Let's start the Udvar Festival together with a prayerful devotion! The text of the devotion: "The King will answer them: Truly I say to you, whenever you did it to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." The devotion is led by Ákos Topolánszky, a Reformed pastor, addiction specialist, and pastor of Bethesda Children's Hospital.

Bethesda Children's Hospital staff and Dr. Márton Borbély are conducting screening tests throughout the day.

Erasmus+ experience report and project wrap-up.

You can visit the permanent exhibition of the Arlo Regional House on the ethnography and past of the settlement.

The Dignity of Poverty © photo: Ákos Topolánszky

    “Hello, Mister!  Photo, photo!” – the children asked, almost demanded at first, and then the adults too.

The openness with which each and every resident of the community welcomed us was impressive. Openness and acceptance in a situation of complete exclusion and rejection. Yet these are only people who are completely and utterly excluded from society. We witnessed so many signs of trust from people whose lives are destroyed by open and practically institutionalized suspicion and discrimination.

On the sidelines of a conference on poverty and social inclusion, the Albanian minority ombudsman accompanied me on October 24, 2014, to one of the city’s seven Roma ghettos. Approximately 350 people lived there without running water, a sewage system, electricity, paved streets, or public transport, dwelling in makeshift shelters—hardly even worthy of being called huts—built from scavenged materials that offered scant protection against the elements. Children made up half the population, and a third of them never attended school. Their faces and gestures betrayed an innate potential to become anything they might wish to be, yet in reality, they had virtually no chance of becoming anything at all. Since many of them did not appear in official records—existing not even as data points—they were missed by no one. They were not merely excluded; they were invisible. They had no names. They had no rights. And yet, despite entrenched prejudices, they managed to sustain themselves through grueling, demeaning labor, keeping their makeshift homes clean even amidst a sea of ​​mud. The ghetto’s residents fought a daily battle for survival on the outskirts of the Albanian capital.

The absurdity of the Roma's situation was emphasized most by how close the luxury villas of the upscale neighborhoods of the surrounding hills were with their balconies overlooking the ghetto: right next to them stood a completely uninhabited municipal housing building with about a hundred apartments, whose apartments the municipality gave away for free to its own circle of friends, while the residents of the segregated area were terribly overcrowded and had no access to even the most basic services.

They are the “elohistoi”, the least in today’s society according to Jesus: Jesus says: “Truly I tell you, whenever you did this (feeding, giving food, receiving, visiting, clothing, caring for) even one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40). This is the ‘minority policy’, we are taught this. And we, much older people, should practice the spirit of acceptance, not exclusion. This is what children’s eyes ask for. Because eyes speak. In these huge eyes shone hospitality, the multiple manifestations of community togetherness, but also the concern for the uncertain future – the same question appeared on their faces: “What will become of us?” And indeed, what will their future be? The eyes ask: What does the majority society have in store for them, for them, for the least?

How should I tell you?
So that I don't hurt you, but I don't have a thorn in my side because I didn't dare to tell you?
So that we get closer to each other, not further away?
So that it doesn't become a fight, but understanding?
What miracles can "sorry" and "thank you" do?

Self-knowledge and self-expression: Nonviolent communication with Pogány Anikó

We are waiting for you for about half an hour mini-trainings, where we will look at familiar situations in everyday life. Where do we slip up, so that we can improve relationships and friendships? How can communication between us be clearer and more honest, and yet peaceful and joyful?

It is possible for couples, friends, and families to participate in personal training together. You will be able to sign up for this on site.

We look forward to seeing you!

"I think the biggest benefit of nonviolent communication for me was that neither he nor I had to change in order to get closer to the people I love."

Musical instrument making workshop / Or does everything have a sound

How can we make some simple sound-producing devices from the objects around us? How can we make them sound? How can they be used? How can we make some simple sound-producing devices from the objects around us? How can we make them sound? How can we use them?

In the workshop, we have the opportunity to get acquainted with the concept and practice of recycling and upcycling homemade musical instruments and sound-producing devices, and in possession of our new instruments, we can also learn the basics of simple musical games.

