Itt-Ott, 1995 (28. évfolyam, 1/124-2/125. szám)
1995 / 1. (124.) szám
Preface of “Made in Hungary” Carburetor, helicopter, stereo radio, television, electric transformer, dynamo, holography, ball point pen, telephone ixchange, krypton light bulb, automatic exposure, binary code, vitamin C, neutron bomb, Rubik’s cube, jet propulsion, Drpedo, contact lens, water turbine: they all have one thing in common. All of them are Hungarian inventions. Quite npressive for a nation that numbers less than 15 million, about the population of Florida. Of these, only about /vo-thirds live in present day Hungary, the others are in neighboring countries, or virtually all over the globe. Not only re they immediately recognized by their exuberant music—Liszt, Lehár and Bartók comes to mind—but by their cientific attainments. Hungarian scientists have won eleven Nobel Prizes in the twentieth century. This small nation is uite competitive in the world of sports also. On the average, Hungary’s athletes were among the first eight in winning ledals in Olympic Games, competing against the world. But not only in science, technology and sports, Hungarians Iso excel in arts. Men and women with some claim to Hungarian ancestry were nominated for Oscars 136 times etween 1929 and 1996, or an average of two nominees each year. They won the golden statuettes on thirty ccasions. Who are these Hungarians—or Magyars, in their own language—and why are they so successful? This is n attempt to explain. Although they live in the very center of Europe for over 1100 years, ethnically Hungarians differ from their eighbors. Neither Slav, nor Latin or Teutonic, Hungarians speak a language that is linguistically closer to Japanese ián to any European language except perhaps Finnish and Estonian. Although today a small country, Hungary was n established Christian kingdom generations before the Norman Conquest. From the year 1,000 AD until 1945 this ingdom was in continuous existence. The country’s history is marked by three catastrophic events: the Mongol inslaught in 1241, the Battle of Mohács, dawning the Turkish occupation in 1526 and the Treaty of Trianon, the reakup of historic Hungary in 1918. However, it is not Hungary’s history that will be addressed here, but the ttainments of her people. For those readers who are interested in a chronological review of Hungary’s history, tephen Pálffy’s work, “The Kings of Hungary” is included as an appendix. The Hungarian character, if one may allow any such generalizations, may be described by such manifestations s acute individualism, pervasive sense of humor, a tendency to showmanship and passionate hospitality. On the 3amy side, among three Hungarians you can expect five different points of view. Contrary to the Anglo-American shavior pattern, showing effort is poor sportsmanship for a Hungarian. “I partied all night, never cracked the textbook id aced the exam” is what a Hungarian student would likely say, even though he might have studied through the ght. But behind the indolent charm, lazy grace, characteristic to Hungarians, there is often a far from lazy brain. They ave a proclivity to outwit their opponents. The definition of a Hungarian, to quote one their world renowned savants, is he person who gets into the revolving door behind you and gets out ahead of you.” Their history, punctuated by reign invasions, sharpened their survival skills. Connoisseurs of wine, women and song, they have been called “the sh of Central Europe”. A sixteenth century English travelogue derided Hungarians about their gluttony. In Hungary, it is probably msidered a virtue. Hungarians are peerless when it comes to entertaining their guests. Even those, who may dislike Hungarians must admit that, somehow, whatever they are doing, they are wiously quite good at it. This book is a testament to that. In the past half a century, Hungarian contributions to the world include two monumental episodes. On October 5, 1956, the Hungarian Revolution started. That was the first time in the history of World Communism that an entire ition rose up against their Communist oppressors. On November 9,1989, the Hungarian government decided to roll ) the barbed wires, take up the mine fields, rein in the dogs and open Hungary’s borders to tens of thousands of leaping East Germans. This brought down the Iron Curtain. As German Chancellor Kohl put it: “The Hungarians locked out the first brick from the Wall. We will never forget it!” Hungary’s role—without a doubt—had been crucial in e eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. The Cold War is over. Hungary is not under Soviet domination anymore, but progressing steadily toward mplete re-integration into the European community of nations. With the onset of a new millennium and entering the !th century of Hungary’s statehood, Hungarians proudly look toward their future with growing confidence and ticipation. They are ready to regain their place in the European community—preserving their national identity at the me time.
