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)

The Hungarian Community centre continued with the tradidion of Mardi Gras celebrations. The audience enjoyed a scene of the Bossy Women and the students of the Hungarian School and Scouts presented an entertaing program. Later the costumes were presented and the evening concluded with dancing.

(Recorded by Tibor Lapohos)

The Hungarians of Ottawa celebrated on March 18th the anniversary of the 1848 revolution. At first they laid a wreath at the Kossuth bust in front of the Hungarian Embassy and later attended an event at the Hungarian Community Centre. The guest speaker was Dr. Péter Orosz, consul of Hungary. The performers presented poems, music and dances reminding the audience of the 1848 revolution. The evening ended with everybody singing together the songs of 1848.

(Recorded by Gábor Finta)