Crowds, the Hungarian flag at the town cenotaph

Monday March 15^th  is the day that marks the Spring Uprising of 1848 when the youth of Buda, led by the poet Sandor Petofi, rebelled against the Habsburg occupation of Hungary.  This is not a day of mourning (although many wear black and the rebellion was quashed!) but more a day of celebrating the Hungarian Spirit that moved against oppressive rule.

Getting Ready to March

 Children, their parents and grandparents dressed in their finery punctuated with Hungarian flags to place wreaths at the town square. This year saw a beautiful sunny day with brisk chilly winds and an atmosphere was almost festive.  Speeches, puppet shows and of course, lots of food and craft fairs added to the celebratory mix.

The 25^th Annual Spring Festival in Kecskemet also began on the weekend – art exhibits with many openings and speeches, concerts and public theatre are all part of it. Danish artists seem to be a focus in this community fete and ICS is hosting an exhibit and workshops about the Dane’s  approach called “Glassgoldrubberandrecycling”.  Debra and I went out for dinner with them and were impressed with their skill at speaking Engish, and their knowledge/opinions of what is going on in the world . Such a pleasure.

Banner on Front of ICS Gallery

Their work rejects most traditional “art” materials  with some of their restrictions and focus on playing with form and design with  essentially cast-off materials, such as bicycle inner tubes. Since natural resources of the world are limited (especially in western Europe) they ask the viewers to change our attitudes about consumption and recycling to create a more ecological balance for the our. 

Once again, Deb and I became lost in the streets looking for

Deb's Cozy Feet on Return

the ticket kiosk to purchase tickets for the Russian Orthodox Choir performance on Monday evening. The ICS secretary, Ildiko gave us a map and sent us off and we were lost in the walk before we had gone five blocks. We feel like total “dweebs” since we really should be over our jet lag and more with it. Not speaking the language (which is  challenging to learn) makes me appreciate once again the difficulties that new immigrants have when they come to Canada. As we circled the block yet again, saying, “It has got to be here!” feeling frustrated and then so stupid when the building was right where it is supposed to be and we just didn’t push the door in the right direction!!!

Now, a little about the clay which is why I am really here. Did some tests of the clays and engobes – nothing really jumps out and I am reminded about how the bisque stage of the clay is the most lifeless. I finally kept a few thrown porcelain bowls (at Deb’s insistence) for trimming and to observe the drying patterns of them – s curve cracks and the like. I have thrown most of the work out and am feeling a little anxious as Deb and our neighbour Margaret are all in solid keeping work mode. I need to remind myself that I have not been producing for a while and I need the time to produce work that is more confident and quiet those voices questioning what I am doing.

Well, Mary, remember that tomorrow when you are trimming those pieces and going to the workshop at the gallery and the opening in the evening….