"One word comes to mind after the performance: lack of love. Perhaps love, genuine empathy toward one another, and paying attention could be the key to solving our problems—no matter the type of relationship." Last week in Budapest, we presented our documentary performance As Water Reflects the Face at Katona József Theater. The audience followed the performance with deep attention and visibly experienced each moment of it. During the post-performance discussion, it was a joy to see how many viewers felt the urge to speak—whether in connection with a symbol or prop, a particular topic, or a scene. We experienced a true dialogue, a genuine celebration of theater and human connection. We thank the audience for the thoughts and personal stories shared, and we are also grateful to Katona József Theater for offering a space for this meaningful encounter.

“We long for attention, but often don’t receive it because our parents have to work. In this situation, it can help if there are teachers at school who can reinforce the image of a mother or a father. Unfortunately, most teachers are women, so many places lack a male role model.” On Monday at noon, we presented our documentary performance As Water Reflects the Face to the students of Semmelweis University’s Bókay János Vocational School at H13 Kultpont. Following the performance, there was space for discussion and shared reflection on the themes of the piece. Topics included parent-child relationships, emotional distance, love, visions for the future, personal responsibility, and paying attention to one another—and to ourselves. We are grateful to H13 Kultpont for their support in making this event possible!

"I understood these poems much better through this performance. The way it was presented made the thoughts within the texts more powerful. I appreciated the moments of silence, as they allowed me to reflect, feel, and connect deeply. It was very personal. I feel much closer to József Attila as a person." Yesterday morning, we presented our performance I Am Not, Only Others See Me, based on the writings of József Attila, to the graduating students of Prohászka Ottokár Catholic High School in Budakeszi. From the very first moments, the students' attention was evident as they resonated deeply with the emotions in the performance. During the post-performance discussion, we explored themes such as homelessness, searching for identity, trauma, loneliness, exclusion, and the contemporary relevance of József Attila’s emotions. It was revealing to realize that, through his words, we were actually speaking about ourselves. We are grateful for the audience’s deep attention, openness, and curiosity, as well as for the personal reflections shared after the performance. This was a true Meeting through Theater. Thank you for the invitation!

"This kind of emphasis, the way the texts were structured, and the performance style brought the ideas in these poems much closer and made them easier to understand. It felt much more personal this way." Yesterday, we performed I am not, only others see me, a play based on the texts of József Attila, for the twelfth-grade students of the Franciscan High School in Szentendre. Our classroom performance provided the perfect space to explore the poet’s life and writings, allowing for deeper reflection. The discussions following the performance led to profound thoughts. The freshness of József Attila’s texts enabled us to talk about our own emotions and worldviews. Topics such as homelessness, the search for identity, trauma, loneliness, isolation, and the longing for love were brought up, highlighting how relevant these themes remain today. Thank you for the invitation!

"The performance helped me understand József Attila’s life much better. It felt as if we were part of these situations ourselves." Last week, we presented our performance I Am Not, Only Others See Me, based on the writings of József Attila, three times at Szent Benedek High School in Budapest. These unconventional literature classes, made possible with the support of the Józsefváros Municipality, provided students with an ideal space to immerse themselves in the poet’s texts. During the post-performance discussion, the texts became a starting point for conversations about ourselves, revealing how relevant József Attila’s poetry still is today. Topics such as poverty, social exclusion, oppression, societal expectations, and challenges related to the future were explored. We are grateful for the audience’s engaged attention and for the personal thoughts shared in the discussion after the performance!

"In this performance, the texts came to life. It felt very personal." Yesterday morning, we presented our performance I Am Not, Only Others See Me, based on the writings of József Attila, to the students of Újbuda József Attila High School at the B29 Youth Community Space. This unconventional literature class, made possible with the support of the Municipality of Újbuda (Budapest’s 11th district), provided the perfect space for students to explore the poet’s life and works and to reflect on them further. During the post-performance discussion, the texts served as a starting point for conversations about ourselves, and it was eye-opening to realize how relevant József Attila’s poetry remains today. Topics such as poverty, social exclusion, oppression, societal expectations, and challenges related to the future were explored. We are grateful for the audience’s engaged attention and for the personal thoughts shared in the discussion after the performance!

"We need to talk more about these issues. It would be good to take time, to pause and reflect. We need to communicate in order for things to improve, and we need to pay attention to one another." Last week, we presented our documentary performance As Water Reflects the Face at Erzsébetligeti Theater to several high school classes. It was inspiring to sense the students’ attention, interest, and sensitivity to the topics and scenes portrayed. During the post-performance discussion, we talked about parent-child relationships, the difficulties of parenthood, loneliness, the lack of love, the importance of paying attention to each other, and the value of shared experiences. We are grateful for this collective experience and for the thoughts, feedback, enthusiasm, and curiosity shared during the discussion after the performance.

