William Penn Life, 2003 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-05-01 / 5. szám
Magyar Matters Hungarians vote overwhelmingly for EU accession, but low turnout a concern from The Budapest Sun An overwhelming "yes" for Hungary's accession to the European Union was the result from an unexpectedly low turnout on Saturday, April 12. Almost 84% expressed their support for EU entry, although only 46% of those eligible to vote cast their ballots. Hungarian representatives were due to sign the Accession Treaty April 16 in Athens, Greece. More than three million people said yes to Hungary's accession. EU sources, however, reportedly blamed Hungary's campaign strategy for the low turn out. But Hungary's Prime Minister, Péter Medgyessy, declared on the day of the vote that the turnout did not matter. He noted that the vast majority voted in favor of joining the EU. "It took a lot of difficult and painstaking work from everyone to be able to cast our ballots at all today," he said. Medgyessy asserted that he would not allow the joy of Hungarians to be spoiled because some say too few people participated. A 24-hour program, Eufória, allowed Budapest citizens to celebrate the country's decision at Felvonulási tér, next to the Városliget (City Park) and in Tabán. A fireworks display welcomed in the first results, while at the Felvonulási tér venue, in traditional Hungarian style, 28,000 servings of mákos guba (poppy seed dumplings) were served to some 15,000 people. In light of the positive outcome of the vote, Parliament was on April 15 to formally authorize the Premier to sign the accession treaty the next day. Looking for answers to the low turnout, Medgyessy said the large majority of non-voters probably stayed away because they thought Hungary would join the EU anyway. His point of view was echoed by pollsters Medián, who anticipated a 70% turnout. However, when voting day arrived, many people must have thought their votes were no longer needed. Hungarian daily, Népszabadság, quoted unnamed EU officials who stated that the campaign in favor of EU entry was professionally weak and not enough information had been provided to voters. Hungarian delegation joins Americans in commemorating Lajos Kossuth from The Budapest Sun A 36-member delegation has returned to Hungary following an 11-day tour of America's east coast to commemorate 19th century Hungarian revolutionary statesman Lajos Kossuth. During their visit they met New York Gov. George Pataki, U.S. Sen. Tom Lantos and the Hungarian consul and ambassador. They also laid a wreath at a statue of Kossuth in New York. The visit to the United States also received Parliamentary support with four Hungarian MPs, representing all four political parties, attending. On arrival in New York, the delegation paid their respects to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. After meeting with Gov. Pataki, who is of Hungarian descent, they presented him with a painting of Kossuth and film footage from 1928 showing the commemorations at the Kossuth statue in New York in which Pataki's grandfather had taken part. The highlight of their visit was the laying of a wreath at a statue of Kossuth on 113 Street in New York on March 15 to commemorate Kossuth's role in the 1848 Hungarian Revolution. Pataki issued a proclamation stating that from now March will be Hungarian month in New York. In Brief J_____ Hungarian studies research workshop CHAMPAIGN, IL - The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus, will host a Hungarian Studies Research Workshop June 20 to 26. Teachers, independent researchers and doctoral students are invited to conduct research into Hungarian related topics. The workshop will also allow participants to view Hungarian films, practice their Hungarian language skills and interact with other researchers. The campus houses one of America’s largest Hungarian libraries with 24,000 volumes about Hungary. For more information on the workshop, contact Arthur A. Bartfay, 2987 Trentwood Road, Columbus, OH 43221; phone 614-442-6593; or email tiszafolyo@yahoo.com. AHF exhibit shows recent additions NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Many Hungarian immigrants have been major contributors to the American scene. The exhibition, “From the Old World to the New World-Recent Additions to the Museum Collection” at the Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation in New Brunswick, is paying tribute to 10 of those artists. The exhibition runs through May 18. For more details, call 732-846-5777. Have news to share? If you know of news or events in the American Hungarian community, then please send your information to: John E. Lovász, William Penn Life, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Williu Pen Lile, May 2003 15
