Folk Dancers Set Amazing Record on Budapest Square

MTI-Hungary Today 2024.09.30.

The Hungarian record for folk dancing was set for the first time, while the Hungarian record for Táncház round dance (“casual” Hungarian folk dance event) was broken by participants on Friday on Budapest’s Kossuth Square, during the European Week of Sport.

The record for the number of people dancing to the same choreography at the same time in the same place had been set, while almost 1,500 people took part in the Moldavian Csángó dance, beating the previous Hungarian record for Táncház round dancing.

Photo: MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd

In front of the Parliament, children aged between 10 and 14 danced at the same time, following a common folk dance choreography.

Then a Moldavian Csángó dance started, which anyone could join on Kossuth Square, said the Deputy State Secretary for Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, who noted that the large-scale event had succeeded in demonstrating the power of dance.

Zsófia Nagy-Vargha stressed that the tradition of folk dance is of great importance to Hungarians,

thanks to this we have been able to maintain our Hungarian identity not only in the diaspora but also in the Carpathian Basin.”

She added that the Táncház movement is still flourishing today because people need quality culture, while at the same time this kind of dance event is a community-building activity for all ages.

Fact

Táncház is an important part of Hungarian folklore, with music and dances closely linked to life events that are significant for the traditional way of life. Young men rented a suitable barn or house and hired a local music group. The dances were originally played and danced in an order determined by the tradition of the village. Especially during the repression of the communist regime, there was a great interest in the origins of Hungarian culture. This quickly developed into a veritable Táncház movement throughout the country, and later, through exiled Hungarians and music lovers, far beyond. The Táncház is still very popular today, even among young people, as anyone can participate, regardless of age, background or ability.

Photo: MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd

The large-scale folk dance event was organized by the National Federation of Student, Youth and Recreational Sports (Nemzeti Diák-, Hallgatói és Szabadidősport Szövetség) in cooperation with the Hungarian Dance University as one of the main events of the European Week of Sport, encouraging people to lead healthy lifestyles and exercise regularly.

Government Supports Hungarian Theaters and Dance Companies beyond the Borders

In the past two years, a total of 27 Hungarian theaters and 10 dance companies have been supported within the framework of the tender.Continue reading

Via MTI; Featured image via MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd