From Northern Hungary’s Palóc Region, story teller and bagpiper Pál István had just turned 96. “Pál Pista bácsi” held the titles of Master of Folk Arts and Knight of Hungarian Culture, and was recipient of the Madách Imre and Artisjus awards. He was a shepherd from Hungary’s Nógrád County and the last of the traditional Hungarian bagpipe players that had once been a symbol of the Palóc Region. He inspired dozens of young people to play bagpipe. He earned the highest national and local awards for his traditional knowledge, songs, melodies, instruments and conscious mission of passing on tradition.

On behalf of the Fonó, artistic director Berecz István’s words of farewell:

“A shepherd boy is playing flute in the pasture ”. That’s how one of Pál Pista bácsi’s favorite tunes begins. But he sings no longer. He plays flute no longer. He has gone on and left us here. His passing brings great grief to bagpipers, flute players, singers and the entire dance house movement - his students. He was a master, the scope of whose music, songs and traditional knowledge was unbelievably huge and varied; his entire life and character served as an example for us all. We all worried about him and took up collections for him in the autumn after his accident. Then at the age of 95, as if young again, he recovered enough to sing, play flute and teach his students; who had surrounded him during his illness as well. One night as he fell asleep, with a pat on the head, he left his flock in the care of his old (already dead) dog Ringyó. Then a couple days after his 96th birthday, he left us; but he remains amongst us forever. His songs, music, stories, tales, and lessons continue to be heard through his countless students. Dear Pista bácsi as you look down upon us with strict eyes from under the brim of your hat - your smiling spirit will see that what you left us it eternal, and through that, you are as well.

A documentary film on Pál István: