Szallós Katalin was one of Magyarvista’s treasures. Like others in this village, she was known for her oral histories about Kalotaszeg’s traditions, costumes, and folkways. She passed on this December, leaving many, including Borozda’s Szűcs János with a deep loss.
The first time Szűcs went to ‘Vista Kati Néni and Pista Bácsi took him in. Over the years, there were countless conversations around the kitchen table. Though Kati Néni didn’t dance any more, she continued to share stories and profound knowledge – impacting the next generation.
“We honor others and their humanity through our craft. That’s what we do as artists. Sculptors make statues, blacksmiths create branding irons, and folk dancers have their choreographies,” says Szűcs, who with Noémi Toka, built a moving Nyáradselyei choreography around this remarkable person.
The overture to the main dance begins with a song hummed by Csík Zenekar’s János Csík, Én vagyok az, aki nem jó (Be sok eső, be sok sár album) to the solemn candlelight procession of Borozda’s dancers. From this moment, the lively music of Bakator and songs of Nyáradselye fill the ballroom. As the choreography comes to a close, the dancers retreat to the simplicity of candle light again – as if to remind us, perhaps, that joy and loss is ever-present in the human experience.
“There’s something magical about watching a folk dance group perform. It doesn’t require language, historical knowledge, it is just an explosion of color, romance and boot slappin’ fun! Borozda was amazing and provided an instant celebration, and immersion into Hungarian culture for everyone there,” remarked Hungarian American Coalition President Andrea Lauer Rice.
Szűcs is a folk dance educator, consultant, Örökös Arany Sarkantyús dancer, a László Vásárhelyi award winner, and a Nívó award laureate choreographer. Toka is the Founder and Director of Borozda. Since 2010 she has, according to her latest count, “run over 700 rehearsals for the ensemble” – a remarkable accomplishment given the challenges folk dance ensembles face.
Photo credits | Szallós Katalin/FolkMagazin | Video/J. Megyeri | Borozda’s Choreography Music used by written permission from the Csík Zenekar and Bakator Band | Choreography by Szűcs János and Toka Noémi | HFA Story by Panni De Cheke Qualls
