Calvin Synod Herald, 1987 (87. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1987 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 8 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA RÁKÓCZI FOUNDATION (CANADA) ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF $10,000 INTERNATIONAL ESSAY COMPETITION ON “THE SPIRITUAL LEGACY OF PRINCE FERENC RÁKÓCZI II” TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA — One of the programs sponsored by the Rákóczi Foundation (Canada) in 1985 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the death of Prince Ferenc Rákóczi was a SI0.000 International Essay Competition on the spiritual legacy of this great Hungarian hero whose concept of liberty, equality, freedom of religion, and human rights for the peoples of the Carpathian Basin, or historical Hungary, not only inspired the French Revolution, but is also valid the world over to this very day. The competition was open to anyone regardless of age, educational qualifications, nationality, or country of residence. Consequently, 30 entries, consisting of more than 3,500 pages, were submitted from seven countries, among them the United States, Canada, England, France, West Germany. Romania, and Hungary. The competition’s closing date was December 31, 1986. but because the careful evaluation of each entry by the Evaluating Committee required so much time, the announcement of the winners could not be made until this late date. PATRONS AND THE EVALUATING COMMITTEE The Patrons of the competition were the Honorable D. Armstrong, former Canadian Ambassador to Hungary; Sir B. Brain, a member of the British Parliament; Dr. Z. Brzezinski, former presidential adviser and now with Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; t and the Honorable J. Puhán, former American Ambassador to Hungary. The Evaluating Committee consisted of Nicholas Korponay, Chairman; Dr. A. Zsigmond, Secretary; Dr. R. Joo; Dr. Bela Király; Dr. B. Kovrig; Dr. B. Vardy; E. Balogh; Dr. T. Barcsay; R.B. Goodman; A. Kertész; Dr. J. Kirschbaum; Dr. A. Ludanyi; Dr. C. Nagy; Rev. Dr. L. Pokoly; Dr. T. Szendry; and Dr. C. Wojatsek. After evaluating each and every submission, the Committee selected 11 meritorious compositions. But, because these were equal in quality and in interpretation of the spiritual legacy of Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II. they unanimously decided to award each with a prize of $1,000. Meanwhile, the Hungarian Forum in Budapest had contributed a special research scholarship for a participant of non-Hungarian origin and this was awarded to Dr. R. Vladimir Baumgarten, of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Baumgarten, who is of Slovak origin, also writes for the HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW and has become a member of the Board of Directors of the recently activated Rákóczi Foundation-International (USA). His area of special interest is the fostering of common interests between the peoples of the Carpathian Basin now living in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere, including the descendants of these Hungarians, Slovaks, Germans, and other nationalities which once comprised historical Hungary. WINNERS OF THE ESSAY COMPETITION In addition to the research scholarship sponsored by the Hungarian Forum and awarded to Dr. R. Vladimir Baumgarten, the Evaluating Committee awarded $1,000 to each of the following contestants:- Imre Bodrogi, Hungary- Dr. Geza Galavics, Hungary- Janos Dobai, Hungary- Dr. István Käfer, Hungary- Bela Kosonczi, Hungary- Marianne Saghy, Hungary- Geza Szocs, Transylvania (Romania)- Dr. Tamas Talpassy, England- Dr. Vilmos Csernohorszky, West Germany- Dr. Gabor Szent-Ivany, United States PLANS FOR THE FUTURE The selected manuscripts will be used at a later date as the basis for further research studies and for an International Symposium dealing with the life and times of Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II, who dedicated his life and fortune to the goal of liberating historical Hungary from subjugation by a foreign power and setting the peoples of the Carpathian Basin free to enjoy “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” EDITOR’S NOTE: The Rákóczi Foundation (Canada) and the recently activated Rákóczi Foundation- International (USA) are inter-related in aims and purposes and the HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW is the official publication of both of these non-profit organizations. For membership information, write to: Mr. Alexander Hody, President, Rákóczi Foundation-International, 155 Emerson Road, Somerset, New Jersey 08873 (Tel: 201-545-4794).
