On Saturday, January 23, 2010, Ópusztaszer National Memorial Park will host an event in the memory of Saint Vincent of Saragossa, the patron of viticulturists and winemakers.

Borlovagok felvonulása

St. Vincent’s feast day is January 22, and traditionally it is celebrated on the closest Saturday to this date. We invite all wine lovers and friends to join hundreds of enthusiasts at this first fete in the year 2010 at Ópusztaszer National Memorial Park.

Tentative schedule:

11:30 Meeting at the main entrance; introduction of the wine orders

12:00-15:00:

• Procession to the Árpád Memorial;
• Welcoming new vignerons/members in the Confrerie;
• Cutting of the Vincent-vine;
• Introduction of wineries, and wine-tasting.
  

  Élő népzenés felvonulás

Background

Although Ópusztaszer is not part of a viticultural region at present, in the Middle Ages it may have belonged to one of the significant wine producing areas, for archeological findings revealed one of the largest wine cellars of the Great Plains among the utility buildings of the Medieval Monastery that stood here.

Local folklore maintains various practices to predict next year’s wine crop on Saint Vincent’s day. According to weather lore, mild temperature and melting snow on St. Vincent’s day, means abundant crops: Ha megcsordul Vince, tele lesz a pince (approximately: A moist St. Vincent’s day fills the cellar.)

In the National Memorial Park at Ópusztaszer prediction of the crop occurs with the cutting of a „Vincent vine”. If the tiny buds on it are intact, this is a sign that the vine has fared well through most of the winter, it did not freeze; there is hope for a merry harvest. The twig is later placed in water, the buds swell and break, and the number of shoots that appear will give more clues about the status of the vine.

A Borrend új tagjainak felavatása

The St. Vincent-day celebration at the National Memorial Park traditionally begins at noon, at the main entrance. Under the leadership of the Saint Vincent Chevaliers, the Hungarian wine orders walk in procession to the Árpád Memorial where the Chevaliers welcome new vignerons/members in the Confrerie in a colorful ceremonial. Cutting of the Vincent-vine occurs at the Szeged farm of the Open Air Museum, and the feast continues with the introduction of various wineries and wine-tasting. Live music and a cheerful crowd guarantee warmth and joy on this winter day for wine-lovers from near and far.

Tickets available at the main entrance.

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