In addition to the exhibitons and diverse events taking place in Budapest in May-June 2025, thanks to various international partnerships our programs will continue in several European cities—Vienna, Limerick, Amsterdam, Oldenburg—throughout the upcoming year.
Szonja Dorottya Koltay: “Sorrow, sorrow, you're too heavy” / Let’s release our burdens together
“Sorrow, sorrow, you're too heavy, lying on my heart so long and steady. I'd sell you off, but none would buy—For sorrow rests in every heart.” These are the first 4 sentences of a traditional Hungarian folk song which is the starting point of Dorottya Szonja Koltay’s latest installation entitled Releasing Burdens. The artwork is, in essence, a grief cemetery—a symbolic site that marks both the beginning and end of a communal journey of unloading. It is a space where, through the community and within it, we can let go of the crushing weights that bear down on us. This silent act of “burden-carrying” is a collective female experience, and yet, backs often crack under the strain of solitary struggle. We have a responsibility to support each other in laying down our burdens and to ensure that sorrow does not silence us. Even the darkest experiences must be given voice—we must always create a language, a space, and a context that can guide the burdened back into the community.
As an activation of her installation, Dorottya Szonja Koltay has organised performances involving a group of collaborators called The Bricks. In Vienna the artist invites us to participate in a shared act of release, a symbolic burial of sorrow carried out as a collective text writing and performing action.
Júlia Vavra, gergő d. farkas and Balázs Oláh: Folkdance Inclusive / queer-inclusive Hungarian dance house
Initiated in 2021 by gergő d. farkas, Balázs Oláh and Júlia Vavra (contemporary dancers and choreographers) the project aims to provide a space for everyone—regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation—to explore Hungarian folk dance in an experimental and playful way. A peculiar "trap" of the folk dance culture is that it is often closely associated with strong nationalistic sentiments that is hostile towards any sexual or ethnical minorities. Through guided exercises and open dance sessions, you can tap into the raw energy of movement, embracing both tradition and rebellion. This event explores dance as a way to connect with ourselves and others—offering a combination of group, couple and circle dances of the Hungarian folk culture.
Curators: Borka Csejdy and Rita Kálmán
Venue: das weisse haus, Hegelgasse 14, 1010 Vienna
Date: July 4, 17.00 - 21.00
This event is organised in collaboration between OFF-Biennale and das weisse haus.
Supported by: Federal Ministry Republic of Austria - Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sports, Austrian Cultural Forum Budapest