The tour of As Water Reflects the Face, a production based on the personal stories of youngsters, will start with a performance at H13 Kultpont in Budapest on 24 March. Afterwards, on 25 March, the performance will be staged at Erzsébetliget Theatre, and on the evening of 26 March, the spectators will be able to see the performance at Katona József Theatre. On 27 March, the company will perform in Vienna on the occasion of the World Theatre Day, and on 28 March the tour will end with a performance held for the students of the Párkány High School in Upper Hungary. The last two events will be carried out with the support of Tiszta Formák Foundation. In each case, the performances will be followed by an interactive audience discussion, which will provide space for collective reflection and conversation about the topics and issues raised in the documentarist piece. The documentarist performance directed by Misi Fazakas, which has already been presented 635 times, is based on the personal stories of the youth, thus the company explores the social and societal problems affecting youngsters, the situation and stories of lonely children, helpless parents, vulnerable young people, showing our faces as reflected by water. The production has been presented in 193 settlements of 24 countries on 3 continents, has been invited to 12 festivals and has won best performance awards twice. Cast: Mucha Oszkár Mihácsi Veronika Póra Jácinta Kalotai Máté Basa Ádám Technician: Fábián Vilmos Director: Misi Fazakas Tour Schedule: 📍 March 24, 12:00 – Budapest, H13 Kultpont 📍 March 25, 11:00 – Budapest, Erzsébetligeti Theater 📍 March 26, 19:15 – Budapest, Katona József Theater 📍 March 27, 18:00 – Vienna, AMAPED – Association of Hungarian Educators in Austria 📍 March 28, 12:00 – Párkány, Párkány High School

"There was tension throughout the entire performance. It was gripping, personal, unsettling, and thought-provoking." Yesterday morning, we presented our performance I Am Not, Only Others See Me, based on the writings of József Attila, at Szent Benedek High School in Budapest. This unconventional literature class, made possible with the support of the Józsefváros Municipality, provided the perfect opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the poet’s texts. During the post-performance discussion, the texts became a starting point for conversations about ourselves, revealing how relevant József Attila’s poetry remains today. Topics such as poverty, oppression, exclusion, societal expectations, and future challenges were explored. We encountered a truly engaged and thoughtful class, and many valuable ideas were shared. We are grateful for the curiosity, the engagement, and the meaningful reflections. These experiences make our work truly rewarding!

"The performance was truly exciting, bringing József Attila’s life and texts closer to us. The way the actor handled the text kept our attention throughout." Yesterday, we presented our performance I Am Not, Only Others See Me, based on the writings of József Attila, twice at Ady Endre High School in Ráckeve. From the very first moments, the students' attention was evident, as they deeply connected with the themes of the performance. During the post-performance discussion, we explored topics such as homelessness, searching for identity, trauma, loneliness, exclusion, and the contemporary relevance of the emotions found in József Attila’s texts. It was enlightening to realize that, through his words, we were actually speaking about ourselves. It was a joy to engage with such active, open, and curious young people. We are grateful for the audience’s thoughtful attention and for the personal reflections shared after the performance. Thank you for the invitation!

"I could relate to so much. We could focus much better than if we had watched a traditional performance." On Thursday, we presented our performance I Am Not, Only Others See Me, based on the writings of József Attila, to the students of Szent Anna Greek Catholic High School and Technical School in Budapest. This unconventional literature class, made possible with the support of the Józsefváros Municipality, provided the perfect space for students to explore the poet’s life and works and to reflect on them further. We are grateful for the trust of the school and teachers, the openness of the students, and the thoughts and questions shared during the post-performance discussion. Topics such as loneliness, the absence of parents, searching for one’s path, visions of the future, love, and its absence were explored.

Osonó Theatre's eighteenth Erasmus+ project will take place in Romania (Vlăhița) between 21- 25 February. Created in partnership with Adrenalin Sports Association of Sfântu Gheorghe, the Hungarian Cultural Association of Vojvodina, Change Center of Sfântu Gheorghe and Svung Creative Association of Budapest, the project titled Regional Partnership for the Professional Support of Youth Workers aims to support the work of youth professionals and teachers through diverse, personally and professionally valuable non-formal education. In addition to the transfer of innovative educational methods, the project will also provide an opportunity for participants from Hungary, Romania and Serbia to recharge and connect professionally. The aim of the also called Youth Workers GO! project is to provide motivated youth workers in the region, who are open to development but also have less access to quality, up-to-date and relevant non-formal education tools, due to geographical isolation, economic disadvantage or ethnic minority status.