MaNDAHungarian National Digital Archive

Folk instruments are essential components of traditional peasant music. Most ancient instruments were relatively easy to make and were primarily associated with shepherds – such as the flute (furulya), reed whistle (nádsíp), swineherd's horn (kanásztülök), shepherd's horn (kürt), and the bagpipe (duda). The poorer classes – day laborers, peasants, and servants – also had their own sound-producing devices, which were mainly used for rhythm, such as clashing spoons and pots. Instruments like the zither (citera) and the button accordion (gombosharmonika) also belonged to this world.

Furnishing is good, especially if you can express your creative energies in your own homes. Some choose from the selection of the Swedish store chain, others make their flats cosier by rethinking granny’s cupboard set. Many of you must remember the original shapes of retro furniture: besides sticky faux leather armchairs or varnished wardrobe sets, the legendary shell-shaped red armchair is still a designer item. For the interior decorators and designers of the 1970s and 1980s, filling the interior spaces of blocks of flats with new forms must have been a real challenge. However, the results speak for themselves. Réka cupboard set, Pillangó (Butterfly) sofa or the star of the ‘60s Erika chair are still living with us. This week, we invite you to a furniture expo with Sándor Bauer’s photos.

Among Hungary’s national relics, perhaps none is surrounded by as much reverence and mystery as the Holy Right Hand. The mummified right hand of King Saint Stephen has, over the centuries, become known not only as a sacred religious artifact but also as a powerful symbol of national identity. This virtual exhibition presents the remarkable history, veneration, and adventurous fate of this unique relic — from medieval legends to present-day pilgrimages.

Thanks to the Balaton Museum in Keszthely, our digital archive preserves hundreds of photographs documenting the life and work of ethnographer Aurél Vajkai. These images transport us to the tranquil, almost pastoral landscapes surrounding Lake Balaton - evoking a deep harmony between people and nature. They capture candid moments on the scholar’s veranda, fruit-picking in the summer cottage yard, working in the vineyard, or tending to his vegetable garden. With this curated gallery, we offer a glimpse into the life and visual legacy of a remarkable figure in Hungarian ethnography.