The first Budapest Tattoo Convention was held in March 2011. The organizers' goal was to create a professional and cultural event,long time lacked and needed by Hungary and the Hungarian tattoo artists as well. It is a well-known fact that the Hungarian tattoo artists are pioneers in this business and some of them are greatly respected worldwide. Despite all this, there had been no successfull attempt in Hungary before to organize an event, which would have provided our tattoo artists the chance to demonstrate their talent to the international audience.
Thus, the Budapest convention was not a goal but a means to boost the Hungarian tattoo life and to help ensure that the international tattoo scene gets familiar with the Hungarian tattoo artists and with Hungary as well. Needless to say, as with any large event, it was not a smooth and easy task to organize this convention either. It turned out that there was an other tattoo convention in Budapest, organized by pure coincidence for the same weekend.
Despite all this, the convention was successful and surpassed all expectations and hope. Over 90 tattoo artists from a dozen of countries came together at the Lurdy House. This event was unprecedented in our small country's (not just tattoo-) history. The participating artists' profile was extremely varied: from oriental to fantasy and realistic horror all genres were represented by artists.
Holding professional seminars proved to be a good idea as well. For three days talks were held on their different techniques by such tattoo artists like Boris, Zsolt Sarkozi and Sandor Nyiri. There was such a great interest in these talks, that the audience could barely be fitted in the conference room.
There were a lot of people who registered for the tattoo contest and the jury was made of such famous artists like Simone and Volko from Buena Vista Tattoo, Jack Ribeiro, Fat and Lenu. Those who chose to show their work could be sure of the professional knowledge and expertise of the jury members.
In addition, there was a variety of programs, which provided fun and relaxation for both the artists and the public, such as Art fusion and different concerts.
In what the afterlife of the Convention is concerned, we can proudly say that yes, Hungary has finally uttered itself, that we have reached our goal, since many foreign magazines reported in multi-page articles about our event (for example Tattowier, Tattoofest, Scandinavian Tattoo, Tattoorise, etc.).
We are proud of the fact that the Hungarian media has also shown an exceptional interest. Nothing proves this better than the fact that one of the largest Hungarian daily newspapers, Blikk, had dealt with us in their Blikk Monday extra issue, on the front page. Not even the television programs wanted to leave us out from their evening shows, which gives us the hope, that tattooing will get a more favorable view here in Hungary.
After a successful beginning, this year we started to organize the next Convention with much greater verve. As a matter of fact, a lot of people had already applied for the 2012 convention back then, on the spot and it seems that this year it will be a larger event than last year. Many changes are planned as well: Friday will be a workshop day, where there will be seminars held by great artists. Those interested only in these professional talks, will be offered the possibility of buying reduced tickets. Thus, the II. Budapest Tattoo Convention will be renewed in content and form, offering substantial and interesting lectures to the professionals, and more colorful and spectacular programs to the audience.
