The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-04-01 / 4. szám
April, 1977 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 3 Dr. Endre Nanay: CAN WE FORGET OUR ROOTS? There are many who fled Hungary during and after the 1956 uprising who were not forced by politics or by virtue of their middle-class origins to emigrate; mere adventure seekers who, having entrenched themselves in this new world, now question the need to uphold their Hungarian heritage. Let’s forget our culture, they say. Let’s forget that culture whose roots penetrate our very soul and provide the “raison d’etre” of our existence. An occasional gift of money to the relatives in Hungary satisfies the cravings of conscience. That’s enough. We can say “amen” to our Hungarian past. There are those too among these adventure seekers who feed their conscience and their egos with the outward signs of their worldly wealth in the New World. They make their annual pilgrimmage to the homeland, shipping their luxurious american cars to the continent. They drive proudly through the streets of the Hungarian capitol. Displaying the symbol of their affluence, they arrive at the humble abode of a brother or uncle and distribute a few select pieces of second-hand clothing. The “rich American” lives at the deluxe Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest and despite his broken English, only admits to his “Magyar” origins upon being questioned. And, the more the past fades into hazy memories, the easier it becomes for the “rich American” to reject his “Magyar” past. Ten million Hungarians remain in Hungary in the midst of a Slavic sea of three hundred fifty million. Another two million Hungarians live around the periphery of the country, primarily in Rumania. About one million can be found scattered throughout the Western world. Those who chose to remain in the homeland are forced to endure both Slavic and Soviet domination. Only we Hungarians in the West have the means and the duty to raise our voices on their behalf. It is our group of immigrant Hungarians that Zoltán Kodály characterized as “THE EIGHTH TRIBE”. It would be a betrayal of our origins if, as immigrants and as members of The Eighth Tribe, we were to reject the blood of our ancestors, if we were to shun their language and culture, to neglect bringing up our children in the spirit of our ancestry, and if we were to refuse to help those who remained to endure the hardships behind the Iron Curtain. This publication, which appears in the Hungarian and English language, seeks to nourish the cultural roots which bind us to a past we cannot deny. “THE EIGHTH TRIBE” reaches out to Hungarians who have been in the United States form any generations, to those who have been here but one, to those who speak Hungarian well and to those who speak English better. We must not be ashamed to admit to being Hungarian. Hungary is a nation with a long, glorious and proud history. The sense of belonging to the Hungarian nation must be nurtured and encouraged to grow. Fluency in the Hungarian language can only be to our advantage and to our children’s advantage. Our Hungarian heritage is an asset whose expression must not be suppressed. Alex Haley’s “ROOTS” swept across nationwide television with unparalleled impact. It awakened the American people to an African past! We Hungarians, who have sacrificed so much for the West, even for America’s freedom, CAN WE FORGET OUR ROOTS??? This magazine seeks to keep the flames of our Hungarian culture burning. Every issue kindles the spark of nationalistic fervor and adds to it the new dimension of an American perspective. ☆ ☆ — ANNOUNCEMENT — THE HUNGARIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION invites you to its “TRIBUTE TO OUR ANCESTORS” dinner-dance, literature and art displays and bazaar. The event will be held at Howard Johnson’s, Monroeville, Pa. on Oct. 15, 1977. Bazaar and displays will be open from 4 p.m. Cash-bar and popular rock band from 6 p.m. Dinner and short program, (introducing the sponsoring Hungarian businesses and organizations) 7:30 p.m. Mickey’s orchestra from 10-2 a.m. Hungarian individuals, businessmen and organizations who wish to co-sponsor or participate in the event should write to: H. B. A. 7125 Saltsburg Rd. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235 HBA will make hotel reservations for guests from out of town. Tickets — Adults: $14.- Students: $12.- (Includes Dinner, Dance, Art-show.) Semi-formal. Reserve your tickets early for yourself and your guests.
