The second day started on a high note with World-Famous Redever by Háromszék Dance Ensemble at the Children’s Dance Festival. Who is Redever? And why is he so famous? Because he is an excellent football player in the land of King Gyuri (Georgie).

The folk tale, filled with music and dance, is funny and engaging from the first moment, offering some modern twists. King Gyuri, for instance, has four daughters instead of three, and he wants to marry them off all at once. Following the classic tales’ plots, the suitors have to pass three tests that are not all about beheading the dragon but rather about conquering the ladies’ hearts through music and dance. The suitors are not princes but for example a footballer, Redever who appears multiple times on the palace’s telly. The audience members, being the citizens of Gyuri’s kingdom, can vote, sing or take part in all sorts of magic.

The Museum House was also buzzing with the conference called Art/Theory.

The whole day programme included four interesting themes: Art-Theory-Science-Higher Education; Arts Side by Side; Dance; Culture-Media-Experience. Learning something new is always exciting, seeking inspiration is important, and dialogues are vital in both arts and education. Thankfully, this event gave the opportunity to all.

In the evening a Double Bill with Compagnie Pal Frenak and Budapest Dance Theatre took place on the Main Stage. Secret_Off Man by Compagnie Pal Frenák was searching for the secret of human existence, through Pal Frenák’s unique movement language, showing vulnerability, insecurity and the desire to break through.

At first sight, the production seems like a series of short clips but gradually the stories of different characters (in some cases, not even human beings) are revealing, all with surprising shifts and grotesque humour.

Au Revoir En L’Air! by Budapest Dance Theatre fitted in the programme. The choreography, created by Alexandra Sághy, suggested how we all try to stand out, how we all want to leave our marks in the world (the ripple effect projected on stage referred to it), how we spread our wings, if we are able and it is safe to fly high?

The movements reflected this wave of thoughts starting with heavy, grounded, pulled-back motions and reaching the floating quality, from where there is no turning back. Who has experienced soaring, would never be able to walk the same way again.

The grotesque world then moved to the Kisfaludy Room where Clown Wanted by Yvette Bozsik Company could be seen. Two neglected clowns, Yvette Bozsik and Tamás Vati, are waiting for a job interview. But something seems off, and it is immediately obvious that they don’t belong there.

Thanks to the two excellent performers, the real essence of being a clown becomes deeply understood. Clowns try to bring joy, some laughs and colours into people’s lives, but they face resistance, so they try harder and more desperately. They cannot fit into the grey, colourless (literally!) reality. I am sadly smiling – just like when I visited the circus as a child – and keep my fingers crossed for the clowns to never ever give up!

On the open-air stage, traditional folk dance was in the spotlight with Lippentő Dance Ensemble, a Regös Dance Workshop, Rába, Kiscserók and Rábca Dance Ensembles.

I could say that the day was closed by the dance house after the show but it wouldn’t be entirely true.

After the dance house, in front of the Cuban bar by the theatre, the dancing went on spontaneously, this time to Latin music.

Photos by Béla Szabó