Hírek

The 7th Horizont International Contemporary Dance Festival to be Held in Miskolc

The Miskolc National Theatre will host the 7th Horizont International Contemporary Dance Festival from April 23 to 27 this year. Once again, the Miskolc Ballet has invited renowned choreographers and dance companies to perform for the local audience and visitors. Each performance offers a unique glimpse into both international and Hungarian dance trends.

Kozma Attila, the artistic director of the Miskolc Ballet and the Horizont International Contemporary Dance Festival, has curated a diverse program for dance enthusiasts in Miskolc. In addition to Hungary's most prominent dance representatives, this year’s lineup features the Nuovo Balletto di Toscana from Italy.

"I’ve been following this company for a long time. They express dance art in a very exciting and beautiful way. I felt that their performance of La Bayadère—which features stunning visuals and, of course, exceptional technique—fits perfectly into the Horizont Festival," says Kozma Attila.

The name Horváth Renátó is already well known in the dance world. Nearly five years ago, during a rehearsal in Miskolc, he suddenly became paralyzed from the neck down due to an unexpected illness. Since then, he has been bound to a wheelchair. However, the young dancer refuses to give up; alongside his medical treatments, he continues to tell his story on stage with the help of fellow dancers.

"Renátó has been part of several of our productions, including Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Wuthering Heights. It was during a rehearsal for the latter that the unfortunate incident happened, leading to his paralysis. It’s incredible how he endures and embraces this fate, both as a person and as an artist. I deeply respect his courage in sharing his story through his new performance, A Prayer Trapped in a Body. It’s worth noting that this is a new company in the Hungarian dance scene, and I believe they deserve attention," emphasizes the artistic director.

Attila Tókos, a recipient of the Harangozó Gyula and Junior Prima Awards, has already made an impression on Miskolc audiences as the choreographer of The Tatars in Hungary. This time, he will take the stage as a performer.

"Attila comes from a folk dance background, but his collaboration with TranzDanz and choreographer Péter Kovács Gerzson has resulted in something truly special in the production Hermes, where contemporary dance takes center stage. His versatility, dynamism, and strong stage presence make this one of the most exciting productions in Hungary today," says Kozma Attila.

This year’s festival will open with a premiere by the Miskolc Ballet: The Power of Love. The dance performance tells the story of Héloïse, a French abbess, and Abélard, a renowned scholar-priest, whose love is tragically torn apart by the dogmas of their time.

"Héloïse and Abélard’s correspondence is among the most famous love letters in world literature. This medieval tale is filled with emotions, betrayal, and undying devotion. This season, our company began with Eugene Onegin, which features one of literature’s most beautiful love confessions, and a few years ago, we staged Wuthering Heights, another story of love beyond the grave. I believe this new production fits perfectly into this series. Its premiere will take place on the festival’s opening night."

What Other Performances Are Coming to the Festival?

GG Dance Eger will present a Shakespeare adaptation, As You Like It Reloaded. The Duna Dance Workshop will bring Landscapes, a unique performance featuring not only young but also older dancers. The Artus – Goda Gábor Company will showcase an exciting multidisciplinary production, while young creators Kozma Johanna and Bali Boglárka will bring their latest work to Miskolc.

The festival will conclude with a gala performance initiated by Zoltán Zsuráfszky—Artist of the Nation, Kossuth Prize-winning and Harangozó Gyula Prize-winning dancer, choreographer, and leading artist of the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble—in honor of International Dance Day. The Home Ground gala will feature key figures from the local dance scene who have dedicated their work to dance art and education in Miskolc and the surrounding region. A special guest will be the Serbian National Dance Foundation and Ballet School from Belgrade.

Music historian Ádám Bősze and dance critic Léna Megyeri will present an educational series titled Look for the Woman!, exploring the various roles women have played in music and dance history.

The Central Europe Dance Theatre will also visit Miskolc, bringing their children’s performance Rag Doll, inspired by the songs of Kossuth and Jászai Mari Prize-winning actress and singer Judit Halász.

As per tradition, the festival will open with an exhibition. This year, the photography exhibition Silent Bodies by Vera Éder and Mihály Samu Gálos will feature dancers from the Miskolc Ballet. For over a decade, they have been striving to tell stories to audiences solely through their bodies, without words.