This content was translated using AI.
The Museum of Ethnography opened an exhibition in January 2025 about the most beloved folk instrument, the zither. Since it is an instrument that can be relatively easily made and played, the exhibition's curators sought to share this experience with visitors at the exhibition alongside the nearly 90 instruments, 20 recordings and 3 films on display. Not only interactive applications and playable instruments have been included in the exhibition, but zithers from the present day also testify to the fact that the tradition of zither music is still alive today.
In connection with the "Play On, Zithers!" instrument exhibition, the Museum of Ethnography issued a call to amateur and professional musicians, ensembles, students and teachers who love the zither, one of whose aims is to make zither players and bands currently operating in the Hungarian-speaking region visible and audible at the exhibition on a digital map, as well as at live concerts.
From February 15 to June 28, 2025, the exhibition's own stage will host concerts every Saturday at 15:00, featuring performances by the bands participating in the collection campaign. Below you can read their introductions!
Rácz Endre (zither accompanist of the Hamvas Hagyományőrző Népdalkör Egyesület)
I first encountered the instrument in my childhood. My neighbor, Uncle Imre Gali, was a zither player in the Szerep zither band. I began learning from him (with little success at the time) on a "Molnár" zither that I received as a gift from my grandparents (Imre Molnár the zither maker's wife was my grandfather's cousin). Then, after several decades away, I took it up again at age 45. I began relearning in a self-taught way, since no one around me knew or wanted to help. Since then, the instrument has become part of my life (indeed, something sacred), as there is no day that one folk song or another does not sound on one zither or another. Unfortunately, since I do physically demanding work, I will never become a professional, "fine-handed" zither player. But my enthusiasm is all the greater. Alongside folk songs (being a poet), I also perform my own set-to-music poems, and I also perform Protestant hymns at various church events. I do not consider myself a particularly good performer, so I work together with the folk choir of my small village, Szerep (Hamvas Hagyományőrző Népdalkör Egyesület), which is the greatest gift from life to me, as they are my second family. My aim with the zither is very simple: to share with others the joy that zither playing brings me. To keep it alive in the present, and to pass on to future generations a love of folk songs, if possible.
I work with "Gáts" and "Soós" zithers. My "Soós" zithers (one tenor and one prím) I received as a gift from János, the maker. When I asked him why, he said that before he sets about making the instruments, he always reads my folk-style poems. So through this, my soul is also in his instruments.
Participation in the program requires only the purchase of an exhibition admission ticket. For further information about admission tickets, visit the Museum of Ethnography website.
In connection with the "Play On, Zithers!" instrument exhibition, the Museum of Ethnography issued a call to amateur and professional musicians, ensembles, students and teachers who love the zither, one of whose aims is to make zither players and bands currently operating in the Hungarian-speaking region visible and audible at the exhibition on a digital map, as well as at live concerts.
From February 15 to June 28, 2025, the exhibition's own stage will host concerts every Saturday at 15:00, featuring performances by the bands participating in the collection campaign. Below you can read their introductions!
Rácz Endre (zither accompanist of the Hamvas Hagyományőrző Népdalkör Egyesület)
I first encountered the instrument in my childhood. My neighbor, Uncle Imre Gali, was a zither player in the Szerep zither band. I began learning from him (with little success at the time) on a "Molnár" zither that I received as a gift from my grandparents (Imre Molnár the zither maker's wife was my grandfather's cousin). Then, after several decades away, I took it up again at age 45. I began relearning in a self-taught way, since no one around me knew or wanted to help. Since then, the instrument has become part of my life (indeed, something sacred), as there is no day that one folk song or another does not sound on one zither or another. Unfortunately, since I do physically demanding work, I will never become a professional, "fine-handed" zither player. But my enthusiasm is all the greater. Alongside folk songs (being a poet), I also perform my own set-to-music poems, and I also perform Protestant hymns at various church events. I do not consider myself a particularly good performer, so I work together with the folk choir of my small village, Szerep (Hamvas Hagyományőrző Népdalkör Egyesület), which is the greatest gift from life to me, as they are my second family. My aim with the zither is very simple: to share with others the joy that zither playing brings me. To keep it alive in the present, and to pass on to future generations a love of folk songs, if possible.
I work with "Gáts" and "Soós" zithers. My "Soós" zithers (one tenor and one prím) I received as a gift from János, the maker. When I asked him why, he said that before he sets about making the instruments, he always reads my folk-style poems. So through this, my soul is also in his instruments.
Participation in the program requires only the purchase of an exhibition admission ticket. For further information about admission tickets, visit the Museum of Ethnography website.
As with other events or in other places, photographs and audio recordings may be made at this event. By entering the event, participants give their prior and explicit consent – without further question – to the recording and publication of their face and appearance as they may be recognizable in these recordings, for example for the purpose of promoting similar future events.
Anyone can add events to the Folk Calendar. We try to check the data daily, but we cannot take responsibility for its accuracy.
