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Tokaj-Hegyalja Harvest Days 2020

Tokaj-Hegyalja Harvest Days 2020

Slightly different from tradition, but this year one of the biggest autumn events in the wine region was held. The Tokaj-Hegyalja Harvest Days this year attracted many visitors to the city from 1 to 4 October.

Slightly different from tradition, but this year one of the biggest autumn events in the wine region was held. The Tokaj-Hegyalja Harvest Days this year attracted many visitors to the city from 1 to 4 October.

In March, no one would have thought the pandemic would affect autumn events as well. Many hoped that the spring closure would be followed by a fierce summer and autumn, where people would make up for their "event shortage". This was not the case, some of the restrictions remained in place, the mass events so far could not be held.

This was the main reason why the usual harvest parade could not be organized by the municipality, so the representative body had to look for an alternative solution. At the same time, the renewal of the Harvest Days has also been on the agenda for a long time, so this year provided an excellent opportunity for the main test of a an innovation.

What was perhaps the biggest difference than before was the lack of concerts on the main stage of Kossuth Square and the star bands performing on it, or the lack of a parade for the festival visitors. Due to the already mentioned epidemiological regulations, these cannot be kept, but the organizers did not want to “completely let go” the parade that have been there for centuries, so they organized it with innovative changes in several locations from Fesztiválkatlan trough Kossuth Square to the Szerelmi pincesor. At Kossuth Square and at the pedestrian precinct, the wineries in Hegyalja received the biggest "attention". Various gastronomic services provided opportunity to taste many things, artisan merchants also offered their various products. This time the star performers concerts was held in the Fesztiválkatlan. The Punnany Massif on Friday, the Neoton Família Sztárjai on Saturday entertained the audience. Those at the main square, could choose from a wide range of light music and a variety of children’s programs.

During the three days of the event, there was continuous moving of people from Fesztiválkatlan to Szerelmi pincesor. Despite of changes people were still interested in the event. This was prepared by the nice, sunny weather, young people and families took part of the festival over the weekend. The latter has been told by dr. Fintor Gábor, the head of the institution of the Cultural Center, who organized the event. He also said that they are monitoring the visitors opinion.

- A five-point scale, we asked the audience for their opinion about the event and we took the exam well. The vast majority of respondents rated the weekend as “good” or “remarkable” and said they would return to this event in Tokaj next year.
A new fresh highlight of the event were the decorative program elements that enhanced the well-being of the audience.
By the way, the visitors came from all over the country, a lot of people came from the capital to relax, which is supported by the fact that there was no space left in any hotel over the weekend. He pointed out the programs were established with the maximum observance of epidemiological measures and were supported by the Ministry of Human Capacities. The audience could also take part in a game. Those who visited all the program venues and got a stamp in their special event passport, took part in a raffle, the prize was a wellness weekend.

At the Harvest Days, the already two-decade-long program element also took place, the settlements of Hegyalja added the raw material of the Mayor's Wine. At the time, each settlement bring a basket of grapes and they symbolically put it together. They all drink a glass of asszú which perfectly symbolizes the cooperation of Tokaj-Hegyalja.

In 2021, the Harvest Days in Tokaj-Hegyalja will take place at 1-3 of October.

József Erdős

Contact

Cultural Center, Ferenc Németi City Library
3910 Tokaj, Serház út 55.

Head of institution:
Dr. Fintor Gábor PhD

Program coordinator:
Fincziczki Krisztina
wineries, crafts, catering
+ 36 70 330 8734
programok.szinhaz@tokaj.hu

Event organizer:
Tóvizi Marcell
+36-30-908-6925

Technical manager:
Bejó Gábor
muszak.szinhaz@tokaj.hu