Transylvanian Ladies and Linens

When you are in Budapest, you will occasionally see a lady in the crowd who looks as if she has just stepped out of a picture book from 100 years ago. Dressed in their traditional costumes, these ladies from Transylvania come to the city to shop, visit relatives or sell their traditional linens and beaded crafts. It's as if they are all in uniform, with only slight variations in the colors of their outfits. All will have long skirts with tiny pleats and multiple petticoats, plain color blouses (usually white) and sweater vests. In the winter they will don a traditional decorated leather jacket to wear over these outfits.

The linens they sell vary from intricate and delicate to simple and practical, often in shades of red and white and sometimes with complex cut-out work. Some of the items they sell are old and some are newly made, and none of them are cheap. They also are famous for their beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings and even beaded egg covers!

You'll usually find these ladies at every festival market in the city, but don't be surprised if you see one walking down the street next to a friend in jeans and t-shirt. These really are the outfits that they wear everyday.

Where is Transylvania?

Transylvania a section of Romania that was once under Hungarian rule, and the Hungarians believe it should still belong to them. While the population in Transylvania is mostly Romanians who would disagree with the Hungarian desire to control their region, there is a healthy minority of Hungarians living there who speak Hungarian fluently and trace their ancestry back to Hungary. When Hungarians think of their folk art traditions, they usually think of the linen and bead work of Transylvania.