Fundraiser Ball at Mátyás Király Elementary

Szalagavató in Szeged

stage view of the Palotás, the traditional opening dance for the ball

Fall Break 2008: Kalotaszentkirály, Romania (Oct 25)

Csipkebogyó Lekvár (Rose Hip Jam) Festival in Kalotaszentkirály

A rose hip branch adorned the entrance to the village hall

Our last night in Romania was spent in Kalotaszentkirály. The evening

began with a large dinner together, then on to a wonderful evening of music and dancing. The guest of honor at the celebration was rose hip jam. The village hall was decorated with rose hip branches above the doorways and on the walls. The whole village turned out for the event, which began with the announcement of the winner of the rose hip jam competition. Prizes were awarded for the top five entries. Next came the folk dancing show. Different age level groups showcased their fancy steps and traditional clothing.

The first dancers were the older and more accomplished ones in the group. In the background you could see the faces of younger dancers peeking through the curtains and watching in amazement.

a short clip from the opening dance

Eventually the younger children danced too and before long the show was over and it was time for everyone to put on their dancing shoes.

curtain call for the performers


The musicians spread out across the stage and anyone interested moved towards the front of the hall for a crash course in some basic steps. The music and dancing went on well into the morning hours.

the musicians

Throughout the evening dancers would show off their steps for the crowd. This boy in particular loved the spotlight.

Fall Break 2008: Gymesközéplok, Romania (Oct 23)

We made two stops in Gymesközéplok, a collection of traditional Csángó villages tucked in the valleys of the Gyimes mountains. In the 1700's these villages were settled by Székely people and have changed little over the past 300 years.



As we drove into the little village, we passed many horse-drawn carts with people curious about our brightly-colored van in their neighborhood. My favorite "lottery shot" from the bus was of a man and his bike on top of a cart full of hey.







We stopped at a small home where we got a peak inside a typical Gyimesi Csángó house. The grandmother greeted us at the entrance and her family graciously let us step inside their one-room living space heated by a wood stove.





Upon arriving at our second stop, we were greeted with traditional music performed by people in traditional costumes. After some pálinka, wine and appetizers we walked to the old Hungarian-Romanian border just down the road. Along the old border stood some ruins of an old fortress.

railroad tracks at the old border


view from the fortress ruins


We returned to where we had our snack and gathered outside to watch some traditional folk dancing.

Hajni, our program director, translated the lyrics from Hungarian to English for the songs with words.



After the demonstrations, we were all invited to join in. We were taught a few basic steps and also learned a group dance. At the end anyone who wanted to joined in and danced to the live music.

After the dancing we ate dinner and the musicians serenaded us inside as well. It was a wonderful day of music and culture.