Schedule of the Conference Week

October 19 (Monday) – Arrival day

October 20 (Tuesday)  – Conference

• Transfer from Hajdúszoboszló to Hortobágy
• Registration
• Opening presentations
• Lunch at Hortobágy Inn
• Short excursion
• Dinner at Hortobágy Inn
• Transfer to Hajdúszoboszló

October 21 (Wednesday) – Conference

• Transfer from Hajdúszoboszló to Hortobágy
• Presentations, poster session
• Lunch at Hortobágy Inn
• Presentations, poster session
• Transfer to Hajdúszoboszló

October 22 (Thursday)– Conference

• Transfer from Hajdúszoboszló to field trip to watch the dawn crane movement
• Transfer to Hortobágy
• Presentations, poster session
• Lunch at Hortobagy Inn
• Presentations, poster session
• Transfer to Hajdúszoboszló

October 23 (Friday)– Conference

• Transfer from Hajdúszoboszló to Hortobágy
• Presentations, poster session
• Lunch at Hortobágy Inn
• Transfer from Hortobágy to field trip to watch the dusk crane movement
• Transfer to Hortobágy
• Dinner at Hortobágy Inn
• Transfer to Hajdúszoboszló

October 24 (Saturday) – Optional Extra Day (St. Demetrius Day Ceremonial Livestock Return Festival – Hortobágy)

With the arrival of cold weather and shorter days, In Hortobágy, following old folk customs, shepherds and their livestock prepare for winter by driving the animals from the pastures of the puszta to their winter quarters, as the animals have "brought the snow home on their backs," meaning they can no longer find food in the fields. The rounding up, also known as "stucking" had specific dates associated with notable days: cattles were driven home on St. Catherine's Day or St. Michael's Day, and sheeps on St. Demetrius's Day. The rounding up was also associated with the shepherds' accounting and wage payments. "Dömötör makes the shepherd dance" – says the proverb, which refers, on the one hand, to the onset of cold weather, as it is no longer possible to stay outdoors for long, and on the other hand, to the shepherds who made their companion dance with a stick if there was a shortage in the accounts.

The celebration of Demetrius's Day – who was also the patron saint of shepherds – was always a big event among shepherds, for which they prepared well in advance, partying for several days in the tavern or the so-called shepherd's house and holding shepherd's balls. During the festival, shepherds parade across the Nine Arch Bridge in Hortobágy accompanied by their animals – racka sheep, gray cattle, Nonius horses, and buffalo – while visitors can listen to interesting information about the ethnographic background of the roundup. After the spectacular parade, visitors have the opportunity to meet the shepherds and their livestock, buy handicrafts, taste shepherd's food cooked in a cauldron, and enjoy a horse-riding show. 

The registration fee for the conference is 350 EUR, which includes:
• participation in the conference
• 4 lunches (on all conference days) and 2 dinners (Tuesday and Friday)
• transfers between the accommodation location (Hajdúszoboszló) and the conference venue (Hortobágy)
• field program costs (transport, professional guiding, entrance fees, etc.)

The fee for the optional extra day is 50 EUR, which includes:
• transfers between the accommodation location (Hajdúszoboszló) and the festival venue (Hortobágy)
• lunch
 

The programme may change depending on the number of presenters and weather conditions. 

The final programme will be sent to all participants prior to the event. 
 

Photo: Attila Szilágyi