Photo & video credit: Janet Donovan
The National Mall lit up like a kaleidoscope this week – vibrant costumes, folk music, colorful crafts, village dancing and Hungarian cuisine – all part of the festivities where thousands participated in the opening day of The Hungarian Heritage: Roots to Revival program, presented by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in partnership with the Balassi Institute, Budapest.
Photo courtesy of Aniko Gaal Schott
The event was preceded by a small pre-festival reception the night before hosted by H.E. György Szapáry, The Ambassador of Hungary, and Dr. Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Institution’s Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture with Honorary Guest H.E. Dr. Tibor Navracsics, Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary, and performers of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival Hungarian Heritage: “Roots to Revival” program.
Amb. Szapáry, Hungarian born Aniko Gaal Schott and Pal Hatos, Director of the Balassy Insitute
Other guests boasting their Hungarian Heritage included Ina Ginsburg and the Pillsbury’s – Nina and Philip.
Ina Ginsbury with Wyatt Dickerson
Nina and Philip Pillsbury
The Scene: