William Penn Life, 1980 (15. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1980-07-01 / 3. szám
Hungarian Cultural Week In Pittsburgh The number of cultural activities sponsored by the various ethnic groups throughout the United States has substantially increased during the past decade. Pittsburgh and the Hungarians are no exception. One of the most outstanding events of this year was the Symposium of Hungarian Folk Cultlures held in conjunction with the Hungarian Cultural Week in Pittsburgh. Both events were sponsored by the Duquesne University Tamburitzans Institute of Folk Arts under the directorship of Prof. Walter W. Kolar who has already organized such symposiums for the Bulgarians, Yugoslavs, Rumanians and others. What makes these events unique is the fact that they are supported by the mother country of each nationality, as well as by the ethnic community residing in the area. Besides Prof. Kolar, Dr. Steven B. Vardy, Prof, of History at Duquesne University and Dr. Ildikó Kriza Horváth of Budapest were responsible for organizing both affairs. Mr. David R. Kolar, Msgr. Basil Shereghy and Dr. Agnes H. Vardy set up the cultural exhibit from their own private collections together with valuable artifacts sent by the Hungarian World Federation of Budapest. The financial support of the William Penn Association with the active participation of President Elmer Charles, together with a grant from the New York-based International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) enabled the organizing committee to invite several outstanding scholars and researchers in Hungarian Studies both from Hungary Ambassador Ferenc Esztergályos and Monsignor Basil Shereghy. and the United States. Hungarian scholarship was represented by Prof. Tekla Dömötör of the University of Budapest and Dr. Kriza Horváth. Experts in Hungarian Studies residing in the United States included Prof. Linda Degh of Indiana University in Bloomington, Prof. Michael Sozan of Slippery Rock State College, Profs. Steven B. and Agnes H. Vardy, Prof. August J. Molnár, President of the American Hungarian Foundation, Prof. Marida Hollos of Brown University, Dr. Benjamin Suchoff, Trustee of the Béla Bartók Estate, Dr. Béla Maday, Prof. Emeritus of American University, and Judith and Kálmán of the American Hungarian Folklore Centrum of Bogota, N.J. Lectures were attended by at least 50-60 interested individuals, many of whom came from out of town. One of the highlights of the week was the Tuesday evening dinner held at the Tamburitzan Cultural Center. The guests of honor were Ferenc Eszter-Michael Kara, Auditor; John Balia, Vice President; William Kohut, Director and wife Helene; Elmer Charles. Gay Banes, Gus IMagy and wife Betty, Dr. Victor Molnár, Director of radio station WEDO, Dr. Steven B. Vardy and Margit Kerezsi. gályos, Hungarian Ambassador to the United States, the Very Reverend Henry J. McAnulty, President of Duquesne University and Mr. Elmer Charles, President of the William Penn Association. All three distinguished guests expressed their appreciation to the Institute of Folk Arts for having made the events possible. Ambassador Esztergályos urged all Americans of Hungarian background to be faithful citizens of the United States, but at the same time he also asked them not to forget the nation and country of their ancestors. Mayor Richard Caliguiri also appeared at the dinner for a brief period, and Governor Richard Thornburg and several county commissioners sent their greetings. The lectures, dinner, and the folk arts exhibit were supplemented by the showing of several films on Hungarian folk culture, as well as by a Folk Dance Workshop. The latter was especially well attended. All in all, the entire Hungarian Cultural Week turned out to be a great success, and it is sincerely hoped that if and when repeated in the future, there will be an even wider response from both the Hungarian and American communities. Dr. Agnes Huszar Vardy Associate Professor Robert Morris College The White House WASHINGTON Independence Day, 1980 Across the United States on Independence Day our citizens join in celebration of the freedoms we cherish, in thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed on us and in prayerful remembrance of those who do not share in our good fortune. Rosalynn and I will be there in spirit with all our patriotic and proud fellow Americans who take part in the many commemorative events this historic day inspires. We join you in a rededication to this nation’s unbending commitment to human rights for all and in a reaffirmation of our nation’s founding principles. We hope that each of the special programs and activities that mark this occasion will be inspiring, memorable and enjoyable. Jimmy Carter 4
