Karikázó, 1982. július - 1983. április (8. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

1982-07-01 / 1. szám

AFTER TWENTY YEARS WHY DO I DO IT? 1982 marks the tuentieth anniversary of the "Hungária Folk Dance Ensemble". Although I have not been a full-fledged member of the Hungária Ensemble since its very beginning, for the past eighteen years or so I have held the honorable but often difficult and trying job of Dance Director. After the performance on April 17th I had some time to sit down and meditate over the past twenty years and think about plans for the Hungária. Again I asked myself the question, "Why do I do it? Why do I have to do it? Why do I put so much effort into it, oftentimes sacrificing my personal conveniences?" Well, I arrived at the same answer as the one-time mountain climber did when he was asked: "Why do you have to climb that high mountain?" The mountain climber replied: "Because it is there!" By no means do I wish to suggest that all or any of the accomplishments of the "Hungária Folk Dance Ensemble" should be compared in achievement to climbing the highest mountains, or that its successful past should be contributed to my association with it. Every accomplishment of the group is a group achievement and it is inherent that each person in the group makes his or her own sacrifice. The amount of sacrifice varies from person to person. I was fortunate to have shared my experiences with many people throughout these eighteen years. It would be too lengthy to mention everyone, but I do have to confess that without the serious commitment of my wife Judith, many of those proud achievements would not have been the same. But somehow the fruit of our work has always been sweeter when we were able to share it with others. There have been ups and downs throughout those twenty years. There were times when the group only Consisted of three or four couples but they were able to perform a varied and interesting repertoire. In other instances the group had thirty or fourty members and the biggest chaos prevailed at dance practices. But on the average, every second year we were able to ensemble and present a major stage program of high quality. In the second decade of the group's existence there have been a number of turnovers in the group's membership. This didn't pose a problem in the first ten years. We were all friends, more or less of the same age, and we had strong ties to each other due to these friendships. Dr. Balázs Somogyi, the Founding Director of the group, with his easy-going personality, was masterful in holding and keeping these ties of friendship together. Through his help and guidance every personal clash was resolved in an even better understanding of each other's feelings. All the "Hungária" Folk Dance Ensemble Senior Group at the 20th Anniversary Concert.(Photo:Ferenc Deák) Continued on p.5

Next