Our wonderful Carpathian Basin used to be the home of several delicious, juicy fruits – unfortunately in the socialist era they disappeared from the center of Hungary. But some other parts of the country, such as the territory of Göcsej or Őrség are still rich in ancient fruit trees that are worth preserving for the future generations.
„A small orangish fruit, a cousin of the peach,
a big stone in the middle can be found in each.
Not overly juicy, not so messy to eat,
apricot season is short; that's what makes them a treat.”
Apricot is only one of the many fruits in the Fairy Gardens all over the Carpathian Basin. Butterpear, blistered cherry, green batul, Ponik apple and several other, hardly known types are on the trees of the movement. It was established with an aim of not only saving these native trees, the intangible values of the Basin and letting our sons and daughters taste the oldest flavors of the territory, but at the same time reorganizing, building the community and passing the ancient knowledge as well.
To plant trees whilst planting the love of home, land and work into the future generations – that’s what Fairy Gardens are for. Traditions, songs, recipes are connected to many of the ancient native fruits of the Carpathian Basin.
The movement has a meeting organized at different spots annually. The first event was held in 2012 at Viszák at the initiative of József Szarvas, a well-known Hungarian actor who mentioned that good will and responsibility motivated him to take part in saving our native trees and strengthen the community, because as the evidence of our cultural heritage and natural values are diminishing, we are, too.
More than 50 gardens with precious trees from all over the area have opened by now, in Hungary, in Transylvania and other territories of the Basin – the movement has already become international and quite successful, too: just in 2013 more than 1000 wands to be grafted were collected, fruits that were yet unknown even for experts, pomologists.
The first Fairy Garden of Budapest will be opened 29 March in District III, Békásmegyer, by Mihály Varga, Minister of National Economy and the garden of St. Joseph’s Community House will serve as a home for the unique orchard.
Date: Saturday, 29 March 2014, 10 am
Place: St. Joseph’s Community House, 20 Templom Street, 1038 Budapest
More details: http://bekasmegyer-ofalu.hu/
