About half a thousand Subcarpathian children are hosted by the Rákóczi Association in Sátoraljaújhely, in the 29th Transcarpathian Folk Music, Folk Dance and Handicrafts Camp, which opened its doors on Sunday evening.

Hungarian Consul General József Bacskai from Ungvár took part in the festive opening, and in his greeting he said: there are no obstacles for the Hungarian people of Transcarpathia. He added that they are able to overcome all obstacles, as they are together in the camp despite the difficulties and present the knowledge they have acquired. He is sure, he said, that they will be the children who will teach the future generation in a few years or decades.

Katalin Pál, head of the Subcarpathian Network of the House of Traditions and founder of the camp, emphasized that they were very happy to be able to come to Sátoraljaújhely, since last year they could only greet the participants in the camp by letter. He expressed his gratitude to his colleagues who, as he said, keep the camp going.

Transcarpathian folk music, folk dance and crafts camp in Sátoraljaújhely

Sátoraljaújhely, June 18, 2023.
Participants at the opening of the twenty-ninth Subcarpathian Folk Music, Folk Dance and Handicraft Camp in Sátoraljaújhely, at the Rákóczi Camp on June 18, 2023.
About 500 children from Transcarpathia came to the camp. MTI/János Vajda

He added: they are happy to have someone to pass it on to, there are those who will take it on, and they can be observers of the "wonderful world of folk dance and folk music". At the end of his greeting, he emphasized that they must return home in such a way that they can say that they "carry on the Hungarian culture unbroken."

Csongor Csáky, the president of the Rákóczi Association, stated at the opening of the camp that he wishes the days spent in the camp to be spent with the participants being able to experience their childhood and youth. In his greeting, he talked about the history and natural features of the area, and called Sátoraljaújhe and the Rákóczi camp magical. He added that many things from Hungarian history and Hungarian culture are concentrated in the city and in the region, and those who came to the camp brought with them everything that characterizes Transcarpathia.

Last year, the camp moved to Sátoraljaújhely due to the war in Ukraine, and this year, for the second time, about half a thousand Transcarpathian children who learn folk dance and folk music at home can meet in the city.

The Transcarpathian Folk Music, Folk Dance and Handicrafts Camp will be held between June 18 and 24. Next Thursday, the band Szalonna and its band will visit the Rákóczi camp, and they will entertain those present with a folk music concert.

MTI