Busójárás starts today – thousands dress up in masquerade to drive away winter

According to sokszinuvidek.24.hu, the traditional carnival festival, Busójárás or “the walking of the Busó” starts today in Mohács. A record amount of people, 1350, are expected to dress up in scary costumes, while the organisers expect tens of thousands of visitors.

It is believed that the tradition of the sokác people of Mohács was first mentioned in 1783. The story recalls how their witty ancestors escaped to the Island of Mohács from the Turkish occupation. They put on costumes and returned on the river to surprise the superstitious Turks, who were appalled at the sight of the scary masquerade and fled from the city.

Getting back to present time, the visitors will be entertained by 49 groups of 1350 busós, 350 folk artists, artisan, craftsmen and others selling handmade curiosities.

During the six days of the festival, visitors can choose from eighty programmes at 35 venues.

The events of the festival that traditionally ends with coffin burning on the main square on Shrove Tuesday include – among others – processions, folksong competition, dances, folk performances, concerts, wedding games, exhibitions and mask carving competition.