The Hungarian government is supporting the employment of five hundred gypsy musicians in restaurants for four months with a non-refundable grant of nearly one billion forints, thus increasing the attractiveness of the restaurants participating in the program. The Muzsikáló Hungary program aims to preserve and popularize the traditions of traditional coffee house gypsy music.
The government has launched a sectoral program with a total value of about HUF 15 billion, aimed at developing tourism and strengthening its competitiveness, the first element of which is starting now. Band leaders can apply for support from April 29. Gypsy music in Hungarian cafés and traditional restaurants is a unique tourism tool that enhances the guest experience, the preservation and support of which is of particular importance for domestic tourism. Recognizing this, the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) proposed to the government the continuation of the Musical Hungary program launched in 2018.
This year's Muzsikáló Magyarország 2024 program, worth a total of one billion forints, enables nearly five hundred gypsy musicians to play music in hospitality for four months.
During this time, the supported bands play four days a week, for three hours a day, in the hospitality shops of their choice during the program.
"With the non-refundable subsidy, the government essentially assumes the price of live music in restaurants. We trust that many catering establishments will take advantage of the opportunity offered by Muzsikáló Magyarország 2024, since the playing of a band can not only attract guests from the street, but also provide an experience that guests will be happy to share with their relatives and friends. Live gypsy music thus successfully increases the appeal of catering businesses. With the program, the musicians, the catering establishments participating in the program, the guests and the domestic tourism both win," highlighted Zoltán Guller, president of the Hungarian Tourist Agency.
From April 29 to May 27, leaders of gypsy bands consisting of string players, clarinetists, and dulcimer players and - through the leader - band members can apply for the call for tenders.
The process is simple and can be completed with minimal administration. In case of questions, the customer service by phone and e-mail also helps musicians. At the same time, the MTÜ draws attention to the fact that it is worth starting the application as soon as possible, because in the event that the budget is exhausted, the evaluation of applications is expected to be suspended.
As part of Muzsikáló Magyarország 2024, the MTÜ is also organizing a Dankó Pista Memorial Day with the intention of creating a tradition, on which the bands that received the support will play in the areas most visited by tourists coming to the capital, in catering shops and on their terraces.
Additional information about the Muzsikáló Hungary 2024 program and the detailed call for tenders are available on the online site kisfaludyprogram.hu.
Source: KIM / Hungarian Nation
Cover photo: Illustration / Primás Miklós Lakatos plays at the 1st Carpathian Basin Gypsy Primates and Bands Festival on Vörösmarty Square in Budapest on September 28, 2014. MTI Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák
