Budapest Honors Poet Attila József on Poetry Day
Hungarian Poetry Day was celebrated on April 11 across the country, marking the 120th birthday of the renowned poet Attila József. The day was filled with literary and cultural programs in Budapest, showcasing the importance and diversity of Hungarian poetry.
One of the highlights of the day was the Poetry Tram located at Deák Ferenc Square, where passengers on tram lines 4 and 6 were treated to contemporary poems. The event was organized by the Budapest Municipality and Budapest Transport Center (BKK) in collaboration with the Vates Poetry Week series, which aimed to promote Hungarian poetry on a European scale.
Throughout the city, various performances and readings took place to honor Hungarian poets. Actors from the Karinthy Theater recited poems by Ákos Fodor, while a vintage art nouveau-style tram at Deák Ferenc Square featured performances by well-known actors from theaters such as the József Attila Theater and Radnóti Theater.
Other highlights of the day included a drama competition at the József Attila Theater, a Poetry Marathon featuring 61 poets reading their works at the Hungarian Catholic Radio’s headquarters, and a poetry flash mob in front of Matthias Church.
The Csokonai Event House in Újpalota presented a premiere titled “Winds Falling from Our Hearts,” focusing on Attila József as an inspiring and activist thinker. The event aimed to break away from the traditional somber image of the poet and shed light on his forward-thinking ideas.
Attila József, one of the most important Hungarian poets of the 20th century, used his personal experiences to create deeply impactful poems that resonate with audiences to this day. His legacy lives on through his work, which continues to inspire and provoke thought among readers and poetry enthusiasts worldwide.
