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

1995-07-01 / 11-12. szám

(continued) King Matthias dally the nobles, were tired of foreign kings. Presenting Matyas, Hunyadi's younger son, was therefore easy for backers of the Hunyadi family like Szilagyi. On a cold day in the winter of 1458, an army recruited from the lesser nobility by Michael Szilagyi, marched to Buda on the frozen Danube. Their purpose was to proclaim Matyas as king. No one dared to oppose the army and Szilagyi. The election of Matyas took place on January 24,1458. At the same

time Michael Szilagyi was appointed governor of the country.

Matyas Corvinus, as he would come to be called, was one of Hungary's most influential kings. This is understandable when we remember that he was the first truly national king to reign since the old Arpad dynasty died out. As such, it is only natural that he is recalled with a certain reverence. Yet, we should remember that, even though a king, he was still a man. He had successes

and failures as well. His many accomplishments have to be balanced by the difficulties Hungary suffered because of his many military campaigns. Yet, on balance, we can best describe Matyas's reign as an Hungarian Renaissance.

The admirers of King Matyas list his many talents as proof of his enlightened kingship. The term renaissance is closely associated with Matyas because of the influence of his second wife, Beatrix of Aragon. Beatrix was the daughter of the

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I AM AN AMERICAN

We travel long distances to see historical places. Some are the way the events left them. At Gettysburg only small monuments were placed to mark positions of the battling troops. Other places receive more. Not for added attention, but because they lend themselves to reconstruct life the way it was in a time that made it into the books. The Plantation at Plymouth is one. There one could see the buildings of the time, the people in authentic costumes and the way they lived. Jamestown preserved the ruins and put up buildings based on the original findings. Then Ellis Island was restored to accommodate, memorabilia of many nations' people who came to the shores of this country. Here and there we find some things relating to Hungarians. I must say not much.

Our forefathers, going back a century or more, established communities in this area, complete with stores and services using the Hungarian language and living according to a style they brought from the old country. They erected the churches, seven of them still standing. Today that is all we have. Some of them with their high steeples radiating the promise of Hungarian awareness and tradition. Some only show this on the outside, and when you walk in, you hardly find enough hands to request a Hungarian service—or hardly to do so for any kind of service.

Are we accepting the reconstruction of other people's history coming to this land? Is that the way we will be Americans? Do

we give up our own identity? Do we give up the identity of a nation that was strong enough to establish statehood in a strange land, called the Carpathian basin, after tremendous hardship migrating through several homes in the steppes? Do we accept being melted down in the great melting pot? Don't we have the right and the obligation to be a piece of the mosaic that makes up this country?

In New Brunswick, New Jersey, the Hungarians built the Hungarian Heritage Center. The concentration of Hungarians in that area, and other favorable circumstances made it possible to finance such an effort that the community put on. Here, at this time, the Holy Trinity B.C. Church could proudly demonstrate that their Heritage Museum reflects the life of this community and has the Hungarian culture seep into the American life.

Are we being less of Americans if we cherish and nurture our culture and heritage? Are we in this land to live off other people's cultural accomplishments? Are we standing in line to receive hand-downs, many times of questionable value and quality? Did sailing across the ocean take away our standing, our pride and our treasures? Treasures that we were supposed to bring along and enrich this multi-cultural country? Can't we come to the conclusion that we are not fulfilling our obligation, at least not on a level that would be realistic.

Some American Hungarians say that they have nothing to do with what was the past.

They claim that they are Americans. Yes, they are. How come they are? Is it enough to land on the shores of the United States, or to be bom here—in a Hungarian community to become Americans and nothing else? Do we leave noticeable marks on our way? We certainly do. Maybe we are shy about it. Thinking that we are inferior because we don't speak the language of this land and don’t really understand the system. This takes time, for some it is very difficult to achieve it. To compensate their handicap, some try to change the surface. Changing of the name could be one. Szabó will be Taylor, Zotan Taylor. Now this was thought through. Some speak against Hungarian tradesmen. "What do these stupid Hungarians know?" They don't notice how privileged they are. They are not referred to as American from some continent. We are not European Americans. We are Hungarian Americans. We also could go into a more detailed origin. As Hungarians we could be KUN, JÁSZ, PALÓC, just to mention a few. Then there are the minorities and ethnic groups as SWAB, ZIPZER, TOT, OHAL, etc. We came from a historical background that gives us the possibility to know our identity. Are you ready to give up this privilege? Are you mesmerized when you see other people struggling to find their roots, or something that looks like some sort of roots? Many people would like to get hold of their origins and thereon hold it with all their might.

Think about it! JFBEVENTS OF JULY & AUGUST 1995

JULY 16, SUNDAY P-5 PM Ladies guild at Holy Trinity Social Hall will have a CARD PARTY. $3.00 per nerson.

AUGUST 6, SUNDAY St. Emery is having their annual PICNIC from Noon to 6:00 PM at the school grounds. Music is hy John Kanopa.

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST is sponsoring a "MISS HUNGARIAN FESTIVAL" pageant on October 15- Prizes will he awarded. For applications and requirements call the office at 368-3103-page 2