Page 64 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

62  INTRODUCING BUD APEST

BUDAPEST THROUGH THE YEAR

Set in the middle of Hungary, Budapest the Spring Festival, an international
enjoys a continental climate with sharply celebration of classical music and ballet,
defined seasons, each of which brings its and the Budapest Autumn Festival,
own attractions, from traditional feast days devoted to contem porary classical arts.
to cultural and sporting events. Historically Many hotels and tourist offices provide
a centre of cultural, and especially musical, a programme of the events taking place
activity, Budapest continues the tradition in the city, as do the festivals’ websites
with many musical events including which are usually available in English.

over the city. The emphasis
Spring of the festival is on the classical
Spring makes a welcome return tradition, but also in evidence
to the city in March, with are folk music and dance,
sunshine and fresh, warm days. as well as pop and jazz.
Budapest turns green and the (www.festivalcity.hu)
Spring Festival sees the arrival of Festival Celebrating the
some of the year’s first tourists. Day of Dance (end Apr).
The National Dance Theatre
March and the Association of
The Spring Uprising (15 Mar). Hungarian Dance Artists
A public holiday marks the day Parade in the Castle District during the organize this festival every
in 1848 when the youth of Pest, Spring Festival year, with participation from
led by the poet Sándor Petőfi, top Hungarian dance groups
rebelled against the Habsburg service is well worth attending and foreign guest artists.
occupation of Hungary in one of the city’s many (www.nemzetitancszinhaz.hu)
(see pp32–3). Thou sands of churches. On the morning of Horse Racing (Sun, Apr–Oct).
people take to the streets to Easter Monday young men April sees the beginning of the
lay wreaths and light eternal spray their female friends and flat-racing season. Place your
flames, wearing the national relatives with perfume or water, bets at the busy and charmingly
colours of red, white and green. a ritual which is said to keep the down-at-heel Kincsem Park
There are speeches and street recipients beautiful until the race course on Albertirsai út.
theatre, especially in front of following year. Painted eggs Budapest International
the Hungarian National are given in return. Book Festival. Organized in
Museum (see pp134–5). Spring Festival (early–mid-Apr). co-operation with the Frankfurt
Top national and international Book Fair, this festival is the
April musicians gather for several most important event in
Easter is an important religious weeks of music and dance in Hungary’s publishing year,
event in Hungary and the Easter churches and concert halls all both for the publishing
industry and for the general
public. There are book stalls
as well as readings and
discussions. It is held at
a modern venue in the
spacious Millenáris Park.
(www.bookfestival.hu)
May
May Day (1 May). No longer
a compulsory display of
patriotism, May Day cele-
brations take place in public
parks all over the city and
involve craft markets, street
performers and sausage
and beer tents. A dip in
the local thermal bath or
swimming pool (see pp52–5)
is another popular May
Springtime magnolia blossom on Margaret Island Day activity.
Folk dancers at the Budapest Wine Festival

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