Day of Hungarian Culture – Concert of Nikolett Pankovits

The Day of Hungarian Culture (January 22) is celebrated each year on the anniversary of Ferenc Kölcsey completing the final draft of Himnusz (Hymn), the poem which, set to music, became the national anthem of Hungary.

Celebrating it in the Hungarian House of New York, in this year Nikolett Pankovits presented her jazz and latin-influenced take on the folk cultural heritage, accompanied by literary excerpts thanks to Ádám Boncz, known to NYC audiences as Gyuri Köves from the theatrical adaptation of Imre Kertész’ Fatelessness.

Ferenc Kumin, consul of Hungary and leader of the Hungarian Consulate of New York and Ildikó Nagy, director of the Hungarian House gave speeches welcoming the audience.

The celebration was also an occasion to say thank for the work of Gergely Romsics, historian, leader of the Balassi Institute Hungarian Cultural Center, whose mandate has ended. As Ildikó Nagy stated: „I would like to let you know that today’s event is the last one in cooperation with Gergo Romsics as the head of Balassi Institue. We had several very successful events together. Although the Balassi Istitute’s main focus is to reach reach non-Hungarians that appreciates Hungarian culture, we appreacite very much that Gergo always paid lots of attention to the local Hunagrai community. On behalf of the whole community we would like to say thak you for all the joints events as well as all the great programs Balassi presented we hope this cooperation will continue.”

The perfomance was followed by Hungarian dinner, presenting the favourite dishes of Gergely Romsics. Selection of excellent Hungarian wine was available at the cash bar.

(Photos: Gergely Szilvay)