Csaba Hende’s Private Visit to Transcarpathia

Szöveg: István Zsalakó | 2011. július 2. 8:32

On Thursday, June 23, Defence Minister Dr. Csaba Hende paid an unofficial visit to Transcarpathia (the Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine) at the invitation of ‘Magyar Művészetért’ (For Hungarian Art) to watch the Rákóczi Ballad ‘Ismét Vereckénél’ (At Verecke Again) by Lajos Gubcsi and László Benkő and to say the words of welcome before the start of its world premiere. During the event the Hungarian politician also met with senior administrative officials, military leaders and mayors of the region, as well as representatives of local Hungarian organizations, churches and NGOs.

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Oleksandr Ledyda, the Head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration (RSA) received the Hungarian Defence Minister on a courtesy call. Maj-Gen. Yuri Anatolyevich Dumansky, the commander of the Western Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; József Bacskai, Hungary’s Consul General in Uzhgorod (Ungvár); Endre Szalipszki, Deputy Consul General; Col. Sándor Juhász, the Hungarian military attaché accredited to Kiev and Lajos Gubcsi, the production manager were also present at the meeting.

Dr. Csaba Hende paid a short visit to the centre of the Hungarian Cultural Association in Transcarpathia, where Chairman Miklós Kovács informed him about their activities. The Defence Minister’s program continued in Mukachevo (Munkács), inside the castle which had played an important role in Hungarian history. Dr. Csaba Hende had an informal discussion with the representatives of local churches and NGOs as well as the mayors of the region at the place where Ferenc Rákóczi II had directed the operations of the 18th-century war of independence. Following the meeting and the reception held in a friendly atmosphere inside the Ilona Zrínyi Hall, the Defence Minister laid a wreath at the combined statue to Ilona Zrínyi and Ferenc Rákóczi II and also at the statue to Sándor Petőfi in the castle.

In what followed, Lajos Gubcsi, the chairman of the board of trustees presented the “Magyar Művészetért" (For Hungarian Art) Awards to several recipients. Sándor Fábián Zán, the bishop of the Protestant Church District of Transcarpathia received the Ex Libris Award; Pál Popovics, the leader of the Hungarian Scouts’ Association of Transcarpathia the Árpád Award; whereas Hungarian actor and rock musician Miklós Varga – the recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – was given the “For Hungarian Art" Award in recognition of his work.

Precisely 300 years after the defenders of Mukachevo Castle, the last stronghold of the Rákóczi War of Independence surrendered, Dr. Csaba Hende greeted all those who honored with their presence the world premiere of the historical rock ballad. The Defence Minister praised Ferenc Rákóczi II’s achievements, pointing out that the Prince knew the limits of the uprising from the beginnings, being aware that he was attempting something that was almost impossible. But he did not care about his own fate, since he knew that he was obliged to serve the freedom of his nation. He did what he was supposed to do by unfurling the flag of freedom and taking command of the insurgent army.

“The memory of a great man has gathered us here, but we should not forget that thanks to a few excellent artists, we can celebrate today" – Csaba Hende added. “They have written a play, composed the music, learned the parts and arranged a celebration so that we can meet here – and also in a number of other towns in the coming days; there are thousands of us spreading the message of Prince Rákóczi, the message of freedom. Our grateful thanks go to these artists."

The Defence Minister pointed out that the authors and performers of the rock ballad were working to enable us to experience togetherness. First of all, we, Hungarians belong together, regardless of which part of the world we live. We belong together because we share the stories of our past, and by recalling these stories together we can experience these ties again.

“This play reminds us that we belong together with all freedom-loving people who are willing to make great sacrifices for being able to live by the ideas of freedom. We belong together with all benevolent men who know how important it is to everyone to be able to dream and live in their mother tongue. We belong together with everyone who was or is currently experiencing the oppression of nationalities in any form. We belong together with all benevolent people who do not want freedom only for themselves, believing that understanding, respect – and last but not least paying regard to the rightful interests and reasonable claims of each other – serve our life, just like our joint work and cooperation." – said the Defence Minister.

Following the Minister’s speech, the performance of the ballad “Ismét Vereckénél" written by Lajos Gubcsi and László Benkő evoked the spirit of Ferenc Rákóczi II (Miklós Varga), Ilona Zrínyi (Gabi Gubás) Miklós Bercsényi (Balázs Tanka) and Tamás Esze (Gábor Majsai). The minstrel, Tamás Kobzos Kiss, ‘tárogató’ player Csaba Nagy, the Credo Ensemble from Transcarpathia and the heritage groups, folk dancers and choirs from the Bodrogköz recreated the atmosphere of the era. Directed by Endre Nagy, the Rákóczi Ballad is the co-production of Magyar Művészetért Ltd., Grantfilm Ltd., and Magyar Művészek Köre Közhasznú Egyesület (the Non-Profit Association of Hungarian Artists).

After the Mukachevo premiere of the rock ballad, Dr. Csaba Hende sincerely congratulated the authors and the actors on the deeply emotional performance. Following the success in Mukachevo, the world premiere – a series of four performances – continued at another three historic venues: on June 24 in Beregovo (Beregszász), June 25 in Uzhgorod (Ungvár), and on June 26 in Sárospatak, Hungary.

At Foreign Minister János Martonyi’s request, on 23 June Dr. Csaba Hende presented a token of appreciation to Mihajlo Beleny, a well-known Rusyn sculptor who has Hungarian roots as well.