Zoltán "Kalapos" Sztojka – by Eszter Halasi
Roma photographer and writer Eszter Halasi travels back to her native Hungary to meet a man who embodies both Roma heritage and tradition - and the modern age.
I visited Zoltán "Kalapos" Sztojka in his home in Soltvadkert, Hungary, to find out what it's like for a Roma man who not only keeps his Roma identity in his heart, but also proudly shows it in his appearance.
My first meeting with Zoltán and his wife was at the Csatka Farewell, a gathering for Roma people from all over Eastern Europe in the Hungarian part of the Carpathian Mountains, an annual event that is part-religious ceremony, part-pilgrimage and part-carnival.
It is true, I observed, that Zoltán's striking traditional attire attracts considerable attention every year among the many photographers working their trade at the Csatka Farewell, some of whom will sell photographs of Zoltán's traditional attire to foreign publications. But Zoltán is not only unique in appearance. Many people mention his ability to foresee the future. Although I do not believe in such abilities, I recognize that this is part of Roma culture, the traditional art of divination, a skill passed down from mothers and fathers to their children.
Because so many articles have been published about Zoltán, meeting him felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Perhaps a common heart beats among the Roma? Recognizing this similarity in each other is a wonderful thing.
We talked a lot, but not about him, because Zoltán is a curious person. He was interested in who I was, how I was, what it was like in England, and what was the situation with the Roma there. I, on the other hand, imagined a photo series of Zoltán in this world, in the present, which shows how he manages to embody both tradition and the modern age.
But I must not forget to mention that Zoltán is a warm-hearted, soft-spoken, cheerful person. In addition to his faithful and strict adherence to Romani traditions, he observes the world with humor. He also maintains close relationships with non-Roma, and conveys his wisdom to all of us, seasoned with his delicious Hungarian words, sometimes interspersed with the Gypsy language.
The meeting with Zoltán was a journey through time, where the past and the present were seamlessly intertwined, showing that identity, tradition and modernity fit together harmoniously in one person.
You can read more about Zoltán in the book "Ciganylélek" (Gypsy Soul) written by Tibor Borzák with the photographs of Bahget Iskander.
Words and photos by Eszter Halasi
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