Mihály Róka celebrated his 60th birthday last year. He lives in the Moldavian Trunk (Gelbeni) and despite the fact that he has been working very hard all his life, he still enjoys the best of health. For 8 years he has worked on the Hargita mountains in a copper mine then for many years in an iron foundry in Bákó. His parents were peasants so Mihály has been farming since his childhood. He is lover of land and grape and works with them even today. Beside his works at home, he has been coming to Öreghegy (Aszófő) for a decade now. Having a cheerful, friendly nature he is regarded almost as a family member. The neighbourhood hears his stories and tales and learn about the lives of Moldavian Magyars, and when he starts singing, listeners around him are amazed. He learnt his songs from his grandparents his repertoire thus reflects a state as it was 50 years ago. Among the Csángó-Hungarians, atrophy of their mother tongue so far seemed uncontrollable.

However, we hope that - thanks to Mihály Róka and others - this flow will stop. I think it is not beyond possibility that eventually new songs will born in this region. I can almost hear Mihály’s deep, magical voice singing his own new song: “Aszófõi Öreghegy…”