Against the backdrop of a historic townhouse under renovation—soon to become the Tulipán Foundation’s permanent home—friends, neighbors, and passersby gathered for a day of hands-on creativity and cultural connection at the Madison Avenue Spring Gallery Walk. The occasion? A felt-making workshop unlike any other.
Throughout the day, participants stopped by to help craft a felt panel that will soon become part of a traditional Hungarian yurt—an architectural centerpiece and gathering space in our future headquarters. Once used by nomadic peoples across Asia, including early Hungarians, these felt-covered dwellings carry deep cultural significance. For us, the yurt is both a tribute to those roots and a symbol of hospitality, as they are crafted by hand and designed to bring people together.
From the moment the wool was unrolled onto worktables on the sidewalk, the energy of this event was infectious. Visitors of all ages eagerly layered, wet, and rolled wool using age-old techniques, guided by master feltmakers Mihály Vetró and Anikó Árvai. Mihály, a renowned teacher from the Nádudvar Folk Handicrafts Vocational School, and Anikó, a world-renowned feltmaker, weaver, and researcher, shared both their skill and warmth with our community.
As the afternoon unfolded, we welcomed a vibrant and varied mix of participants. Three classes from the János Arany Hungarian School arrived together, adding a youthful spirit to the day. Visitors came from across the city—and even upstate—to take part, while others stopped by on a whim, drawn in by the excitement all around. One passerby exclaimed, “Oh wow, my grandmother was Hungarian!” before rolling up their sleeves to join in.
The event’s welcoming spirit extended beyond felting, as mini-lectures along the sidewalk drew curious listeners eager to explore our rich cultural traditions. Andrea’s Chocolates—our beloved Hungarian chocolatier and longtime supporter—added a sweet, symbolic touch by creating cookies with the same tulip motif featured in the finished felt panel. Participants also received handmade felt tulips, lovingly created as keepsakes by students at the Nádudvar Folk Handicrafts Vocational High School in Hungary.
Just two days later, we brought that same spirit of cultural exchange to the United Nations Headquarters for a special workshop hosted by the Hospitality Committee for United Nations Delegations. Led once again by Mihály Vetró and Anikó Árvai, the hands-on event invited spouses of UN representatives to craft felt tulips, share stories, and experience the communal power of this timeless tradition.
Through experiences like these, we hope to foster a lasting sense of connection and belonging, so that when our doors open in late 2026, the space already feels like home to those who helped bring it to life.