Gábor Mi­hályi

Ensemble Leader, Hungarian State Folk Ensemble

Recipient of the Harangozó Gyula Award, Distinguished and Merited Artist,                                 Eternal Member of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble 

 

For me, discovering traditions resembles walking along a path in a garden filled with secrets. However, I do not only find magic and wonders hidden in the bushes; I keep finding myself again and again as well.

A short - and naturally subjective - introduction of an artist’s work spanning through more than two decades is not an easy task. To mention all philosophical principles and artistic styles that have directly or indirectly influenced my activities. To comment on the nature of traditions. To answer the eternal question: how to deal with our traditions, as well as the influence of European or “global” cultures; to allow people, who have been battling this conflict for a long time, to find their own path! Of course I have realized that traditional culture is nothing more than finding our own path that leads us to such recognition. Culture shall only blossom when it’s represented by someone - as culture is a living substance that survives through people, that is, the people of today.

It is my opinion that the contemporary folk dance arts based on traditions, represented by the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, speaks the language (and addresses) of today’s audience, and therefore incorporates the traditional dance and music culture into the world of today.

My works have been most influenced by Béla Bartók, whose mentality and oeuvre proves that tradition and modernity are disciplines that show complementarity.

As the ensemble’s leader, I consider myself the successor to my great predecessors: Miklós Rábai, “the legendary founder”, and Sándor Timár, “the father of the dance house movement”. It is my belief that under my leadership, the ensemble has entered (and shall continue) into a new era. We created a new ensemble that is open to modern arts, and at the same time, focuses on traditional folk dance interpretations. My works combine traditional folk dance and music, modern dance and music, contemporary stage elements, as well as modern dramaturgy, in order to create a contemporary folk dance theatre that represents universal values, serving communities and individuals alike.

 

Skills and Education:

2007:   Hungarian Dance Academy - Choreography

1992:   Hungarian Dance Academy - Folk Dance Teacher

 

Prizes, State and Other Awards:

2020: Merited Artist of Hungary

2014:  Distinguished Artist of Hungary

2013:  “Composer of the Year Award” for Midnight Moon (Hajnali Hold) - award of the Hungarian Dance Association

2009: Joint Recipient of the “Composer of the Year Award” for Bartók Trilogy, Part II: Labyrinth (Bartók-trilógia, II. rész: Labirintus) - award of the Hungarian Dance Association

2007:  EuróPAS Hungarian Dance Award

2000:   “Composer of the Season” for Legend of the Sun (Naplegenda) - award of the Hungarian Dance Association

1996:  Harangozó Gyula Award - state award in the category of dance

 

Under his leadership, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble received the Bartók Béla Memorial Award in 2006, the Prima Award and the Prima Primissima Viewer’s Choice award in 2007, and the Award for Budapest (Budapestért Díj) in 2014 and became The ensemble of the year, by MÜPA Budapest.

 

Positions held in professional civil organizations:

- Hungarian Dance Association - Chairman

- Hungarian Academy of Arts - Corresponding Member

 

tel: (+36 1) 225 6055

e-mail: mane@hagyomanyokhaza.hu