Creative Writing in Budapest
“The creative writing section spent the last weekend of January in Budapest. One of the main themes of the three-day event was Sándor Petőfi, as 2023 marks the bicentenary of the poet’s birth. However, the aim went beyond revising and reworking Petőfi’s works, with a greater focus on the symbolism that his person left behind. The first day is always about the joy of seeing each other again, and this time was no different: after arriving in the afternoon, the evening was filled with conversation, socialising and free-associative writing exercises, so that we could dive into the Saturday day mentally warmed up. During the morning, we had the privilege of a visit from Dárió Szabó, literary writer, poet and editor, who talked to us about his first volume, writing and how to build relationships in creative mediums. Afterwards, we visited the Petőfi Literary Museum, where we had the opportunity to see the Petőfi 200 interactive exhibition, which was presented in a very unusual way, and when we got home, the participants put the experience into words in more creative ways than ever, which we then discussed over a traditional dinner. Sunday was a day of reflection, writing down and sharing our thoughts, and the never-ending creation continued on the trains. It’s always a wonderful experience to write creatively, the experience of creating together is sunshine in these winter months.” Bianka Járay, section leader
“The perfect Saturday morning program: an extraordinary literature class today, I was able to be a conversation partner and creative writing leader for Bianka Járay’s invaluable writing group, which is a section of the Csányi Foundation’s All-Art Camp series, which provides a community for those interested in writing. If it was half as exhilarating for the participants as it was for me, I’m very glad. We talked about writing, editing, me, dilemmas, and laughed a lot. And speaking of the laughter that laced this whole thing – I can be grateful that I could feel an inclusive attitude from the very first moment, plus refreshingly bouncy humour and good writing.” Dárió Szabó, author of Blamázs, invited guest