"St. Michael’s day was traditionally the day when cattle were driven from the pastures to their homes, the cattle herders were paid and contracts were signed for the following year, and when servants were hired. Numerous other folk traditions and beliefs are also connected to this day, providing occasion for merrymaking and rejoicing.Bugac and surroundings still evoke times past, offering the perfect setting for the revival of the old traditions. Organizers of the St. Michael’s day event strive to renew the traditions of the herdsmen and the old horsemanship. Visitors to the St. Michael’s Day Merrymaking at Bugacpuszta can indulge in a gastronomic feast, captivating performances, a lively fair, and natural history activities.
Friday, September 19
15.00 - 16.00 Introduction of the regional development plans of the Microregional Leader Group at Bugac
16.30 - 18.00 Two book reviews: Nomád pásztorkodás a kecskeméti pusztaságon (Nomadic Herding on the Kecskemet Puszta) by László Madarassy and A kunok Magyarországon (The Cumanians in Hungary) by Erzsébet Bánkiné Molnár
Saturday, September 20
11.00 Opening ceremony of the St. Michael’s Day Merrymaking – greetings by the Kiskun Captain, and speeches by Dr. Vajna Tamásné, director of Kiskunság National Park Directorate, and László Szabó, mayor of Bugac (at the Guesthouse)
11.20 - 12.00 Procession and routines of the Jászkun Hussars (Hungarian light cavalry)
12.15 - 12.45 Demonstration of highwaymen’s skills (at the Guesthouse)
13.00 - 15.00 Guided walks on the Bugac study trails
14.00 - 15.30 “The contest of the Famous Steppes” (Híres puszták versenye) – a contest among the wranglers (csikós) and the herdsmen of Bugac and Hortobagy
15.30 - 16.00 Horse show
16.00 - 16.30 Blacksmiths’ show at the Bugac Stud
16.30 - 18.30 “The contest of the Famous Steppes” at the Bugac Stud
19.00 - 20.00 Storyteller István Zsirmik at the Guesthouse
20.00 Wranglers’ and herdsmen’s ball
Sunday, September 21
9.00 - 11.00 Horse driving, amateur competition – Homokhátság Cup
10.00 - 12.00 Introduction of a Nagybugac organic ranch, the Gál homestead (tanya)
12.00 - 12.45 Ecumenical church service at the St. Michael cross in the puszta
13.00 - 14.00 Natural history walk for children: on the road of birds and trees
14.15 - 15.00 Musical folklore walk at the Pásztormúzeum (Herdsmen Museum)
14.00 - 16.00 Horse driving, amateur competition
16.00 - 16.45 Equestrian performance by Attila Cseppentő’s riders, in historical attire from the times of the Hungarian Conquest (honfoglaláskori) – Ópusztaszer AKHAL Stud
17.00 Results of the horse driving competition
18.00 Closing horse show and horse drive at the Guesthouse
All day on Saturday and Sunday:
Ox roast at the Guesthouse
Introduction of a Mongolian yurt
Folk music and dance on Saturday
Organic produce display and tasting
Craftsmen’s court: exhibit and fair
Playhouse: making historical folk toys, fun contests (donkey riding, horseshoe game, wheelbarrow race, etc.)
“Closer to nature” play and learn games about wildlife and nature
Horse shows
Buggy rides
Fife carving
Archery
Herb court
Gastronomic journey: herdsmen’s specialties at Karikás Csárda
Entrance is free
The organizers reserve the right to change the program at any time
Contact:
Bugac Puszta Kft.
6114 Bugac, Nagybugac 135.
Tel: 76/575-112
E-mail by clicking here
Kiskunság National Park Directorate
Kiskunsági Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság
6000 Kecskemét, Liszt F. u. 19.
Tel: 76/500-068
E-mail by clicking here
Bugac Mayor’s Hall
Bugaci Polgármesteri Hivatal
6114 Bugac, Béke u. 10.
Tel: 76/575-100 és 575-107"
Source: puszta.com
18.09.2008