Hungarian festival connects people of different nationalities

István Csicsek eagerly embraces his Hungarian heritage.

Although he was born in Sarasota, he was married in Hungary, his wife is Hungarian, and his kids speak fluent Hungarian. 

As part of the archery team at Sarasota's 18th annual Hungarian Festival, he noted the thorough attention to authenticity in the materials.

“Everything we own is from Hungary,” Csicsek said. “All our bows are from Hungary, all our clothes are from Hungary. Our boots are from Hungary, everything. And we try to just keep that tradition.”

Held May 3 and 4 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, the event features offerings including archery and falconry shows, live music and dance, Hungarian food, various vendors, and activities for kids including rock climbing and camel rides.

Held by the Global Friendship Foundation in partnership with the local Kossuth and Petőfi clubs, the event is intended to celebrate Hungarian culture for people of all nationalities and ages, said organizer Erika Klatyik.

She said attendees will discover that Hungary's history is "very long" and "full of victories and defeats," noting its occupation by the Ottoman Empire and later the Soviet Union.

“When you're Hungarian, you're always Hungarian, even if you choose a different country, and we love America,” she said. “We love being here… and even though we are Hungarians, we are respecting the American culture, and we want to support them, and we want to make sure that they know something about us.”