Bethlen Almanac 1998 (Ligonier)

The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America

the ringing of the neighborhood churchbells. Recognition at the opening ceremonies was given to the churches and organizations in the HCA coalition observing special anniversaries this year:

Bayard Street Presbyterian Church - 95 years Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church - 90 years Hungarian American Athletic Club (HAAC) - 85 years Széchényi Hungarian School - 25 years Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble - 20 years

Immediately following the Opening Ceremonies, the Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble of New Brunswick gave its first performance of the day at the showmobile, and at the same time the sounds of Életfa Band reverberated throughout the festival area. (The Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble of New Brunswick was invited to perforin at the International Flower Carnival in Debrecen, Hungary, on August 20, as part of the New Brunswick/Debrecen Sister City Program.)

The “Twilight Concert” at the Hungarian Heritage Center courtyard featured “The Band from Szaszcsavas,” a seven-member folk music song and dance ensemble from a remote village in Transylvania, on tour for the first time in America.

For the children and the “young-at-heart” there were puppet shows and face-painting by clowns. The sanctuary of the Magyar Reformed Church was the setting for a performance by members of the 82nd Street Hungarian Reformed Church of New York City.

The various exhibits included three at the American Hungarian Foundation’s museum: “Victor Vasarely - a Retrospective and Op Art”; Paintings and Drawings of Arthur Podolini Volkmann (teacher of Victor Vasarely); and Ceramic Figurines of Judit Jozsa, Transylvanian sculptress.

In St. Ladislaus Church there was an exhibit of hand-embroidered vestments, which could be viewed as part of guided tours of the church. At 5:00 p.m., a Hungarian Mass was celebrated.

All food areas opened at 11:30 a.m. and offered Hungarian food specialties from the following menu: chicken paprikas, stuffed cabbage, pecsenye sandwiches, kolbász sandwiches, langos, palacsinta, gulyás, kiflis, as well as strawberry short cake, hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages.

Items for sale by vendors included books, Herendi porcelain, laces, tshirts, and other imported Hungarian items. The HRFA also sold various items, including Hungarian cookbooks.

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