Busójárás Festival in Mohács
Locals in Sheepskin Costumes Help Celebrate Winter's End in Hungary
Jan 19, 2009
Mohács, a usually peaceful town in Hungary's southwest near the Croatian border, is invaded each February by mischevious busós or locals dressed in sheepskin costumes and masks carrying noisemakers. Thus commences a carnival-esque celebration that not only welcomes spring and attempts to scare off winter, but celebrates a Mohácsi victory over a Turkish invasion.
Busójárás Festival History
The festival can be traced back to Turkish occupation in Hungary. Legend has it that some villagers from Mohács made wooden masks and weapons in preparation for the arrival of Turkish armies. When the two groups confronted one another, the noisy masked villagers appeared devil-like to the Turks and thus scared them away.
Today's Busójárás Activities
Locals continue to dress up in costume much to the amusement of tourists. During the day, visitors can peruse the street markets, offering hot wine, lángos (Hungarian fried dough), and other meaty cuisine. Some booths also sell wooden noisemakers, jewelry, and handmade busó masks for unique souvenirs.
In Széchenyi tér (the main square in Mohács) busós can be found alternating with Hungarian dancers on stage. The festival is indeed one where the tourists can get involved. At some point the dancing comes off the stage and into the square where anyone and everyone can join a large circle of a very basic, traditional dance.
During the afternoon, noisy and colorful busó parades take place on the street. The main parade takes place on Sunday February 22. This is particularly interesting and something not to be missed. Visitors can witness busós riding on floats, performing wordless skits, and behaving mischeviously by grabbing people watching the parade and pulling them into it.
Busójárás Bonfire
As night falls on the final day of Busójárás, the main square becomes crowded with tourists awaiting the lighting of the giant bonfire, composed of sticks, logs, and whole trees. The busós never slow down and neither do the tourists. The noisemakers become nearly deafening and the pace of dancing quickens. A coffin is burned symbolizing the end of winter. A circle of dancing ensues around the bonfire, busós and tourists alike, all night long.
Busójárás Festival Dates 2009
The 2009 festival takes place between February 19 to February 24.
A hidden treasure, Busójárás may not be as well known as the winter carnivals of Venice and Rio de Janeiro, but it certainly holds just as much magic. Visitors will enjoy the primitive feel to the festival, the costumes, the parades, utterly unique masks, and dancing. It's hard for anyone to believe that winter would want to stick around after all that noise.
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