Poemfest in Kaposvár
One of the most important things about studying communication at university was to learn to write news and the elements that should be in it. The definition of news is the summary of who-what, why, when-where questions in this order. For sure, the poemfest organized for the third time between 21 and 23 of February could be described among these requirements easily; but can the reader – even with the best intentions – sense those experiences which the news is about? We are going to be trying to do so with the below contraction along with our uploaded pictures in the Galery and claim of wholeness and indestructibility.
In the Third Poem-, and Prose Storytelling Contest there were 47 applicants, even though the influenza epidemic in February had modified the number of contestants. Two different age groups (above and below 16-year-old) stood up on the podium with the number of 36 poem lovers, all of them with two performances. This year, we could take in participants from Erdély, Harghita and Kovászna County as well as the members of the Foundation from Szentes, Szeged, Pécs, Nagybajom, Mohács and Kaposvár.
The obligatory poem or prose was a self-chosen work from a famous poet/writer couple from literature and the other one was a writing that was randomly chosen by the taste of the contestants. The field of melodized poems got stronger than the previous year’s and gave a new pattern for the poemfest. In the 16+ age group, we could seen performances with guitar, folk violin and a band that was formed for this occasion. These presentations made the repertoire more colorful, even though there were already truly wonderful literary works used by the poem lovers. Children and teenagers between the ages of 11 and 21 stepped on the stage in front of judges who were connected to poems and prose due to their jobs or hobbies. The members of the jury by the younger age were Mária Tolnai, the previous docent of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Kaposvár, drama tutor; Valéria Skoda, theater director for children and youth, our volunteer; Máté Varga volunteer; László Gázsik student of the Csányi Foundation. In the case of the older kids, the judges were Dániel Nizsai and Krisztina Nyirkó actors; András Török, cultural historian, teacher of the S10 Academy; Hanna Szép, our student, winner of several poem-, and prose declamation contests; and Vid Varga, second placing of literary translation, volunteer.
The jury decided to rate the performances with the qualification of bronze, silver and gold. The competitors can only win a certain award, if all the judges agree about the same qualification. And yes, it could have been a possible situation that someone had to leave without the above-mentioned prices. However, this possibility didn’t arrive, because the high level of storytellings was so strong that all of them convinced the judges about the serious preparation work, the wise choice of poems, the diverse presentations. Additionally, they didn’t give that gold classification (the imaginary brightest medal) that easily. They had long discussions about the final decision, used all the time to decide about what viaticum should be given for their accomplishments, because they needed to think about the return of the contests next year too. For the judges, it was quite obvious that some poem lovers didn’t want to use the festival as a springboard to conquer the poetry of the world, rather (most of them) only wanted to show something of themselves, the searches of their path, their joys, changing the word of Ady a bit ,,to be seen seeing” by the honored audience.
Every year, serious work is done before the festival, because it not only consists of poetry performances, but also connected professional programs and spare time activities. This year the evening of drama games wasn’t missed either, nor was the round-table discussion about the job of actors. On both days, before the contest itself an elocution training, concentration and improvisation practices took place, led by professionals. After all the obligatory competition programs; unbound, free conversations in nature, among the hills of Zselic were ensured. During this time, our attempt to reach a uniqe ,,world record” was achieved: on the top of the gazebo next to the planetarium of Zselic singing together – in memoriam of Miklós Radnóti – his poem called Bájoló. We were fighting against the wind up high, the cold made the musicians’ fingers slower, some of us defeated the fear of high places to reach our goal. This song became the anthem of our poemfest as our common decision.
We spent our last night visiting the famous Csiky Theater in Kaposvár. After the end of the play, the actors were motivated to be on the watch for that ,,super audience” (said by them), because we were laughing loudly all along, following the path of the play with our emotions expressed, almost making our presence interactive for the actors. For some of the children, this became a uniqe chance to visit a theater for the first time in their lives; and for them, it was a great pleasure to see one of the most remarkable plays in one of the most beautiful theatres in our country.
The commune of our Community House made sure to guarantee everything for the visitors, not only intellectual nutriment. Therefore, we are grateful to the mothers of the Cooking Club, parents, families who took in the contests as their own kids; our students, the members of the Group Kaposvár 2 who participated in the preparation, to make the festival ongoing and arranging the House back to its original form. As a member of the organizer group, I would like to thank you for all making it possible for the poemfest to take place in Somogy County in this form: thank you for Miklós Radoszáv for the faith and trust that he is never running out of if it comes for poetry; and also Andi Kaszás financial leader that I didn’t have to be lost in the process of administration. I would like to continue with a ,,thanks!!!” for my mentor colleagues who created an irreplaceable background. The participants didn’t only become rich in soul, but also with several gifts: everyone could choose a book according to their taste, a hand-painted mug and a hand-made Poembook with the said pieces of poetry.
