Halfway Between Brussels and Berlin

WLB: This year, you were granted a separate venue at the Valley of Arts. How would you describe your schedule and headliner? What kind of atmosphere and tradition do you want to create?

Veronika Harcsa: The organizers asked me to manage the jazz venue, which had lacked a yard master before, and this is a great privilege and quite the exciting task, as I got to compile the programme. I invited my favourite Hungarian acts, including Nikoletta Szőke, János Ávéd, but there will also be bands drawing on jazz, like the Qualitons or W.H., which band performs Shakespeare sonnets with Sena in the foreground. There will be 3 international performers as well: the world-famed trumpeteer, Erik Truffaz; the Belgian art pop vocal trio, Lezuaso; while the grand concert of 2 August will be entrusted to the Club des Belugas and the American singer, Brenda Boykin. In the daytime, you can attend workshops and events by the Hungarian Writers' Association in my yard. There will also be delicious bites and lawn sprinkled with flowers so guests can sprawl out while drinking fröccs.

WLB: Who are you going to perform with? What kind of workshops can we expect?

Veronika Harcsa: There will be a "Lámpafény est" (Lamplit evening) with my quartet, a duo concert with Bálint Gyémánt, while Bin-Jip will feature Erik Truffaz; but above my own projects, I will also be seen on stage with other bands for a song. I have picked the presenters for the afternoon workshops primarily from the performing musicians.  However, they are not only for musicians, everyone is welcome, as topics will revolve around listening to music and finding one's own voice, and we will also chat with members of the Hősök Tere (Heroes' Square/Space) initiative, which aims to embetter the coexistence of society.

WLB: What do you like about the Valley of Arts? What concerts and events will you attend this year? 

Veronika Harcsa: This is a festival of human scale, a true communal experience - and in a very beautiful setting. I am really excited about the programmes of other yards, like the poetry improvisations of János Lackfi and the concerts of Palya Bea, and I hope I will have some time to leave my own yard in between my responsibilities.

WLB: You've recently earned your master's degree in Belgium. Were these two years worth it in a professional sense? What are your short- and long-term plans? Are you headed towards Berlin and Western Europe? 

Veronika Harcsa: I quite enjoyed the Brussels years, I gained a lot professionally and it was truly exciting to get to know another society in depth. beginning this autumn, I will spend more time in Berlin, as a German label released the album Bálint Gyémánt and I recorded. This is a thrilling prospect: I will have a monthly club night at Collegium Hungaricum together with Berlin-based musicians. I'd like to know that scene better, and I will do my best so they would get to know me.

WLB: You and Bin-Jip will release a new album in December. Would you say a few words about it?   

Veronika Harcsa: The Bin Jip album premier will take place in the Palace of Arts (Budapest) with guest appearance by Eric Truffaz and with special visuals on 21 December. Our producer,  producer, Andrew J has meticulously elaborated on the sound of our new songs, so we hope that the audience will also like it. Our song No Way Boy, which we released as a teaser, won 'Song of the Month'  at the New York-based BalconyTV, which is a good sign. 

WLB: Do you have a favourite spot at Lake Balaton and are there any related memories you treasure? 

VeronikaHarcsa: I really love to ride the ferry, my favourite is the Badacsony-Fonyód line. If all goes well, we will shoot on a Balaton ferry with Bin-Jip for a movie in production. I can hardly wait!