The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-04-01 / 4. szám
BOOK REVIEW- by — Harry G. Ladanye ACACIAS Hungarians in the Mississippi Valley- by — Leslie Könnyű $4.50 Published 1976 by The Bethlen Press P.O. Box 637, Ligonier, PA 15658 Mr. Könnyű has previously written quite extensively, both in Hungarian and English, on the subject of Hungarian settlers in Missouri. This “Bicentennial Album” covers not only Missouri, but also the whole Mississippi Valley area of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Louisiana. The author presents his book as a memorial to the Hungarian Diaspora in the Mississippi Valley. The “Acacia” is chosen to symbolize the Hungarian people because.. .“the acacia has a character like the Hungarian. . .enduring, dependable, useful and pleasant.. .the acacia is very human...” The Acacia or Locust tree, of course, is remembered fondly in many Hungarian folk songs. This book provides an accounting of many well known, as well as numerous lesser known, Hungarians who made significant contributions to the social, cultural, and business development of this area of the United States. The many intimate details that Mr. Könnyű describes in his biographical sketches and anecdotes reveal a thorough knowledge of his subject. Of all the famous people covered, Kossuth’s visit to the area receives the most individual attention and is very well done, indeed. Other notables mentioned are Cardinal Mindszenty, Joseph Pulitzer, Michael Munkácsy, John Xantus, and Charles Zagonyi. There is information on churches, associations, fine arts and other similar Hungarian activities and groups. The book is well illustrated and it should certainly interest American-Hungarians who have roots in this area. The book reminds me of a “home town” newspaper. April, 1984 GALÉRIA HUNGARICA THE HOLY CROWN OF HUNGARY The Holy Crown of Hungary, or the “Crown of Saint Stephen” as it is better known, has been used in the coronation of more than 50 kings since it was first placed on St. Stephen’s head on Christmas Day 1000 A.D. However, the Crown that is now on display in the Hungarian National Museum at Budapest is NOT the original. It is, in fact, a composite of two crowns. The upper part, or the “Latin Crown,” which was given to St. Stephen by Pope Sylvester II, and the lower part, or the “Greek Crown,” which was given to King Géza I in 1074 by the Byzantine Emperor, Michael Dukas VII. These two crowns were probably combined into one by King Bela III in the 12th Century. Undertaken initially in 1947 as a thesis to qualify for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Princeton University, but completed in Rome in 1949, “The Holy Crown of Hungary” by Patrick J. Kelleher was published by the American Academy at Rome in 1951. This outstanding work presents what its author learned about the significance of the Crown, its historical background, and its design and assembly. His findings have yet to be challenged by any authority. According to Kelleher, mystery still surrounds the Crown, the royal scepter, the golden orb, and the Sword of State. “One of the most inaccessible works of art,” he wrote, “the Holy Crown of Hungary had been available for inspection only on some six occasions during the last century and then but for a brief period of time on each occasion. In spite of this inaccessability, the relic has always been of great interest to scholars and has served as the subject of numerous publications, both official and nonofficial, since 1613. In none of these studies, however, have either complete or detailed photographs appeared of the object as a whole.” Today, of course, this is no longer true. Nevertheless, it is true that controversy still exists over the significance of the Crown. The significance of the Crown embodies more than being an instrumentality of coronation or a symbol of the “Kingdom of Hungary.” Far more important, is the relic’s unusual position in the conception of the Hungarian State. This conception, or “Idea of the Holy Crown,” is what makes it so different from any other royal crown in history. From the time of St. Stephen up to the end of the regency of Admiral Horthy, the Holy Crown of Hungary, the Hungarian people, and the land comprised the Hungarian State and were one and inseparable. All elements of government derived their powers from the Holy Crown and, from the middle of the 19th Century, all citizens of Hungary were “members of the Holy Crown.” Consequently, no king, or government, was recognized as the legitimate ruler of Hungary unless in possession of or crowned with the Holy Crown of Hungary. Much more can be written about this aspect of the Crown, but space prohibits it. Even more can be written about the scenario employed by the Carter Administration to effect the return of the Crown to “the Hungarian people!” The book “The Last Battle for Saint Stephen’s Crown” by Attila Simontsits, a documentary on the Holy Crown, can be purchased through Bethlen Press, Inc., or through this magazine, P.O. Box 637, Ligonier, PA 15658. Price is $33.00, including postage. The book contains 1100 pages and 500 pictures. Page 9
