Interview with the President of the Association on the occasion of Halas-Nap

This year, the Pinka-Völgyi Halas Nap will be held for the tenth time, where we welcome everyone with magnificent fish dishes, exciting children's programs, and dance and music programs. Regarding the jubilee Fish Day, we talked to Miklós Seregi, who took part in bringing the event to life, as it was under his chairmanship that it became what we still love today.

You have been the president of the Vas County Association of Sport Fishing Associations for more than ten years, and this will be the jubilee, tenth Fish Day in Vaskeresztes. What gave you the idea for the organization at the time?

We thought that in the Association we should not only deal with fishing, the development of our lakes, and tenders, but also with the promotion of fish dishes. Unfortunately, Hungary is not on the podium in terms of fish consumption, but thanks to the fact that the issue is being addressed not only here in our county, but also nationally, fish consumption has started to increase, which, as we know, has a good effect on the human body and is very healthy. This gave the event one of its advantages, and the fact that the fishermen, who visit our waters alone or with a smaller group of friends, are brought together a little. Of course, we organized this event not only for them at the time, and we have been organizing it ever since, but for everyone who is interested in the sport of fishing. We are extremely lucky that the location of our association's center provides an excellent location in every way: its indoor event space is suitable for holding our cultural programs safely even in bad weather conditions - or very hot - given the fishing lake next to the Alpesi Fogadó, where part of the fishing competition and its the cooking competition will be held around it, and those coming with small children will find programs for them on the built-up playground and in the area behind it. We have enough space, so those arriving by car don't even have to travel far, and the environment at the foot of Vas-hegy is truly idyllic.

A number of programs await visitors to the Alpesi Fogodó on Fish Day. Who is the target audience of the event?

I must say that we welcome everyone from small children to grandfathers and grandmothers. Those who are attracted to Vaskeresztes by gastronomy can try many fish dishes courtesy of our Association, and the cooking teams will also have the opportunity to do so. As always, we also prepared cultural programs. This year too, the audience can see the Vaskeresztes Tradition Keepers on stage, and the Körmendi Brass Band will also be coming to us. We treat the little ones to a children's show with a chocolate factory handing out sweets, and based on last year's experience, we can predict: Brandnyúl, the children's favorite, will once again throw a frenzied party. We can see the belly dance group Sary Lilyium, an interactive fire juggling show, as well as Áron Sövegjártó, the actor of the Madách Theater, who is sure to sneak into the hearts of adults with his humorous, musical evening. We have also prepared a number of accompanying programs: a whole toy kingdom awaits the children with an air castle with a slide. There will be a wine tasting, and of course the program would not be complete without a fishing demonstration.

For years, you have taken an active part - among other things - in judging the fish dishes prepared at the cooking competition. Let's give the teams a little help: what kind of flavor are you looking for on your plates?

If we are talking about fish soups as one of the main competition dishes, then we are looking for the great fish flavor, not the lecho flavor, not the burnt paprika. And with fish dishes, everyone should let their imaginations run wild, as we have experienced over the years that great dishes are prepared. One of my favorites last year was a fish steak with green pepper sauce. I have to admit that several of us tasted it, but we couldn't tell what kind of fish it was made from, because the fillet of a larger Rábai carp gave back a flavor and texture that went beyond the taste of a normal fish dish.

You also enjoy cooking. Is there a fish dish that you really like to prepare, and that your family and friends say that they would like to see it on the dining table at any time?

I am an omnivore, I like to prepare and eat all kinds of fish. When friends come to watch a game in the evening, the first thing that runs out is the fish mince. What I miss in the whole county of Vas: a good fish restaurant, where you can eat really delicious fried bream or any other fish. I also often prepare fried bream for the pleasure of my family and friends, because it brings everything at this time, during the summer.

The Association takes care of many water bodies. When you go fishing, where do you prefer to cast your bait? What was your biggest catch so far?

I have fished on many lakes, and each lake has its own charm that makes it worth visiting, it can be an old mining lake or a reservoir, each of them has a different feature that makes you love it. The biggest fish I caught was a carp weighing 17 kg, as well as a carp weighing 15.4 kg.

What do you say to those who have July 13 circled in their calendars?

Come by all means, whether alone, with a group of friends, family, or small children, everyone will have a good time.

All programs of the X. Pinka-Völgyi Halas Nap are free, and everyone is welcome!
Come, let's fish, cook and have fun together on July 13, 2024 in Vaskeresztes!