William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-07-01 / 7. szám
Did you know they're Hungarian? Recently, I viewed a DVD entitled F.I.S.T. This screen gem is a fictional story about a Hungarian immigrant trucker that climbs the ranks of the union to eventually become the organization’s national president. This action-packed flick includes a rather lengthy scene of a Hungarian wedding. As the credits rolled at the end of the movie, I noticed the writer was a guy named Joe Eszterhas. I wondered if he was Hungarian? After some research, I found out that he was born in Csákánydoroszló, Hungary, on Nov. 23, 1944. After World War II, his family lived in a refugee camp in Austria. Famous Hungarian-American screen star Jenő Mate, sponsored the Eszterhas family’s immigration to America. The family initially lived in New York City but eventually settled in Cleveland. His father wrote for several Catholic publications. His mother’s maiden name was Biro. Eszterhas was a poor student and lived a tough early life in the shadows of the smokestacks of the nearby steel mills. He graduated from Cathedral Latin High School. He attended college at Ohio University but dropped out. Many experts condemned his writing style as crude, but he kept winning every writing competition he entered. He wrote for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and was senior editor of Rolling Stone. He then went to Hollywood where he became one of Tinseltown’s highest paid screenwriters. He has written scripts for 17 movies, including Flashdance, Basic Instinct and The Music Box (another great Hungarian-American movie). In 1999, Eszterhas moved back to the more serene Ohio with his wife and four sons and now resides in rural Bainbridge. In 2001, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Through rigorous medical treatment, the cancer was put into remission. At that time he decided to turn a new leaf and return to his Catholic roots. Soon after, he wrote a book on his epiphany, entitled Crossbearer. □ nounce their last name in an Anglo/English manner. To add insult to injury, they get upset with you when you pronounce their name in the proper Hungarian manner. I may mispronounce Hungarian words, but when it comes to first or last names, I learn to say them as if I were born and raised in Hungary. My brother keeps Hungarian culture alive by playing the cimbalom. He dedicates his music in memory of his namesake and grandfather, Endre Check. He also continues to learn more songs on the cimbalom because he feels there really aren't other people of his generation that will carry on the tradition. Many times he has been corrected by well-intentioned Magyar grammarians for his mispronunciation of requested songs. Ironically, they are surprised by his vast repertoire of songs and reward him with nice tips. How many young people do you know who learn to play an obscure instrument in tribute to the passing of a loved one or because of their love for his/her nationality and music? My sister, Elizabeth, continues to keep the traditions of Hungary alive through cooking and artwork. At least once a week, she makes Hungarian cakes, cookies or main dishes. She paints and decorates in the Matyó style. As a family, our radio program has remained an ethnic Tibors Take tradition since 1979. Every other Saturday, our family travels nearly 200 miles to do our Magyar radio show. ("Souvenirs of Hungary" can be heard every Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. on WKTL-90.7 FM Struthers, Ohio.) Only after the passing of my grandfather in 2004, did we find it necessary to recruit additional help to air the show each and every week. (Frank and Maria Schauer and Elizabeth Cibulas-all members of WPA Branch 28—now share broadcast duties of the radio show.) Each broadcast team member is a dedicated volunteer. Listen to the show; the pride of being Hungarian shows in each song, dedication or request. For more than 31 years, our non-profit show has been the only link to Hungarian music, news and culture for thousands of American Hungarians in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Many of our family's traditions and activities are performed as good Hungarians. Our main mode of communication is not Hungarian, but English. Language is merely a vehicle for communication. Every month, I try to include some Hungarian words or phrases in my column, not only to lend authenticity to my writing but also to help those who would like to learn some of the terms that make our heritage so rich. This helps me, too, as it forces me to review, practice spelling and comprehension, and expand my vocabulary. By no means is it a perfect exercise, but it is better than not practicing at all. For those of us who were born in America, take comfort in these words. Sure, speaking Hungarian is nice, even desirable, but by no means is it a prerequisite to being a good American Hungarian. What came first: the chicken or the egg? What's more important: knowing Hungarian fluently or being a part of the culture, community and traditions? Shouldn't we all be viable contributing members of the American-Hungarian family of churches, clubs and fraternal organizations? Does possessing a weak Magyar vocabulary make one a sub-par, less-than-ideal or inferior Hungarian-American? Éljen a Magyar, Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at Cleveland State University. He serves as host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary" weekly radio show broadcast on WKTL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. Let's hear your take Let me know how you enjoy my thoughts and views on growing up Hungarian Style. If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at: SilverKingl937@yahoo.com, or drop me a letter in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. William Penn Life 0 July 2010 0 9
