed a lot after World War II, infrastructure was constructed then, streets got new tarmac and new houses were built. New times gave new impetus to Iliny; it got a municipality and the community feeling motivated local people to take part in the development of the village to their best knowledge. Since 2008 Iliny has formed seven twinning relations around Europe with Szlovákgyarmat, Leszenye and Ipolyszécsénke from Slovakia, Blizin from Poland, Lizums from Latvia, Alpago from Italy and Vlachovice from the Czech Republic.
Every year, the jam pockets festival is organised together with the village day. Different countries prepare jam pockets, and their own gastronomic specialties as well. Apart from cooking, twin settlements participate in cultural performances, too. The same happened on 28. 07. 2018, the relatively large scale event resembled a festival of nationalities.
Ten years ago a wooden spoon cup was started, won last year by the Village Municipality of Leszenye, Slovakia. This year, our Czech twin settlement took the spoon. The jury voted for their plum jam pockets and unique hay soup as the best. We registered more than 500 participants at the event. Many famous performers came to the jam pocket festival, adding to the joyful atmosphere. All in all, the event turned out to be a success, since guests could taste really special food, drink tasty wines and party till dawn.
Photo documentation is here.
