William Penn, 1956 (39. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-09-05 / 9. szám
PAGE 2 September 19, 1958 William Penn HUNGARIAN ART TREASURES SAFEGUARDED There is a man in Cleveland, Ohio with an aesthetic appreciation which has been of benefit to the cause of Hungarian art and culture. Ladislaus Szobonya — we proudly identify him as a member of our William Penn -— is that man. Mr. Szobonya, owner of the Louis Furniture Company in Cleveland, has been very generous in his support of things Hungarian, in particular objects of art. An example of this gentleman’s generosity and keen interest in art is his purchase of three Hungarian art treasures that had been on exhibition at the 1939 World’s Fair. These he bought for the sum of ten thousand dollars and offered them to The United States, his intention being that the treasures remain as permanent memorials. Their value in money is an inadequate evaluation, but their artistic and cultural worth will for decades add to the appreciation and thrill of art lovers. The first of these statues- is a twelve foot high magnificent representation of King St. Stephen in all his royal trappings. He is recognized as the first King of Hungary and the founder of the Hungarian State in its historical form. August 20' is the anniversary day of King St. Stephen of Hungary and the occasion sparks solemnity in every Hungarian’s heart. This statue of the great Magyar King has been offered to New York City by Mr. Szobonya, to be placed after appropriate ceremonies in one of the principal squares of the city, a spot opposite the United Nations Building. There it will be broadcast to millions the more than thousand year glorious and suffering history of the Hungarian people. The second work of art depicts the Holy Crown of Hungary held up by two angels. This too has been the munificent gift of art loving Ladislaus Szobonya, the particular recipient to be his own City of Cleveland wherein dwell thousands of citizens of Magyar extraction. It is to be placed on the corner of Buckeye Road and West Boulevard, original settling site of the first Hungarians come to Cleveland, and there again will be a permanent reminder of the highly civilized Hungarians. The bust of St. Ladislaus, another of the great Magyar kings of the House of Arpad, is the third gift of Mr. Szobonya. It is rumored that a large church will receive this impressive work. Not long ago Mr. Szobonya displayed these three sculptured pieces to the Cleveland * Hungarians at a memorable and festive occasion held by Cleveland Branch 573-V and the Hungarian Self-Aid Society. Many went to see the elegant display in one of the show rooms of the Louis Furniture Company. Branch 573-V officer Victor Falk, speaking in behalf of all the assembled guests, expressed thanks to Ladislaus Szobonya for his splendid contribution to Hungarian art and culture and to his voluntary role as the exponent of Hungariana in this country. The pictures that appear with this article relate a much better story than do the words. Ladislaus Szobonya, pictured with his art treasures, is one to whom we of Hungarian heritage owe much for his labors to acquaint the American people with the art and the culture of historical Hungary.
