A new activity: Wonderbird launches in October in Downtown Community Centre. We had a conversation with Ancsa Hazay and Kata Szirtes-Szabó who you already know from many of our activities. From now on, you can meet them once a month at their shared activity. 

The first question is pretty obvious… Why did you choose the name Wonderbird?

Ancsa Hazay: When we were brainstorming, we were looking for a name with a good sounding. Kata has a wide knowledge on folk tales, and my profession is built upon folk songs. Wonderbird is the title of one of Kata’s favourite Hungarian folk tales. This title tells more to both of us than just a folk tale. We would like to fill the time of our activity with wonder and tales, while a bird is a perfect symbol of flying creativity and the sound of the songs.

Kata Szirtes-Szabó: You meet the symbol of the wonderful bird in many tales. In the stories, the birds regularly connect the skies and the ground, they carry heroes to upper worlds and cure wounds with their songs. We would like to provide the same to our visitors: to make souls fly with music, songs and tales, and to cure the wounds of the everydays.

The activity calls adults, but as far as I know, you would like to involve more generations…

Kata Sz.-Sz.: Stories and singing can address adults, youngsters and the elderly, regardless of age, so people of different age groups might encounter at our activity. Mothers often discover the power of songs and tales on the side of their children. We might forget this power by the time we grow up, however they are important and fulfilling at any age. We are encouraging all adults to gift themselves one hour to enrich with a story, many songs and being part of a community.

How should we imagine a Wonderbird activity? Does it have a structure or is it more of a spontaneous meeting?

Ancsa H.: Our meetings have a loose connection. The structure of the activities is based on the circle of nature. We, adults often forget to realize that the alteration of seasons has an impact on our emotions. We believe that paying attention to it can contribute to a deeper self-understanding.

Kata Sz.-Sz.: We will choose a story and a few songs each month that resonate with the current stage of nature. Our goal is to disconnect, relax, recharge and get positive experiences.

Can we join the group any time, or are the occasions built on each other?

Kata Sz.-Sz.: Registration will be available separately for each occasion. Anyone with a valid registration at Downtown Community Centre can join any time.

Ancsa H.: Some songs will come up again and again but we will learn new ones each time. Occasions will be based on different topics so we encourage everyone to join even if cannot come for every session.

Both of you lead activities in Mérleg street but you haven’t had a shared activity. How did the idea of this project come? I have the feeling that both of you will add what you are good at, this way something great will be born. Am I right?

Ancsa H.: We both respect the work of each other and we both require emotionally the topic of each other. I got the understanding of the importance of stories for adults at the activities of Kata. She caught me while she was telling stories, giving the space for our elaborate work.

Kata Sz.-Sz.: I have been thinking about connecting folk tales and folk songs in my work for a while, since the base of Metamorphoses tale therapy is an integrated worldview where stories and music complement each other. They are both organic parts and necessities of our lives. I love the way Ancsa works with music: her veins are filled with music, while mine are filled with stories. Yes, you are right, mixing these two something great will be born.

Thank you for the conversation! Registration for the programme is available here. The first occasion will take place on 13 October.

This article is translated by Anita Nagy.
Click here for the Hungarian version.