A short tram ride from central Nyíregyháza, the Sóstó Museum Village transports you 150 years back into rural life. Hungary’s largest regional open-air ethnographic museum isn’t shy about its mission: hands on the past. Throughout November, workshops, guided walks, and a cross-border heritage meetup blend Árpád-era everyday life with Danube Swabian memory, all in a thatched-roof setting at Skanzen Street (Skanzen utca) 8.
Hands-on Sundays: Felting at the Szabó Workshop
Every Sunday—November 16, 23, and 30—felting takes over. Make a “masterpiece” and take it home. All craft activities cost 5 Bankó, the museum’s own currency. You buy Bankó at the ticket desk for 100 HUF per piece, which is roughly 0.27 USD. So a craft session comes out to about 1.36 USD. Low pressure, high satisfaction, soft wool.
Monday Deep Dive: Swabian Heritage Workshop
On November 17 at 10:00, the museum hosts a free, press-open workshop under project code ROHU00528—Swabian Heritage—building a cultural tourism route and remembrance site while boosting cross-border participation. Registration is required. Speakers include Deputy Mayor Menyhért Jászai and County Vice President Endre Baracsi, with opening remarks at 10:00. At 10:20, the Erdész Sándor Award is presented, moderated by regional museum director Zsuzsanna Baloghné Szűcs.
At 10:40, Tamás Szalay, director of the Danube Swabian Central Museum (Donauschwäbisches Zentralmuseum), unpacks its concept and the boundaries and possibilities of interpretation. At 11:10, Dr. Bernadette Baumgartner, guest researcher at UR Hungaricum – Hungarian Institute (Ungarisches Institut, Ravensburg University), traces the Szatmár Swabians from their beginnings to now. Q&A at 11:40, lunch at 12:00.
At 12:45, Dr. Melinda Marinka of the University of Debrecen’s Institute of Ethnology and Museology speaks on heritage and attachment among Szatmár Swabians. At 13:15, Dr. Levente Szilágyi of the Institute of Ethnology at ELTE HTK looks at tradition and innovation in Szatmár Swabian villages after the regime change. At 13:45, Teodora Bagosi, project coordinator at the Foundation for the Protection of Historical Monuments of Bihor County (Oradea Heritage), outlines research plans for Swabian culture in Bihor and Satu Mare. Q&A at 14:15, then a guided walk through the Museum Village at 15:00.
Tuesdays: Weaving, Plain and Simple
November 18 and 25 bring weaving sessions. Learn the rhythm of the loom, thread by thread. It’s hands-on, it’s meditative, and it’s part of the living village vibe.
Fridays: Scent Sachets and Herbal Tea
On November 21 and 28, stitch your own aromatic sachet and sip healing teas. Again: keep your handiwork, pay 5 Bankó (about 1.36 USD). The calm smells like dried lavender and mint.
Saturdays: Free Guided Tours and Leathercraft
November 22 and 29 feature free guided tours at 10:30 and 14:00, plus leathercraft sessions where your finished piece goes home with you for 5 Bankó. It’s the tactile side of history—sturdy, useful, beautiful.
Save the Date: Village Advent
December 13 brings Village Advent (Falusi advent), a rustic Advent day with all the old-world trimmings. Expect candles, crafts, and warm drinks in a wintry skanzen mood.
Getting there is easy; leaving the 19th century behind, less so. Bring curiosity, a few Bankó, and time to wander.
