Hungarian Heritage Review, 1989 (18. évfolyam, 1-9. szám)
1989-01-01 / 1. szám
With the emergence of 40-yearold, Harvard University-trained, Miklós Nemeth as the Prime Minister of Hungary and with Karoly Grosz retaining the top spot of party chief, the stage is set for the introduction of political and economic reforms in Hungary. These reforms, it is widely predicted, will include tough-to-take measures of austerity that may very well trigger public protest. Perhaps, to defuse such a possibility in advance, Gyoergy Fejti, the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Hungarian Communist Party, let it be known that public participation in the governmental decision-making process may be allowed. “There should be the possibility for citizens to make decisions directly,” he said. But, what Fejti really meant by this, is that, while referendums may be initiated by the citizenry, higher authority (the Party) will still make the final decision whether to adopt them or to reject them. However, it is too early yet to determine how sure-to-come political and economic reforms will work out in practice. But, what can be predicted with some accuracy, is that Hungary, under its new leadership of young technocrats, is going to expend vigorous efforts to promote increased trade and technological links with the West. With the Hungarian economy being in the sad state that it is, and its technological capabilities leaving a lot to be desired (like the telephone system, for example), going West for assistance is the only way Hungary can go. And, that is the way Hungary will go! The cities of Vienna and Budapest were recipients of the prestigious PROGNOSWERBUNG AWARD for their inter-related plan to hold a joint “World Fair” in 1995. The award certificate was recently presented to the mayors of both cities at a ceremony held in Basel. Prognoswerbung is a very distinguished Swiss conglomerate which presents such awards for plans Miklós Nemeth and ideas of outstanding significance to international trade and tourism. The joint declaration to hold a simultaneous Vienna-Budapest world exposition was signed by the former Prime Minister of Hungary, Karoly Grosz, and Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky. At this signing ceremony Grosz said: “We want to show the world how we live here in Hungary. An undertaking of such dimensions is likely to bring business to many state and private enterprises, and also to promote various types of cooperation arrangements. Thus, we hope, it will be a success economically as well as politically.” The planned “World Fair” to be held in Vienna and Budapest will be the first of its kind ever held in world fair history. It will also be the first of its kind ever held between two countries of different political, economic, and social systems. Moreover, the timing of the joint exposition could not be better. For the one to be held in Vienna will mark the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the democratic Republic of Austria and the 40th anniversary of the nation’s sovereignty. The fair to be held at the same time in Budapest will commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the Magyar Conquest — the time when the Magyars, under the leadership of Arpad, rode into and occupied what is now Hungary in 895 A.D. THIS IS A “WOW”! Two Hungarian marathon swimmers, who have already demonstrated their longdistance prowess, have come up with the bright idea of swimming the lengths of either the Ohio River or the Mississippi River in the U.S.A. to usher in the 21st Century and to promote world peace. To pull off such a great publicity stunt, however, they need organized sponsorship. Is there anyone out there in the Hungarian community of America interested in helping to cover the cost? If so, get in touch with the Hungarian Heritage Review, who has the details of the proposal and plans to publish it in the February issue. The Hungarian women’s chess team walked away with the gold medal from the 28th Chess Olympiad held recently in Salonika, Greece. Judit Polgar, the 12-year-old, whiz-kid of the chessboard, has now realized her ambition. She is now the Women’s Chess Champion of the World! Incidentally, her performance was so brilliant in the matches that the judges awarded her an extra gold for good measure! There are, believe it or not, Islamic communities in Budapest, Pecs, Szentendre, Szeged, and Debrecen. The total population is about 500. So, now the Hungarian Government has officially recognized their faith as a part of the religious community in Hungary. The Autonomous Hungarian Muslim community, which came into existence in 1931, was named after “Gul Baba”, and ceased to function after World War II has now been resurrected. Now, get this one: its head is Sheik Abdul Rahman, whose real name as a bonafide Hungarian is BALAZS MIHALYFFY! 8 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW JANUARY 1989
