Ferenc Holec Ilona Gyepes

October 21, 1944, Alsóbodok - / folk singer, master of folk art ; ; Ilona Holec Ferencné Gyepes was born on October 21, 1944 in Alsóbodok (some sources also include the ancient name Holecz). She often performed in various shows at the local and later Pográny elementary school, where her singing talent was already evident. Although she achieved excellent academic results, her family background did not allow her to continue her studies. She obtained an agricultural qualification in Pográny, passed the exam in Gímes, and then worked on the Bodok chicken farm. She met folk song collector Tibor Ág in 1972, who already encouraged Ilona Holec to participate in the Spring Wind festival. She became the winner of the national final. In the same year, the folklore group was formed, of which she became a pillar member and later its leader. Ilona Holec's oeuvre so far goes far beyond the usual average. We can often see her in a group, but also as a soloist, on stages both at home and abroad: at military parades, festivals and folk song competitions. She is one of the most outstanding singers of the Zobor region and a frequent winner of singing competitions. She is a true original talent, who did not learn quality singing in a music school, but acquired it through the traditional methods of living folk culture. She draws from pure sources, but also composes lyrics herself. She has received numerous gold, excellent gold and golden peacock (2009) awards, in 2002 she became the only owner of the nívó award, received the title of Outstanding Folk Artist of Csemadok, two-time Vass Lajos Grand Prize winner (1998, 2003), and the Píborpiros Beautiful Rose Award winner (2003). In 2013, he received a letter of thanks from the county governor for his persistent and blessed work. On August 20, 2014, he was awarded the title of Master of Folk Art. He has been an excellent and frequently cited informant for almost half a century. He is an indispensable source of information for collectors of folk songs from the Highlands and Hungary, and documenters of folk song culture visit him again and again, to whom he is always happy to be at their disposal. In many cases, ethnography students collect material for their studies from him. His songs are preserved on numerous audio carriers. ; ; Settlement areas related to his life: Alsóbodok, Pográny, Gímes