Traditional Chinese martial arts and culture were showcased at the sixth Family and Friends Gathering of the Hungarian Chan Wu Federation on September 13 on Budapest’s Margaret Island. The event featured demonstrations of Yongchunquan, Shaolinquan, Taijiquan, sword and fan routines, as well as lion dance, tea ceremony, calligraphy and Chan culture.

Hungarian Chan Wu Federation president Istvan Vargo said the organization has around 300 to 400 participants, while approximately 3,000 people across Hungary regularly practice Wushu. The open-air event also attracted passers-by, with Vargo noting that “many people who were just passing by became our friends.”

The event brought together practitioners of different ages and backgrounds. Fourteen-year-old Rusz Levente Andre has practiced lion dance for about a year, while 17-year-old Pinter Kuncna Luna has trained in Shaolinquan for nearly three years.

“I like Shaolin because it develops both the body and the mind,” she said. “Physical strength is important, but a lot of things really depend on your mindset.”

Taijiquan has also attracted long-term practitioners, including 60-year-old Molnar Krisztina, who has trained for 19 years and practices Chen-style Taijiquan alongside sword, sabre, fan and staff routines. The Hungarian Lion Dance Association has also continued to grow, with six lions featured in this year's demonstration and members ranging from 13 to 48 years old.

Hungary is set to host the 2027 European Wushu Championships, with a national competition planned later this year to select the country's team. Vargo expects participation in the national event to reach a record high, highlighting the continued growth of traditional Chinese martial arts in Hungary.

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