What is "tulipan"

Tulipan was a Brisbane-based Hungarian fusion band who were active from 1993 to 2000.

Virag Antal, founder of the group, learned to play the traditional folk instruments hurdy-gurdy, zither and cimbalom or hammered dulcimer while at school in Hungary. It is a still rarity to see these instruments performed in Australia. She started the group in 1993 at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music among fellow students as a project. Before long the group started receiving requests to play other shows, and so began Tulipan's sudden rise in popularity. They were hot favourites at Brisbane's renowned indie-music nightclub, The Zoo, performing several sell-out shows at the venue. The band toured the east coast of Australia extensively and were a highly sought after act at many Australian music festivals including Livid, Big Day Out and WOMADelaide. They were regular special guests at Woodford Folk Festival.

Traditional Hungarian melodies and folk instruments fused with other musical influences such as world music, jazz and pop created Tulipan's unique sound. Paul Petran, Music Deli presenter for ABC Radio National said that Tulipan "sound like no other band in Australia at the moment".

Virag Antal left Tulipan in 1999, marking the end of the band's steady success.