The Hungarian Heritage House in Budapest aims to cultivate, preserve and promote Hungarian folk tradition.
Founded in 2001 by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, this national institute comprises three divisions: the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, the Folklore Documentation Centre, and the Folk Arts Department.
Purposes, such as to quest, preserve, systematize, arouse and keep alive the internal and external interest in folk traditions are extremely important nowadays.
The building itself was designed in an eclectic style by Aladar Arkay and Mor Kallina, and was constructed between 1898-1900 to serve the multiple cultural needs of the contemporary Buda middle-class. It was used as a theater, library and restaurant by the citizens of Buda.
The facade’s relative simplicity is in contrast with the rich Are Nouveau ornamentation in the interior, with the hall, its columns, the wide marble staircase, and the ornamented lounge.
From 1st October 2016 the Hungarian Heritage House is undergoing renovation for 20 months.
During this period most of the programmes will be found in external venues, such as:
- Museum of Hungarian Applied Folk Art, Open Handicraft Studio and Community Hall of Apor Peter utca
- MOM Cultural Centre
- Fonó Music Hall
- Cultural Centre at Marczibányi Tér