Scents, Flavours, Shapes – Look by Hand, See by Heart

A Multi-Sensory Folk Art Experience in Budapest

If you’re looking for something truly unique in Budapest, step into the Scents, Flavours, Shapes – Look by Hand, See by Heart exhibition at the Hungarian Heritage House. This innovative, multi-sensory exhibit invites visitors to explore the world of traditional Hungarian crafts through touch, scent, and interaction — creating an experience that goes far beyond sight alone.

Hosted in the Maácz László Gallery of the Hungarian Heritage House, the exhibition was designed especially for visitors with sensory disabilities but delights everyone who enters. Here, touching, smelling, and experimenting are encouraged, making it an inviting and educational experience for both children and adults.

Four Traditional Crafts, Countless Discoveries

The exhibition brings four major branches of Hungarian folk art to life — gingerbread making, felting, pottery, and shepherding. Rather than simply observing objects in glass cases, visitors become active participants in the story of these crafts.

You can explore hands-on, tactile displays like a felt memory game, a gingerbread spice recognition challenge, or a clay pattern-matching game, all created by skilled Hungarian artisans. These interactive installations reveal the textures, aromas, and forms that define folk craftsmanship, while accessible digital exhibits make learning both engaging and inclusive.

Through this sensory journey, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Hungary’s handmade traditions — from the fragrant spices of gingerbread bakers to the soft wool used in pastoral felting, the gleaming glaze of pottery, and the artistry of the shepherd’s carved tools.

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A Museum Without Barriers

The Museum of Hungarian Applied Folk Art, part of the Hungarian Heritage House, holds over 10,000 artifacts from across the country, celebrating the richness of everyday creativity. This exhibition represents a groundbreaking step in museum accessibility — a space where visitors with or without disabilities can learn through touch, scent, emotion, and play.

Developed under the Erasmus+ ToMiMEUs project, which promotes multi-sensory and inclusive museum experiences across Europe, Scents, Flavours, Shapes has been recognized for its innovation, receiving a Special Award at the 2022 Museum Education Excellence Competition and a nomination for Exhibition of the Year 2022.

Practical Information

Venue: Hungarian Heritage House – Maácz László Gallery, Corvin tér 8., Budapest, 1011
Tickets:

• Standard: 1,000 HUF
• Student (ages 6–26) and senior (ages 62–70): 500 HUF
• Preschool children and visitors with disabilities: free entry
• Educational workshop: ticket price + 1,300 HUF

Workshops and educational programs are available for schools, families, and special needs groups, offering a fun and inclusive way to engage with folk traditions.

Experience Folk Art with All Your Senses

Scents, Flavours, Shapes – Look by Hand, See by Heart isn’t just an exhibition — it’s an invitation to rediscover heritage through your senses. It proves that folk art isn’t only meant to be seen; it can be felt, smelled, and experienced.

Whether you’re traveling with children or looking for a deeper cultural connection during your stay in Budapest, this exhibition promises a warm, memorable, and truly sensory journey into Hungary’s living traditions.