Táncdalfesztivál (literally Festival of dance music) was a series of Hungarian pop music competitions and exhibition shows, airing annually on the National Television from 1966 to 1972 and occasionally until 1994.
Significance In a country with only one television channel, Táncdalfesztivál was the premier chance for young musicians to showcase their skills and become well known in the Hungary of the '60s. It was the starting point in the career of the era's most popular performers, like Kati Kovács, Pál Szécsi, Klári Katona or Zsuzsa Koncz.
As television sets were just becoming widespread, it also meant a good opportunity to musicians already popular from the radio, but never seen performing live. Performers who gained fame through the show include Éva Mikes, Mária Toldy, Katalin Sárosi, János Koós, and László Aradszky. According to János Bródy, the Táncdalfesztivál series played a key role in the renewal of the contemporary Hungarian music scene, which spread beyond national borders.
The TV show had similar, equally successful radio counterparts called Tessék Választani and Made in Hungary.
Chronology The classical Táncdalfesztivál was held annually between 1966 and 1972, followed by irregularly held competitions with varying names and scopes until 1994. Year TitleFormatDateVenue(s)No. of songs No. of songs in the finalPresenter(s)The "classic" Táncdalfesztivál era (1966–1972)1966Táncdalfesztivál ’663 semifinals + final7 July – 20 August 1966Madách Theatre (semifinals) Erkel Theatre (final)6012Marika Takács, Judit Lénárd, Eszter Tamási, József Varga1967 Táncdalfesztivál ’6720 July – 20 August 19676015Marika Takács, József Varga 1968 Táncdalfesztivál ’6820 July – 18 August 19686018Klári Poór1969Táncdalfesztivál ’6919 July – 16 August 1969Erkel Theatre60181970Táncdalfesztivál was not held that year1971 Táncdalfesztivál ’713 semifinals + final24 July – 24 August 1971Madách Theatre (semifinals) Erkel Theatre (final)4616Júlia Kudlik, Ferenc Ősz1972 Táncdalfesztivál ’7222 July – 18 August 1972Attila József Theatre (semifinals) Erkel Theatre (final)4812Revived songfestivals (1977; 1981)1977 Metronóm ’773 semifinals + final9 – 30 July 1977Magyar Theatre4215Imre Antal1981 Tánc- és popdalfesztivál1 – 21 August 19813615Júlia KudlikInterpop Festivals (1986; 1988)1986Interpop Fesztivál ’862 semifinals + final15 – 19 July 1986Siófok Open Air StageKatalin Bogyay 1988Interpop Fesztivál ’8819 – 23 July 1988Brigitta Palcsó, Péter GesztiThe songfestivals of the ’90s (1991–1994)1991 Popfesztivál ’912 semifinals + final9 – 23 February 1991Fővárosi Művelődési Ház (semifinals) Honvéd Cultural Center (final)István Vágó1992 Egri Táncdalfesztivál3 semifinals + final14 August – 5 September 1992Géza Gárdonyi Theatre (Eger)4516Gábor Mohai, Brigitta Palcsó1993 Pop-Rock Fesztivál ’936 February – 6 March 1993Stage 4 of Magyar Televízió (semifinals) Budapest Congress Center (final)András Bárdos, Kinga CzuczorII. Egri Táncdalfesztivál7 – 28 August 1993The courtyard of Eszterházy Károly Catholic University (Eger)4215Gábor Mohai, Marcellina, Kata Csongrádi1994 Fesztivál ’9415 January – 5 February 1994Stage 4 of Magyar Televízió4515Dorottya Geszler Sources István Zoltán Kiss. Magyar könnyűzenei lexikon 1962-től. Budapest: ZAJ-ZONe, 1998. Dénes Gáncs, János Zoltán. A dallam diadala – A táncdalfesztiválok története. Budapest: La Ventana, 2004.
External links tancdalfesztival.lap.hu - a site collecting links related to Táncdalfesztivál and its performers