In all art forms we find people of exceptional abilities, whose significance go beyond that of supreme talent. Some call them great artists, others, creators or old masters. In essence, they are ones that represent the all the knowledge, character, professional skill and philosophy of the given art. Other artists measure against them, turn to them for inspiration, and care for their opinion above all.

Zoltán Kodály was one such person. He meant the gold standard, the compass for thousands and thousands of musicians, composers and music educators. Not only because he was a professor at the Music Academy in Budapest. Not only because he developed the comprehensive music education method, still used worldwide today. Kodály was special, because through music he became a key figure in the creation of modern Hungary. He believed that our identity and self-respect at the core of our national pride can be based on knowing our musical treasures, being acquainted with the culture of music. He established this belief in the Hungarian society of the first half of the 20th century, and for that, all later generations owe respect and gratitude to him. He set up elementary music education from virtually nothing, he revived and recreated the culture of songs in Hungary together with Bartók, and he composed such masterpieces as the Psalmus Hungaricus, the Dances of Galánta, the Transylvanian Spinning Room and Háry János.

Zoltán Kodály was born 125 years ago. Although he has not been with us for four decades, we live with his ouvre each day. His spirit is there in each music lesson, choir competition and folk dance performance. We take this treasure for granted. The purpose of the 2007 Memorial Year is to let us rediscover and esteem all that we have received from this genius. And to show this proudly to other countries in the world.


István Hiller
Minister of Education and Culture, Hungary