The history of fireworks in Hungary

As the biggest national holiday of Hungary, State Foundation Day on the 20th of August is approaching quickly, everyone is getting into the celebrating spirit. Children and adults are both anticipating the dazzling firework show that can be seen from numerous points in Budapest. Warming up to this highly awaited event with just a few days to go, let’s look back at the history of fireworks in Hungary.

King Matthias’ wedding fireworks

As you may have known the firework originate from China. According to a legend, it was discovered by mistake when a Chinese cook accidentally poured saltpeter onto a burning fire, thus creating breathtaking flames and colours. People have been lighting fireworks around the world for over 2,000 years now, however, the first notable fireworks in Hungary took place on the wedding day of King Matthias and Beatrice on 22 December in 1476 at the Visegrád Castle. If you were lucky enough to be invited to the ceremony, you would have probably left the royal palace gutted. Fireworks in the 15th century were nothing like the ones we see today. There were no added colours or special effects, just a series of small, noisy explosions. The fireworks were brought to the royal residency by a German mathematician-astronomer who showcased his entire repertoire on the big occasion, which consisted of flaming maces, fire wheels, lightning arrows and a couple of rockets that actually showed some resemblance to modern fireworks. 

Read more: What do Hungarians celebrate on 20 August?

Napoleon’s birthday bash

Unfortunately, the then era did not allow fireworks to become a widespread form of entertainment. It took a couple of centuries for the country to enjoy the spectacular sky show again after the 150-year-long Turkish occupation and Rákoczi’s War of Independence. Unsurprisingly though, the military promptly adopted pyrotechnics in the meantime. The inventories of border fortresses listed ‘flaming wreaths’ and ‘mugs’ containing burning sulphur or tar which were shot in the air by special equipment and landed on the Turkish enemy. The second come-back of the fireworks happened around the end of the 18th century. On 27 July 1772, Prince Nikolaus Esterházy I. organised a stunning firework show which was even commemorated in a famous Hungarian poem written about the joyful celebration of the royalty. On 15 August 1809, Napoleon also decided to throw a sumptuous birthday party with fireworks at the North Hungarian city of Győr after his only battle on Hungarian land.

The Hungarian pioneers

The organisers of the very first Anna ball (a popular beauty contest held each summer at Lake Balaton) in 1822 also wanted to elevate the class of the event with fireworks, however, things turned into tragedy. A notable pioneer of fireworks who made this stunning form of entertainment popular in Hungary was Austrian pyrotechnician Anton Stuwer. He regularly organised breathtaking shows at City Park, the place where Budapest Zoo stands today. It did not take long until two Hungarian men, Adolf Emerling, son of a wealthy spice trader, and Iván Janitsári decided to join the bandwagon, and thus, opened their first fireworks manufacturing firm. The factory was first located in district IX in Budapest but later moved to Balatonfűzfő and merged with the local nitro chemical industrial plants.

In the contemporary history of fireworks, 1946 marks an important year since the private use of fireworks was banned in the country at that time. To some people’s dismay and others’ relief, the ban was lifted in 1993 and, ever since the fireworks culture has been flourishing in Hungary.

If you are planning a private celebration this year, please remember to always use caution with fireworks. We wish you all a happy 20th of August! 

Read more: This is how much Budapest fireworks on 20th August will cost this year

Source: tuzijatekok.eu, index.hu