Karikázó, 1988. október - 1989. január (13. évfolyam, 2-3. szám)
1988-10-01 / 2-3. szám
Continued from page 1 The HUNGÁRIA ENSEMBLE is one of the oldest Hungarian performing groups in the United States. It was formed in 1962 and since then has drawn in its membership from the young generations of the New York area Hungarian community. The present membership is made up of very dedicated and talented young American - Hungarians, several among them first generation, directly from Hungary and Transylvania. Some started dancing at the age of 4 or so in the Uj Vár Children's Dance Group in Passaic and are now growing into mature, seasoned dancers. In its 25th year of existence, Hungária has attained the philosophy of learning more than what is to be seen on stage. For this reason members participate in dance workshops and the so called Táncház-es (dance houses named after the custom which originated in Szék, Transylvania). The dancers also almost collectively attended the 1986 Hungarian Dance and Music Symposium. Each of these ways of folk dance practice contributed to their knowledge, understanding and love of Hungarian folk culture. István Tamás and Marika Kovács in "Csárdás Csapás" (Photo:László Kerkay) Members of Hungária’s Orchestra: "Életfa" (L to R:Ildikó Magyar, Endre Kovács, Kálmán Magyar jr, Attila Papp, Éva Mo'rocz) (Photo: László Kerkay) The group also has a tradition of nurturing social life by offering its members an environment conducive to lifelong friendships and even marriages. The present members get together regularly for birthday parties and weekends, just like their predecessors still do - who might no longer dance, yet keep in close communication and participate actively in Hungarian community life. This solidarity and loyalty is also evident in the parents’ contribution, who sew costumes, accompany the group to performances and help to maintain the harmonious functioning of the group. The Hungária Dance Ensemble is directed by Kálmán and Judith Magyar, who have joined it some months after it was founded and have themselves become part of the group’s marriage statistics. Over the years their work has extended beyond dancing teaching, choreographing for the group and overseeing its progress, into related areas of teaching at the international folk dance level in camps and universities throughout North- America. They were instrumental in the founding of the American Hungarian Folklore Centrum and the Araerican- Hungarian Museum, both for the purpose of advancing the cause of Hungarian ethnic culture at the community and intercommunity level. They take pride in the achievements of the Hungária Folk Dance Ensemble and hope that lhe dedicated young members who now dance in the group will carry on the ideals and fruitful work which characterized the group since it began a quarter of a century ago. If you wish to share some of the highlights of Hungária’s last 25 years in pictures and in writing, cut out the coupon at the bottom of this article and send $ 3.50 to the Amer ican-Hungarian Folklore Centrum, P.O.Box 262, Bogota, New Jersey 07603 and we will send you the Ensemble’s 25.Anniversary Booklet complete with numerous photographs, a picture of each present, dancer, listings of major past performances, choreographies and former dancers. 0