During one of the meetings with my community partner we talked about interesting celebrations, traditions, and holidays in our home countries. My community partner told me about Farsang, pronounced ‘Farshang’.
Farsang carnival in general marks the end of winter. The celebration is also connected to the destruction of the winter in Hungary - Old Man Winter. There is a lot of fun and food during the day and, in the evening, there is a “huge bonfire as everyone says good-bye to winter and sets their sights on spring. The length of the Farsang period is different each year. In 2023, Farsang is between 6 January and 21 February. The most important part of Farsang is the “tail of Farsang”, meaning the last 3 days before the start of Lent. This way it includes Sunday, Monday, and Shrove Tuesday, which fall on 19, 20, and 21 February in 2023. Neither of these days are bank holidays, though” (Sarkadi).
There are quite a few unique traditions that happen during the period of Farsang. Traditionally Farsang is for merrymaking, courting, and sometimes even weddings. All of the Hungarian folk traditions represent the idea of making winter go away and spring coming sooner. Most of the Hungarians dress up as scary things and make scary noises, as that is “well known to ward off evil - winter is kind of evil as it can kill you with cold and starvation” (Sarkadi). According to the article from which I learnt traditions of Farsang, one of the best-known ones is the ‘Busójárás’ and it takes place at the end of Farsang. “People in fur coats and heavy wooden masks have a parade through the city making noise, lighting a bonfire at night. This tradition, however, is particular only to the region of Mohács, in the Southern part of Hungary, West of the Danube” (Sarkadi).
Even though Farsang is dedicated to having fun altogether, it is followed by Lent - a 40-day season religiously known for restraint and meditation. “During Lent, you are not supposed to eat meat, or even cheese or eggs. This is supposed to clean your body and soul, and prepare you for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. As a result, the tail of Farsang is an especially cheerful season, as it is the last opportunity to have fun until Easter. There is a special day emphasizing this contrast between Farsang and Lent: Fat Thursday. This is supposed to be the last Thursday before Lent, dedicated to eating together, especially rich foods and sweets” (Sarkadi).
I think Farsang is a very interesting Hungarian national celebration. It captures a lot of traditions, local practices, customs, and other things that Hungarian people keep and preserve so dearly. I hope one day I can see the carnival myself!
Source: https://hungariancitizenship.eu/blog/what-is-farsang-in-hungary/
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