THE CALL OF THE STEPPE RISES IN BUGAC
Countdown begins for the 2026 Hun-Turk Kurultaj
HUNGARY — The 2026 Kurultaj – Hungarian Tribal Assembly, which brings together the historical, cultural, and traditional heritage of the Hun and Turkic worlds, will take place between 14–16 August in the Bugac region of Hungary.
Recognized as one of the largest traditional heritage events in the Carpathian Basin, the Kurultaj once again aims to unite Hungarians with communities that share historical and cultural ties to the Turkic and Hun worlds in an authentic steppe atmosphere.
A MEETING OF HISTORY AND CULTURE IN BUGAC
Held every two years, the Kurultaj is more than just a festival; it is an international gathering where the cultural legacy of steppe civilization is remembered and revived.
The 2026 program is expected to host more than 20 related communities, with over 50 events scheduled across three days. Horseback demonstrations, traditional martial arts, handicrafts, music performances, cultural presentations, and historical reenactments will be among the highlights.
In the traditional areas set up on the Bugac steppe, visitors will have the opportunity to experience various elements of equestrian culture, ancient combat techniques, and traditional ways of life up close.
HUNGARIANS AND THE TURKIC WORLD ON THE SAME STEPPE
One of the most striking aspects of the Kurultaj is its role in preserving the cultural connections between Hungarian history and the steppe world of Central Asia.
Organized by the Hungarian Turan Foundation, the event has grown over the years into a meeting point for cultural representatives from a wide geography — from the Caucasus to Central Asia, and from Anatolia to various Turkic communities.
In this sense, Bugac stands out not only as a significant cultural center in Hungary but also as a shared space of historical and cultural memory for the Turkic world.
WIDE PARTICIPATION EXPECTED FROM THE TURKIC WORLD
Ahead of the 2026 Kurultaj, various diplomatic and cultural contacts are being carried out to increase participation from the Turkic world.
András Zsolt Bíró, President of the Hungarian Turan Foundation, has held meetings in Türkiye, inviting different Turkic communities to the Kurultaj and making efforts to include groups such as Iraqi Turkmens in the event.
These initiatives strengthen the Kurultaj’s ambition to evolve beyond a Hungary-centered cultural festival into an international platform bringing together different regions of the Turkic world.
THE KURULTAJ SPEAKS NOT ONLY OF THE PAST BUT ALSO OF THE FUTURE
At first glance, the yurts, horseback shows, and traditional performances in Bugac may appear as a celebration of the past. However, the meaning of the Kurultaj goes far beyond that.
In a globalized world, such gatherings create an important cultural space for communities striving to preserve their historical memory, language, and heritage — ensuring their transmission to future generations.
Therefore, the Kurultaj can be seen not merely as a revival of the past, but as a cultural bridge extending from history into the future.
THE TURKIC WORLD LOOKS TOWARD BUGAC
Between 14–16 August, thousands of visitors are expected to gather on the Bugac steppe.
This year’s program will also include academic exhibitions and new research on historical heritage, bringing together traditional performances with scholarly and cultural studies under one organizational framework.
For three days, the sound of galloping horses, drums, and traditional melodies will echo across the Hungarian plains.
These will not only be the sounds of a festival, but also the echoes of a shared historical memory stretching across the Eurasian steppes.
From Crimea to Kazakhstan, from Anatolia to Hungary, the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic world continues to live in many forms.
And once again, all eyes turn to the Bugac steppe.
Kurultaj 2026 begins.
The memory of the steppe reunites in Bugac.
