On Friday, February the 10th from 7 p.m., the Numinosum House in Warsaw’s Jazdów district will host a dance party with live music and guided dances in the Hungarian Dance House formula. At Dance House meetings, dancing, playing and singing are done, but also – or perhaps especially – all of these things are taught.

If you have never danced csángó dances before – don’t be afraid to join us, all dances will be explained on the fly.  A perk of the dances may be that most are circle dances, so you don’t need a partner or partner, and the steps are usually simple, although tempos can be very fast.

The traditional music of the Hungarian csángó is unique, with medieval, gypsy, Jewish, Balkan and even Polish melodies.

The Csángós are a Hungarian-speaking ethnic group from the Moldva and Gyimes regions, which lie on both sides of the Eastern Carpathians, within what is now Romania and was once the Kingdom of Hungary.

Artists:

* The Szépszerével Band – draws on the traditions of the csángó, playing lively energetic Hungarian music derived from. It is co-founded by: Farkas Gyulai (violin, gordon, singing) and Gergó Sámsondi (koboz lute, violin, flutes).  The musicians often exchange instruments. They practise the oldest forms of folk music. The band’s name (translates as “aesthetically / kindly”) is linked to the band’s philosophy – they prefer to play without electricity (sound system), artificial lighting (especially LED), and they value contact with nature so as to ensure health and peace of heart. They are keen to teach the audience their dances, which they play, as well as songs, complete with lyrics, so that everyone can join in singing along as they dance.

** The special guest of the evening will be Mária Petrás, the most famous folk singer and ceramic artist of the Chango region. Mária Petrás is a recipient of the prestigious Prima Primissima Award and the Hungarian Heritage Award and a member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA). Maria always feels honoured to visit Poland and share her rich heritage in art and humanity with others.

*** In teaching dances, members of the Szépszerével band are assisted by Joanna Mieszkowicz, alover, animator and promoter of csángó culture, participant of many dance houses’ meetings and dance tabors in Romania, Hungary. Together with Szépszerével she creates travelling events under the name of meetings Csángó Festival in Poland, more at czango.pl

Anyone can enter the events, regardless of age or dance ability – the most important things are good shoes, the right humour, a fun attitude and a desire to interact with the community. Instruments such as violins, flutes and dulcimers are welcome.

Entrance fee – we will accept any amount, preferably from PLN 20 upwards, payment only in cash at the club.

Those with instruments nad who already play at least at intermediate level – free entry 🙂

The dance accompanies an exhibition by Mária Petrás, the opening of which will take place the day before at the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Warsaw, 10 Moniuszki St. The opening of the exhibition will be accompanied by a concert by Maria and the Szépszerével band, so we are in for two days of wonderful artistic experiences.