Hungarian Heritage Review, 1985 (14. évfolyam, 12. szám)
1985-12-01 / 12. szám
DECEMBER 1985 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 13 A 250-YEAR-OLD DREAM ABOUT THE UNITY OF CENTRAL EUROPE $10,000 — International Competition announced by the Rákóczi Foundation Ferenc Rákóczi II, the last Prince of Transylvania died 250 years ago, on Good Friday, April 8, 1735, in exile, in Rodosto, Turkey. He was one of history’s noblest freedom-fighters, the worshipped hero of the oppressed masses and spiritual forerunner of the great ideals of the French Revolution. His dream was the unity of the various nationalities and nations of the Danubian-Basin in a United Europe. “Providence sent me to be the ‘living proclamation’ of the fight for freedom. The peoples of Central Europe listened to the call. Hungarians, Ukranians, Slovaks, Poles, Ruthenians, Rumanians, Serbs and Croats came under my banners with the inscript “Cum Deo — pro Patria et Lebertate” — With God for Fatherland and Freedom” — wrote Rákóczi in his memoirs: “Confessions”. During his ten year long, heroic freedom-fight against Habsburg oppression, Rákóczi was admired and loved by all, who believed in justice and human dignity. The Poles offered to him their royal crown; Louis XIV, the “Sun King” of France, Peter the Great, Tzar of the Russians; King Carl XII of Sweden; the rulers of England and Netherland, all expressed their friendship and sympathy and at the bitter end the Turkish Sultan gave him asylum. 250 years after his death, he still lives in the heart of freedom-loving people, who know history and love music. He is immortalized by the famous Rákóczi March. The great French composer Hector Belioz salutes him in his Symphony “The Damnation of Faust”, and Ferenc Liszt in his splendid “Symphony No. XV.” The Rákóczi Foundation, a world-wide, nonprofit, cultural organization declared the year 1985 “Rakoczi-Year” and among various kinds of festive activities the Foundation will commemorate the 250th anniversary, with an international essay competition, entitled: ‘ ‘The Spiritual Legacy of Ferenc Rákóczi II”, $10,000 being distributed among the winners. Participation is open to everybody, in any language with a minimum of 50 typed pages. Studies should be submitted not later than March 31, 1986. Detailed information can be obtained from the: RÁKÓCZI FOUNDATION INC., P.O. Box: 67. Stn. “L” Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M6E 4Y4 BECOME A MEMBER OF THE RÁKÓCZI FOUNDATION From the information we have provided in this newsletter, we are quite sure that you will agree that, instead of TALKING about doing something to help preserve our Hungarian heritage, we are DOING something constructive about it. You can help us to do even more by becoming a member of our organization. Memberships are now open to individuals, as well as Hungarian organizations of all kinds. Individual memberships are $50.00 a year, including a subscription to our official publication. Organizational memberships, including churches, are $100.00 a year. Make your check or money order payable to the Rákóczi Foundation-International and mail to: RÁKÓCZI FOUNDATION-INTERNATIONAL P.O. Box 2203 Union, New Jersey 07083 (Tel: 201-964-8464) IN CANADA, mail to the Rákóczi Foundation, P.O. Box 67, Station “L”, Toronto, Canada M6E-4Y4 (Tel: 416-922-2468) Charters to establish local chapters available Rákóczi-emlékérmet keresünk ■ uii-:? Az éremgytijlök alia'] — nemzetközi vonatkozásban is — megnyilvánuló nagy keresletre vaíó tekintettel. — a Rákóczi Alapítvány — az annak idején $100-'ért kiurucitdN Rákóczi ezüst-emlékérmei $?00-órl visszavásárolja. Cím: P.O. Box 67. — Stn. ,.L’' — Toronto, Ont. M6E 4Y4 Hungarian Research Institute of Canada Inaugerated With a well-attended, two-day (October 31 - November 1, 1985) Inaugeration Program, the Hungarian Research Institute of Canada (HRIC) became an official research ancillary of the University of Toronto. The program was as follow: October 31,8:00 P.M. A Musical Evening with Tamas Vasary. “Interpretation of Chopin" An informal lecture and performance of the music of Chopin by the world famous Chopin interpreter, pianist Tamas Vasary in the Royal Conservatory of Music. November 1, 12:00 P.M. Luncheon, Hart House, University of Toronto — A luncheon meeting of the founders with donors and members of the government. November 1, 3:00 P.M. University of Toronto. Seminar series presenting the program and objectives of the Hungarian Canadian Research Institute. November 1,8:00 P.M. Convocation Hall, University of Toronto. Gala Concert: Tamas Vasary, piano. November 1,10:30 P.M. Croft Chapter House, University College, University of Toronto. Reception to meet the Artist, and the members of the Board of Directors of the Institute. The HRIC is a non profit corporation affiliated with the University as a research ancillary, established by the Rakoczy Foundation of Toronto, the Széchényi Society of Calgary and the University of Toronto. The objective of the Institute is to promote scholarship and research in all areas of social science related to the history and culture of the Hungarian nation and Hungarians everywhere. To attain its objectives the Institute will actively promote and perform scholarly work of the highest academic standard in the broad areas of history, sociology, political science, arts and literature dealing with Hungary and Hungarians. The founders believe that the research ancillary status will give the Institute the full independence in both financial affairs, and in the direction of its scholarly activities, while ensuring the availability of the irreplaceable intellectual and physical resources of (he largest research based university in Canada. The stature of the University of Toronto, through the peer review system will ensure the academic credibility of the output of the Institute. The activities of the Institute will be global, and will involve scholars and institutes around the world. By definition, the Institute will remain non-partisan, and non-political in its activities. Donations to the HRIC are tax deductible.
