This performance by the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble entitled Hungarian Recruiting Round Dance (Verbunkos) evokes the nationwide movement of Hungarian national rejuvenation in the age of Hungarian romanticism as far as contemporary music and dance are concerned. Following long bitter years of wars and struggle, this movement of Hungarian romanticism embodies Hungary’s energetic modernisation-purpose efforts in a period when Hungary was trying to find a path leading to economic and political prosperity. “National” music and dance, which were believed to be as prestigious opportunities to express one’s national identity as the use of the Hungarian language, were not deemed an ethnic idea but were in fact utilised as a means of unifying the nation, thereby treating music and dance as a common language in an attempt to connect the divergent traditions of different geographical regions. The present show commemorates this unique process: its start with the evolution of national dance leading up to the cultivation of this folklore through oral tradition.

In the period evoked in the scope of this performance, the most common music groups providing entertainment and dance music were gypsy bands, which tradition still survives up until today. In the light of this, the Orchestra of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble plays a very prominent role during this concert: apart from providing accompanying music for the dances, it also plays single contemporary musical pieces once featured at public concerts.

Music Editor: László Kelemen

Choreographers: Zsolt Juhász, Zsolt Szilágyi and Zoltán Varga

Director: Gábor Mihályi 

Special guest: Agnes Herczku