Magyar News, 2004. szeptember-2005. augusztus (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2005-04-01 / 8. szám

Having lunch on a summer day Opening ceremony of the athletic field

ticipants as well as the spectators. The Countess also provided the uniforms, equipment and tents for the Scouts. On summer afternoons, the children’s mothers served cocoa and bread and jam at large tables and benches constructed just for the children. When they went on hikes, they would receive salami sandwiches to take along. Poor children thought of these as a rare treat.

In the winter, the little ones were excited to accompany the Countess on horse-drawn-sleds, to feed the birds. The Countess also rented a meadow for sledding competitions. For Mikulás nap (St. Nicholas Day, December 6th), the Countess used the age-old custom of kidobolás -having the town crier make a public announcement while beating a drum -to invite all the children to the Danube riverbank. At dusk, the curious village population gathered there was awed to see the Mikulás and the krampusz arrive on the ferryman's lantern- bedecked boat, loaded down with gifts, while fireworks lit up the sky as the "Roses" and “Tropical trees” distributed the chocolates and citrus fruits.

On Christmas Eve, the children were mesmerized by a cart drawn by four oxen, piled high with presents and a brightly lit Christmas tree that played music. (Remember, this was in the early

1930’s!!!) It went through the village, and stopped at every house where children lived. "Roses" dressed as angels distributed shoes, clothing, blankets, while those who were better off received books and sweets.

For Easter, bunnies and chocolates were hidden in the bushes, and whoever found his first, would receive a live bunny as a special prize. There were prizes for everything -for a good showing in a foot race, for playing basketball, drawing in the sand, or coming in first in a sack race. Chocolates, a ball, a prayer book, a holy card, even a thermos was a cherished reward.

The Countess invited all the First Communicants to breakfast after Mass, and when she had a party for her ten grandchildren, invited the VEZ members also. This is where they learned the finer points of table etiquette. Her grandchildren also became Circle members, and loved joining the group on hikes and in other activities. While the Countess lived in one of the renovated houses, the rest served as offices, some for the Circle's botanical collection, which the members helped to maintain and catalog. Later on, when her income declined, Napraforgó turned some of the houses into vacation villas, and many internationally famous people, including the American actress Helen Hayes, composer Irving Berlin and British writer Somerset Maugham were among the guests.

In 1936, the Countess decided to stage a Children's Olympic games simultaneously with the Berlin Olympics. She wanted even the smallest to be able to participate, so in addition to sports, there were dancing and other events as well. The children trained for months in

advance, which helped them to develop a team spirit. The Countess gave the event much publicity, and many foreign visitors attended the one-day affair. The participants, though wearing gym suits, were barefoot. The youngest played in groups sorted by the color of their playsuits, and rolled in the sand. Then came the older ones, with more serious performances, followed by a comic obstacle race, wheelbarrow races, the high jump, a comic race with a fully loaded tray, etc. It ended with a performance of folk dances. The winners received bicycles, watches and cameras.

The income from the Children’s Olympics was donated to the Heroes’ Monument planned for Calvary Hill by the internationally known sculptor Géza Maróti (who also lived in Zebegény). Located above the village, the Monument was begun, but could not be completed on account of World War II. In June 2000, on the 80th anniversary of the Treaty of Trianon, it was dedicated as a Trianon Memorial. A grandson of Napraforgó, Count László Károlyi, whose VEZ name had been "Karvaly" ("Sparrow hawk"), contributed a considerable sum to the "Bell of National Remembrance" that was installed in the chapel on Calvary Hill and blessed by the papal nuncio in 2001 , and which is rung daily at 4:30 PM.

The Zebegény Flower Circle faded away as World War II approached, but its impact on the lives of the children was indelible. It was thus possible to establish a "Sonnenblumen Foundation" in 1997 , to preserve the memory of that charmed initiative, and continue its spirit. Using the German word for "sunflower" in tribute to the German ancestors of most of the village inhabitants, they have brought together the grandchildren of the original VEZ members. They have formed a dance troupe, which has presented frequent entertainment programs featuring song, dance, musical pieces and recitals.

Without exception, the older generation remembers very fondly the Countess who provided them with unforgettable experiences and gilded their childhood years by her compassionate caring and largesse.

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