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Dear Music Loving Audience: With the support of the Szeged-Csanád Diocese and the Ferenc Gál Theological College of Szeged, the St. Gellert Festival was organized for the first time in the year 2008. The main purpose of the concert series bearing the name of one of the first bishops of Hungary is to invite the audience of Szeged, and all who are interested, to yet another music and art event that would express the strong connection between religion, music and spirituality.  Bishop Gerard (St. Gellert) is an outstanding figure of the history of Hungary and also that of Christianity. The friar, presumably of Lombardy origin, was first introduced to King Stephen in the August of 1015, who entrusted the education of his son, Prince Emeric, to him. After this, the king appointed him bishop of Moroswar (Csanád), and the bishop took great pleasure in his work, which included the aspiration of strengthening Christianity, missionary activities as well as building churches and supporting seminary education. Gerard was also at the bedside of the dying King Stephen and the two men commended the country to the Virgin Mary's care together in a short prayer. Bishop Gerard can be considered a role model not only for Christians but for all, and especially for Hungarians. He set an example for all of us with his humble, ascetic life, his willingness to make sacrifices, his helpfulness, his consistency in his educative work and with his love shown through all his activities. Both the St. Gellert Academy, working within the framework of the Institution of Music and Ethics of the Ferenc Gál Theological College of Szeged, and the present musical festival, organized for the forth time this year, have been named in honor of him. Because of our accelerated lifestyles and the continual stress-effects there is less and less time that remains for us to spend on contemplation, music and on the refreshment of our souls in general. The concerts organized at the Dom Cathedral of Szeged and at the Catholic House can serve the improvement of all of us and, by sending a message with the name of St. Gerard, can invite an audience to Szeged from afar who is willing to welcome new artistic and spiritual experiences. All this can come true thanks to the symphonic orchestra of the St. Gellert Academy as well as to the conductors - and their work can be considered somewhat similar to the activities that nearly a thousand years ago Bishop Gerard aspired to do, sacrificing even his own self in the process. The purpose of both aspirations is basically the same: creating peace and understanding among people. The tradition-creating St. Gellert Festival promises elevating artistic, cultural and special musical experiences and matches perfectly and naturally the line of those aspirations that help Szeged to become a festival city. Dr. László Kiss-Rigó Bishop of the Szeged-Csanád Diocese Honorary Patron:
H.E. Dr. Pál Schmitt President of the Republic of Hungary |
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