Hungary's Night of Churches Spreads Light At Festival
(Vatican Radio) Hungary has been holding a Night of Churches as part of a Catholic-backed
festival aimed at raising public awareness about faith and the arts. Younger and elderly
Hungarians assembled suddenly in the heart of Budapest's Castle District near the
Catholic Matthias Church on a hill overlooking the Danube river. The many tourists
watched with amazement as they sang "The Evening Prayer" a folk song that was adapted
by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály in his choral work.
"This is my first
flash mob," said a smiling black man. "Thank you," shouted a female spectator. It
is part of an attempt to promote the annual Ars Sacra Festival, or Sacred Arts Festival,
an initiative organizers say was inspired by late Pope John Paul II.
OPENING
HEARTS
Launched some seven years ago, it encourages visitors to open up their
hearts for faith and its creative expression in the arts. Across the river on Sunday
afternoon a joint celebration of religions was held in the Saint Stephen's Basilica,
followed by a public group dance at the square in front of what is Budapest's largest
church. The other highlight included the 'Night of Churches' late Saturday with churches
across this former Communist country opening their doors to spread what they view
as the Light of Christ, with tours, public discussions, film screenings and children
programs. At the same time a candle-lighting event was held in all participating churches.
It comes at a time when many Hungarians are anxious about their future amid a major
economic crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people leaving the country in search
for a better life.
REACHING HOMELESS
The festival also aims to reach
out to the most vulnerable people. Among the many artistic events these days will
be a literary evening with music for homeless people near the National Museum. Catholic
aid workers have expressed concerns about the up to 35,000 people, including numerous
women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities, who are thought to be
homeless in Hungary.
The Saint Ephraim Male Choir's performance in the Budapest's
Sacred Heart Church, and a concert by renowned Hungarian pianist Gergely Bogányi in
the recently opened Budapest Music Center will end the festival on September 22. Organizers
say they want to in their words "unveil the beauty hidden within" and lift up souls
regardless of nationality, a message they hope will resonate throughout Hungary and
beyond.