Sunday, September 30: KALÁKA FAMILY DAY

KALÁKA FAMILY DAY

doors open and arts and crafts activities starts at 3 PM

4 PM – KALAKA Concert for children

6 PM – “Így szerettek ők” – Concert and literature for everyone

Based on Krisztián Nyáry’s books, and songs of Kaláka.

Director: Katalin Kőváry, recipient of Jászai Mari Prize, Artist of Merit Award

Hungarian House of New York

213 E 82 Street, New York, NY, 10028

Featuring:

Ádám Földi – actor, former actor of the National Theatre of Hungary

Nikoletta Pankovits – actress

Donation:

$15/adult

$5/child

Kindly ask for RSVP by September 25: [email protected]

“Így szerettek ők”, the romantic literature books written by Krisztián Nyáry, are among the most successful publications of recent years, as shown not only by their critical acclaim but by the unwaning interest and adoration of readers. Each of the two volumes draws attention to lesser-known details of the famous romantic histories of 40 Hungarian writers and artists. With the help of original documents – letters, journal entries, photographs – and the books which elucidate the emotions and events, these evocative etudes bring the characters closer to the reader.

In the spirit of romanticism, this semi-staged production presents the unique stories of significant Hungarian authors and their special relationships through the interpretation of outstanding performers and with texts set to live musical accompaniment and projections. Hosted by the author himself, Krisztián Nyáry, this musical-literary journey through time will reveal to audiences the private lives of authors like Lőrinc Szabó, Endre Ady, Attila József, Elek Benedek, Dezső Kosztolányi, Mihály Csokonai Vitéz and Sándor Weöres. The literary verses, personal documents, and stories brought to life by the popular music of Kaláka, guide us into a secret world of emotions.

The Kaláka Ensemble was formed in Budapest in 1969. They sing poetry and play their own arrangements of folk music. Their music is varied and the poetry comes from many different styles as well. The sound of the four singing voices mixed with classical and folk instruments together gives the music a unique sound. The word “kaláka” refers to a Transylvanian folk custom of working together. Originally it meant a house building party.

The Transylvanian poet Sándor Kányádi wrote: “The Kaláka Ensemble is elegant. They offer poetry to their audiences on a musical platter which would never be confused with anyone else’s music. Their compositions aren’t forced, rather the original melody of a verse is played, born of the quietness of the heart exiled in books from the time of Gutenberg.”

The Kaláka Ensemble has an extremely wide repertoire that contains approximately 1200 songs and 30 albums. The tunes are old and new, and the poetry is from Hungarian poets as well as poets of other nationalities.

Ádám Földi was born in 1979 in Cegléd. He graduated from the Benedictine Secondary School in Pannaonhalma, Hungary. He began his studies at the Theater and Film Academy, Hungary in the classes of Gábor Zsámbéki and Sándor Zsótér in 2004. He spent his internship at the Radnóti Theater, Hungary. He was the member of the National Theater from 2008 until 2013.

Pankovits Nikolett is a jazz vocalist and actor. She played in the Drama Studio of Margit Földessy in Hungary. She has been living in New York City since 2010, where he first studied jazz at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and then at the City College. He has been performing at many renowned clubs in New York, such as Blue Note, Joe’s Pub, Rockwood.

Supported by

Ministry of Human Resources in Hungary

Hungarian House of New York

Further information: [email protected]