Responsibility for the Community
The title above contains the theme of our project this year. We planned to visit several locations, talk about social responsibility, and take active steps to do good within both our immediate and wider human environment—listening to one another with empathy. The first stops of this journey were connected to the Ars Sacra Festival’s programs in Kaposvár. Below, you can read the experiences and reflections of our band, Könyvespolc.
Since we officially formed our musical group, our focus has always been on the fact that we don’t just play songs—we make music together, for the joy of it. For each of us, music is a source of joy, a refuge, and a means of expression. That’s why we love performing songs and poems that are not only musically rich but also carry a meaningful message. This is one of the main reasons we enjoy performing musical adaptations of poems.
After our premiere at the Rippl-Rónai Festival, the experiences we had in the past few days were even more indescribable. As part of this year’s group sensitization program, we visited the Napsugár Home in Kaposfüred on Monday, and the Borostyán Mother’s Shelter on Tuesday.
At the former, we mostly performed musical interpretations of poems, which the residents with physical disabilities welcomed with great joy. The entire afternoon was a heartwarming experience—singing together, chatting warmly, and sharing genuine moments of connection. I’ll never forget when some of those sitting in the back asked me to come closer and read my poem again because they hadn’t heard it well. I sat among them and held the hand of a lady who listened with shining eyes. We so rarely meet people like them in our everyday lives, and we often fall into stereotypes, thinking they cannot be part of our world, our friendships, or our daily lives because of their physical or mental condition. It felt truly good to bring joy to them through an unconventional musical afternoon and to feel the indescribable, unconditional love that flowed among us.
The next day, at the mother’s shelter, the atmosphere was quite different. We found ourselves in the middle of a lively, noisy environment—children running around, tired parents nearby, and a life buzzing with sound and energy. It was snack time, and the little ones sat around a table listening to us. Some were too young to stay quiet for our short performance (even though we tried to choose a child-friendly repertoire), yet not for a moment did I feel that our presence was in vain. There were sparkling eyes, smiling parents, and a sense that we had managed to bring a little light to that gloomy afternoon.
I often thought about what life might be like there—among so many families facing hardship, broken families, people living in vulnerability and pain. Seeing some of their expressions, it’s almost unimaginable how difficult it must be. That’s why it filled me with warmth when a few children stood up to dance, or laughed during one of the more interactive pieces we performed with Levuss (Levente Sipos). Some parents later came to thank us, and the children waved happily as we left. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking to realize how little we truly see of the hardships they face, even though we shared just one brief hour of their world.
I am deeply grateful that we were able to visit these places. I’m still processing many of the impressions I received. We met so many unique lives, wonderful people, sparkling eyes, and enthusiastic music lovers over those two days—it was incredible. I think this is what people mean when they say music is a universal language. I hope everyone was able to take away something from what we left behind in the form of music—because we certainly did.
Kovács-Nagy Sarolta, K2
We have completed two truly valuable and uplifting performances with Könyvespolc. We tried to prepare our setlist as thoughtfully as possible: the first day was really about the fusion of poetry and music, while in the mother’s shelter our main goal was singing together. I believe both occasions will remain precious memories for all of us. It was an honor to be welcomed so warmly at the home for people with disabilities and to see how much joy our songs brought to the children. We’re already looking forward to continuing!
Sipos Levente
Our concert at the Napsugár Integrated Social Institution had a profound impact on me. I must emphasize that the gratitude we received for our presence and performance really belongs to our audience. We received such love, attention, and joy from our listeners that many artists may never experience.
I believe it was thanks to this intimate atmosphere and our group’s bond that we were able to perform our musical poems so sincerely. Perhaps we, too, understood a few lines more deeply when we saw tears roll down faces or heard joyful exclamations upon recognizing a poem, an author, or a melody. We are grateful that, in the end, we could recite, play, and talk together, that we were welcomed with love, and that we could experience what it feels like to be on stage when every bit of attention belongs to us—and to the poem itself.
Gregor Dóra
