A Heartwarming Hungarian Dance in the Krushevo Sunset
A spontaneous photo-essay
Street Photography
We were having lunch in the sunny and lively center of Krushevo. I spotted a man with tall boots and a unique hat entering and exiting the Church of Saint Nicholas. We heard music and joyful banter coming from where he was headed. I quickly gathered there was a dance performance happening not too far, which I could catch a glimpse of when leaning with my chair.
Evangelija Ivanoska © All Rights Reserved (No use is allowed without explicit permission from owner.)
Hungarian folk dancers were performing at the wreath-laying of the Hungarian memorial plaque, which is a symbol of freedom and solidarity. The plaque commemorates a beautiful historical event: in 1956, the citizens of Krushevo helped 550 Hungarian patriots find refuge after they were banished from their native region.
The sight looked like a mix of a lively Renoir painting and one of those dynamic paintings of dancers by Edgar Degas. The musicians matched the energy of the dancers. The youngest dancer was a very confident boy with a memorable character who left a very powerful impression with his solo dance.
My eyes were dancing around and trying to absorb every detail. The bows, pearls, and hairpins on the women matched their colorful patterned dresses that flowed. The men wore characteristic tall boots and vests with embroidered patterns. They danced in perfect harmony.
In one part of the performance, the music stopped and a powerful silence was created. The dancers simultaneously tapped their boots on the ground, making music with them. The rhythm echoed around to give the audience chills. The entire performance was monumental and heartwarming.
The crowd was a panorama of people. At the end of the performance, each one of the dancers unexpectedly ran to the audience and grabbed a partner. They danced in a hora. I was immersed in the energy and by the opportunity to capture the joyful faces. This was heartwarmingly symbolic of the union of Macedonians and Hungarians back in the day, which helped each other in solidarity, for freedom. The entire event honored its initial purpose.
We walked away touched and delightedly impressed. I continued photographing Krushevo's rustic glow in the sunset.
Later on, I learned the name of the dance group - "Duna Népzene-Néptánc Tanoda". Thank you for your wonderful performance.
To many more dances & cultural exchanges.
- Evangelija