The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1984-06-01 / 6. szám

Report on the Third Hungarian Heritage Conference sponsored by the Hungarian Eighth Tribe Foundation

On May 26, 27, 28, 1984 at Ligonier, Pennsylvania

Due to many previous commitments, health and other personal reasons the attendance of the Conference was the lowest yet. During the three days 45 persons participated in at least one segment of the Conference.

The Conference was welcomed by Sándor E. Chomos, Executive President, Dr. Albert Wass, President and Chairman of the Board, and Rev. Paul Kovács in behalf of Bethlen Home. The Conference opened by singing of the American and Hungarian National Anthems, and a prayer by Rev. Kovács.

The Conference followed the prepared program. The first presentation was made by Endre Haraszti, from Hamilton, Canada, substituting for Stephen Sisa, who was unable to attend. Mr. Haraszti co-operated with Mr. Sisa on preparing the manuscript for the book “Spirit of Hungary.” The book became the best-seller in the Hungarian American Community in Canada and the United States. The book is especially valued and purchased by those who were born and raised in America (Canada or the United States). Almost 5,000 copies have been sold; the sixth edition is now being printed. The price of the book is $25. The errors that occurred in the first edition have been corrected. The publisher and author would like to thank those who called their attention to these errors.

The second presentation was made by Miklós Korponay, President of the Rákóczi Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio and Toronto, Canada. Mr. Korponay made his presentation for the Rákóczi Foundation, describing how it was organized and its work in the Hungarian Communities in the States and Canada, sponsoring many scholarships to young Hungarian Americans. Because the aim of the Rákóczi Foundation and the Hungarian Eighth Tribe Foundation is almost the same, Mr. Korponay suggested that the two organizations should work closely together for the benefit of our people.

Page 4

The third presentation was by Dr. Albert Wass on “Free Hungarian Quarterly”. Dr. Wass, for years edited the Transylvanian Quarterly, would like to expand the paper to cover the whole Carpathian Basin, not just Transylvania. He would like to have the cooperation of others, who would contribute articles about the northern and southern part of former Kingdom of Hungary, and Hungary proper.

(We will have more coverage of Dr. Wass’ opening remarks and his presentation and the other two presentations in the coming issues.)

Supper was served at the Bethlen Home Picnic Pavillion. After supper, Rev. Kovács conducted a tour of the Bethlen Home and its Museum. A film presentation followed in the Conference-room. It was the old classic film “Danko Pista” starring Pal Jávor. At the projector was Bob Chomos.

Sunday morning a Hungarian Worship Service was held at the Chapel. Rev. Paul Kovács, Rev. Bela Olah and Father Miklós Dengl, from Youngstown, Ohio, participated. This followed by a Catholic Mass conducted by Father Dengl. Both services were attended by the residents of the Home and Conference members. Sunday’s lunch was prepared by the ladies of the Free Magyar Reformed Church, of McKeesport, PA: Mrs. Rose Bartos, Mrs. Erma Balogh, Mrs. Mary Fedor and Mrs. Mary Brindza. Our gratitude to the ladies, who, for the third year, volunteered their services. It shows that the old “helping each other spirit” is still alive.

The first presentation on Sunday afternoon was by Elizabeth Szabó of Youngstown, Ohio. Her interesting slide and oral presentation was made on Hungarian religious days, still observed in Youngstown, like the Pilgrimage-Bucsu and other valuable artworks of Hungarians in Youngstown. Mrs. Szabó is willing to show her program to other organizations interested.

Sándor E. Chomos made his report on the HETF, which received from

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania its Charter in 1982 as a non-profit organization, which, although headquartered in Pennsylvania, can have branches in any States in the United States. The HETF was born in 1978, officially organized in 1981, and received its Charter in 1982, although its work still had not gotten off the ground for lack of support. The president asked those present to discuss and to come up with suggestions, ideas, so that, putting them together, we might start a fruitful program. Mr. Korponay stated, that first we have to agreeis there a need for a new organization like this since there are many Hungarian cultural organizations floating around in the States and Canada. If yes, the work has to start at once. After a long discussion, the answer was “YES”. For, despite all the other organizations, there is need for an organization and a paper that will cater to those born and raised in this new land, serve them in thenown language and further the Hungarian Heritage, as the Charter calls for. Agreeing that there is a need to further the work of the HETF and the EHT magazine, the following recommendation were made:

1. We concentrate our efforts on the restructuring of the foundation.

2. Appointment of a committee to initiate the reorganization and make recommendation. The Committee members are: Dr. Albert Wass, Sándor E. Chomos, Miklós Korponay, Louis Ambrose, William Kormos, Elizabeth Szabó and Paul Pulitzer, who will act as chairman of the committee. The committee was asked to put forward its recommendation as soon as possible. Reorganization, election of new officers and acquisition of the ownership rights to Bethlen Press (Eighth Hungarian Tribe magazine). Mr. Pulitzer said he will review all recommendations and send them to the committee members to review and to make recommendations. The committee has the power to initiate the program agreed upon, (continued on page 5)

Eighth Hungarian Tribe