Sarasotai Magyar Hirmondó, 2004 (10. évfolyam, 1-9. szám)

2004-03-01 / 3. szám

THE MESSENGER

Newsletter of the Kossuth Club March, 2004. Vol. 10. No. 3.

From the Embassy of Hungary. The Honorary Consul General of Hungary in the State of Florida, Alexander S. Tar presented Certificates of Appreciation from the Embassy of Hungary to the leaders of the Kossuth Club. Dr. Géza Kisva rsányi, Éva B. Kisva rsányi and Dr. Alexander Csizinszky received the certificates “In recognition of your valuable services promoting goodwill and fostering cultural and commercial relationships between Hungary and the United States.” His Excellency Géza Jeszenszky, the previous Ambassador of Hungary, signed the certificates.

Community Fair. The Gulf Gate Library (7112 Curtiss Avenue, Sarasota) will have its Third Annual Community Fair on Saturday March 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This will be an excellent opportunity to disseminate information about Hungary, Hungarian culture and the activities of the Hungarian American Cultural Association. Many interested people visited our display last year and we plan to participate in the fair again this year. Refreshments will be provided by the Library—coffee and donuts until 10:30 a.m., and hot dogs with sodas from noon to 1:30 p.m. We welcome visitors!

Hungarian Opera. You are cordially invited to the video presentation of the Hungarian opera Bánk Bán by Ferenc Erkel on Thursday, March 25 at 4:30 PM. in the Selby Public Library (1331 First Street, Sarasota). This is perhaps the most beloved Hungarian opera. It was first performed in 1861 in the National Theatre in Pest (before Buda and Pest were joined as Budapest). It has all the traditional elements of classic opera. Its story of passion, intrigue and revenge is based on historic events in 13th century Hungary, and takes place in the court of King Endre II. Endre is a weak ruler who has a foreign wife, Gertrudis, and is surrounded by lackeys who rob, steal and exploit the people. Bánk is governor of the southern provinces and is keenly aware of the suffering of the people. His young wife Melinda is treacherously seduced by the queen’s brother and drowns with her small son when, trying to escape from the court, her boat overturns in a storm. Bánk takes revenge for both his personal and national grievances by stabbing the queen to death, and thus seals his own destiny. The opera will be sung in Hungarian with no subtitles.

Reminder. If you haven’t already done so, please pay your 2004 dues at your earliest convenience. Single membership is $20, family membership is $30 annually. If you wish to continue receiving the newsletter but do not want to be a member, we would appreciate a donation to help defray our rising mailing costs. Thank you for your consideration!

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