Perhaps, I forgot to add to the definition of news that the length of it is bounded, but I hope that all Readers will forgive me for this.
Angéla Sárközi Vancsuráné, mentor
,,In my experience, the kids worked a lot on choosing their poems and learning them. They prepared thoroughly, said the poems and prose according to their best knowledge. There were some of the children who were doing this and standing in front of an audience and a jury for the first time. After the first round, we shared our experiences and pieces of advice playfully. The use of this could be felt in the second round. They were so much more confident and loose. It was a real pleasure to listen to all those gorgeous poems in their performances. Both rounds went in a really great mood and the qualifications were shared among the contests by the judges in full agreement.”
,,I would like to recommend for the youth to make humor also heard and choose entertaining, funny poems too.”
,,What am I bringing with me from the Poemfest? Perhaps the wise and varied choice of poems. Perhaps the look of the participants, that deep desire to get to know each other and experience, understand their values. Perhaps the power of the love that hugged each other when saying goodbye. Perhaps a sentence that was quitely said: ,,I got so much love that I didn’t even deserve.” We all deserved it. We were all loved. And ’capable of love.
Valéria Skoda, András Török, Mária Tolnai; Judges
,,To attend was a huge honor and pleasure for me. The common work, the love and energy that was collected, it really is an unforgettable experience. I am grateful to be a part of this wonder!”
Hanna Szép, Student
,,Three days of traveling in ourselves; playing, joy, sadness, deepness, height and poempoempoem everywhere. These three days of every year take a special place in my heart, because I want to work as an artist someday. It was an experience to listen to my mates and what an experience was to say those poems. These couple of days have an unusual value, because it makes us ripped out of everyday life and because of the poems we get a little bite from each others’ souls. I received tough and useful criticism. Even though gold would shine better on my shelf for my performance, I understood the reason for getting a silver qualification. I appreciate the surcharge, because according to the judges I deserved it with my variegation. Our freshly formed band called Bookshelf (Könyvespolc) was formed and now can be proud of themselves due to gold classification. I think that the fact that the members of the jury are available for us is an unmissable opportunity. We had the chance for long conversations with them where they helped us with advice, opinions to keep going and therefore, we could go home with constructive criticism and encouragement.”
Levente Sipos, contest
,,It was such a joy for me that I could participate in this event and as an accompanist, I could support my four children who received indeed special memories. The atmosphere of the whole weekend was fascinating: the creativity of the kids and the performing ability thrived and at the same time, they could be part of such a community that cares about and supports the love of literature. I would like to highlight the organizers’ exactitude and attention that covered all details and made it possible for the event to run its course without complications. It was a special experience for me to listen to the poems and because of them, remind me of the healing strength of literature.”
Rozi Farkas; from Erdély, Kovászna County
,,The Poemfest that was organized in Kaposvár offered a special experience for me. Those three days that I spent there were filled with learning, developing and unforgivable moments. The performance of the pieces of prose that I have chosen gave me a huge observation, the feedback from the jury meant valuable viaticum and I will use them in the future too. During the competition, besides developing my abilities, I could have visited wonderful places. The remarkable sight of Lake Ropoly and the breathtaking feeling of looking down from the tower of the Planetarium of Zselic showed me all the beauty Hungary is hiding. After all, the most important gift was to get the chance to get to know so many special people. The smiles, kind words, the glimmering eyes were all there to make these three days unforgivable. I am grateful for the organizers to make it possible for me to be here. I hope that I can be part of this wonderful camp for the next year as well. Thank you for this never-to-be-forgotten experience!
Noémi Csóg; from Erdély, Kovászna County
At last, the order of the placing:
Those who received gold qualification:
Szilveszter Cseke, Kristóf Farkas, Antónia Kristály, Zalán Mácsai, Fanni Sebesi, also
Bence Balázs, Enikő Sármány, formation of Bookshelf (Könyvespolc);
Those who received silver qualification:
Tímea Bogdán, Evelin Buzsáki, Lili Fölker, Bendegúz Horváth, Oszkár Molnár, Manna Rajkai, Emese Ráczga, also
Pamella Bánfi, Nóra Dávid, Simonia Dilo, Sarolta Kovács-Nagy, Amanda Nagy, Mária Paraditza, Izabella Patyi, Jázmin Pretz, Levente Sipos, Martina Vincze;
Those who received bronze qualification:
Roland Bartos, Hanne Lea Kece, Szilárd Kovács, Kamilla Nagy, Boróka Süle, Noémi Csóg, Katalin Jakab, Eszter Kovács, Márkó Laurinyecz, Noémi Majláth, Lajos Nyári.
The jury gave surcharge for two people: for Noémi Csóg for her own novel, and for Levente Sipos due to his many-sided artist activity.
Translated by Jázmin Pretz, Kaposvár 2.