St. Stephen’s House, London, 11 May 2019
The Association of Hungarian Reciters in England organized its national recitation contest for the third time, on the occasion of Hungarian Poetry Day.
The aim of the competition is to nurture the Hungarian language and literature, as well as to preserve and promote the values of Hungarian culture in the United Kingdom. The contest took place ont he 11th of May 2019, at St. Stephen House in London, welcoming amateur poetry and prose reciters from across England.
The competition was held in three age groups: Children, Youth, and Adult categories.
Participants were required to prepare one poem by Attila József and one freely chosen poem or prose piece from universal Hungarian literature.
In her welcoming speech, the main organiser, Beáta Verbászi, noted that 2019 was a particularly rich memorial year in Hungarian literature. We commemorated the 90th anniversary of Sándor Kányádi’s birth, the 40th anniversary of István Örkény’s death, the 70th birthday of Gáspár Nagy, the 170th anniversary of Sándor Petőfi’s death, the centenary of Endre Ady’s death, and the 110th anniversary of Miklós Radnóti’s birth. She encouraged the reciters to remain steadfast and dedicated, emphasizing that they are the ones carrying the torch received from our ancestors—a role of special significance for generations growing up in the diaspora.
Regarding the work of the jury, she remarked:
„Anyone who sits at the jury table having once been a reciter in their heart and soul knows exactly what lies behind a few minutes of performance. They know well that certain spark of will ignited in childhood, which drives those worthy onto the podium to say something truly important.”
Members of the Jury:
- Beáta Verbászi – Radnóti and Kaleidoscope Award-winning performer, Chair of the Jury
- Franciska Éry – Theatre and Opera Director
- Kati Rácz – Actress and Dubbing Director
Following the welcome, the contestants took centre stage, proving their talent and dedication with sophisticated and well-prepared performances.
During the lunch break, the jury deliberated to determine the final rankings.
A highlight of the event was the Gala Program, which aimed to introduce Hungarian artists living in England. The stage featured the Foreign Accent Band and actress Mimi Kovács.
The Nottingham-based Foreign Accent Band performs motifs from Hungarian literature and folk music in an eclectic folk-rock style. Their program included the following poetry adaptations:
- Attila József: Oh Heart, Be Calm! (Ó, szív, nyugodj!)
- Endre Ady: Prayer After War (Imádság háború után)
- Attila József: Perhaps I’ll Suddenly Vanish (Talán eltűnök hirtelen)
- Endre Ady: The Lord’s Arrival (Az Úr érkezése)
as well as further adaptations inspired by folk music.
Actress Mimi Kovács, born in Košice, graduated with honours from the University of Kaposvár. As a member of the National Theatre of Pécs, she proved her talent in numerous leading roles and was recognized with a Quality Award (Nívódíj). In London, she pursued diplomatic studies and currently works as a Personal Assistant to the Leader of the House of Commons in the British Parliament. Her performance provided a deep emotional experience for the audience.
Following the Gala Program, Franciska Éry evaluated the performances, which was followed by the awards ceremony.
Contestants received prizes donated by Hungarian-owned businesses operating in England. Notable recognitions included an etching by painter József Olexa and the József Attila Award of England, which carried a £100 cash prize.
The Association of Hungarian Reciters in England once again delighted the public with a successful and high-quality event, proving that Hungarian poetry remains a living, community-building force even in the diaspora.
