Nándorfehérvár Victory Memorial Days 2024
Archery demonstration at the 2023 Nándorfehérvár Victory Memorial Days. Photo: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
The 19th Nándorfehérvár Victory Memorial Days are held in Szeged on July 18-22.
Szeged's only medieval festival started Thursday with oratorio excerpts performed at the Franciscan Church in Alsóváros. The festival continues on Friday at the visitor center of the Votive Church with a panel discussion, Turkish shadow puppetry, and a concert. Saturday's program starts with a parade from Klauzál Square to Mátyás Square, where interactive games, a handicraft market, art and handicraft workshops, medieval dance and music performances, as well as weapon and military displays, and a fire juggler performance awaits visitors. The festival will close on Monday with an educational lecture in the Votive Church Visitor Centre.
Please note that the language of the event is Hungarian.
Program on Saturday, July 20
9:30 - Gathering at Klauzál Square
10:00 - Costume parade with musicians, drummers, and flag throwers. Route: Klauzál Square - Dugonics Square - Szentháromság Street - Mátyás Square
At Mátyás Square:
10:30 - Flag-throwing performance by the Pavane Dance Group
11:00 onwards - Buhurt (armored combat), supported by the Hungarian Soft Buhurt Championship
11:00 - Performance of the Hunyadiak Örökében Historical Tradition-preserving Association
11:30 - Medieval weapon and military display
12:30 - Display of firearms
13:00 - Live medieval military camps, squire training, handicraft workshops
16:30 - Performance of the Hunyadiak Örökében Association
17:00 - Belly-dancing performance
17:30 - Medieval weapon and military display
18:00 - Musical storytelling
19:00 - Medieval dances with the Hunyadiak Örökében Association
19:30 - Concert
21:00 - Fire Fantasy fire juggler group
During the event on Saturday, visitors can enjoy a craft fair, role-playing games, handicraft activities, a buhurt tournament, a jousting tournament for children, and other interactive activities. Entry is free.
More info about the festival here
The Nándorfehérvár Victory Memorial Days pay tribute to János Hunyadi's victory — also known as the siege of Belgrade — over the Turks on July 22, 1456, when the Hungarian armies led by Hunyadi defeated the armies of the Turkish Sultan Mehmed II. In 2011, the National Assembly of Hungary declared the day a commemorative day of the victory at Nándorfehérvár.
Featured image: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
