Project Report

Sponsor: State Secretariat for National Policy of the Prime Minister’s Office

Bidder: Bethlen Gábor Fund Management Ltd.

Beneficiary: Bethlen Gábor Foundation

Project Title: Support for the Activities and Equipment Procurement of the Gyertyaláng Youth Band

Contracted suport amount: HUF 700,000

Total Project Cost: HUF 700,000

Funding Rate: 100%

Project Start Date: 1 January 2025

Project Completion Date: 15 April 2026

The goal of the Gyertyaláng youth band is to help students develop culturally and spiritually. The Bethlen Gábor Foundation has supported talent development groups for many years. The band mainly performs and practices Christian youth worship and contemporary songs.

Use of the grant:

We used the support to help the young talents improve and to strengthen their community. From the HUF 700,000 grant we paid instructor fees, which are necessary for the band to work and learn new songs. We also organized an intensive long weekend before a concert, where the band practiced a lot and became a stronger team. Meals were provided for the participants in the dormitory dining hall.

Thanks to the grant, we were also able to improve our sound equipment: we purchased microphones and the necessary accessories, ensuring reliable technical support for performances.

During the school year, the band performed at several events and also had the opportunity to travel to a nearby location. The band visited Lunca Muresului, where they served in the local church and brought joy to the congregation with their songs.

Expected Impact:

Through the implementation of this project, our goal is to have a positive impact on the students. Making music together and taking part in shared activities play an important role in personal development and in building a strong community. The Bethlen Gábor Foundation is committed to supporting students and considers it important to help the development of talent programs. With this grant, we would like to continue and strengthen the band’s work and its community.

Performances and Concerts of the Gyertyaláng Youth Band in the 2025/26 School Year:

The main goal of the project was to build a complete repertoire through weekly rehearsals, which the band could present to the communities.

Performance at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Bethlen Gábor Foundation:

Musical accompaniment of the morning devotion during the bishop’s visitation:

Advent concert at the Reformed Church in Aiud (Nagyenyed):

Easter concert in the ceremonial hall of the Bethlen Gábor College:

Summary:

The implemented project significantly contributed to the cultural and personal development of the dormitory students. Although the results primarily affected the members of the group, the band’s activities also had an impact on the wider dormitory community: on several occasions, communal singing took place during school services, allowing students to participate either as listeners or as active contributors. The project’s broader target group therefore included approximately 500 students.

We would like to express our gratitude to teacher Szilágyi Róbert, the leader and singer of the group, who through his dedicated work and exemplary attitude conveys Christian values to the students.

We thank the State Secretariat for National Policy of the Prime Minister’s Office for their support!

In addition to the modern conditions, the students receive education in the Hungarian language, and the entire community works to strengthen their Hungarian national identity.