About us

The group first danced together at a harvest festival in autumn 1996. The core of the folk emsemble –  recruited for that particular occasion –  was made up of the dance group of the People’s Circle of ’48, the preservers of tradition from the People’s Circle of Rákóczi, the pupils of Central Elementary School, young high school, college and university students and regular soldiers. For that event Attila Sefkovics, first-rate prize winner choreographer was asked to create and teach a choreograhy consisiting of dances of Szatmár.

Influenced by the succesful performance, the members of the ensemble decided to stay together and the following spring they started to work officially registered as Himes Folk Dance Ensemble. Their artistic director became Attila Sefkovics with whom they composed their first performance. Tamás Szanka was elected president of the ensemble.

The aim of the ensemble is to learn about and preserve  the peasant traditions of Hungary, Central and Eastern Europe in a complex way; to present them on stage. Apart from learning and performing the figures of dance the association is aiming – by developing improvisational skills – to make the lements of Hungarian Dance language parts of today’s dance culture so that this outsatnding Hungarian heritage will exist not only on stage. It is important for the members to preserve the traditional values of their hometown, Balmazújváros, to foster folk culture, to familiarize the wider public with the local traditions.

The one and a half year period while the artistic work was led by Gyula Juhász with Csaba Gál”Muri” presiding was of great importance in the life of Himes Folk Dance Ensemble. It was the time when the junior group was established.

At present the artistic director is Lajos Jeremiás who was honoured by the title of „Young Master of Folk Art”. He does not only teaches the choreographies made by himself, but pays attention to the basic elements of different dance dialects to be acquired authentically, the traditions and customs of different regions to be familiarized.

From 2001-2010 Gyula Haas-Brandt was in charge of Himes Folk Dance Ensemble, who did not only lead the association but was of great help in the professional work of the artistic leader. The present president is László Silling.

 It was a great professional acknowledgement for the dancers when in 1998 they were invited to an international folklore festival in Spain. They had succesful performances in 8 settlements of the Iberian country and among many Asian, African, South-American ensembles participating they were chosen as winners of  the first rate prize of the festival. They also danced in Poland, Transylvania and, of course, in several towns of Hungary.

There have been invitations from many countries of Europe, from overseas, as well. But these performances have never been realized due to the narrow budget of the association, in spite of the fact that the receiving countries would cover all the expenses except for the travel costs.

At present the group has its rehearsals in the theatre hall of Veres Péter Cultural Centre and Elementary Art School, and this institution provides the replacement junior group, as well. The ensemble is welcoming any applicants who are inclined and devoted to Hungarian culture, Hungarian peasant tradition and Hungarian folk dance.

Megosztás

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