Hungarian House, London, June 10, 2023
After a three-year hiatus following the global pandemic, the national recitation contest of the Association of Hungarian Reciters in England returned with renewed vigour in June 2023. The 4th József Attila Poetry and Prose Recitation Contest was held at a new venue, the Hungarian House in London, with the official support of the Embassy of Hungary in London.
Located in the heart of London near Trafalgar Square, the impressive seven-story Hungarian House became the new home of our national competition, providing a fantastic opportunity to expand the event. The stunning theatre hall, modern stage technology, and spacious auditorium created a truly festive atmosphere for all participants.
A total of 26 amateur poetry and prose reciters entered the 4th national competition, playing to a full house in the 100-seat auditorium. The contest took place in three categories: Children, Youth, and Adult.
The event was opened by Beáta Verbászi, President of the Association of Hungarian Reciters in England. In her speech, she emphasized:
„It fills me with joy and pride that we can once again organize our recitation contest in London. For the generations living and growing up in the diaspora, it is of paramount importance that they not only speak the Hungarian language but also become acquainted with its cultural background. Literature is the noblest tool for this. It is our responsibility as adults to foster a love for literature and poetry in children. This is why we founded the Association of Hungarian Reciters in England in 2017—with the aim of it becoming a movement and, in the future, organizing events comparable to prestigious competitions in Hungary.”
The President then expressed her gratitude to the Embassy of Hungary in London for embracing and hosting the event, before introducing the other members of the jury: radio host Viktória Kumin and Dr. Fanni Sárosi, Diaspora Attaché at the Embassy of Hungary in London. Before the performers took the stage, mention was made of the supporters, as numerous Hungarian businesses operating in England generously donated products and services as prizes for the contestants.
The performers in the Children and Youth categories were the first to take the stage, followed by the Adult category after a short break. The day turned into a true poetry marathon, with the final recitation concluding in the early afternoon. Thanks to the competition’s sponsors, every participant was treated to a warm authentic Hungarian meal. During the lunch break, the jury deliberated to determine the rankings and winners.
During the awards ceremony, the jury praised the performances, noting that several recitations moved the audience to such emotional heights and depths that few eyes were left dry. This day was truly a celebration of poetry. The prize-winning reciters proudly accepted their awards.
The event concluded with a Gala Program featuring actress Mimi Kovács. With her captivating style and interactive storytelling, she enthralled the audience, providing a fitting conclusion to the festive occasion.
We wholeheartedly congratulate every contestant for their outstanding performance at the 4th József Attila Poetry and Prose Recitation Contest!
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU! YOU ARE THE ONES CARRYING THE TORCH!
