Culture, Heritage

Festival of Walks – Budapest is walking

About this project

Every year since 2018, the Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association (MAZSIKE) has organized the 3-day-long, free-of-charge Festival of Walks. People can sign up for walks in Budapest with professional guides and subject matter experts of a given theme. The goal of the project is to help as many people as possible learn about the hidden treasures of Budapest. In this way, we make them take care of our capital. Every year we organize the festival around a specific theme. In 2021, the walks are based on our recently published book, Jewish Face of Budapest, by Péter Rózsa. The festival opened with the launch of the book on October 15. Similar to previous years, traditional tree planting draws attention to not only use but help and protect our city and create a more sustainable living space around us.

Why is it important?

At the launch of the first festival, we chose the following motto: 'If you get to know it, you will love it, and if you love it, you will take care of it.' This underlying message does not only apply to the constructed cultural heritage but also to natural heritage, and cultural programs. That is why we organize an artistic performance, a concert, a theater play, a panel discussion, or a book launch every year. Hopefully, more and more people will adopt this approach, and that is why we find it important to reach out to younger people too.

Why is it special?

Fortunately, urban walks are becoming more and more popular, and now by travel becoming more difficult, there is an increased sense of urgency to learn more about our surroundings. MAZSIKE's Festival of Walks is the first event that has urban awareness and the importance of cultural dialogue in its focus for an entire weekend. By making attendance free of charge, our goal is to make the events and the message of the Festival of Walks accessible to as many people as possible.