In BékésCounty, based on the needs of agriculture and food-processing, folk handicraft prospered, since milk had to be coagulated, and this required crockery. Goods had to be transported from the farm to the market, which required wicker baskets, the stall-keeper had to put on some clothes, which required homespun, and so on… Roots of handicrafts live on today with the work of dedicated handicraft-masters.
The Békés County Association of Folk Art (www.bmne.hu) was founded in 1991, it operates as a public benefit organization. The aim of the association is to maintain traditions of folk art, particularly maintaining, improving folk handicraft. This is carried out by shaping common taste through latter-day handicraft products.
Between 1818 and 1845, 8 guilds have been established in Szarvas: smith and wheelwright, furrier, currier, tailor, carpenter and miller and painter, as well as joiner, cooper and glassmaker. Around 40 crafts were present at the settlement by the River Körös, with 550 craftsmen. A notable craft was the bag maker, who worked with animal fur. They put a red white and green pattern – the national colors – in the center of the bag. (Source: Teréz W Hanzó, museologist, Tessedik Sámuel Múzeum, Szarvas)
In Békés, wicker has living traditions even today. Pieces weaved from withe often find their owners abroad
BékésCounty handicraftsmen and product can be found here
