The Udvarhely Folk Dance Workshop was established in the fall of 1998 through a municipal initiative under the auspices of the Cultural Center and gained independent legal status in 2005.
As its name suggests, the Udvarhely Folk Dance Workshop is a folklore institution dedicated to preserving and authentically passing down Hungarian folk music and dance traditions. With over two decades of history, the institution plays a significant role not only in the cultural life of its native Székely city but also eagerly performs its authentic folklore programs on stages in other towns.
The institution serves as a cultural influencer, impacting the cultural life of the city and its surrounding areas by engaging lovers of folk music and dance not only as passive audiences but also as active participants.
The current dance ensemble, consisting of 14 members, has worked and continues to collaborate with renowned choreographers. As a result of this collaboration, the group stages 2–3 folklore performances annually while also focusing on training the next generation and offering various educational programs throughout the season.
In addition to stage performances, the Udvarhely Folk Dance Workshop considers it part of its mission to promote and sustain the dance house movement.
The ensemble is supported by the Mayor’s Office of Székelyudvarhely.
Director - Choreographer: Csaba Zsolt Tőkés
The folk dance performance prepared in memory of Zoltán Kallós, titled Rare Hungarian, refers to both the dance and musical traditions of his paternal and maternal homelands (the Kis-Szamos region and Northern Mezőség), and this term also carries several symbolic connotations: it can refer to the depopulating, dispersing Hungarian population of Mezőség, or it can also point to Zoltán Kallós himself, who had an exceptionally remarkable life, thus rare in its own right.
At the same time, Zoltán Kallós wants to convey an important message, drawing attention to the transience of human life and emphasizing the importance of what we leave behind for future generations. This was something "Uncle Zoli" considered very important.
Cast:
The Udvarhely Folk Dance Workshop: Antal Katalin, Bakos Gellért István, Csog Lehel Zoltán, Demeter Gyöngyi, Faluvégi Erzsébet, Fábián Gergely, Fülöp Csaba, Hajdó Árpád, Hajdó Nagy Lóránt, Mátéfi Ágota, Orbán Henrietta, Sipos Réka, Szabó Adrienn, Szabó Tamás Zsolt
Creators:
Director - Choreographer: Csaba Zsolt Tőkés
Music Editor: László Kelemen
Co-choreographers: Ignác Kádár, Hortenzia Lőrincz, Edit Tőkés
Costume Designer: Melinda Székely
Set Designer: Csaba Zsolt Tőkés
Dance Teachers: Tibor Feketelaki, Csongor Könczei, Melinda Székely, Júlia Vincze
Assistants: József Antal, Csaba Fülöp, Árpád Hajdó
Artistic Collaborator: Csongor Könczei
