While studying abroad in Hungary, I learned about a special tradition called Busójárás. This festival takes place in a town not far from Budapest and is full of costumes, music, and celebration. People gather to take part in this exciting event and keep their culture alive.
Before studying abroad, I had never heard of Busójárás, but I quickly learned how important it is from my program manager and our culinary tour guide at the start of the semester. This tradition began hundreds of years ago in the town of Mohács. It is connected to the Šokci people, a cultural group that lived in the area. According to stories, they wore scary masks and made loud noises to scare away enemies and also to chase away winter.
Today, Busójárás is still celebrated every year, usually in late winter. Many people dress up in wooden masks, wear big furry costumes, and walk through the streets. There are also parades, music, and dancing, and thousands of people come to watch and join the celebration.
