This October, the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble toured the United States with Land of the Free, a new production commissioned by the Hungary Foundation to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The performance presented at three historic venues, in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Charleston, South Carolina. In the words of Anna Smith Lacey, the Foundation’s Executive Director, the show was “Hungary’s birthday gift to the United States.” – celebrating what lies at the heart of the friendship between the two nations: the love of freedom.
Through dance, authentic Hungarian folk music, and vibrant costumes, the production told the story of Colonel Michael Kováts de Fabriczy, the Hungarian hussar who crossed the Atlantic to fight for American independence, helped lay the foundations of the U.S. Cavalry, and gave his life defending Charleston in 1779. He is believed to be the first Hungarian to make that journey.
Telling the Story Through Dance
Land of the Free was created by Kossuth Prize-winning artists Zoltán Zsuráfszky and Zsuzsa Zs. Vincze, who also lead the ensemble artistically. The story unfolds almost entirely through movement, music, and costume.
The tour opened in Philadelphia, PA, on Sunday, October 4, at the Museum of the American Revolution. A fitting setting in the city where Congress declared the independence Kováts would help defend. The performance was one of the three sold-out shows that earned the company standing ovations on the tour.
Two days later, on Tuesday, October 6, the ensemble performed at the nation’s capital, in Washington D.C, at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Audiences in the capital watched the story of the only Hungarian Washington is known to have met, the man who became the Continental Army’s drill master. The Washington performance also drew a sold-out house, where the audience enjoyed a reception after the show.
The tour concluded in Charleston, SC, where the story comes to a close: on Saturday, October 10, at the historic Riviera Theater, the city where Kováts’s story became part of the community’s own history.
If you missed the show and you are interested in the video to be produced of the performance, please sign up for our waitlist HERE.
With Gratitude
The Hungary Foundation thanks the many organizations across America that have helped to preserve Kováts’s memory including The Citadel, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Old Exchange, the Washington Light Infantry, SC250 Charleston, the Sons of the Revolution, the Society of the Cincinnati, South Carolina 250, and Revolutionary Charleston 250.,the Museum of the American Revolution and others.
A Shared Love of Freedom
The story of Kováts and Pulaski is a reminder that America’s founding drew people from many nations into a common cause. They saw something worth defending and committed their experience, their courage, and ultimately their lives to it. Through music and folk dance, which Anna Smith Lacey calls “the love language of Hungarians,” Land of the Free carried that story back to the country he chose to serve. It celebrated courage, sacrifice, and 250 years of Hungarian-American friendship.
Check out the interview with HF Executive Director, Anna Smith Lacey, about this production on Fox 24 News Now:
Help Us Honor Colonel Michael Kováts
The curtain has fallen on Land of the Free, but our mission to honor Colonel Michael Kováts continues. The Hungary Foundation is working to erect a monumental bronze equestrian statue in Charleston, where this Hungarian-born patriot gave his life for American independence in 1779.
Help us turn the story brought to life on stage into a lasting monument for generations to come.