The Hungarian Cultural Center, New York

in association with Hungarian Society of Massachusetts

presents

A Magical Journey Through Central Europe’s

Music and Dances

“For Old Times Sake”

by the Ifjú Szivek (“Young Hearts”)

Hungarian Folk Ensemble from Pozsony, Slovakia

25. November 2003, 7 pm

Morse School

40 Granite Street, Cambridge, MA

TICKETS (at the door): $15, under 12 free

Featuring the authentic traditions of

Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian and Gypsy villages.

Showcasing the fabulous dancers and musicians of the official ensemble of the Hungarian minorities in Slovakia.

It’s not like Riverdance. It’s not like Gumboots. In fact, it’s not like anything you’ve ever seen before. This ensemble achieves a miracle. It time-transports you back to the village world of yesteryears’ Central Europe. You can practically smell the hay and hear the cowbells.

The musicians have learned their art at the elbows of the last village musicians in Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. The dancers have modeled their every move on old village dancers. Artistic Director Dusán Hégli, has created an ensemble that lives and breathes tradition. But he does break with theatrical tradition in several delightful ways.

Gone are the usual Ruritanian clichés. Gone is the patronizing coyness. Gone are the Moyseyev-like athletics. Instead, Hégli presents the genuine, multi-ethnic treasures of Central Europe’s village traditions. Though the seldom seen dances of Slovakia’s Hungarian villages are at the heart of the Ifjú Szivek repertoir, the ensemble is just as at home in interpreting Slovak, Gypsy or Transyvanian-Romanian or Hungarian dances and music.

While politicians and nationalists bicker, this Ensemble stands as a testament to the power of neighborliness. This alone is worth the price of admission. But the real treasure is the heart-warming feeling you’ll get from knowing you have done the impossible: gone back in time to see what it was really like to be part of a village celebration.

Don’t miss it!

The Ifjú Szivek was formed in 1955 and has been committed to the collection and preservation of Hungarian folklore in Slovakia. The Company of 15 enthusiastic young Hungarians will perform on this tour. They have toured extensively in Europe, and last year in Australia. The 2003 tour will be their initial visit to North America. The ensemble also visits Hungary on regular basis and is a popular performing group. The government of the Slovak Republic is the main supporter of the professional Ensemble and also supports this tour to North America.

The Hungarian Society of Massachusetts along with The Hungarian Cultural Center, NY are dedicated to promoting Hungarian culture and increasing the awareness of the wonderful cultural resources of Hungary among the North American public. The Center is funded by the Hungarian Ministry of Culture, the Society is a non profit organization of people of Hungarian descent in Massachussetts.

http:// www.ifjuszivek.sk