03. 02. 2023

PETŐFI LITERARY CARAVAN - LITERARY JOURNEY FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN TRANSYLVANIA

For the fourth time, the Petőfi Literary Caravan, a popular series organised by the Petőfi Cultural Agency, will take literature beyond the borders of Hungary, especially in the Carpathian Basin and Transylvania. In 2023, the popular series will continue its literary and cultural journeys as the Petőfi Literary Caravan, a name that also evokes the poet Sándor Petőfi, who was born 200 years ago and whose bicentenary is celebrated this year. The Caravan will bring classical and contemporary literature closer to the visitors during one of its journeys, with the aim of promoting a unified Hungarian language and culture, through extraordinary literary lessons and nightly Salon discussions.

The fourth journey of the Petőfi Literary Caravan will take place between 6-9 February 2023 in Northern Transylvania: the organisers are preparing for the highlight of the programme by organising thematic, extraordinary literary lessons and Salon evenings and literary concerts for the audiences of Satu Mare, Baia Mare, Zalău and Cluj.

The fourth and last stop of the journey will take place on February 9 at 7 pm in the Studio of the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj with a special performance by János Háy, Attila József Prize-winning and Térey Fellowship-winning writer, poet and Tamás Rozs, musician, composer, music teacher, music therapist, cellist of the Szélkiáltó ensemble.

The performers are returning guests, as both the writer János Háy and the Literary Caravan led by the literary Anna Juhász have already visited the Studio Hall of the Theatre with a variety of literary programmes. This time, the "Who am I? Faces of Petőfi", János Háy and Tamás Rozs will highlight the life and work of Sándor Petőfi and his contemporaries, the reform era, in a modern voice, playing several instruments.

The focus of János Háy and Tamás Rozs' Petőfi performance is on the poet Sándor Petőfi, born 200 years ago. The programme will be based on poems set to music, which have been chosen according to Petőfi's poetic roles, and three folk songs, as folk songs were one of the main catalysts of Petőfi's poetry. Tamás Rozs, who plays the cello in the show, wrote the songs, while János Háy joins in with the cither, horn or other rhythm instruments. The performance aims not to destroy the topos of the national poet, but to lift it and show those parts of his oeuvre that are tangible and lovable for all literature-lovers. We are looking for general poetic and, of course, human significance in the oeuvre. And music is very close to this poetry, and I think there are still Petőfi poems that many people think are really folk songs. Not to mention that music really does break down all barriers.

Duration: 80 minutes

At the end of the evening, the literary critic Anna Juhász will interview the cast in a short panel discussion.

The Petőfi Literary Caravan is organised by the Petőfi Cultural Agency and co-organised by the Hungarian Consulate General in Cluj-Napoca.

The four-day journey will be recorded on video and in a photo diary, so you can expect to find informative reports on kultúra.hu and a film of the exciting moments of the journey on their website.

Tickets can be purchased at the theatre's ticket office (weekdays between 10 am and 2 pm) or online at www.huntheater.biletmaster.ro.