More Ways to Heaven
Mirrors, crossroads, inner journey, heaven and hell were lined up as recurring motifs on the first day of the Hungarian Dance Festival,
In Mirror was the title of the National Dance Theatre’s production that opened the 7th Children’s Dance Festival. As we were walking into the theatre’s ballet studio, leaving our shoes outside, we were immediately drawn into the closed world, inhibited by ballet students with their struggle, and the hard work they have been doing every single day since childhood.
The production, focusing on secondary schools’ artistic and cultural education, presents a ballet student who is given the opportunity to reflect on his life. At the crossroad, he has to decide whether to go on dancing or quit and seek new pastures. Should he give up on the world he is so familiar with? Or should he stay seemingly safe? What is courage and what is cowardness? The performance keeps these questions open for students to seek answers as well as the possible meanings of mirrors at a creative session after the show.
The Children's Dance Festival continued in the afternoon with the production of Góbi Dance Company and Bábszíntér. Who hasn’t experienced those mornings when waking up late, still half-asleep, our whole wardrobe conspires against us?
Hacukaland was based on this idea. The funny character played and danced by Rita Góbi, doesn’t seem to manage to dress up properly (I confess I wouldn't be able to do that either before my morning coffee!): her skirt does whatever it wants, the cardigan seems to have sleeves in all the wrong places, the trousers don’t behave and even the boots disobey. On top of all these, the pieces of clothing come to life, surprising not only their owner but also the audience.
Meanwhile, at the Museum House, the exhibition How Did The Ballet Arrive in Hungary? was opened, followed by a symposium.
The presenters - Miklós Vojtek, Jaquemet Thierry, Krisztina Dóka, Márk Gara and Rita Major – revealed the intriguing historical background of Hungarian ballet, including many interesting facts and stories. However, they did not only share their research results but also the beauty and miracle of researching.
At 6.30 pm, János Kiss, Festival Director opened the exhibition 12 Years -12 Pictures, to the memory of Iván Markó and the Ballet Company of Győr’s first 12 years with him.
The black and white photos by András Bánkúti, Tibor Laposa, Imre Benkő and József Schuch, tell all about passion, cohesion, struggle and creation.
At 7 pm, on the Main Stage, the 17th Hungarian Dance Festival officially started with the opening ceremony.
Dr Elza Pergel, Győr’s Deputy Mayor, recommended the beautiful and colourful magic, the festival has to offer. Gábor Mihályi, President of the Hungarian Dancers’ Association also talked about the mystical miracle of dance that makes us think and elate, and Festival Director, János Kiss, emphasised the event being all about love for dance.
The celebration went on with One Way To Heaven, a production by the Palace of Arts, Ballet Company of Győr, Róbert Hrutka and Jamie Winchester.
In László Velekei’s choreography, a man (Luigi Iannone) and his inner journey are the main focus, in the mirror of his encounters with various women (Lili Anna Marjai, Adrienn Matuza, Tatiana Shipilova). He is seen in heavenly joy as, against all odds and among so many people, he finds the woman he has been looking for. We can watch him in the hell of loss, crushed, led by lust, in loneliness and hope. The piece is the dance of meetings and departures, an emotional journey in which we all take part.
One Way to Heaven would work independently either as a concert or a dance show. Together, however, they create such an energy bomb that uplifted the audience beyond measure.
If you think that the atmosphere couldn't be heightened even more… you are wrong. PASO gave an amazing concert on the open-air stage in front of the theatre.
While watching the happily dancing people, I flashed back to One Way to Heaven’s doors hanging in the air, suggesting to me that there are more ways to heaven. The festival’s first day was proof of that.
Special thanks to the sponsors who all added to the magic of the Dance Festival.
Photos by Béla Szabó
