After Zsolt Siklodi’s unexpected, tragic death, many of us ‒ organizers, artists ‒ asked the pressing question how to go on. Now, as the 5th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland is approaching, we start facing the void he left behind. For Zsolt Siklodi was not merely an honorary curator. He was the initiator, strategist, implementer, if necessary, graphic artist, manual labourer of the Biennial, he gave the team the cutting edge. In the past years he was working hard, sparing no pains, so that the Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland should become a prestigious event of international standard. His firm intention was accompanied by enthusiasm and an extraordinary tactical sense. He managed to convince everybody that there is a need for such an event, it is feasible and in this way the region can figure on the art map of the world. He always consistently emphasized: “The objective of the Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland is to place side by side the local and the universal, and thus to find and define the role of endeavours in the field of graphic art, born in the region as well as in other parts of the world, within global trends…”. He regarded the initial difficulties as challenge and experience that one can learn from. This is the reason why with every biennial he got closer to achieving his goal. As regards the 4th biennial, which took place in 2016, we can safely state that it became one of the most important graphic art events. Besides several international feedbacks, this is also attested by numbers: 1238 artworks were submitted from 41 countries from all over the world. He could still witness how his hard work yielded fruit. However, he was the sort of man who could never stop. He set newer, more ambitious goals for himself, so that what he started should be ever more perfect. There was no time for him to sit back, as if he had felt the pressure of time.
Zsolt Siklodi is no longer with us and we are now standing at a loss, overwhelmed by his absence. There is no one to ask how to go on. There is only one thing we, who have taken part in this process, even if only tangentially, know for sure: it is our duty to continue the path marked by him.
On behalf of the organizing team:
István Erőss