By Panni De Cheke Qualls
The global folk dance community recently lost one of its most transformative figures. On June 19, 2026, Sándor Tímár—the Kossuth Prize-winning choreographer and a founding pillar of the Hungarian táncház (dance house) movement—passed away at the age of 95. Born in 1930, Tímár fundamentally reshaped how Hungarian folk dance is taught and performed, bringing authentic village traditions to professional stages and teaching studios worldwide. His legacy as an Artist of the Nation will be remembered not only for preserving the culture of the Carpathian Basin, but for sharing it worldwide.
Tímár was already an internationally known figure by the 1980’s, as the Artistic Director of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble with several teaching tours in North America, including at the Symposium Dance Camp. His global influence was profoundly underscored in 1991, when this same ensemble took the stage of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre – alive with incredible rhythm and vibrant energy. In the audience sat Kenneth Tse, watching closely.
“I was deeply impressed by the Hungarian folk music and by the authenticity of Sándor’s choreographies,” Tse recalls of Tímár’s leadership. “They emphasized the preservation of Hungarian folklore while being performed with excellent technique by professional dancers.”
That single performance planted a seed that would eventually grow into a vibrant, cross-cultural bridge, bringing the deeply rooted traditions of Hungary all the way to Asia. Founded by Tse in 1998, the Knack Cordial Folk Group was born directly from this inspiration. Over the decades, the Hong Kong-based ensemble has evolved into a premier organization dedicated to preserving, teaching, and performing authentic Hungarian dance motifs across the region.
Bridging the Cultural Divide
Following that initial spark, Tse dedicated himself to bringing Tímár’s methodology to his own community, inviting the legendary choreographer to teach in Hong Kong from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s. The cultural and geographical distance between Hungary and Hong Kong is immense, yet the dedication of the Asian dancers immediately left a mark on their instructors.
“Sándor always came to Hong Kong with his wife, Böske, who also served as his interpreter,” Tse explains. “They were very impressed by the eagerness of our group members—not only in learning dance techniques and choreographies, but also in singing Hungarian folk songs.”
To bridge this cultural gap, Tímár employed a deeply immersive pedagogical approach. Rather than relying on movement alone, he brought maps and printed materials into the studio to establish the geographical and cultural context of each regional dialect.
“At first, we found it difficult to understand the complex regional dance dialects that Sándor emphasized,” Tse notes. “However, he later provided us with his book Néptáncnyelven, which offered detailed explanations and helped resolve many of our questions.”
The language barrier proved to be one of the most formidable hurdles during rehearsals. Hungarian contains a vast array of sounds and letters foreign to English and Cantonese speakers, making the traditional lyrics incredibly difficult to pronounce. Yet, under Böske’s patient guidance, the dancers persevered. As Tse points out, “The beauty of the melodies helped us gradually memorize the lyrics.”
Tímár found particular joy in teaching the Sóvidéki táncok. Because the choreography could accommodate a massive group of dancers, the ensemble embraced both the singing and the dancing with open enthusiasm, and Tímár delighted in seeing the large-scale participation.
The Maestro Off the Dance Floor
While his legacy in the studio is characterized by intense discipline and authenticity, off the dance floor, Tímár was defined by his warmth. “Outside of class, Sándor was warm and cheerful, always laughing,” Tse shares.
After demanding rehearsals, Tse would often drive Sándor and Böske to explore Hong Kong’s landmarks, from the sweeping views of Victoria Peak to serene traditional temples and local beaches. The Hungarian maestro also developed a deep appreciation for Asian cuisine, discovering a particular fondness for barbecued pork and traditional soup noodles.
During one of these quiet, private moments, Tímár offered Tse invaluable advice that would shape the future of folk dance in Asia. Tse remembers explicitly asking for guidance on his future ambitions.
“Sándor generously advised me on how to build a professional dance group—developing original choreography and collaborating with professional folk musicians and singers,” he says. “I have followed his guidance in leading my group over the past twenty plus years.”
Keeping the Flame Alive
Taking Tímár’s mentorship to heart, Knack Cordial has since become a beacon of Hungarian folklife in Asia. “One of Sándor’s greatest contributions to Asia was introducing and presenting the authentic, high-level artistry of Hungarian folk dance,” says Tse. Inspired by this foundation, Tse helped orchestrate the very first táncház events in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China in 2017, collaborating directly with artists like vocalist Júlia Kubinyi and the Hungarian FolkEmbassy.
The profound love for Hungarian dance cultivated in those early workshops eventually culminated in two major European performance tours [by the Knack Cordial Folk Group] in 2018 and 2024, spanning Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Austria. For his tireless dedication to promoting Hungarian folk culture, Tse was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (Magyar Arany Érdemkereszt) in 2018.
As a new generation of dancers enters the studio—dancers who will never have the opportunity to learn from the maestro directly—Tse remains fiercely committed to preserving Tímár’s spirit. “I will continue to preserve Sándor’s teaching by encouraging my group members to follow his methodology,” Tse affirms. “He emphasized improvisation and spontaneity within a clearly defined folk style, urging dancers to internalize the tradition so deeply that they could express themselves authentically.”
Reflecting on a lifetime of mentorship and shared passion, Tse’s final thoughts to his late mentor are filled with enduring gratitude: “Thank you [Sándor] once again for your teaching and mentorship. I sincerely hope that my work as a Hungarian dance group leader in Asia reflects the values and standards you so generously shared with me.”
[Photo credits | Kenneth Tse]
