A trip to Etyek

If you’ve been keeping up with the blogs you know today we went to Etyek. We met Andrea at the subway station and drove about 40 minutes out thru the edges of Buda into the countryside. The village of Etyek is well know as an art and wine center and is the host of many festivals throughout the year. More recently it has become the home of the George Korda International Film School, Brad and Angelina have been seen on the streets.

Great street sign, see pic.

We were there to visit the Hungarian Fountain Primary School and the Etyek National Institute for Basic Art.

We met Lilla Lakatos, an artist and key to the schools wonderful programs for children. She had been a student of Andreas and Lilla had asked her to come and officially open the textile show.

The school was founded with the idea of teaching the local children about folk arts. They learn weaving, pottery, dress and costume making. These programs are combined with folk music and dance. It is a very impressive facility.

The school is housed in an old peasant house with a large courtyard. Lilla gave us the grand tour with Andrea translating. The halls were filled with the art work; every room was a work space. There is a picture of the students in a class on an outside balcony.

Lilla is presenting at the InSEA Conference, we were able to see the premier of her documentary about the school, she is pictured with a “Tree of Life” project in the back ground. I may do the English voice version for her.

Lilla’s husband is a wood carver; there is a picture of a bench he made. He also made the post for the schools bell in the courtyard. It had a pleasant ring.

We were able to tour The House of Culture, a nice little museum near the school. It housed a fine collection of old farming equipment as well as a nicely displayed collection of Hungarian folk items; kitchen ware, clothing, furniture and they were particularly proud of a working sewing machine, it was a Singer.

Down the street from the school is Calvary Hill, Andrea explained that most small towns in Hungary have a Calvary Hill. We climbed this one, Lisa and Andrea walked the twelve stages, I took pictures.

The wine store was closed.

The pictures will probably be out of order; I think they will be self explanatory. Many pictures of a great school and a fun day.

Later.