– There was a gap of a couple of years, mainly due to Covid, and this attracted a lot of things, the vendors also decreased. As life picked up after Covid, we also wanted to continue this popular event, and that is why it will start again this year, now the XII. We are preparing for the Apple Blossom Festival.
Photo: Kornél Makovics/MW
Healthcare and children are the focus of the theme. Why did this happen?
– The Almavirág Festival was originally held in the spirit of health, there were tours, health-related presentations, health screenings. This year, the main focus is on health screenings in the morning hours, so we wanted to continue the same line as before. For the children, as usual, as at any festival or event, large or small, there will be a bouncy castle, a pony, a bouncy castle, and various interactive games in the back park. Some are paid, and some can be tried for free. The archers from Rácalmás are also coming, so you will also be able to do archery. After all, it will be such a family day.
What was the guiding principle in choosing the speakers and performers?
– We always like to invite more famous performers. Our main performer at this year’s Almavirág Festival will be Magdi Rúzsa. We know that he is a favorite, he attracts quite a large audience, and his style is easy to consume, so all ages can find something for themselves in his production, and that is why he was chosen. The accordionist Ádám Szabó will perform in front of Magdi Rúzsa, and the Alma Ensemble will come for the children. Thinking about physical, mental and physical health We tried to select the speakers in the name of health, which is why, for example, Annamária Tari comes psychologist and Gábor Zacher also a toxicologist. Annamária Tari’s lecture is primarily aimed at parents with children, but depending on the age of the child, they can even listen to this lecture together. Gábor Zacher is also a personality whose style is easy to accept, he can explain and understand different things quite effectively, that’s why he was chosen.
Photo: Sándor Pusztai/MW
Is the event free only for people from Rácalmás, or is it also free for others?
“It’s free for other people.” Residents of Rácalmás receive free admission to each program, health check-up, even to performances and concerts, they could register for free, and those who are so-called outsiders, not residents of Rácalmás, can buy a concert ticket for them for five thousand forints. They can look around the whole day’s event for free, and they can come in with the children. You had to register for the lectures, and the registration filled up there very, very quickly, because the capacity of the halls is limited, we couldn’t cram hundreds of people into the hall. There is still room for the Rúzsa Magdi concert in the auditorium, so you can still come there.
According to them, were the people of Rácalma waiting for this festival to return?
– Yes, around spring, the people of Rácalmás have to be mobilized somehow to start the year. This year, we start with the Apple Blossom Festival, followed by Majális, which will be held outside on the soccer field, and then the other events.
How many people work to organize such a festival so that we can imagine its magnitude?
“There are already many people in the preparations themselves, but even more here on the spot that day.” This is jointly organized by the Municipality of Rácalmás City, its institutions and the City Defender Association. Twenty or thirty of us have to participate in the preparations of the main parts, because not one institution does the whole thing, it is divided. For example, the children’s section is organized by the employees of the Sports Hall, the activities on the stage and around the stage are organized by the community center, the members of the City Protection Association help with the baking and cooking, and the employees of the social center help with the sales. Everything is divided. But local government workers also come that day to help, for example, with ticket sales and entry. There is a representative who will cook in the kitchen all day. Deputy Mayor Miklós Németh, for example, leads a tour. Because we have two tours, one is led by Irén Szilágyi, it will go in the nature conservation area, and the deputy mayor will lead a tour of our sacred built values. This year, two separate program items were included in the topic of health screening, mammography and complex screening. Both programs are free, but registration is required. Health screenings start as early as 9 am. But there is also a tour on Sunday, the Nordic walkers go on a tour on Sunday, for example the members of the Fejér County Nordic Walking Association also come with several buses.
