Hungarian American Coalition News, 1996 (5. évfolyam, 2-3. szám)
1996 / 3. szám
COALITION PROJECT UPDATES Coalition Sponsors “Encounter with 1956” “Találkozás 1956-tal” Since the beginning of this historic year the Hungarian American Coalition has searched for a way to make a meaningful contribution to marking the 40th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. When Coalition member Andrea Lauer, Director of the Center for Independent Journalism in Budapest, told us about Örs Csete and his ideas for “Encounter with 1956,” we knew we had found the right project. Mr. Csete, a young Hungarian teacher in Budapest, has compiled 1,200 black and white photographs and 6,000 minutes of recorded oral histories in the past three years of the everyday, almost accidental heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Szabolcs Szekeres, the Coalition’s Budapest Liaison, immediately recognized the quality and vision of “Encounter with 1956”: “This is a highly professional project which fits the profile of the Coalition. When I hear Hungarians say, to my great surprise, that doing such a project is politically unwise in today’s Hungary, I am more convinced than ever of the need to have the Coalition sponsor it.” Mr. Csete has ambitious plans for developing “Encounter with 1956.” He will continue to interview and photograph over four hundred surviving freedom fighters. He plans to publish an album of photographs, entitled “Portrait Gallery of 56-ers.” He intends to put the project on a CD-ROM, and next year, he would like to send his material on traveling exhibits in Hungary, Europe and the United States. In October Mr. Csete’s photos with accompanying interview texts are on exhibit in Hungary at the Polish Institute, in Ópusztaszer, and at the Center for Independent Journalism. As of October 23, 1996, “Encounter with 1956” can be viewed on the Internet on the Coalition’s home page at: http://www.hungary.com/hac. By supporting this project, each one of us—Coalition members and others—can play a role in documenting and preserving for posterity a time of great importance to Hungarians all over the world. If you want to be a part of this effort, please send your tax-deductible contribution to the Hungarian American Coalition’s Washington Office. Checks should be marked: “Project 1956.” All contributions will be acknowledged on the pamphlet, poster and other material accompanying “Encounter with 1956.” The Fall of the Red Star Receives Honors The Fall of the Red Star, by Helen Szablya and Peggy King Anderson, has been awarded first prize by both the Washington Press Association and the National Federation of Press Women. This historical novel, written for young adults about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, is now in its third printing, and is available in bookstores in North America as well as at Bestsellers in Budapest. In an effort to educate young people about the Hungarian Revolution, the Hungarian American Coalition has sponsored several trips and presentations by author Helen Szablya in schools, libraries, churches and scout troops in Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and elsewhere. After one of Mrs. Szablya’s programs in Seattle, PEMCO insurance company bought 500 copies of The Fall of the Red Star for distribution to Seattle area schools. In early December Mrs. Szablya will visit the Cleveland, Ohio area to promote her book. In this 40th anniversary year, this wonderful book will make a most appropriate Christmas gift! Remember that proceeds from the sale of The Fall of the Red Star benefit the projects of the Coalition. Copies can be ordered from the Coalition’s Washington Office by calling Klary Hefty at (202) 296-9505; discounts are available for multiple book orders. Newsletter editor and graphic designer: Edit Völgyesi. We are grateful to all those who contributed articles or information to this Newsletter. “Nothing printed here is to be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any legislation before the Congress of the United States or any other legislative body in the U.S. or abroad.” The White House Internship by Ameritech - 1997 Applications are now being accepted for the 1997 Spring and Summer White House internship sessions. Candidates should be college sophomores or older, active participants in the Hungarian American community, andhave an interest in public service. Due to the special grant made by Ameritech to underwrite this program, the Coalition provides a monthly stipend for living expenses to the candidates selected for either White House internship session. If you are interested, please call Klary Hefty as soon as you see this notice for more information at the Coalition’s Washington Office at (202) 296-9505. Applications are due by November 15 for the 1997 Spring internship and on February 1st for the two Summer internship sessions. \»/ Drs. Árpád Duka Zólyomi and József Halzl Tour U.S. Cities The Hungarian American Coalition, along with the National Committee of Hungarians from Slovakia, has invited Dr. József Halzl from Budapest, President of the Rákóczi Society and Dr. Árpád Duka Zólyomi of Bratislava (Pozsony), member of the Slovak Parliament and one of the founders of the Hungarian Coexistence movement to visit several U.S. cities during November. On each of their stops Drs. Duka Zólyomi and Halzl will report on the “Situation of Hungarians in Slovakia Since the Slovak-Hungarian Basic Treaty,” with special attention to the increasingly discriminatory laws and policies of the Meciar government which threaten the political, educational and cultural institutions of the 600,000 strong Hungarian community. Several Coalition member organizations will host and co-sponsor programs by Drs. Halzl and Duka Zólyomi in New York, Washington, D. C., Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Jersey. Please call the Coalition offfice to get exact dates for these programs. Fall 1996 • Hungarian American Coalition News • 3
