Hungarian American Coalition News, 2001 (10. évfolyam, 1. szám)
2001 / 1. szám
Ohio Groups Plan to Merge Two Ohio-based organizations, the Geauga Magyar Cultural Society and the 100 year old St. Stephen's Club have spent many months in negotiations to consolidate the two organizations. Plans are moving forward and the name of the newly formed organization will be "Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeast Ohio". Andy Varga, the beloved president of the Geauga group, passed away on May 9, 2000. It was one of his fondest dreams to bring together three of the largest Hungarian American organizations in Northeast Ohio. Last October, the members and families of the Geauga Magyar Cultural Society held their closing function, a "Pig Roast", which was attended by 125 people. In tribute to the memory of Andy Varga, three groups joined together to organize a very successful event, "The Mini-Vásár," on July 2nd, 2000. Participants included the Youngstown Hungarian American Club, St. Stephen's Club, and the Geauga Magyar Cultural Society. The "vásár" was held at the Geauga Magyar Cultural Society's Club grounds, the Hungarian Cultural Center on Abbott Road in Hiram, Ohio. Two more functions were organized by The Geauga Magyar Cultural Society in Hiram, the Reunion Picnic and the Fall Festival (Szüreti Mulatság). Conference on Ethnic Cleansing at Duquesne University Last November, Prof. S.B. Várdy of Duquesne University organized and hosted an international conference on ethnic cleansing. The invited deliberated on the issue of forced expulsions and compulsory population exchanges following World War II. The panel that dealt specifically with ethnic cleansing of Hungarians by the surrouning ’’successor states” included members of the Coalition: Dr. Edward Chászár of Indiana University of Pennsylvannia. Dr. Andrew Ludányi of Ohio Northern University, and László Hámos of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation. Dr. Géza Jeszenszky, Hungary’s Ambassador to the United States described the chasm that seperates Oscar Jászi’s forward-looking and rational plan for a Danubian Confederation from the violent practice of ethnic cleansing that came to dominate the postwar decades. The conference ended with a reception for 120 persons hosted by Professors Sven Bela and Agnes Huszár Várdy. Hungarian Club of Chicago The Chicago Magyar Club once again proved that no one can organize a better-attended and more successful event than their famous January Gala Ball! With 750 people attending, Gala Ball guests of honor included Hungarian Ambassador Dr. Géza Jeszenszky and Edit Jeszenszky, Ms. Pat Michalski, who delivered a proclamation from Illinois Governor, George Ryan, and Ms. Marianne Orencsak, of the Hungarian Consulate in New York. A special feature of the Ball is the presentation of scholarships to outstanding Hungarian students. This year eight students shared stipends totalling $6,500: Beatrix Biczo-Pál, Agnes Csicsai, Anikó Csorba, Éva Hablik, Éva Kapusi, László Katona, Zita Molnár. The Pál Saláta Memorial Scholarship of $2,000 was awarded to Boldizsár Lassú of the Illinois Institute of Technology. Congratulations to Magyar Club President Pál Varga, and his wife, Amika Varga, and Vice Presidents Rózsa Körmőczy, Sándor Krémer, and all others for arranging another unforgettable Gala Ball! Minnesota Hungarians to Participate in Festival of Nations Celebration The Minnesota Hungarians will be among 100 different ethnic groups that participate in Minnesota's largest ethnic celebration, The Festival of Nations, to be held on May 3-6, 2001. This four- day intercultural adventure features exhibits, cultural programs as well as culinary specialties. Minnesota Hungarians, Inc. has participated in this celebration for 50 years. The Hungarian Café features Hungarian specialties; Ms. Betty Bodnár will demonstrate Hungarian embroidery techniques, two checkmasters, László Ficsor and Eugene Kerkay will take on challengers; and the Twin City "Country Dancers" will perform Transylvanian folk dances. 5 • Hungarian American Coalition • February 2001
