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

1984-05-01 / 5. szám

Golden Anniversary of Leslie Könnyű

The following are excerpts of László K. Domjan's article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Leslie Könnyű was born 70 years ago and observed his 50th anniversary as a publisher author. His first book of poems was published in Hungary in 1934. when he was 20. Könnyű was a school teacher in Hungary from 1936 until 1944. He spent five years in Austria. where he directed a refugees’ school.

In 1949. Konnyu. his wife Elizabeth and their three children came to the United States. He worked first as a church organist; later he got a position at the Washington University. From 1955 until his retirement in 1974, he worked at the Defense Mapping Agency.

Konnyu’s first love is poetry. While he published much of his prose in English, he wrote most of his poems in Hungarian. When he began writing his essays here, he found that, outside of the immigrants communities, Hungarian literature and history were almost unknown in this country. Of the 43 books Konnyu has written, edited or translated, he is proudest of his slim historical volume titled “Hungarians in the Mississippi Valley.” It was published in 1974, by Bethlen Press, Inc., Ligonier. Pa. It is believed to be the only history book on Hungarian settlers in the Midwest. In addition to this book, he published several studies on immigration, pointing out the historical discrimination against and exploitation of immigrants in this country.

Konnyu wrote the “History of American-Hungarian Literature” in 1962. It was believed to be the first reference book about the works of Hungarian-bdrn writers in the United States. He is working on the revised second edition. He is the co-author of “Professional Hungarian Artists Outside of Hungary."

Konnyu's other titles include “Eagles of Two Continents.” a history of Hungarian participation in the Civil War in Missouri: “John Xantus, Hungarian Geographer in America.”“A Condensed Geography of Hungary” and collections of poems.

Konnyu self-published most of his books and lost money on them. “I never reach for the mass audience, just May. 1984

for the few. 1 am certainly not doing it for the money,” Konnyu said.

He hosted a weekly program of Hungarian music on a radio station, edited a weekly Hungarian-language newspaper in St. Louis in the 1950s, and he founded The American Hungarian Review, a literary magazine.

In the article, there is no mention about two notable works of Konnyu. One is “Hungarians in the USA, an Immigration Study.” This book is a monument to the Hungarians in the USA and it contains many surprising facts about the Hungarian contributions to America. The other is a lavishly illustrated book, published by The Hungarian American Review in 1982. Its title is “Hungarian Transylvania - a Visual Documentary” dedicated to the oppressed peoples of Transylvania.

The Golden Anniversary was commemorated by issuing an Anniversary Album, which contains many of his poems, listing his honors and his achievements, showing his photos and photos of his family. Among those who congratulated Konnyu was President Reagan.

Leslie Konnyu's dedication to the cause is an example, and his achievements are inspirations for those who are committed to keepalive the Hungarian heritage in America.

A Hungarian-American Is a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University

Elizabeth Kiss studies philosophy at England’s Oxford University. She was awarded the prestigious Rhodes scholarship. which offers full tuition as well as an annual allowance of about S5.600. Elizabeth hasa brilliant academic career. She won the scholarship while she was studying philosophy at Davidson College. Davidson. N.C.. on a full four-year Stuart Scholarship.

Elizabeth Kiss is the daughter of the late Dr. Sándor Kiss, w ho was a professor of history and philosophy and a former member of the Hungarian parliament. Dr. Kiss and his wife left Hungary in 1956. He was one of the directors of the Hungarian division of the Voice of America. Elizabeth, born in the U.S.A.. was known in Washington as “Zsizsi”. She speaks, reads and writes Hungarian perfectly. She has even w ritten poetry in Hungarian.

(Washington Krónika and The Charlotte Observer)

Notes from Kolozsvári. . .

A recent 60 Minutes program of the CBS Network chose as a subject “The Prosperity in Hungary." seeing it as an unusual development in countries behind the Iron Curtain. For the superficial observer, it was really impressive to watch the well-fed and well-dressed active Hungarians, including the new millionaires. We wish to see progress not only in the physical prosperity, but also in the increasing freedom ofexpression for ALI. Hungarians. The very same program also interviewed a sociologist. and here some of our misgiv ings started. With gushing enthusiasm, he extolled how unnecessary and outmoded nationalism has become in view of the prosperity assured by the new Socialist System. He faithfully played on his pipe the song of the party. Indeed, the price for prosperity is to give up one’s national identity and vestige of patriotism: keep quiet about the unjust peace treaties of recent history, of dismemberment of a thousand-year-old country: forget about our suffering brethren in Transy lvania, and elsewhere.

The young children placed in daycare centers by the many working couples have become wards of the system during their formative years, and no opportunity is missed to transform them into loyal followers of this new godless society. In a few passing generations, none will remember that life could have been different and that real freedom does exist elsewhere on the earth. Nationalism is alright for the Russians, but not so for the Hungarians or other captive nations.

The greatest Russian psychologist. Prolow. discovering the rules of conditioned reflexes, perhaps unwillingly, gave precious tool to the Soviets for controlling the world: the use of the rifle-butt to crush disobedience: give a carrot to reward those who comply, as long as they do.

Hungary, now. is in the carrot stage, but mindful that the stick may come again. I wonder if the CBS reporter would not dare to hope that the Soviet Russia, in a fit of generosity would demonstrate its peaceful intentions to the West by withdrawing its troops from Hungary, the other European occupied countries and Afghanistan.

Until next time . . . Watchfully . . .

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