In order to have a musical experience, it is not necessary to study music or have real musical instruments. The urge to make sounds and create sounds lives in us from early childhood, we just need to reinterpret our ideas about music and we will find a meaningful individual, social pastime both in making and playing music.

Instruments that can be made: Musical bow, Sferaphone, Keyboard shaker, Tin drum guitar…and many others. The workshop answers the history of the development of musical instruments and the concept of instrument making in many ways. During the making, you can also learn about materials and objects and how to use simple tools.

During the making process, we develop:

our manual skills
our attention and creativity
our relationship to sound creation

and we experience the necessity of helping each other.

It is essential to recognize the possibility of making our own objects, the relationship to the objects and materials that are already at hand, and the use of recycling.

In addition to the possibilities of playing ready-made instruments, we deal with individual, pair and group tasks with simple musical games. The closing moment of the self-made instruments can ideally be a conductor's game, where we also create the orchestra ourselves.

The employees of the Jákfalvi Presence Point are waiting for young and old alike with playful sports and skill tasks.

The Szabad Szombat Dance Ensemble is a youth and adult dance group from Ózd, founded in 2015. Its founding members practice folk dance not only as a hobby, but also as a defining part of their lives. The association strives for an authentic, yet open and attention-grabbing interpretation of the Hungarian folk dance tradition, and its productions are characterized by both tradition preservation and artistic experimentation. During their work, choreography has been created from dances from several regions. At the same time, dance theater performances combining folk dance and contemporary dance occupy an important place in the ensemble's repertoire, which the creators want to bring to the widest possible audience. In 2023, the ensemble was expanded with a new group called Kis-Szabad Szombat, in which young children aged 9-14 learn folk dance at an adult level, which they present within the framework of playful choreographies for and about children. A joint choreography was also created for the two groups, in which both children and adults participate, but this year the group's repertoire was expanded with the new group's independent program. The goal of the association is for children to not only learn about and love folk dance and folk culture at a young age, but also to start practicing it on a more serious level. The group is a regular participant in city events, and has also gladly accepted numerous invitations from the micro-region. It has performed with great success at events in neighboring counties several times, and has performed as a guest performer on many occasions in settlements in the highlands, including Almágy, Bátka, Kálosá, Rimaszombat, Serké, Borzová and Košice. Thanks to the Csoóri Sándor Fund, a choreography was also created in collaboration with the Borostyán Dance Workshop. Our association has set itself the goal of bringing together the youth of our narrower and wider living environment, and passing on as much knowledge as possible to them. Educating them to a healthy lifestyle through movement and cultural knowledge. Within this, cultivating folk dance culture, presenting and teaching ancient crafts, nurturing the talents of young people living in the city of Ózd and its surrounding area, and organizing folk dance education for them. Bringing together and helping children interested in folk art and other crafts, children's communities and adults who support them. Among the members of the group are dancers who have been dancing folk dances since kindergarten, dance is their life, and they have successfully performed in several regional and national competitions. Just to name a few, they finished on the podium in the folk dance category at the Aranypergő, aranyláb solo dance competition, the From the Danube to the Tisza national talent search competition, the National Secondary School Academic Competition, and the National Youth and Adult Solo Dance Competition.

The members of Gypsy JamMAL previously learned the basics of their musical skills in the Maltese Symphony program of the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service.

The Maltese Symphony program creates opportunities by connecting pedagogy, music teaching, and social and community development work, which started 13 years ago in the Monor settlement.

The success of the music education model based on the experience of success is proven by the improvement in the school results of several thousand children, as well as two university studies. Although the program is not a talent development program, it supports talented young people who want to pursue a career in music.

Gypsy JamMAL now plays in its own lineup, in its own voice. Jazz, folk music and world music coexist well in its music. The ensemble is an invited participant in more and more events, and is also the accompanying band for events of the program launched to bring the most disadvantaged villages closer together. They perform regularly, among others, at the FeteKert Café and Breakfast at the Fény Street market.

