America's Tapestry Travels Overseas

America's Tapestry at the Hungarian Festival of Folk Arts — August 20–23, 2026

America's Tapestry Founder Stefan Romero and South Carolina Director Karen Wallach were invited to participate in the Hungarian Festival of Folk Arts in Budapest, Hungary as part of a cultural envoy program facilitated by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Meridian International, and U.S. Embassy Budapest.

During the four-day festival, visitors from across the world had the opportunity to learn about the America's Tapestry project and take part in a special commemorative panel designed for the occasion.

The "E Pluribus Unum" panel: Franklin's severed rattlesnake stitched in traditional Hungarian floral motifs on a patchwork of indigo and black fabric — The "E Pluribus Unum" Tapestry Panel

The "E Pluribus Unum" Tapestry reimagines Benjamin Franklin's famous 1754 "Join, Or Die" rattlesnake for our nation's 250th anniversary. As one of our nation's earliest political symbols, the rattlesnake symbolizes the unity of what was once disparate colonies of the British Empire in North America.

The 13-letter slogan "E Pluribus Unum" was selected to accompany the rattlesnake as it has been featured on our nation's great seal since its inception in 1782, and symbolizes strength through unity — a message that strongly resonates with our community driven endeavor.

A woodcut of a snake cut into eight pieces, each marked with the initials of a colony, above the words "JOIN, or DIE." — Benjamin Franklin's "Join, Or Die", 1754

Attendees of the festival had the opportunity to sign their name, write a wish, or draw a picture on rectangles of fabric that made the foundation of the tapestry.

In tandem with the work conducted at our booth, Hungarian embroiderers stitched parts of the rattlesnake utilizing traditional stitches and motifs indigenous to different regions of Hungary, highlighting the country's rich needle arts tradition.

Volunteers then sewed the fabric rectangles together and embroidered floral motifs that will line the border of the panel. Throughout the duration of the festival, over 150 visitors of all ages from the United States, UK, France, Hungary, Australia, Germany, Korea, Japan, Azerbaijan, and Israel (among others) visited the America's Tapestry booth to participate in this unique fiber arts project.

We hope that the completed "E Pluribus Unum" tapestry will be displayed in both the United States and Hungary, where participants in this year's festival can see the completed artwork.

Upon returning home, Karen brought the project into her studio for completion. A skilled quilt maker, Karen utilized her expertise to mount this special panel using traditional quilting techniques.

The finished quilt: the embroidered rattlesnake and the words "E Pluribus Unum" on a patchwork of signed fabric strips, inside a cream border of stitched flowers — The finished "E Pluribus Unum" Tapestry

The "E Pluribus Unum" Tapestry made its debut at the commemorative event "Land of the Free: Celebrating 250 Years of Hungarian-American Friendship" at the Riviera Theatre in Charleston on Saturday, October 10.

What a fitting tribute to a project that touched so many hands on both sides of the Atlantic.

Karen Wallach smiling beside the finished panel, which hangs on the wall behind her — Karen Wallach with the "E Pluribus Unum" Tapestry