Carnival Season (From Epiphany to Ash Wednesday)
The Carnival Season starts on 6th January, Epiphany and ends on Ash Wednesday, a moving holiday, the first day of the lent.
The Carnival is a Christian festive season, yet no significant religious holiday is associated with it, its customs are rooted in folklore. The season is traditionally characterized by feasts, balls, folklore festivities and costume parties. Historic data of clothes exchange between men and women and mask-wearing dates back to the 15th century. From the 1900s the tradition of wearing costumes was not only kept among the nobles, but among schoolchildren, kindergarteners and became customary on family-style holidays as well.
In traditional folklore masks play an important role in chasing away winter. One of the most well-known events celebrating the coming of spring in Hungary is the „Busójárás” (Busó-walking), a tradition of the Šokci (Croatian minority group). „Busójárás” is a tourist attraction and was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The origins of the tradition are linked to the expulsion of the Ottomans. According to the legend, the inhabitants of Mohács hiding in the swamp drove away the superstitious Ottoman troops by dressing in disguise, wearing scary masks and making loud noises. Nowadays, it represents a multitude of spectacular programmes with cultural elements such as a loud parade of people wearing scary costumes and beautifully carved unique wooden busó masks.
Sunday is the most important day: busós cross the Danube, sink the coffin of winter and dance around the bonfire to chase away winter.
In 2023 the Busójárás will be held between 16th and 21st February.
