Incompleted mission

A young Gypsy man from Baranya county was trained to be a furniture maker but his talent brought him higher than his companions. László Kosztics became a renown woodcarver. In the 90’s he was a central figure of the Roma cultural life in Hungary. His sudden illness has changed almost everything.

I must have been in high school when I first heard István Kosztics. He was the first Roma wood carver, who was also recognized by the majority society in Hungary. His works are still to be seen in many building halls.
Kosztics László arrived in Budapest in the 90’s from a small settlement in Baranya county to make his talent unfold. He was very successful: his sculptures with biblical topics were presented at the exhibition in Pécs (Southern Hungary) organized for the visit of pope John Paul II. He has got numerous prizes and acknowledgements not only in Hungary and not only for himself, but also for the Hungary Gypsies. He was a central figure of the Roma cultural life, but his sudden illness broke the line of success. Due to his serious heart disease, the artist went through a major surgery then he moved back to his native village.
Now he feels as if time would had stopped for him. He is impoverished, he cannot buy even wood, and the struggle for survival consumes all of his energy. He is left alone, with no hope for help.