In 2013, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble embarked on an extended US and Canadian tour with their Hungarian Rhapsody - America. From New York to San Francisco and Toronto to Miami, the ensemble performed in nearly seventy cities. The tour not only introduced the richness of Hungarian folk dance to the Hungarian diaspora but also made HSFE's artistic diversity accessible to a wide American audience. The tour was a resounding success, reinforcing the company's rank in the global folk dance scene.
HSFE in China-a successful debut in the Far‑East
In February 2025, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble undertook a week-long tour of China, during which they performed in Beijing and Hebei Province, including popular shows. They presented their productions to an auditorium of more than 8,000 people, conveying the richness of Hungarian folk dance and musical traditions to the Asian audience.
The company's members not only performed at official events but also gained special on-site experiences: for example, they visited the Great Wall of China, where they recorded an improvised Satmar Verbunk, which has since been seen online by millions around the world.
Two continents, two eras – China and America, past and present
The 1952 Chinese tour of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble was the company's first major international success. The performances also served as a political and diplomatic mission: Mao Zedong received the company, and presenting gifts, such as a small figure with a Hajdu moustache, was part of the cultural mission. The repertoire was strictly ideological, and artistic freedom was limited, yet the tour demonstrated both the traditional and representative character of Hungarian folk dance.
American tours changed similarly with time: in the 1950s, the company performed under the name "the Hungarian National Ballet" in several cities in the USA and Canada, where, due to the Cold War context, the presentation of Hungarian folk dance was also regarded as a political diversionary manoeuvre. By contrast, the 2013 North American tour was all about an artistic debut: the company gave 80 performances in nearly 70 cities to Hungarian diaspora and local audiences, making the most of artistic freedom.
