Magyar News, 1994. szeptember-1995. augusztus (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1995-01-01 / 5. szám

(Continued) RESOLUTIONS difficulty that can enable us to live more creatively in the future. As a nation we need to remember and keep in our minds the sad fact that five years after the collapse of comm unism in Central Europe, the former Communist Party won absolute parliamentary power in Hungary. A small elite of former communists and center-left ex-dissidents is in charge of the country’s affairs. The return of the former Communist Party to power reflects the rise of the new economic elite. Links between the formerly communist managers and ex­­communist politicians remain intact, creat­ing a ruling class that holds power in the industrial, financial and cultural life of the country, with little room for real competi­tion. The rule of this small, secretive elite has a range of negative economic and fi­nancial effects. Former secret police net­works convert easily in the corrupt business structures. Ex-communist bankers lend readily to ex-communist factory owners, with little regard for national considerations. It will take years to loosen this monopoly of the communist elite. We need to remember that this happened right before our nose when American dip­lomats in Hungary and the American press went out of their way to encourage politi­cians whom they perceived as anti-nation­alists, that is ex-communists and ex-com­munist dissidents, and to discourage the then ruling government not to forbid former high-ranking Communist Party officials from holding office under the new regime. It happened with the help and support of our American diplomats and the American press that the Communist Party achieved abso­lute power in Hungary. We need to remember that it is now clear that the intense American fear of national­ism in Hungary misidentified the problem and that the attempt to thwart the progress of so-called nationalist parties was a mis­take. It is our duty as Hungarian-Americans to inform our administration, the leaders of Congress, the press and the educators of our colleges and universities that healthy na­tionalist or patriotic emotions and move­ments are not symptoms of antidemocratic tendencies. A true patriot while respecting his own national culture and history, will respect the national culture and history of its neighbor. Democracy itself depends in the end upon the patriotic spirit. Only a patriot can understand that his own well­being depends on his country’s well-being. National patriotism and tolerance toward the neighbor, create the public spirit which is the foundation of the democratic state. Those in Hungary who attempt to revive such emotions, after a long spell of suppres­sion, are to be commended. To make this truth clear and accepted in America is our sacred duty that we should under no cir­cumstances forget. And lastly we need to remember to per­severe. Let’s keep pressing on. Our sacred heritage, our roots and our ancestors de­mand that we be faithful to this mission. PAPRIKA IN LEAD BOOTS We received phone calls about the tainted paprika. Those who purchased paprika dur­ing their travel and did not know the source of it, and those who received loose paprika in bags from visitors were concerned. We asked Zoltán Mathe, a chemist to give us some idea of how to go about testing the product, short of throwing it out. He told us that hardware stores carry a test kit for lead. It is called LEAD ZONE made by Enzone, Inc. It costs $5.00 a kit and is sufficient for several tests. It gives you specific instruc­tions of how to use it on ceramics, crystal and soil. Paprika would be tested as soil. If the sample is contaminated with lead then it will turn purple and you will see the differ­ence to the paprika’s brick red. It is a 5- minute test. If you are uncomfortable with your pa­prika, then throw it out and buy official packages. EVENTS OF JANUARY 1995 — DEC. 24, SATURDAY evening the youth of the Calvin United Church of Christ will participate with recitals and carols in the combined (English-Hungarian) CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE. They will perform in both languages. DEC. 31, SATURDAY. NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY will be held at St. Emery School Hall from 7:DO PM till 1:00 AM. Buffet dinner will be served at 8:00 PM by the well known Smolin Catering. Dance will start at 9:00 PM, and the music will be by Stan Danielczuk Orchestra. There will be party favors. BY0B, set-ups will be provided. $35.00 per person, advanced ticket purchase only. Call Frank on 334-5174, or Toni on 333-7480. Have a wonderful time. Jan. 6, FRIDAY at 7:00 P.M. YOUTH DANCE at the Holy Trinity Hall, Scofield Ave, Bridgeport. Live band, professional dance captain, exciting Hungarian dance steps, also Rock-and-roll. Sponsored by the Pannónia American Hungarian Club. Parking on property. Seperate room with TV for waiting parents. Casual attire. Admission $5.00. Call Tünde 372-8505. Jan. 8, SUNDAY at 3:00 P.M. SCHOLARSHIP TEA-PARTY in the Club Room of the Calvin United Church of Christ, Kings Hwy, Fairfield. Recipients of the Mary Katona scholarships will be awarded by the American Hungarian Heritage Association. Will have music program. No admission, bring baked goods. JAN. 25, WEDNESDAY, beginning at 6:30 P.M. an AUTHENTIC HUNGARIAN DINNER will be held at the Congregational Church Hall in Easton. (Center and Westport Roads) A program will be presented on Hungarian Immigrant Settlers with the showing of the film Searching For Wordin Avenue.Sponsored by the Historical Society of Easton. Limited seating, call Jan Burroughs 268-4255. Donation: $7.50. RESERVATION: FEB. 4, SATURDAY 7 PM to 1 AM ANNUAL PORK SUPPER at Holy Trinity Hall. Music by Gypsy Joe and Orchestra. BY0B. Call Goldie 333-0779 or Betty 334-4217. HUNGARIAN SCHOOL at Calvin United Church of Christ every Saturday 10 to 11 AM for ages 2-16. Call 261-2353 or 259-6392. 2

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