This is how a Hungarian song sounded in Wales — VIDEO, PHOTOS
On the occasion of the commemoration of the 1848-49 revolution, the inhabitants of Montgomery made a touching tribute. The Welsh city, which is famous in Hungary as it is mentioned in János Arany’s ballad, also appears in the video.
Montgomery, the Hungarian city of Wales
People played János Bródy’s “Ha én rózsa volnék” (“If I were a rose”) at the Montgomery City Hall in Wales. The performance, which also features the city’s mayor, has been recorded. The local folk ensemble Monty Folk shared the recording on the morning of the 14th of March.
Montgomery is familiar to all Hungarians from János Arany ballad called “The bards of Wales”.
In the city of bards, you can often hear people singing or playing Hungarian melodies. The residents of the city are proud of their Hungarian connection and the work of János Arany, and even organised a Montgomery Hungarian Day which will be held on 14th May. Among the numerous all-day programs, the inauguration of the trilingual plaque of János Arany will be the highlight of the celebration. “We are proud that every Hungarian student comes across the name of our city during their studies,” said Jill Kibble, Mayor of Montgomery. This is due to János Arany, the famous late Hungarian poet’s work, who was also awarded the title Free Citizen of Montgomery a few years ago.
For the small town of 1,200 inhabitants, cherishing the Hungarian culture is important.
The event presents the rich cultural connections between Wales and Hungary. There will be a Hungarian Café, a school competition, and Hungarian and Welsh music performances at the first event to commemorate the 165-year old ballad.
International competition for students
The organisers have also launched an international study competition and await the submitted works of primary and secondary school students from Great Britain, Hungary and all other countries. The ‘Rethinking of The bards of Wales’ competition aims to approach the history and message of the ballad from a different, unique perspective.
The winning work will be exhibited at the Montgomery Hungarian Day and in the János Arany Memorial Museum in Nagyszalonta.
The members of the jury include Boglárka Gali, director of the János Arany Memorial Museum, Josette Gresty, artist and Minier Márta, the drama professor of South-Welsh University.
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Source: preflect, Magyar Crymru
My Nova Scotia looks so much like the lovely photos shown, infact our name means New Scotland and we have so many early settled citizens from the entire region of Britain. My own neighbours are 5th generation. My immediate community was hand built by the elderly 94yr old neighbour’s grandparents, parents & her & her own husband & other immediate relatives. Now her adult great grand kids in their early 20s are building themselves homes on properties that had been decreed to the original immigrated family members. My own Cape Cod house on several acres here on the shores of the Atlantic was infact the 3rd house hand built within this family unit so if anyone meets me, a ‘come from away’ as I am still referred to after living in this province for 40+yrs, asks where I live, I simply say “the ……. house” & people immediately know, just by that man’s name. I know that they DO ‘cus then they compliment me on the gardens & additions which I have built alone as a single woman, with my own hands.
Having been initially raised in a village in Hungary near Miskolc this article and the attached vedio brought huge tears to my eyes.
Unfortunately, here we are known not just for our work ethic & as good cooks but as a people of heavy alcoholics & domestic abusive families where women allow it thru their complicit behaviors & don’t take their children away to safety from such situations. Pride and shame.