Szabászat

Szabászat is a traditional Hungarian folk custom that marks the beginning of the agricultural season, typically celebrated on May 1st. The word *szabászat* originates from the Hungarian verb *szabál*, meaning "to cut" or "to begin," reflecting its connection to the first haymaking or plowing of the fields. This festival holds cultural significance as a symbol of renewal, fertility, and the arrival of spring, blending pagan and Christian influences.

The celebration often involves communal activities such as singing, dancing, and the preparation of symbolic foods like *szalonna* (smoked bacon) and *töltött káposzta* (stuffed cabbage). In some regions, participants wear traditional attire, such as embroidered shirts and wide-brimmed hats, to honor rural heritage. Maypole dances, known as *májusos tánc*, are also common, representing the union of earth and sky.

Szabászat was historically tied to folk beliefs about warding off evil spirits and ensuring a bountiful harvest. Over time, it evolved into a secular celebration of community and seasonal change. While its observance has declined in urban areas, it remains a cherished tradition in rural Hungary, particularly in villages where agricultural life is still central to daily existence. The festival is often associated with the *szabászi virág* (May flower), a symbol of beauty and vitality, and is sometimes linked to the Hungarian national holiday of May 1st, which commemorates the 1896 coronation of King Francis Joseph and Queen Elisabeth.

Today, szabászat is primarily a folk festival rather than an official holiday, but it continues to be celebrated through local events, music, and storytelling, preserving its role as a cultural touchstone in Hungarian traditions.