Adults

Today, traditions are no longer handed down in a way regulated by family patterns, community standards and local taste. We can no more talk about folk art in the classical sense of the word, but many people are interested in it, as they are looking for their roots, among others, in folk tradition. The methodology of teaching folk music, folk dances and folk poetry can be learnt in special courses.

Training Courses for Teachers

Many teachers are familiar with the accredited courses where they can learn to fit the tricks of folk tales, folk dances or folk playhouses into their daily work.

For preschoolers and schoolchildren

We offer several programmes for teachers to choose from for preschoolers and schoolchildren, who can participate in irregular schooldays or in irregular dance, music, history or literature classes.

Vocational training courses

Many of those who have had a taste of any of these crafts actually find a lifelong hobby, and some even a money-earning profession. The following professions can be learnt at courses in the Hungarian Heritage House: lace-making, matting, straw-work and husk-doll making, basketry, felt-making, folk leather craft, carpet weaving, and teacher of folk games and minor crafts.

Folk Music

The Folklore Section of the Applied Folk Arts Department focuses on educating the best teachers of folk dance, folk music and folk narratives. In order to achieve this goal, several courses are available for the further education of teachers.

The Hungarian folksongs for teachers course focuses on authentic folk singing and its methodology. Folk songs are organic parts of Hungarian education even today. It is a common experience however, that although most kindergarten and primary school teachers enjoy teaching folk songs and are convinced of their importance, they have not received the proper education for authentically presenting and teaching these songs. This course aims to be an aid to teachers who wish to sing with their students in an authentic way. Besides teaching the appropriate singing techniques, the course wishes to be a sort of "immersion" into Hungarian folk culture. Since folksongs are inseparable from traditional occasions and customs as well as from the personalities of the singers, the course wishes to provide a cultural background of traditional occasions together with a chance to meet great Hungarian folk singers, thereby getting a real-life experience that can be successfully passed on to younger generations. The course is taught by ethnographers and renowned Hungarian folk singers with an extensive experience in teaching.

Folk Dance

The "Regions and dances" course focuses on a different folkloristic region of Hungary each semester. It is a complex course covering the music, dances, holiday traditions and traditional children's' games of the chosen region, producing ample examples and methodological support. The course features ethnographers, folk dancers and schoolteachers of folkdance as guest lecturers.

Folk Narratives

The accredited course aims to provide the knowledge necessary for the authentic presentation of Hungarian folk narratives. The course material embraces the ethnographic, literary and dramatic knowledge underlying genuine folk storytelling.

The course was launched in order to fill in the methodological gap behind folk storytelling. Whereas folk music and folk singing have for long had an appropriate methodological basis, teachers interested in folk narratives had no authentic sources to turn to. This is chiefly due to the oral nature of folk narratives; genuine folk storytelling cannot be learnt solely from books, no matter how good the books are. The essentials of authentic storytelling lie in spoken expressions, idiomatic phrases and in the character of the storyteller. Therefore, personal contact is inevitable for becoming a good folk storyteller.

Handicraft

The Handicraft Section of the Applied Folk Art Department wishes to provide a chance for getting acquainted with a wide range of traditional Hungarian folk handicrafts. There are various courses available for on both beginner and advanced levels, in traditional male and female crafts alike. Most courses are accredited by the Hungarian Ministry of Education.