Magyar News, 1998. szeptember-1999. augusztus (9. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1999-03-01 / 7. szám

ever had, in being immersed into the Hungarian culture, at the age of five. I remember having to walk all around St. Emery's Church, with my "hands folded together pointing straight to heaven", as Sr. Emerencia would instruct me to do in second grade, while Fr. Robert led the procession around in his own richly embroidered smocks.

Now, when I think of my Hungarian cultural experiences, I think of Father Robert Nemeth, the priest who married my parents, baptized me and all my brothers and sister, confirmed us all, and led many Hungarian processions and sermons on the Hungarian traditions at St. Emery's Church. I learned to be proud of my Hungarian ethnicity through his own excitement for the culture. I also think of my Grandmother, Annie Pipa, who cooked Hungarian foods such as chicken paprikas and stuffed cabbage, and who would say words in Hungarian to me, when I was just a little girl.

When I was sitting in one of my graduate classes last fall, at Columbia University, we were talking about different cultures. The professor divided the class into groups according to their ethnicities and religions. However since there was only "one Hungarian", my professor told me to join the Catholic group. I found myself veiy much wanting to share with my classmates, my experiences of growing up in a Hungarian Catholic church^ where Father Robert was veiy much my idol for being a strong Catholic and Hungarian. I felt moved to tears, and unable to share these precious experiences, because at that time I had learned Father Robert was dying of cancer. The whole few months of his

quick illness, I almost felt I was having a slight identity crisis. Who would be my connection to the Hungarian culture? Who would have a Hungarian procession around St. Emery's church? What other children would be able to have such a rich experience in their Hungarian heritage as I had? Who would wear the beautifully embroidered smocks, speaking the mass in Hungarian, which I could never understand anyway but always yearned to learn. I never had realized before, all that Father Robert, and my grandmother, had taught me about what it means to be Hungarian. From this one class on that fall day, and from my quest to hold onto the culture Father Robert and my grandmother introduced me to, I went on a search, seeking what it meant to be Hungarian. I began at the library, taking out simple children's books by Kate Seredy, who writes about a peasant Hungarian family in their countryside village. This was a great place to start my search since I myself hope to write children's books one day. I was very excited to read about the csárdás Seredy had described in her book, the dancing my family still does today at our family weddings. Also through my search, I got onto the Internet on my computer. I found a good number of Hungarian American organizations where I was able to educate myself to Hungary's geography and culture, including some of their recipes such as chicken paprikas, a favorite meal of my family. I learned that in Washington D.C. they have the Tisza Ensemble, a Hungarian folk dance group, that tours the country and gives instructions and does performances of Hungarian folk dancing. I sent away for vacation brochures to the land of

Hungary, reading about their many hearing baths and festivals to celebrate their culture. I also discovered a Hungarian pastry shop right around the comer from my school in New York City, from where I now bring home poppyseed cakes to my family, who love them very much.

Now, at the age of twenty six, a year after I had that class, I still yearn to understand more about my cultural roots. How I would love to put on that red Hungarian vest and white skirt with green and red ribbons, and walk around St. Emery's church, getting my picture in the newspaper, and listening to the rich, inspirational messages of Father Robert, or going over to grandma's house to have some of her chicken paprikas or stuffed cabbage. All my connections to the Hungarian culture have faded, leaving me with some rich memories, and a deep yearning to discover even more about what it means to be Hungarian One day I dream of visiting the land of Hungary, where my great grandmother came from, forcing myself to learn the Magyar language when I travel there. (I did put Hungarian language tapes on my Christmas list this year!)

In my field of Social Work, I now do an internship in the field of International Adoption. My Supervisor recently informed me that about a hundred babies were adopted from Hungary by Americans last year. I know for a fact, through my studies, that one day all these children will question what it means to have a Hungarian ethnic background. How I would love to write them a children's book, explaining what it means to be Hungarian, and dedicating it to the memories of Father Robert and my grandmother, Annie Pipa.

BROWSING THROUGH HISTORY

Thp fire# centuries of Hun pa rv

m :

A very interesting and in many ways exciting event took place on the Sunday afternoons in January. The American Hungarian Heritage Association and the First United Church of Christ pulled their resources together and had a showing of documentaries on Hungarian history. Thanks to the church a large screen TV was available so the sizable group of people had no trouble seeing the pictures.

As our readers know from the announcement of upcoming events in the Magyar News, the three showings covered the Hungarian history from the beginning to the sixteenth century.

Each tape in the series was excellent The history was based on thorough research and the latest findings. The articles shown were the actual authentic pieces. The images were of the highest quality, produced by the professional staff of the Hungarian TV. The narration was in

American English with a good male voice. The audience wanted to know when we would continue with the remaining part of the Hungarian history. Naturally there are more to show, the Turkish occupation, the 1848 Revolution, the two World Wars and the Soviet occupation. They were promised that as soon as we have the balance of these tapes we will show them. All together there are eight cassettes, each about an hour long.

Joseph Stiber, President of A.H.H.A. opened the event welcoming everybody and thanked the congregation for their generosity that made it possible to show the videos on large screen. The pastor of the church, Reverend Szilagyi talked about the highlights, also answered the questions after the video. It was amazing to see how knowledgeable and well versed he is in Hungarian history, despite the fact that he was brought up and educated here.

During the first afternoon there was a showing of a short video, The Hungarian Spark in America, about Hungarians who became outstanding in their field in the

U.S.A.

Because the first Sunday in January was very stormy A.H.H.A. had to cancel the annual Mary Katona Scholarship Tea Party. At this gathering the formality of awarding the scholarship was taken care of by Joseph Stiber and Bette Johnson chairman of the Scholarship Committee. They handed Kara-Lynn Pekar the well deserved scholarship.

After each occasion in a tme Hungarian tradition a reception took place with coffee, tea and those delicious pastries.

Joseph F. Balogh

A.H.H.A. decided to make these tapes available for borrowing by individuals or organizations. If you are interested please call 203-377-0569 for information.

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