Hungarian Heritage Review, 1991 (20. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1991-01-01 / 1. szám
Hungarians, and to help relieve their deprivation and oppression. Having escaped from her homeland following the aborted 1956 Hungarian Revolution, Eva Szörényi and her husband, István Örményi, along with their three sons, István Jr., Thomas, and Gabor, eventually settled in North Hollywood, California. Keeping close family ties, she, a widow since 1987, now lovingly tends her two little grandchildren, the children of her youngest son, Gabor, who is employed in Hollywood's motion picture industry, her oldest son, István, whose wedding was celebrated two years ago, is owner of a Los Angeles-based, landscape architectural firm. Thomas, her second son, resembles his mother, both in appearance and talent. He and his wife are professional actors, directors, and producers, and have their own acting studio as well as a theater in Burbank, California. Both were involved with the Walt Disney World's studio in Orlando, Florida and, as Thomas Örményi, he has performed in TV's "Days of Our Lives". Before her flight from Hungary, Eva Szörényi starred in countless Hungarian films and was one of the most renowned actresses to grace the stage of the Hungarian National Theater. She was the recipient of several outstanding awards for her acting abilities, and remained a favorite of Hungarians worldwide even after abandoning her stellar position in her homeland. She has continued to perform before Hungarian audiences in such faraway places as Australia, South America, and Europe, but has steadfastly denied herself the privilege of revisiting the homeland she loves so dearly. Today, amazingly, the situation has changed! While in Los Angeles, Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Antall commented that it now is possible for Eva Szörényi to visit Hungary since the nation has been liberated from bondage to the Soviets, and he extended an invitation for her to return to her native land. Eva Szorenyi's wisp of a dream, her frail, but persistent, fantasty of freedom for Hungary, has become a reality! Now, let us all join her in praying for her beloved Hungary and its beautiful people. Praying that, although this brave nation faces grave trials and tribulations, it can evolve into the great and glorious land of its forefathers! EVA SZORENYI'S LETTER-OF-APPLICATION TO THE KNIGHTS OF MALTA (A Biographical Sketch) I was one of three children born in Budapest, Hungary, to Karoly Schwab and Baroness Hortenzia Lers. At 3 years of age, I was adopted by my grandparents, Baron and Baroness Vilmos Lers. My grandmother's maiden name was Elvira Reischel de Szörényi, from which I selected my professional name, Eva Szörényi. My grandfather, Baron Lers, a university professor, served as Undersecretary of Commerce and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs. On September 12, 1942, at St. Anna's Roman Catholic Church in Budapest, I married Steven Örményi, chief engineer of the Hunnia Film Studios in Budapest. My husband died on November 1, 1986. We were blessed with three sons: István, Tamas and Gabor, now are married and residing in the Los Angeles area. I graduated from Hungary's Academy of Theatrical Arts and had the significant honor of becoming a member of the Hungarian National Theatre while a young student at the Academy, belonging to the same theatre until 1956. As a leading lady performing in classical and contemporary roles and starring in more than 40 Hungarian movies, I was recipient of the nation's highest honors for outstanding artistic achievement. My family and I fled our homeland as refugees after the tragic 1956 Hungarian uprising. We sacrificed our careers, our livelihood, everything, in order to bring our children to a land where they could enjoy the benefits of religious and political freedom. We came to the United States in 1956 where, for 5 years, I performed in a weekly literary program for Radio Free Europe. While acting for CBS-TV in New York City, the network transferred me to the Los Angeles area where my family and I consequently settled. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to perform before numerous Hungarian audiences in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Australia. Many of these performances were done for charity, also to preserve the heritage of our Hungarian culture. My more recent activities include: Relief for flood victims in Hungary and Transylvania: Organized year-long effort. Several thousand dollars sent to Bishop Aaron Marton in Transylvania and to Father Janos Szőke in West Germany (presently with Father Warenfeld, Estern Priest Hilfe, Koningstein, West Germany). Polish Solidarity Movement: Organized benefit sponsored jointly with Los Angeles Polish Catholic community. More than $5,000.00 sent to Solidarity. My more recent activities (continued): Transylvanian Relief Fund: Organized several benefits. Considerable shipments of food sent to Romania to help the starving and destitute. Transylvanian Refugee Relief: Organized benefits —continued next page JANUARY 1991 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 15
