Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)

2. Balloons and Fireworks - Holidays and Festivities

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BALLOONS AND FIREWORKS

end of Elizabeth [Erzsébet] Bridge (speeches, wreaths, decoration with paper flags) and the steps of the National Museum, where tradition has it that Petőfi addressed the assembled crowds. Perhaps this is the best place for children in that apart from speeches there is often some open-air happening involving song, dance and performance. The Hungarian tricolour appears all over town, on both public and private buildings, and many children (and adults) wear little rosettes with the national colours.

Budapest Spring Festival

An annual cultural event taking place over a number of days in the second half of March, involving top-class Hungarian and foreign artists. The programme is very varied and details can be obtained in hotels and tourist offices. Although not specifically aimed at children some of the performances, including “fringe” events, could be particularly suitable for the younger age group — ballet, music, opera, folk dance and song, etc. Definitely worth investigating.

April 1st

April Fools’ Day like elsewhere is a day for joking and poking fun. In Hungary children often get dressed up in silly clothes, or do other “more organised” tricks than is common elsewhere.

Earth Day-April 22nd

Slowly assuming importance as “green” issues catch on. Drivers are asked to leave their cars at home and there are several “bicycle events” organised around the city. Watch out, too, for children’s activities in parks (6) and other areas.

Easter

In the days leading up to Easter the markets are full of people offering rabbits for sale. A live “Easter bunny” is a common present for children at this time (though they are soon given away or dumped somewhere, so the practice is somewhat cruel).

On Easter Saturday many churches throughout Budapest organise local processions. Traditional costumes