docudrama by Rozália B. Brestyánszki

played by Béla Kálló and Péter Lóránt Tóth

Centered on the relatively short lived, but all the more profound friendships of two of the giants of Hungarian Literature: the ebullient radical patriot poet, Sándor Petőfi, who dedicated his life to the anti-Hapsburg Revolution of 1848-49, losing it on the battlefields of Transylvania at the tender age of 26, fighting alongside the legendary Polish General, Josef Bem; and that of the more sedate, insecure, no less of a patriot, family man János Arany, who lived an incomparably longer life, content with his position of a provincial notary. He faithfuly took under his wing his rascal friend’s widow and infant child, then managed to create and leave behind a towering body of work, decades later, matching Petőfi’s opus in epic poetry.

The written material was aptly arranged in a dramatic flow of exchanges by the young dramaturg of Szabadka’s Popular Theatre (Bácska, present-day Serbia), Rozália Boros Brestyánski, and it relies on contemporary records, memoirs, anecdotes, diaries, and the written correspondence between the poets and their friends and relatives. The novelty of the approach consisted in the successful attempt of the performers to present the more or less known material as a true-to-life happening, as an exercise in verismo. They appeared in front of us as two young men, with their hopes and doubts, with their undeserved failures and incipient achievements, insecure of their future, which for one them never played out, never occured. They both had made a conscientious choice: one challenging his fate, the other assuming a more conciliatory, subdued position. It was their own pathway to Heaven, and now, they are finally free of worries and wars, hopes and angst, i.e. earthly life, they are the courtiers of Mnemosyne, Goddess of Remembrance.

On February 16, 2019, the Three Kings formation held a concert at the Ottawa Hungarian Community Center.

(recorded by Gábor Finta) 

The Hungarian Community Center presented a Santa Claus celebration. The children baked cookies, sung and danced while waiting for the Mikulás who brought presents for them.

(Recorded by Tibor Lapohos and Gábor Finta) 

On September 29, the Hungarikum Ensemble gave a very successful concert in the Ottawa Hungarian Community Centre. On the programme we found musical poems, Hungarian folk songs, own compositions and songs praising God. The Hungarikum Ensemble has been performing for over seven years, during which its repertoire has grown continuously. Hungarikum translates old folk songs into our present day lives, uses own compositions and arrangements to give momentum to our thoughts, nourishes our souls with divine songs, and highlights the literary text when adapts poetry in a musical framework. Have a look at some of their productions.

(recorded by Tibor Lapohos and Gábor Finta) 

The performance of the Vadrózsák had to be postponed because of a tornado in Ottawa. Fortunately, on Monday the electrical power was restored so the enthusiastic audience was able to enjoy the excellent performance of the group. After their program the members of Vadrózsák danced together with the public.
The Vadrózsák (Wild Roses) Ensemble was formed on the spring of 1950 through the fusion of several smaller dance groups. The goal of the founding members was to preserve and promote the values of the Hungarian folk art, music and dance. Later on they picked the name of Dog Rose for the ensemble for the qualities of the plant itself: it is a wild flower, it grows in groups, and it is very resistant.
The repertoire of the Vadrózsák is very broad, encompassing almost every corner and hidden region of the Carpathian Basin. They are striving for authenticity, purity and completeness, and they bring forward the uniqueness of the Hungarian folk dances.

On June 3 the Ottawa Hungarian Community Centre held a commemoration of the tragic Trianon Peace Treaty. First the video Trianon 1920 June 4 was shown that was made by the students of the Attila József Secondary School of Makó (Hungary) followed by a poem of Lajos Áprily recited by Mariann Talla. The program concluded with a video by Dóra Nagy entitled In the Footsteps of Folk Ballads, Along the Fortresses of the Carpathian Basin.

(Recorded by Gábor Finta) 

Rounding the World into Form was the title of István Szántó’s exhibition and presentation. The walls of the house were decorated by his works and during the presentation we were able to get acquainted with more of his creations.

(Recorded by Gábor Finta) 

Presented by Oskola (the Ottawa Hungarian School), the Ferenc Kölcsey Hungarian Scouts of Ottawa and the OHCC. The Children greet the mothers with Poems, Prose, Hungarian Folk-dancing and Music.

(Recorded by Gábor Finta) 

On Aprli 21 we have seen a great theatrical performance in the Hungarian Community Centre. The play entitled „But who’s Going to Take Home the Bike? (De ki viszi haza a biciklit?)” is about the middle-class citizen of Vajdaság (Voivodina, Serbia), living either there or somewhere else, in the past and present. It makes us laugh and cry. It is to be seen in every small town and village, since it has been made for all those who live there, who stayed there or left and returned, and those who would only like to return or leave. And especially those, who still try to have a life in Vajdaság. We reproduce a few excerpts from the show and afterwards you can see Magdi Tóth’s interview with Szilvia Krizsán.

(Recorded by Gábor Finta)

Citizen of the world, Miquèu Montanaro, hails from France but has travelled the globe and is known the world over. In his innumerable encounters with local musicians he strived to retain the particulars and has incorporated them in his own compositions. His repertory spans continents and styles, from the Mediterranean Basin to the Far East.
The son, Baltazar Montanaro-Nagy is a virtuoso violin-player in his own right . His playing amounts to a colourful trip on the board of Balt-Orient Express, and beyond. Virtually, around the globe, in less than 80 minutes! Each moment is rooted in local folklore and he explores through improvisation their full melodic and rhythmic potential. After the concert Magdi Tóth asked the artists about their carrier.

(Recorded by Gábor Finta)