Yurt Days in Alsószel

What are the Yurt Days? ; The Yurt Days in Alsószel started in 2005 with the initiative of a small team. It is held on the last weekend of June, as this is the date closest to the summer solstice (the summer solstice was a very important holiday for our ancestors). We are not exaggerating when we say that today the Yurt Days in Alsószel, or more precisely the Yurt Days and Summer Free University, are one of the largest traditional events in the Hungarian-populated regions of Felvidék. ; Its motto: “To the glory of the past… In honor of our ancestors.” ; ; What is a yurt? ; A yurt is a round tent with a peaked roof. The ancient Hungarians used this device as their accommodation. In the past, yurts were mounted on carts pulled by oxen. Today, it is transported in a slightly more modern way, disassembled, placed on a truck called “the Blue Lightning” (as the tribe calls the truck) and transported to the given location, but assembly still takes two hours. ; ; History ; Alsószeli has always cherished traditions, which is why the event series established in 2005 is held in high esteem not only by the locals, but also by the culture-loving residents of the wider region. Initially, it was organized by a group of friends led by László Franciszti and Zoltán Osztényi. The event was preceded by a village day, which can also be seen as a dress rehearsal for the Jurtanapos. Later, this group took on the name Zele tribe. Initially, the group had 10-15 members, but today there are nearly 70 people in this community. Later, Zelebaranta was founded, which deals with the traditional Hungarian martial art, its presentation, and its cultivation. ; ; Zelebaranta ; The aforementioned Zelebaranta is a Hungarian martial art that mainly deals with stick-twisting and archery. In addition, whipping and wrestling are also part of its repertoire. Today, the main task of this group is to support the Jurtanapok with the money collected from the performances. This activity helps the organizers of the Jurtanapok a lot in fulfilling the ever-increasing expectations of the event. ; ; Organization ; The organization of the annual festival is preceded by a lot of work. The most important performers are invited before the previous event. The festival program is one year long, so each year a different performer comes to this event. The organizers try to adapt the program to the needs of the participants. In the afternoons, they entertain the youngest with children's concerts, puppet shows, and fairy tale performances. In the evenings, they try to include performances for adults and adolescents in the program. Every year, local cultural groups, the Hungarian Song Circle of Alsószel and the Kis Varsás folk dance group, are given a place. We can see a horse archery demonstration on a regular basis, but the Zele baranta combat demonstration cannot be missed from the repertoire. ; ; The camp ; The time is called the camp when the structures that make up the event are assembled on site. The word yurt is also in the name, so many yurt tents are set up, in which various exhibitions and performances are held. Since the main goal of the event is to preserve traditions, there is a straw castle from the third Yurt Days, every year there are yurts, old children's toys and various folk objects and costumes are also sold. This large-scale event could not take place without the helpers. More than 150 helping hands are involved in the hard work. Several children also participate in the work. The yurts and other tents that have been set up have to be guarded constantly, so the camp is growing, and the helpers sleep in the yurts during the preparations, but also during the festival. ; Those who participate in this have a lot to do during the preparations, but in the meantime they are with their friends, and it is all very good because we get to know each other better, we gain a lot of experiences. ; In essence, the whole village participates, because those who are in the camp, the other family members take on the household chores for those ten days. Without understanding, support and cooperation, this whole thing would not be so popular. ; ; Permanent programs ; There are programs at the Yurt Days that have been part of the event for so long that we could almost consider the event incomplete without them. These include: the wine yard, the artisans' street, the children's yard, the healing yurt and last but not least the big yurt. Of course, this three-day event is not only focused on the Lapos area. The bus stop in the middle of the village is an excellent place for fine art exhibitions, and the Lutheran church is home to lectures requiring quiet sitting. ; The large yurt is always the venue for historical lectures. The organizers consider it important to bring the most ancient events of Hungarian history closer to those interested. With this in mind, there have already been lectures on runic writing twice, and they have tried to invite lecturers who have expressed their opinions on the history and development of the Hungarian language. There is no shortage of lectures on timely anniversaries, on the world wars, on the resettlement, on the deportations to Bohemia, etc. The smaller yurts house either exhibitions or lectures on a healthy lifestyle, and there is even a rest yurt where mothers with small children can rest with their little ones. ; ; Performers ; During the 11 years, many famous Hungarian bands, performers and artists have visited Alsószeli. Here we would like to mention Kormorán, Anna and thebarbies, Tárkány Művek, Magashegyi Underground, Csík band. Children's bands and children's performers, e.g.: Alma ensemble, Écsi Gyöngyi, István Sebestyén and many others. Écsi Gyöngyi, who leads the tradition of fire jumping, and his fairy tale and puppet performances entice the little ones, also returns regularly. ; ; Typical dishes ; The festival also features typical old Hungarian dishes. Among these, we can mention the oven-baked pie (varieties: savory: onion-egg, bacon-egg, cottage cheese-dill, sweet: plum-poppy seed, cherry-poppy seed, cottage cheese, peach, plum), for which you have to wait half an hour, but it is worth it. Also, the pork loin, fried sausage and many other delicious dishes. You can also taste the flavors of ancient blessed and cauldrons. ; ; Borudvar ; In the Borudvar, adults can also taste the finest wines of Hungary and Slovakia. ; ; Craftsman Street ; In the Craftsman Street, you can find a lot of things from the old life. Old children's toys, weapons, and pieces of folk costume. There is also a place for more modern decorative objects made of glass, wood, and textiles. ; Old toys: Starling scarecrow, bird caller, etc. ; Children's musical instruments: hummingbird, whistle, pear music. ; Weapons: whip, knife, bow. ; ; Children's yard ; The straw castle is the most enjoyable for children in the children's yard. This is a rectangular castle built from straw bales, with four bastions, and a flag flies on top. It is not worth going up here in nice clothes, because your child will be all straw. The little ones climb the "walls" tirelessly all day long. On this page you can find old children's toys, which every little child can try here. A wooden horse, a carousel with a wicker basket, and many other ingenious things. In this place you can find the endless canvas. During the three days, anyone can paint on it as they please. In addition, children can do crafts in the children's yard to their liking. They can try out one or another craft under the guidance of qualified instructors. ; ; Development over the past 11 years ; The festival has developed a lot over the past eleven years. The stage also shows this. In the first year, it was made up of only wooden boards. In the second year, there was already a regular, smaller podium. Now, a large stage equipped with professional lighting serves as a performance venue. It meets all needs. When the sun shines, it provides shade; when the storm comes, the roof is lowered, protecting the spectators from the rain. ; There is no entrance fee, all programs are free. You can buy a T-shirt with the event logo at the Information Tent, which is decorated with a different color and motif every year. It is very popular among young people. Some of the programs are repeated over the three days, while others only take place once. ; ; Supporters ; The event would not be possible without its supporters. Local and surrounding municipal offices, entrepreneurs and government offices also help. ; ; ; ;