The band members are:
Martin Balogh, Nyírmihálydi – vocals
Dominik Botos, Tihamér Tarnazsadány – violin
Tihamér Botos, Tarnazsadány – double bass
León Botos, Tarnazsadány – guitar
Róbert Váradi, Erdőtelek – guitar
Rudolf Váradi, Kál – guitar

The band members are currently students of the Rajkó-Talentum Elementary Art School and Secondary School. In addition, the Maltese Symphony continues to mentor them to accompany the young musicians until they enter their profession. This is supported by the scholarship program granted by the Order of Malta and the Malta Symphony’s cooperating partner, the internationally renowned Danubia Orchestra. This led to the founding of Gypsy JamMAL.

Romano Flow is a passionate and energetic band that combines the world of traditional gypsy music with modern and international styles. Our repertoire includes songs with an authentic Parno Graszt atmosphere, our own arrangements and special musical fusions.

In our music, gypsy folklore meets the fiery rhythms of flamenco, the lightness of pop and fresh elements of other genres, so each of our performances gives the audience a unique and vibrant experience.

Romano Flow aims to build a bridge between tradition and modern sound, while preserving the soul and freedom of authentic music.

The Bélaműhely Sound Art Concert Plus program offers an exciting crossover of contemporary musical experiences. In the performance, electronic music styles – big beat, dubstep, drum and bass, jungle – combine with authentic Turkish, Arabic and South American rhythms, while the lyrics, which incorporate classical, modern and folk elements, open up new dimensions for the audience.

One of the most remarkable features of the concert is the active involvement of the audience. The Conductor’s Play and various improvisational structures allow the audience to become participants, creating sound and musical spaces together with their own instruments and bodies. This approach is a rarity in today’s Hungarian concert scene: music is not only about listening, but also about active experience, experimentation and communication.

The extreme and self-made instruments used by the Bélaműhely – such as bicycle drum, ghetto marimba, techno bowl, slag saxophone, bikephone, wooden dog, paper dog, and hordonka – are not only visual curiosities, but also open up new perspectives in their sound, which, when combined with traditional and electronic elements, create unique, organic musical textures. The concerts thus provide both a musical experience and a pedagogical message: listeners can realize that music is a universal language that does not necessarily require sheet music or prior training.

Overall, Concert Plus is an experimental but understandable musical event that opens up new avenues for interactive audience involvement and offers a fresh perspective on the complex world of sound creation and rhythms.

Gabriella Lakatos (GAB) is a singer-songwriter who graduated from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music with a degree in jazz vocals. Her music excitingly blends the sophistication of jazz with mainstream genres such as hip-hop and R’n’B, while her lyrics carry meaningful and impactful messages.

Her debut album, Magnolia, was released in 2024 and earned a spot on the year-end list of the Hungarian music magazine Recorder. The album’s title references Billie Holiday’s iconic 1939 jazz ballad Strange Fruit. The record explores themes of self-identity, the desire for mutual acceptance, and the experience and resolution of existential and social anxieties. The album features collaborations with prominent figures from the Hungarian hip-hop scene, including Glsch, egyedi, don C, SilkSilver, and Dan Pinto.

Amaro Duho is a family band that combines tradition and innovation in a unique way: they create their own unique soundscape by seasoning their rich musical heritage with their own modern elements. At their concerts, the magic of Hungarian Vlach Gypsy music comes to life with deep emotion and vigor. The band members, with decades of musical experience and deep Roma cultural roots, offer their audience a unique musical experience.

TERNIPE is a contemporary Roma music band that combines traditional Gypsy musical roots with a modern sound. In their music, authentic Roma melodies meet fresh instrumentation, emotional vocals and dynamic rhythms, creating a unique and energetic musical world.
Their songs tell the story of real life situations, love, struggle, joy and freedom, with a strong emotional charge and a distinctive musical identity. Ternipe's live performances are passionate and captivating, where tradition and the modern music world naturally connect, appealing to all ages.

With their unique style and powerful stage presence, Ternipe represents modern Roma culture while remaining true to their roots. Their music transcends borders, connecting people through rhythm, emotion and sincerity.

Biztosan ott lesznek Arlóban a Várkonyi Csibészek, akik visszatérő fellépői s egyben oszlopos tagjai a fesztiválnak!