Magyar News, 1991. szeptember-1992. augusztus (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1992-07-01 / 11-12. szám
WORLD FEDERATION OF HUNGARIANS Recently, a few weeks ago, some of us had the pleasure to meet Sándor Csoori here in Trumbull. This was his seventh visit to America, so we met him before. He is an outstanding writer, appreciated all over the world. He proved his devotion to the Hungarian people, he raised his voice at home and abroad against oppression, he wrote the introduction to Miklós Duray’s book on Hungarians in Czechoslovakia. The previous Hungarian government discriminated against him, put a stop to his travel abroad and silenced him at home. Csoori, in his struggles earned the right to speak for the Hungarian people. At the last convention of the World Federation of Hungarians, in the middle of December 1991, with 425 representatives from many countries all over the world, Sándor Csoori was elected president of the Federation. Good choice. But as we know, the effectiveness of any leader is limited by those who work with him and by all the people who are suppose to support him. Talking about this, Csoori remarked that the Hungarians are very talented, but as a strange phenomena the individuals are successful with their talents, but when you put them together it fizzles out. He hopes that under the umbrella of the World Federation the individual talents will come together and succeed as a group to the benefit of the Hungarian people. We in Connecticut are in a very privileged position. The Hungarian representative of the United States on the Board of directors of the World Federation of Hungarians is Dr. Balázs Somogyi. He is from Cheshire, and those who participated in last year’s Celebration Parade in Bridgeport remember him as the speaker of the event. Asked about the Federation, Dr. Somogyi described it as a non-profit organization with a historical task. He said this independent organization, not influenced by government or political parties, is the best representative of all Hungarians. It is important, he continued, that we in America join, giving not only support but tremendous strength to call the world’s attention to the rights of Hungarian minorities. The meeting with Sándor Csoori in Trumbull was a very enjoyable evening. We filled the living room of Sára Matolcsy to its capacity. It was good to hear everything phrased properly in Hungarian, and to see that what Csoori said was clear in his mind and was filled with the soul of a writer. The World Federation of Hungarians is not new. The past left a sour taste in the mouths of many Hungarians, among them many American Hungarians. The goal was deceiving. It took advantage of the feelings of Hungarians who carry the love of their people in their hearts. The organization carried the ideology of the CommunistParty, trying to lure people to the communists’ governed country. We witnessed some outstanding examples of the traps people walked into. There was a time, about a century ago when things were different In our area the cooperation among our Hungarian community and organizations in Hungary, also the Hungarian government, seemed to go into the right direction. Not only are there memories about these, but there are tangible evidences. Churches, Hungarian churches that are celebrating their century old existence were the products of this cooperation. The churches in Hungary, at that time supported by the Hungarian government, made it possible to have these Hungarian churches in America. Not only did they give financial help but trained and sent ministers and priests to serve our Hungarian communities. Today we might say that the table has turned. Not totally. There is financial help flowing towards Hungary. Maybe not to the extent of our satisfaction because our own economy puts us on hard times. There is a need for English educators in Hungary. But it is not organized in our community to send these educators. There are other channels who provide the means to fill this request It is sheer accidental to see our involvement in this. Emese Vastagh, a student in our area, visited Hungary. In one of our previous issues she wrote an article about this visit. She took along a friend who was not Hungarian, but who decided to take on an English teaching job, and stayed after the visit As I was looking at those present at the meeting, I came to the conclusion that I don’t know half of them. This worked vice versa. There was no time to rectify this, but I guess it shouldn’t be a problem. We were all from Connecticut, speak the same two languages, our concern is for the Hungarian people. Some are in the position to help the people in Hungary, some are in the need to receive help. All the participants are trying to help keep the Hungarian spirit and heritage. There is an effort to help those who are already on the edge of the melting pot to hold on to their Hungarian heritage and possibly step back and keep their identity. Maybe this meeting could have been the time to tie together the participants and the groups they represent Maybe the circumstances weren’t suitable to do so, but it sure raised the thought of it. I hope that the World Federation of Hungarians will have a cementing affect on all Hungarians, the Hungarian Hungarians, the Hungarian Americans, and the American Hungarians. It is a two-way street, like going from one end of the rainbow to the other end, not as a dream, but as reality. It would be great and beneficial to the Hungarian nation to have an organization that joins hands across borders, lands and oceans. An organization that helps all of us fill our obligation towards the pool of human genes that forged our existence. This August the Federation will elect its permanent leaders and will present a program. This program will include us American Hungarians outlining what we should do and what we should expect. I wish Sándor Csoori success in his endeavor to benefit the Hungarian people. Joseph F. Balogh Surprisingly Affordable 3) Stratford Athletic Club 140 Watson Bvld. (Next to Ramada Inn) Just off TPKE1-95, Exit 30 Stratford, CT Telephone: (203) 378-2211 Owned & Operated by Bob and Carol Maráczi
