The Hungarian Folklife Association (HFA) is a global alliance of organizations and individuals involved in Hungarian folk dance and music.  It is a non-profit organization, and the successor to the American Hungarian Folklore Centrum which began operating in 1975. 

As part of its mission, HFA also hosts an annual conference where organizations and individuals engaged in folklife activities can learn from one another, and think strategically about longterm sustainability. HFA is also the steward for Pontozó, the largest Hungarian folk dance and music festival and competition in North America since 1975.

The mission of the Hungarian Folklife Association (HFA) encompasses several core objectives aimed at supporting, sustaining, and growing the global Hungarian folklife community.  The organization’s mission is based on three foundational pillars:

  • Connection:  connecting individuals and organizations engaged in Hungarian folk dance and music globally, with a focus on collaboration and resource-sharing
  • Development:  professional development of Hungarian folk dancers, musicians, and organizational leaders around the world, including among youth participants
  • Advocacy:  promoting Hungarian folk dance and music to help ensure its long-term preservation, including through information-sharing, on-going data research distribution, grant facilitation, and novel programming

Core Mission

The HFA serves as a global alliance of individuals and organizations dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of Hungarian folk dance and music. Operating as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the successor to the American Hungarian Folklore Centrum (est. 1975), its central mission is to foster connection, development and advocacy, utilizing the principles of collaboration, resource-sharing, and professional development.

Key Objectives and Commitments

To achieve its overarching mission, the HFA actively focuses on the following areas:

  • Community Building and Access: Expanding access to Hungarian folklore activities and organizations while building sustainable networks that keep Hungarian culture flourishing globally.  This includes a robust online directory/database, events calendar, and social media following, with an emphasis on cross-cultural collaboration and partnerships.
  • Professional Development: Providing resources for ensembles and leaders to grow, which includes hosting conferences and platforms where community members can share knowledge and think strategically about long-term sustainability. For instance, HFA’s newest ongoing project is to develop a common online curriculum to train the next generation of folk ensemble leaders.
  • Outreach to Underserved Areas: Delivering support, folk dance education, and resources to remote or underserved communities that lack substantial access to Hungarian folklife programming, primarily through the Folklife Ambassadors Program now in its third year. 
  • Youth Engagement: Nurturing leadership and actively engaging the next generation of dancers and musicians to ensure the vibrancy of Hungarian folk traditions for generations to come.

Cultural Stewardship: Overseeing and safeguarding major cultural events, most notably serving as the long-term steward for the North American Pontozó, the largest Hungarian folk dance and music festival and competition in North America.

If anyone is looking to hire folk dancers, musicians or teachers, they are encouraged to contact those organizations/individuals through the HFA Global Directory.

Annual Reports

Who We Are

The HFA’s activities are overseen by a dedicated group of volunteers comprised of three executive directors and an Advisory Board. In the United States, HFA has charitable status (donations are tax deductible).

Executive Director TeamAdvisory Board
Kálmán “Öcsi” MagyarEduardo Bonapartian (Argentina)
Anna (Panni) De Cheke QuallsAttila Egyedi (USA)
János SzűcsLiz Kovach (Canada)(Chair)
Dóra Máté (United Kingdom)
Tomohiko Yamaguchi (Japan)
Technical ConsultantsHajnalka Guti-Izsó and Lajos Hunor Izsó

To follow and participate in the activities of the Hungarian Folklife Association:

  • Send us your events, email: hello@hungarianfolklife.org or DM us on Instagram/Facebook and we will promote your event/program.
  • Join our Google group (a platform to receive periodic news/announcements/resources or a chance to ask your questions) hungarian-folklife-association@googlegroups.com
  • Follow us on Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Threads | TikTok
  • Email: hello@hungarianfolklife.org
  • Volunteers: contact us

Member: Folk Alliance International | National Folk Organization