William Penn Life, 1999 (34. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1999-07-01 / 7. szám
(agyar Matters Budapest supports autonomy plan for Hungarians in Vojvodina BUDAPEST — (Agence France Presse) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said June 16 he backs an autonomy plan proposed by the 300,000-member Hungarian minority in the Serbian province of Vojvodina. "I can see a realistic chance for an accord on the situation of the Vojvodina Hungarians as well, in the framework of the Kosovo settlement," Orbán told state radio. He welcomed the fact that Vojvodina Hungarians had worked out a concrete autonomy plan. "To win the support of Western decisionmakers for these ideas is the duty and responsibility of the Hungarian ABINGDON, VA -- A boy scout troup recently began cleaning up an old Hungarian cemetery located south of Dante, Va., near the town of Hamlin. The cemetery contains about 50 stone markers. Most are engraved in Hungarian and date prior to 1920. The boy scouts' work is part of a larger effort called the Dante History Project, sponsored by People Inc. of Southwest Virginia. Based in Abingdon, Va., People Inc. aims to preserve the history of this old Clinchfield Coal Corporation mining community. The project has focused mainly on collecting oral histories, old photographs and other artifacts. A signifi-NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA - Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pa., will play host to its annual Hungarian Day Wednesday, Aug. 11. The event will feature traditional Hungarian foods, a sing-along, movies, live music and dancing. The Hungarian Ethnic Group of Western Pennsylvania, the event7s sponsor, will select its new Miss Hungary of the Tri-State Area as part of the festivities. government," he said. Orbán warned that large numbers of Serb settlers could flood into Vojvodina after the Kosovo conflict, citing a similar effect following the 1991-95 Bosnian war. "The 250,000 Serb refugees who settled there considerably spoiled the interest-safeguarding capacity of the Vojvodina Hungarians." Ethnic Hungarians currently represent some 18 percent of the population of Vojvodina, a province in northern Serbia which enjoyed considerable autonomy before Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic scrapped it in 1991. cant portion of the collection deals with Dante's once-large Hungarian community. Several descendants of the immigrants still live in the area. The project is seeking information about the Hungarians buried in the cemetery. A list of names and dates which appear on the markers can be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to: O Kathy Shearer Special Project Coordinator People Inc. of Southwest Va. 1173 W. Main St. Abingdon, VA 24212 Phone: (540) 619-2271 e-mail: kshearer@naxs.com Entertainment will include a performance of traditional Hungarian dances by the Hungarian Ethnic Group and musical selections by Dorothy Krall. The park opens at 11:00 a.m. with the Hungarian Day schedule starting at noon. For more information and discounted admission and all-day ride tickets, call Rose Gerzsenyi at (724) 864-0042. Connecticut Hungarians mourn death of longtime pastor FAIRFIELD, CT — Monsignor James G. Lengen, the former pastor of St. Ladislaus Church for 44 years, died June 9,1999, in St. Joseph's Manor. He was 97. He served as pastor of the ethnic Hungarian parish, located in the Springwood area, from 1933 to 1977. During his Í pastorate, he played host to Cardinal Joszef Mindszenty in May 1974. He also expanded the church's property, oversaw the construction of a replica of the Grotto at Lourdes, opened a convent and directed the building of the church's social center. A lifelong Connecticut resident, Monsignor Lengen was ordained in 1929. He served as assistant pastor of St. Patrick's Church in New Haven until 1933. He was named a domestic prelate with the title reverend monsignor in December 1959. Interment was in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. The family requests donations be made to St. Ladislaus Church. Calling all Magyars What’s happening in the American Hungarian community? If you know of someone or something making news of interest to your fellow Magyars, send the details to us for inclusion on our “Magyar Matters” page. Contact us at: Magyar Matters c/o William Penn Association 709 Brighton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15233 (412) 231-2979 Ext. 135 Virginians preserve Hungarian heritage Kennywood welcomes Magyars Aug. 11 William Penn Lile, July 1999 21
