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In 2022, the “Tatai Patara1597” Turkish Historical Festival will be held for the 14th time  between

June 3-4-5.

The visitors can see the age of fifteen years of war and especially the siege of Tata in 1597.

It is a real historical event, the first deployment of a military technology innovation that gained international recognition in its infancy, and last but not least, the “Hungarian invention”. It is one of the most prestigious festivals of the Turkish era, not only in Hungary, but also in Europe. The basic idea drawn from the past of Hungarian military history also motivated the selection of strategic partners, the Kuny Domokos Museum, the Tatabánya Museum and the MH 25 Klapka Rifle Brigade.

Held in an authentic historical environment, the festival offers the opportunity to organize a large-scale series of events, where, in parallel with the recollection of contemporary military art and the life of the end, exemplary cooperation and moral values ​​- such as heroism, camaraderie, patriotism, faith, friendship, perseverance – which strengthened the co-operation against the Turkish conquerors, the protection of European Christianity, and which must continue to guide us today.

The aim of the historical festival is to present the livelihood and everyday life of the 16th century, striving for historical fidelity in all its details, the way of life and struggle of Christians and Ottoman occupiers, and the after-effects of forced coexistence. All this in an interactive way, involving visitors not only as spectators but also as active participants. With the spectacular demonstrations, military camps, lifestyle demonstrations, duels, programs, exhibitions and castle tours of the camps and the Hungarian village and harem operating as a “live exhibition” with the participation of 250-300 Hungarian and foreign military traders, based on a scenario developed by a military historian. offers a comprehensive program for those interested in military history or history, but may be of interest to any age group. During the entertainment programs, the visitor acquires authentic knowledge about the history of the Turkish era almost unnoticed. The war events are presented in the original Turkish sites, in the Turkish-era defensive system of the Tata castle, in the moat. Our permanent venues are the Tata Castle and the Castle Square, as well as the lakeside part between them to the Esterházy Riding School.

The Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Institute in Budapest will continue to support our event this year with traditional Turkish folk music, a bazaar, coffee and tea tasting, games and new exhibitions with the participation of Turkish artists. Among our cooperating partners, we can greet and get to know the Turkish Representative Office of the Turkish Council, and the Gül Baba Türbéje Heritage Protection Foundation will arrive with an independent program.

Visitors can see the age of fifteen years of war and especially the siege of Tata in 1597.

Four battles can be seen by the visitors:

Saturday morning … The presentation is in the XVI. It brings to life the moments of Turkish-Hungarian border life at the end of the 19th century. They can see the punishment of the Hajduks by the plundering of Turkish plunderers who violate the camp order, the duel from the challenge to the victory of the champion, the miserable fate of the prisoners and finally the flames of war are released and their forces are measured in a spectacular battle.

Saturday night … In the courtyard of the castle, the preservers of the tradition present the XVI. the end of the century. We can learn about the history of the construction of the castle and the events of the tragic year of 1594, when after the unsuccessful siege of Esztergom the Christians lost Tata and many other castles, which resulted in the prosecution of the captains sending the castle. The story is evoked by texts written on the basis of contemporary letters and chronicles, colored with appropriate music.

Sunday morning … The demonstration shows the cunning attack of the Turks when they want to take advantage of the turmoil caused by setting fire to the camp. However, the hearts of the Christians are in place and the disciplined soldiers will soon overcome the turmoil and disrupt the attackers with the fire of cannons and rifles.

Sunday afternoon … In the courtyard of the castle we summon the famous firecracker attack of Count Miklós Pálffy in May 1597. Based on the count’s former victory report, they can learn the story of the attack, which the traditionalists present in a spectacular siege scene. The patara pops and at the end the Hungarian flag is placed on the ridge of the castle.

Tickets are available at the spot during the festival.

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