The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-08-01 / 8. szám
NEWS FROM HUNGARY GUSZTÁV BALAZS IN AMERICA Gusztáv Balazs, a gypsy from the Szabolcs-Szatmar region of Hungary, is now in America teaching at the Stockton Folk Dance Camp in California and at the Balkan Music and Dance Camp in Ashoken, New York. What he is lecturing on and demonstrating, are the gypsy dances of his native county. These have been much misunderstood and often misrepresented, although they belong to the rich repertoire of Hungarian Folk Dances. Gusztáv was bom in Nagyecsed, where a richly developed, dance culture still thrives both among the Hungarians and the gypsy minority groups. He has been involved with dance and the stage since the age of five. He has performed, taught, and led youth and adult groups, and has done extensive research among his own people. In 1979, he received the title of “FOLK ARTIST’’, granted by the Hungarian Government to dancers of high merit and has twice won the “GOLDEN SPURS’’ award, the highest honor attained by Hungarian folk dancers. Currently the Director of Folk Dance at the City Cultural Center in Nyíregyháza, Gusztáv is finishing his last year of studies in the Folklore Department of the Kossuth Lajos University in Debrecen. In addition to his work in the artistic, technical, and academic aspects of gypsy dance and folklore, Gusztáv spent four years as a school teacher in a small village of Gegeny. Gypsy dance, in its traditional form, has rarely been presented. Until recently, it has often been romanticized and over-dramatized in its stage depictions. Gusztáv is a unique resource in Hungary, as he is a member of the gypsy culture, a dancer, and folk-lorist. He was the source for the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble’s gypsy choreography, as well as for the gypsy number in Zoltán Zsurafszky’s “Párhuzam”. Gusztav’s ability to convey the dance of his people is supported by his intimate knowledge of his subject and his experience. Gusztáv Balazs is a strong, precise dancer. He is also an excellent teacher equally versatile in imparting men’s and August, 1984 Gypsy dances in their traditional forms have rarely been presented. women’s steps and styles. According to Susan Snyder-Kotansky, she had the good fortune last summer to experience his teaching expertise at Sárospatak, a dance seminar in northeastern Hungary. She also participated in a gypsy dance conference organized by Gusztáv, which was attended by members of Hungarian dance groups and gypsies from the area, eager to learn more about gypsy traditions. In both teaching situations, she recalled, he demonstrated elements upon which students were able to build and eventually improvise. For those interested in learning gypsy dance or the dances of the Szatmar region of Hungary, Gusztáv Balazs's visit to America offers a rare opportunity. For, in addition to his appearances at Stockton and Ashokan, he will be available for workshops, lectures, and choreographies from the middle of August, 1984, until the end of September. For information, please contact Stephen and Susan Kotansky at 368 Kings Highway, Valley Cottage, New York 10989 (Tel: 914-268-4118). BOOK REVIEW — by — Harry G. Ladanye ANTIPOLITICS-by-George Konrad Harcord Brace Jovanovich, New York, 1984 Translated by Richard E. Allen $12.95 This is a short, but challenging and provocative, book by one of East Central Europe’s most distinguished young writers. George Konrad, born in Hungary in 1933, is one of Hungary’s outstanding authors and intellects. ANTIPOLITICS presents an entirely new approach to the serious problem confronting the entire human race — that of a devastating, all-destroying nuclear holocaust. Against the vast array of established political systems, against the awesome might of the two superpowers, Konrod offers the surprising strength of independent thinkers, writers, artists, workers, jointed in an international network of intellect, rather than in mass organizations or political parties. Konrad’s prime suggestion — and it is surprising in its simplicity — is that both superpowers withdraw their forces from Europe and permit Europe to become Europe, of and by itself. On the face of it, this seems a dream beyond realization, yet his logic is such that one can envision the dream becoming reality. The very title of his book reveals Konrad’s philosophy: when men become politically involved, particularly when they become professional politicians, their principal object is the acquisition and use of power. This, the author states, is just as true of intellectuals who go into politics, as it is of any other people. This book is intriguing in its thesis, forcefully written, and well worth close reading. Especially by those who are deeply concerned over the fate of East Central Europe in general and the Carpathian Basin in particular. Support “The Eighth Hungarian Tribe” Magazine with your Subscription and Readership (’age 15
