The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1985 (12. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)

1985-06-01 / 6. szám

Dr. Emery Varhelyi: A HUNGARIAN SCHOLAR OF WHOM HE CAN BE PROUD Dedicated to the idea of eventually compiling a complete inventory of signifi­cant Hungarians, and Hungarian assets, in the United States, I would like to contribute a few remarks about one of our quiet compatriots who did not actively seek the limelight of public acclaim, though, in my personal opinion he deserves it well. DR. LAJOS L. PARAJDIINCZE is a native Szekely, a scholar with a disciplin­ed organized mind, man of many remarkable talents and fascinating pur­suits: poet, writer, photographer, sailor, social scientist, lecturer, traveler on three continents, observer of the human comedy, and not the least member of the American Hungarian culture community, gifted with natural ease in several languages. Upon his immigration to the USA, he founded the first school of Radiologic Technology in the State of Maine, and was its director until his retirement 30 years later. Presently an adjunct pro­fessor at the University of New England, in teaching function on request. Member of the Arpad Academy of Arts and Sciences, also of the International PEN Club, American Branch. After having established a name for himself in Tran­sylvania, - as writer, poet and literary critic working in prestigious periodicals, and a responsible journalist on the staff of the daily newspaper “Ellenzék” in Kolozsvár - he began a new life in America as teacher, writer, contributor for a Maine magazine over 30 years now. By-passing many worthy topics, I would like to mention a mere handful of his recent achievements. By necessity of circumstances, he became a writer in English, and the overwhelming majority of his work therefore is in English. It has become public awareness lately among Hungarian intellectuals in this country that our most sorely burning problem is, and remains, to tell the “Hungarian story” to English speaking nations directly and authoritatively in their own language. Incze already did that since 1950. Among his most successful efforts, I may point to his recent books. “Foot Prints on Destiny Lerne”, with Hungarian subtitle “Lábnyomok a sors ösvényén”, is the heartbreaking account of Hungary and Hungarian refugees during and after World War II wander­ing on the highways of bitter homeless- Page 8 ness, scattered into the four winds, to the irreplacable and eternal loss of the home­land and the biological stock of the nation, being squeezed from all sides in the Carpathian basin. Biographical in for­mat, the book is a gripping narrative of contemporary Hungarian tragedy. It was awarded the Arpad Academy gold medal in literature for 1983. (Soft bound, 297 pp, $12.00). “Once Upon a Maine Island”, with the Hungarian subtitle of “Szigeti kiskiralysagunk”, also in English, is the story of the Incze family living for over a quarter century on a tiny rocky island in the North Atlantic, enjoying the enthralling charms and suffering the storms and deprivation of isolation and solitude. The book achieved critical acclaim and popularity for its subject and its poetic language. (Soft bound, 104 pp, $8.00). Both books have been published by the author. The two books above have been follow­ed by a remarkable volume, this time in Hungarian, “A Hargita lelke”, subtitled “A Sovidek szellemi archepe”. It is a com­prehensive ethnographical “opus” con­taining the folk-lore of Sovidek, placed in the frame-work of the entire Szekely folk culture. Published by the Amerikai Magyar Szepmives Czeh of Astor, Florida, the beautiful edited collection is a comprehensive authoritative study, in a popular pleasant style of writing, with an amazingly rich content. Among its prodigious chapters of 24 topics on the marvelous Szekely folk culture, the ethnographer author renders common cultural heritage of all Hungarians his collection of 99 Szekely “golden sayings”, 640 typical Szekely words, 29 words of the special “children’s language”, 46 folk songs, 3 fold ballads in fragments, several children’s songs, 22 rituals of folk customs, and finally 20 rural anecdotes. That and the other books are available from the author, at P.O. Box 1824, Lewiston, Maine, 04240. Dr. Incze was interviewed about his books on WCBB-TV’s “Maine Magazine” on February 21,1985. At the present time he is arranging for publication of his latest book, “Fifteen Years Under Sail”, also in English, on the many sea adven­tures and great perils to a Hungarian family cruising under sail. The book may be available some time during this summer. continued from page 6 On the opposite side of the square are the two principal art museums of Budapest. — the Műcsarnok, The Art Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts, both built in neo-classical style. After this walking tour of Heroes Square we boarded the bus and drove into the City park, where the following buildings were pointed out: the famous Gundel Restaurant, the Zoo, the permanent Circus Building and the Amusement park. Then we loop around to see the Széchényi Baths and further on the Vajdahunyad Castle, which was built in 1896 and is a copy of various architectural styles found in Hungary. It is now the Agricultural Museum. Next on the tour was St. Stephen’s Basilica, where we had a twenty-minute stop. It was first pointed out that the edifice took 50 years to build and holds 8,500 people, but the first thing you notice as you enter this church is the pure white marble statue of St. Stephen on the main altar. After some questions, it was pointed out that although all European churches have Christ on the altar, Hungary has its first king-Saint Stephen. Then we board our bus and go to the Buda side of the Capital to Castle Hill, one of the many hills that make up the chain of hills found in Buda. Up on Castle Hill is the former Royal Palace that was completely rebuilt after World War II. As we crossed the famous' Chain Bridge and climbed up the winding Janos Hunyadi Street to the bus parking lot almost in the middle of Castle Hill, Zsuzsi explains that there will be a two hour stop so that there should be adequate time to see the Fishermans Bastion, the newly renovated Matthias Church and the ultra-modern Hilton Hotel, adjacent to the church. The church is actually named Assumption of Mary Church. King Matthias had enlarged and beautified it. till he took interest in the church, it was the parish congregation for the German­speaking citizens of the area. King Matthias held both of his marriages here. Next to it and just before you get to the steps of the Fishermans Bastion is a large bronze statue of St. Stephen, seated on a horse, and carrying the Apostolic Cross. It is one of the most photographed statues in Budapest. Because the square where the statue is located has over a dozen stalls of souveniers, folk arts, printings, books, clothing...all prepared or manufactured by individual artisans or craftsmen, there was ample time for shopping as well. And so our group continued on //age jq Eighth Hungarian Tribe

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