Recruitment and retention is an on-going challenge for diasporal folk dance and music ensembles. Even in thriving Hungarian communities like Toronto, the work of sustaining an ensemble has to be intentional. Ilona Vaszi, the Kodály Ensemble’s President and Erika Hild, its Artistic Director, knew this only too well when they planned and organized a trip to Hungary for their youth ensemble.
This past summer the group toured Hungary. The focus of the trip wasn’t just sightseeing alone – it was about building community, cultural and language connections, and encourage a love for dance.
“We discussed the initial plan and concept almost a year in advance. Throughout the year I was in constant contact with both the Rákoczi Szövetség as well as the Kecskemét Táncegyüttes’ Artistic director, Laszló Lukács. We were also supported by a number of Kodaly parents who accompanied the group on the trip as chaperones,” says Vaszi.
Over a two-week period, the group went to the Rákoczi Tábor in Sátoraljaújhely. They enjoyed a five-day camp with about 500 other youth, jam-packed with activities including hiking, dancing, sports and a talent show – where Kodály showcased their love of folk dance.
From there, they went to Kecskemét to spend a week with their folk dance ensemble. The local families provided housing for everyone, which allowed the dancers to be immersed in the language and culture of Hungarian families. Five of the days, both ensembles attended a joint folk dance camp at the Kunsági Major, a beautiful facility on the perimeter of the region’s National Park. The dance material focused on the basics of the Kiskunsági dance dialect – a specialty of the Kecskemét Folk Dance Ensemble. They youth also practiced the basics for improvisation of Vajdaszentiványi and Kalotaszegi invirtitas.
“Not only were our dancers delighted at the wealth of dance knowledge they had acquired to participate more actively in táncház situations, they also made some lovely and hopefully lasting friendships with the Kecskemét dancers. It was absolutely heartwarming to watch,” recalls Vaszi.
As Kodály turns 65 in 2025, its leadership is actively thinking about the decades ahead, and making sure that its next generation connects not only with dance but their Hungarian identity, as well.
“This cultural identity that belongs to all of them. They must discover for it for themselves. It can be very special to do that with a group of friends who all share those cultural roots with you. We hope the dancers who participated come back to Kodály this fall with stronger friendships, a deeper appreciation and love for our folk community and the desire to build on it,” concludes Vaszi.
[Vaszi and Hild will be speaking on this very topic at the Hungarian Folklife Association’s Annual Conference in November.]
