Magyar News, 2003. szeptember-2004. augusztus (14. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2003-10-01 / 2. szám

Reunion at lake Hope (Reménység Tava), Ohio. The Hungarian Community of Friends (Magyar Baráti Közösség, MBK), organ­ized in 1968, has held its annual "ITT­­OTT" Conferences at the Lake Hope State Park, Zaleski, Ohio since 1974. This year's meeting took place between August 16th and 23rd. "Örökségünk-Magyarságunk" (Our Hungarian Heritage) provided the thematic framework for this year's Conference. Over 150 participants gath­ered at Lake Hope this year. They had come from California, Oregon, Florida, Washington, D.C. Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Invited guests from overseas had arrived from Budapest, Szeged and Transylvania. Rev. Kató hailing from Illyefalva (Ileani) Transylvania presented the opening Istenszolgálat (Ecumenical service). The subject of this service dealt with the problems and hopes of the sur­vival of Magyars everywhere. Balázs Somogyi, President of MBK greeted those present. Mr. József Bálint Pataki, Director of the Határontúli Magyarok Hivatala (Office of Hungarians Outside of the Borders) outlined the accomplishments and problems related to the contacts of Hungarians outside of the mother country. The challenges of establishing working relationships with Magyars living in the West appeared to be more persistent and daunting than with other Hungarian nationality groups. Rev.Béla Kató of Illyefalva outlined a highly successful approach, developed with Swiss participation, in Transylvania. A system of providing loans to farmers, craftsmen and entrepreneurs has been highly beneficial in keeping Hungarians at their place of origin and had prevented many of them from leaving their place of origin, due to economic hardship and lack of opportunity. Rev. Kató's remarks were characterized by strong convictions and quiet optimism; he emphasized the impor­tance of dealing with the opportunities at hand in a self-reliant fashion, instead of agonizing over the losses of the past. He energized and inspired those present: MBK decided to initiate and coordinate a campaign of support of community and village "maintenance" in Erdéy. Dr. Dona Kovács, a visiting research librarian from Hungary, presently working for the American-Hungarian Foundation in New Jersey, made a highly illuminating presentation about the the approach to the systematization, preservation and popular­ization of documents related to Hungarian heritage. Prof. Erzsébet Kiss, from Durham. N.C. outlined an approach to eth­ical behavior regarding living in minority existence. She had emphasized the impor­tance of tolerance for and respect of, ethnic and individual differences ,as cornerstones of successful community relationships. A panel, chaired by Ms. Edit Lauer,of Cleveland, Ohio, and with participants Rev. Béla Kató, Dr. Péter Kovalszki of Michigan, Prof András Ludányi of Ohio Top: Enjoying lunch. Above: The Düvő Ensemble with Rozália Káka. J ózsef Bálint Pataki Miklós Csesznegi Erzsébet Kiss Dr. Dona Kovács Page 4

Next

/
Thumbnails
Contents