After last years’ tremendous success, when pig-crazy people went so hog wild they were literally stepping on each other’s toes, we’re happy to share the good news with you: the Mangalica Festival is back in town!
OK, at first glance, a festival devoted to hairy piggies might seem a bit of a Hungarian oddity. After all, we’re talking about a nation that even transforms disznóvágás (pig-sticking, pig-killing, pig slaughtering – take your pick) into a jovial, boozy celebration. But down with skepticism, as the furry Hungarian pigs known as mangalica – descended directly from wild boar and now bred primarily in Hungary and the Balkans – were once in danger of dying out and deserve to be celebrated for being so cute (especially the small ones, aww), healthy (yes, healthy, being surprisingly low in cholesterol) and tasty. No wonder they’ve seen something of a Renaissance lately.
So why not head for the fairyland of Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park to see and pet different breeds of live Mangalica, or just pig out on pork dishes. The festival will gather around 30 breeders and distributors this year, offering all kinds of food, from kolbász (sausage) and hurka (also sausage but stuffed with rice) to ham, bacon and delicious pork stews with potato as well as other Magyar specialties, including yummy strudels and jars of homemade honey and jam. You can also learn a trick or two watching the Mangalica cooking contest on February 6th. And as eating and alcoholic beverages go hand in hand in Hungary (not necessary a bad thing in the dead of winter), expect gallons of fine wine (and cheese as an accompaniment) as well as fruity pálinka to warm you up. Egészségedre!
Also, while there, be sure to take a stroll around the stalls of the arts and crafts fair (more than 70 of them) and don’t miss the live music on-stage, including traditional Hungarian folk acts as well as funky tunes from Vera Tóth and Zsola on Saturday evening. Oh, and did I mention that the Mangalica Festival Orchestra will play on Friday, formed particularly for this special occasion last year?
And if all this was not enough for you, let us tickle your curiosity with Chocolitza, yet another specialty with heaps of brave creativity and innovation stuffed in there; something that only Hungarians can pull off. Oh, one more thing; if you’re planning on munching away on mangalica treats, do not go and fall in love with the cute mangalica piglets beforehand! You’ve been warned.
February 5-7 Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park Entry: Free ww.mangalicafesztival.hu (Hungarian only)