Platform
Many of you mentioned that you encountered several unfamiliar names among the participants of dunaPart - Platform of Contemporary Hungarian Performing Arts. This is only natural, since the objective of the event is exactly to present as many so far less well-known performance artists of Hungary as possible, besides those who have already achieved international recognition. Many of them started their career at a time when the channels of international mobility were not yet functioning in the direction of the former Eastern block. Others, members of the younger generation, don't yet have experiences in the rules of the art market. So a concentrated meeting with international professionals would be an exceptional opportunity for all of them, and, thanks to the packed program, over five days our guests will get an overall picture of the possibilities of these companies working outside the expansive and therefore dominant establishment, and the tendencies they represent.
Program
It’s difficult to define the program by clear categories of genres. The experimentation, which is characteristic of the creators working in the independent sphere, overwrites the traditional classifications in Hungary as well. However, we were careful to keep a balance in our selection between movement-based, dance and text-based, theatre performances. In case of the latter we will of course provide professional English translation of the kind most suitable for each performance.
The final schedule is complete! You can find it at http://www.dunapart.net/en/program/schedule.html. Detailed and illustrated descriptions of each performance will soon be available under the participants menu. We will also briefly introduce a couple of productions in each newsletter. First we would like to draw your attention to Krisztián Gergye, who has recently performed in London with great success, and The Symptoms, the company that received the Grand Prize at the Hungarian Alternative Theatre Fair:
Krisztián Gergye premiered T.E.S.T. (I. II. III. IV. V. VI., VII.) in April 2007 together with member of his company and dancers of the Central European Dance Theatre. The performance creates a whole piece out of seven female solos, which are built on the seven female dancers’ personality and condition of body shape. The show’s theme is the monologue of the liberated, whole-some, intact, elevated BODY, which is answering without being asked and is communicating with and in itself, in its seclusion and solitude.
“The genre of Réka Szabó’s new performance, Alibi, can’t be classified. The information in the sub-title is only an alibi, of course, to make a joke of this otherwise serious issue. A play with words, as the performance is a game itself. It begins with the twisting of words, expressions and proverbs, then the image of bodies coming to life-collapsing-and reborn melt, unobserved, into this game.”
(György Karsai: This Is a Nice Diagonal - www. kultura.hu)
Practical
Online registration is now active on our website. Click on registration at www.dunapart.net and fill out the form. Please, arrange your travel to and from Budapest yourself and let us know the details (time and place of arrival and departure) when you register. The booking of accommodation is also individual. Thanks to the support of Mellow Mood Hotels and Hostels, you will receive up to 40% discount of room prices at 2, 3 and 4 star centrally located hotels, if you quote “dunaPart2008” when you book. You will find a list of these at accommodation on our website. DunaPart prices are valid until mid-October, so the sooner you register the better!
Should you have any questions, let us know by writing to platform.budapest@gmail.com, and thank you for spreading the word.