Petőfi 200!

The year will open with an unconventional, experimental theatre performance by the Forte Company of Petőfi's humorous epic poem, ‘The Hammer of the Village’ (A helység kalapácsa) on 22 January, the Day of Hungarian Culture. The Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra of Veszprém will accompany the performance.

For the occasion of the bicentenary, the Pannon Castle Theatre has initiated a drama writing competition to complete Petőfi's play fragment, ‘Karaffa’. Only 15 pages of the play was written before the poet died. This fragment was completed by the writers participating in the competition - well-known Hungarian authors, authors from abroad and locally connected young playwrights. The project has produced fourteen new contemporary Hungarian dramas, in itself a considerable achievement.

The first prize was awarded to Balázs Szálinger. His play will be staged by the Pannon Castle Theatre Company in March 2023, while the other entries will be presented in readings. The texts of all entries will be made available to Hungarian theatres and libraries in Hungary and beyond in print and electronic format.

Sándor Petőfi will also be commemorated with playful community programmes and a light music concert.