Botond Bese is a master of Hungarian folk instrument making, specializing in both the construction and performance of traditional bagpipes. He studied leatherworking and learned bagpipe making and playing through apprenticeship with master craftsmen and traditional folk artists, including István Pál, Sándor Csoóri Jr., and István Türk, later continuing his musical training at the Óbuda Folk Music School in Budapest, Hungary.
Botond’s work integrates instrument making, performance, and teaching, with a focus on preserving shepherds’ instruments and passing their traditions on. He researches and reconstructs historical bagpipes, using archival recordings to guide and verify accuracy of their sound.
As a recipient of the 2026 Réka Darida Legacy Award, Botond will continue his work reviving the Hungarian leather bagpipe through the study of museum instruments and traditional techniques. His replicas will be featured in masterclasses and live folk performances, supporting the transmission of this heritage in both educational and musical contexts.
