The renowned Hungarian State Folk Ensemble (MÁNE) has concluded a highly successful one-week tour in China, captivating audiences with their vibrant performances and cultural showcase. The ensemble, which embarked on its tour on February 20th, returned home on Tuesday and is now gearing up for a special performance at the Hungarian Heritage House this Sunday.

During their tour, MÁNE presented their acclaimed "Hungarian Rhapsody" program, featuring a captivating blend of traditional folk dance and classical music. Performances were held twice in Beijing and twice in Hebei Province, northern China, drawing an estimated total audience of 8,000 people.

A unique highlight of the tour was the collaboration with acclaimed Chinese pianist Claudia Yang. Yang's performance of works by Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók added a rich layer of classical artistry to the folk dance program. "Three choreographies in the second act came to life thanks to her playing. Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15, and the piano cycle of Dreams of Love were performed, and Béla Bartók’s Allegro Barbaro concluded the piano accompaniment," explained Gábor Mihályi, head of MÁNE. "Our aim was to introduce two of the greatest figures of Hungarian classical music to the Chinese audience, in addition to showcasing the richness of Hungarian folk dance."

Upon their return, MÁNE will immediately prepare for a performance at the Hungarian Heritage House, where they will share the stage with talented children's dance groups from Ghimeș (Gyimes, a village in eastern Romania) and Szekszárd (a town in southern Hungary). This performance aligns with the "Under the Common Sky" series, now in its third season, which aims to provide a platform for exceptional young folk dancers.

The "Under the Common Sky" initiative, a collaboration between MÁNE and the "Örökség" National Children and Youth Folk Heritage Association, serves as a vital talent development program. Selected soloists from the participating groups have the opportunity to collaborate with MÁNE dancers, creating unique joint productions.

"It will be exciting to look at this Ghimeș dance culture, to see how the memories of their parents and grandparents are brought to life on the feet and bodies of young people by dancing," Mihályi remarked. "The performance will be enriched by two youth groups from Szekszárd, presenting the colorful dance and music traditions of Sárköz and its surroundings."

Norbert Busai, the professional manager of the Hungarian Heritage House responsible for folk dance, further highlighted the upcoming events, noting that the 35th-anniversary performance of the "Örökség" National Children and Youth Folk Heritage Association’s Children’s Folk Dance Anthology program will also take place this week, with a special focus on the Ghimeș region.

The House of Traditions will welcome Ghimeș performers from three municipalities: Lunca de Sus (Gyimesfelsőlok), Ghimeș-Făget (Gyimesbükk), and Trei Fântâni (Háromkút, villages in Transylvania). Notably, in Trei Fântâni, the dance ensemble is led by Norbert Didici, a former member of the Szentendre Dance Ensemble and the Dezső Fitos Company, who returned to his ancestral village after working at the Hungarian Dance University to revive and teach the region's forgotten dance traditions.

These performances underscore the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble and the Hungarian Heritage House's commitment to preserving and promoting Hungarian folk traditions, both domestically and internationally, while also fostering the next generation of talented folk dancers. The successful China tour and the upcoming home performances stand as testament to the enduring power and beauty of Hungarian cultural heritage.

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