Northwest Folklife

 

The Hungarian American Association of Washington (HAAW) is celebrating its 25^th Anniversary this year. In the early 1980s, a small group of international dancers performed Hungarian dances for Folklife under the name of “Dusha.” They had so much fun that they decided to change their name to “Legényes” and perform only Hungarian dances. In 1983, the newly-formed Legényes looked through the phone book and contacted people with Hungarian names so they could sponsored a dance event for the local Hungarian community. From this performance, folk dancers and Hungarians became acquainted. Márta Boros Horváth, a Hungarian, and Sue Isely, a folk dancer, teamed up to form a children’s dance group called Kisbetyárok and a bilingual newsletter for local Hungarians, the HIREK. A short time later, the two recruited a steering committee, the Hungarian American Association was formed in May of 1984 and its official dance group performed for Folklife. So the Seattle area Hungarian community definitely has roots in the Northwest Folklife Festival! (Sue Isely, Hungarian Community Coordinator) This year's featured performers: Kisbetyárok, Forras, Bokreta Hungarian Dance Ensemble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Links

• HAAW
• Forras
• Ti Ti Tabor Dance and Music Camp