Fathers, Sons, Power – Masculine Lives After the Transition
What does it mean to be a man in Hungary today? What have we inherited from our fathers, and what are we passing on to our sons?
The discussion is rooted in David Dorosz’s novel Where The Orphans Of The Power Die, which, through male life stories, explores the histories of Hungary after the political transition. One generation grew up in a world where the fathers’ world had been shaken: jobs disappeared, earlier roles fell away, and it became uncertain what it meant to be a man, a father, a provider. At the same time, public life and politics project a different image of masculinity: the strong, victorious, combative man.
The speakers come from three very different worlds:
- Zoltan Czutor – musician, frontman of Belmondo
- David Dorosz – writer
- Balazs Szücs – Reformed pastor
The discussion will address the absence of fathers, men’s silence, the lack of a language for emotions, stories of failure and escape, and also what sort of man the system rewards today, and whether there is any place for an honourable male role in the world of today.
The male characters in Where The Orphans Of The Power Die follow different paths: one adapts to the logic of power, the other tries to remain an honest man. In the end, the question remains the same: what kind of male role model does the younger generation see as successful today, and what are we passing on to our children?
Excerpts from the novel will be read by Andrea Takats.
Where The Orphans Of The Power Die will be available to buy on the premises, courtesy of Cser Kiadó.
Planned programme: 17:40 – Doors open 18:10 – Opening, screening 18:15 – Discussion (Zoltán Czutor, Balázs Szücs, David Dorosz) Reading by actress Andrea Takáts 19:45 – Signing session