Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1981. január-június (35. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1981-06-11 / 24. szám
AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZÓ Thursday, June 11. 1981. 2. ipswaH rows—bt ^isLLsxt C7 sítcmoncdon.cs.xt On Sunday, May 17th, 1981, the Testimonial Concert which honored the internationally renowned artist, Hugo Gellert, was an auspicious occasion. The Robert Wagner Jr. High School Auditorium was' filled beyond capacity. The warm enthusiasm among the people attending was an affirmation of deep respect for Hugo Gellert, as an artist and his invincible spirit in the struggle for social justice, peace and humanity during the past seventy years. Masters of Ceremony, Ossie Davis and Howard da Silva, set the tone for an exceptional program. In addition to the refreshing performances by the New York Street Theater Caravan and the Reka Dancers, “Negro Spirituals” choreographed by Helen Tamaris were dramatically interpreted by the talented Davis Center Dancers. Musical traditions of Hungary, Gellert’s birthplace, marked the occasion with the observance of the Bela Bartók Centennial Celebration. Piano selections from Bartok’s compositions were articulated with clarity by Alexander Farkas and Diana Dabby. Cellist, Christine Scafidi skillfully created the somber lyricism of the composer’s work. Hungarian folk idioms glowed in the passionate rendition of Pablo Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen”, which was performed by Brennan Sweet, young violin virtuoso. A slide presentation of Gellert’s art depicted the life and labor of the working class. His illustrations in Karl Marx Capital illuminated the intrinsic value and meaning of the worker’s labor in the process of production. As an activist, this artist asserted his leadership in the movements against fascism, war, racism and povérty. Greetings from around the world hailed the event. Ernest De Maio, United Nations representative of the World Federation of Trade Unions delivered the organization’s salutations, “...Hugo Gellert has been and remains an artistic craftsman of superb quality and a staunch fighter for the life and hopes of humanity as the proper subject of art and a tower of strength to those of his fellow artists who also fought against the dehumanization of “non-objectivity” which was imposed on U.S. artists by every gallery, every critic and all media accessible to the control of monopoly capital...” As the initial event celebrating the 90th birth- year of this great artist, the concert set precedence in the continuing struggle for a better humanity. Below we publish some of the more outstanding addresses and greetings delivered at the celebration. Statement of Norma Rogers Let us learn Hungarian Chairperson of the Committee traveling utazás For seven decades, Hugo has been deeply committed to the struggle for social justice and friendship among all people. He has struggled against fascism, racism and all forces that denigrate human life. His experience ás an activist has never been separate from that as an artist. As shown in the slide presentation, Hugo’s art powerfully protests This kind of life with its institutions and conditions that oppress the poor. It sharply depicts his concern about the inherent struggle between the oppressed class and the oppressor, under capitalism. Hugo’s posters, lithographs, murals and silk screens give dignity to the life and labor of workers. His art is a reflection of his humanity. A record of a history, The content of his work and its significance is in the tradition of distinguished artists such as Kathy Kollwitz, Honoré Daumier, Francisco Goya, Max Seckman, Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, and others. Hugo’s works are serious statements which must be recognized within the frame of our time. It is an indictment of a social system that denies rights for human survival. It is appropriate on this occasion, to ask that we all reaffirm our commitment to the struggle against war, racism and poverty. In 1980. 14.733 students graduated from Hungarian institutions of higher education, 4.009 teachers had a choice of 4.650 jobs within the framework of the official iob distribution svstem, while 15.626 positions awaited the 6.051 graduates of other professions. 939 jobs were advertised for the 822 medical school graduates under the job distribution svstem. There were 147 jobs for 111 new dentists. Fares, please. What’s the fare to ...? The fare from the station to the hotel is . . . Have I got to change? Kérem a jegyeket I Mennyi a viteldíj.. .-igl ... a viteldíj az állomástól a szállodáig. Át kell szállnom? Let’s go by taxi. Call a taxi, please. Where’s a taxi-rank f-stand I? Here comes a taxi. Hallo! Are you disengaged? Take us to ... Street. Take me to the Grand Hotel, please. Put me down at the corner. Stop, driver, we are here. What’s the fare? Hid you pay off the driver? This is on me. < Let me pay [or the fare.) What is the fare for taking me to the station? Menjünk (mennyünk) taxin i Hívjon, kérem, egy taxit! Hol van egy taxiállomás? Itt jön egy taxi. Halló, szabad? Vigyen minket a(z) ... utcába (uccdba)l Vigyen, kérem, a Nagyszállóhoz 1 Tegyen le a sarkon! Álljon meg, kérem, it' vagyunk I Mennyivel tartozom? Kifizette a sofőrt? Ezt én fizetem I <Had. fizessek én!) Mennyi a viteldíj az állomásig? AMERIKAI • MAGYAR SZU USPS 023-980 ISSN 9194-7990 Published weekly, e*c. last week in July and 1st 2 weeks in August by Hungarian Word Inc. Inc. 130 E 16 St. New York, NY. 10003. Ent. as 2nd Class Matter, Dec. 31.19S2 under the Act of March. 21.1879, at the P.O. of New York, N.Y. Szerkeszti a Szerkesztő Bizottság Előfizetési árak New Yorkban, az Egyesült Államokban egy évre $ 18.- félévre $ 10.- Kanadában és minden más külföldi országban egy évre $ 20.- felevre $ 12.- Postrqastert Send address changes to Hungarian Word, Inc. 130 E 16 St. New York, NY. 10003. "ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS" ADDRESS BY AMBASSADOR FERENC ESZTERGÁLYOS Ladies and gentlemen: May I take the opportunity given by this concert today, to express my sincere respect and high appreciation to Hugo Gellert who has been serving progressive ideas and world peace with his impressive works of art. Hugo Gellert has spent 75 years of his long carrier in the United States. This has been a life rich in creative work and recognized results. His works are inseparable from the history of the 20th century. They reflect the dramatic turning points in our century and represent the thoughts of humanitarian feelings, of friendship and of peace. He has been enriching American culture for seven and a half decades. His works were carried by the progressive information media and other significant newspapers and magazines in a stready manner and many exhibitions have been organized to show his art in nationally known museums in the USA. The recognition of his talent and personality by his homeland, by the Hungarian People’s Republic, is amply shown by the government decoration that he received some years ago and by the exhibitions in Budapest and elsewhere including one in the National Gallery of Arts. His works of art are now part of the collection of several famous museums the world over. Perusing, in thought, over his creations I would single out especially one’, his mural at the Hillcrest school complex in New York. It portrays 15 eminent personalities who, in the past 120 years, have greatly contributed to a better understanding a- mong peoples. This is what he himself had to say about this panorama: “The purpose of this mural is to encourage the students to prepare for a life to be spent in equality and friendship, to channel technology for the service of man, to study the principles of humanity and to apply them to render life more rational. Fifteen men and one woman, seven blacks, seven whites and one Puerto Rican are seen on it. Their lives cover a time span of 120 years. The life story of each one of them serves as an example and has contributed to the progress of mankind. We owe it to them that we can say, we can see far ahead, because we stand on the shoulders of giants.” It is in the spirit of these very thoughts that I wish Hugo Gellert, our young guest of honor today, to have good health and a long life to come, rich in new creations. The HUGO GELLERT TESTIMONIAL SOUVENIR JOURNAL • contains illustrations and an in-depth assessment of the artist’s life and work. Copies are available for $ 2.00 each. Add 7 5 cents for postage For orders, please make checks or money orders payable to the HUGO GELLERT TESTIMONIAL COMMITTEE 130 E 16 St. New York,NY 10003.
