Ildikó 's relationship with Mediawave dates back to her grammar school years, when she started to work there as a volunteer. In the early 2000's she became one of the music organisers of the team and not much later she was already in charge of the international jazz programs. This was the period when Mediawave had grown a characterful European jazz festival, in which she played a significant role.

Meanwhile Mediawave was accepted to EJN (European Jazz Network) where she soon became a board member.

She met her husband, Chris Potter, the world-known American jazz saxophonist at Mediawave. Since then she has lived in New York, where, as the director of the Hungarian House, coordinates and builds the Hungarian community and cultural life with never-ending enthusiasm and perseverance.

For this activity, she was honoured with the Gold Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit in New York City on 12 March, 2018.

She is with her daughter, Anna, in the photo.

More friends of us has received national awards lately, including László Villányi, with who we have worked together for decades, making films and documenting literary events.

This year there will be a unique presentation of the Műhely Periodical's special edition "JOY" (he was the editor in chief) at the MEDIAWAVE Film and Music Gathering.

He was awarded this merit for the acknowledgement of his poems representing a unique and strong voice in contemporary Hungarian lira and his high-level editor activity enriching the cultural life of the city of Győr.

I took part at Jószef's self initiated accident prevention presentation series at the Barn Festival in Kiscsősz. I recroded the event and got fond of his almost fanatic dedication. Cimbi, the director of the Barn Festival, was also suspicious about the success of the presentation at a folk event, but to our surprise it went with full house.

We exchanged thoughts and emails about how to visualise and talk about a topic like this and I eventually invited him to MEDIAWAVE. Having got to know the community, József gave the presentation at such cultural places some further thoughts: he extended it with an exhibition and a live show also has in his mind for this year.

It is a special delight that they awarded him officially, too, for his volunteering activity: the President of the Republic of Hungary honoured JÓZSEF PINTÉR, Chief Warrant Officer, traffic accident investigator with the Silver Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit as an acknowledgement of his high level  two decade activity in service.

We have two months left until the Gathering but for the time being, let us recommend our 4th Online Film Festival that starts on the 1st of March. Go online to the "On The Road" site from tomorrow, check our exciting selection from many different countries and vote for your favourites until 31 March! The films can be watched until 26 April, 2018. The international selection team selected over 30 films to the online competition and you can also see some more from the previous years' program at the site  that can be reached from 1 March.

You can reach the 90% completed music and other art programs of the Gathering on our website, some of them are under discussion. The selection process of the film competition is almost done. The social or community programs are also visible on the website. However we accept community program offers until the last minute. You can reach the actual version of the program here.

Johannses Olson (SWE) - accordion, Lulu Starr (USA) - violin, Valentin Desmarais (FRA) - bass, Isaac Zaqui Misri (USA) - guitar. Taraf de Akácfa was founded by foreign musicians living in Budapest. They play their own music and music from the Balcan. See the concert in the details.

Ramo Teder (Pastacas)- hiiu kannel (fol harph), looper and electronics, vocal, Marko Veisson - folk harph, electronics, vocal

Puuluup directs the vibrations of the Talharpa's horsehair strings through effects and loop pedals, using alternative bowing and drumming techniques and sounds. The mellow sighs of Talharpa are paired with electronically amplified echoes, knocks, creaks and crackles, while still maintaining the instrument's natural sound. A dialogue between the familiar natural sound and its electronic variations emerges. Puuluup approaches They draw inspiration from travel to faraway lands, Vormsi nights, trams in November, junkies in love, criminals from Odessa and Antonio Vivaldi. See the concert in the details.

Anti arrived at Mediawave with the Estonian delegation.

He does not consider himself a festival guy, but after reading his opinion we should reconsider the statement.

Read his thoughts in the details.

Photo: Péter Nyikos

Assif Tsahar - sax, Tatasuya Nakatani - drum
Two well-known improvised musicians came together. The duo was formed 13 years ago in Manhattan.

Photo: Péter Nyikos

The drummer from Chicago is surely one of the greatest jazz drummers in the world. Since 2002, he has not only played at Mediwave with different formations, but also formed the atmosphere of the festival with participating in jam sessions and workshops and simply with his presence.

Three years ago he played with Viktor Tóth and then Iva Bittová. This time he wasn't on tour but just came to be together with Mediawave-friends. He seemed to have a great time and to our surprise his solo concert turned to a duo with Viktor Tóth.  It was a real jam session, a free improvisation as they didn't have a minute rehearsal... You can see an excerpt of the concert in the detail and the complete concert in the Mediawave Film Archive.

Photo: Csaba Nyikos