Current:Home > BackAn energy crunch forces a Hungarian ballet company to move to a car factory-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
An energy crunch forces a Hungarian ballet company to move to a car factory
View Date:2024-12-24 09:01:43
GYOR, Hungary — Reka Zalai clocked out for lunch on Thursday in the quality assurance department of an Audi automobile factory in Hungary.
But instead of heading to her ordinary spot in the factory's lunch room, she walked to a nearby conference hall near the production line to watch a performance of a professional contemporary ballet troupe.
The Ballet Company of Gyor, a city in northwest Hungary that is home to the sprawling car and motor plant, began rehearsing at the factory in January after being forced to shutter their rehearsal hall in response to soaring energy prices.
With nowhere to rehearse and scheduled performances approaching, the troupe approached the Audi factory, a longtime sponsor, which offered to host the dancers in a heated room at the plant for a few weeks during the coldest winter months.
In a converted conference room on Thursday, the dancers honed their pliés and pirouettes, while row upon row of new cars could be seen in a distant lot through the ceiling-high windows, and workers passed by outside dressed in bright red coveralls.
Laszlo Velekei, the ballet company's director, said that being able to maintain the continuity of rehearsals after the dancers left their theater was essential to keeping them in top form.
"The most important thing in a dancer's life is that they can't stop," Velekei said. "There is a saying that we often repeat to one another: if you miss one day (of rehearsal), it's no problem. If you miss two days, then the dancer begins to feel it. If you miss three days, then the audience notices, too."
The Gyor Ballet's rehearsal hall is one of dozens of Hungarian cultural institutions that have temporarily shut down for the winter season in response to exponentially rising energy prices. Heating bills for some have risen tenfold since last winter, while high inflation and a weakening currency have compounded a dire economic outlook.
Hungary's government in July declared an "energy emergency" in response to rising prices and supply disruptions linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. It also made cuts to a popular utility subsidy program that since 2014 had kept the bills of Hungarians among the lowest in the 27-member European Union.
Reka Jakab, a press spokesperson for Audi, said the ballet company wanted to give something back for the plant's 12,000 workers in return for the rehearsal space.
"They offered to give one open performance for them each week, and they were also open to giving access to the rehearsals whenever the workers have free time," she said.
She said many workers had never seen a ballet before, but the responses have been very positive.
"Several people said that they would definitely attend the next performance in the theater."
Zoltan Jekli, a dancer with the Gyor ballet, said that the troupe had overcome some of the limitations of the new space by outfitting the floor with a layer of soft PVC foam and bringing their own equipment to make it feel like home.
"Whenever I come here, it fills me with good feelings and memories and I think everyone (in the troupe) feels the same," he said. "We don't have the sense that we're coming into a car factory. We like to be here."
Zalai, 28, said she's "always been amazed by ballet," but that seeing it up close and getting a chance to break from her daily routine had been a particularly special experience.
"I was really recharged by this half-hour. Time stopped for me," she said.
veryGood! (76)
Related
- Barbora Krejcikova calls out 'unprofessional' remarks about her appearance
- As Caitlin Clark closes in on all-time scoring record, how to watch Iowa vs. Ohio State
- House Republicans demand info from FBI about Alexander Smirnov, informant charged with lying about Bidens
- Elon Musk sues OpenAI for choosing profits over 'the benefit of humanity'
- How Saturday Night Live Reacted to Donald Trump’s Win Over Kamala Harris
- US Department of Ed begins probe into gender-based harassment at Nex Benedict’s school district
- Jury convicts first rioter to enter Capitol building during Jan. 6 attack
- L.A. Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani announces that he's married
- Get well, Pop. The Spurs are in great hands until your return
- Texas Panhandle ranchers face losses and grim task of removing dead cattle killed by wildfires
Ranking
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- Clippers guard Russell Westbrook breaks left hand in first half against Wizards
- Driver rescued after crashed semi dangles off Louisville bridge: She was praying
- Judge rules Jane Doe cannot remain anonymous if Diddy gang rape lawsuit proceeds
- Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper Prove They're Going Strong With Twinning Looks on NYC Date
- Babies born March 2 can get a free book for Dr. Seuss Day: Here's how to claim one
- In Georgia, a bill to cut all ties with the American Library Association is advancing
- Free People’s Warm Weather Staples Are Up To 66% Off - Plus Get Free Shipping & Deals Starting At $30
Recommendation
-
Are Dancing with the Stars’ Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Living Together? She Says…
-
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing, listening and reading
-
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook breaks left hand in first half against Wizards
-
Israel accused of opening fire on Gaza civilians waiting for food as Hamas says war death toll over 30,000 people
-
Shel Talmy, produced hits by The Who, The Kinks and other 1960s British bands, dead at 87
-
New Research Shows Emissions From Cars and Power Plants Can Hinder Insects’ Search for the Plants They Pollinate
-
Nevada, northern California brace for blizzard, 'life-threatening' conditions
-
Migrant brawl at reception center in Panama’s Darien region destroys shelter