Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1979. január-június (33. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1979-03-15 / 11. szám
Thursday, March 15. 1979. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO A REVIEW OF ART, LITERATURE AND HISTORY - A SUPPLEMENT OF THE MAGYAR SZO SÍHDOB PETŐFI POET OF LOVE AND FREEDOM March 15! A great day in the Hungarian people’s thousand years’ struggle for freedom. It was on that day in 1848 that Petőfi recited his immortal poem “Arise Hungarians!”, that triggered the bloodless revolution and led eventually the great war of freedom of 1848-49. His name is identical with the concept of Poet in Hungarian literature, and his concept is still powerfully alive in the minds of the Hungarian people. The masterpieces of his landscape-painting poetry were created in the golden age when he composed charming, melodious folk songs and explicitly characterized folk figures. His poetry discovered the Great Plain, this typical specialty of the Hungarian landscape, whose magic still attracts tourists from both Hungary and abroad. Petőfi’s lyricism not only depicted nature, but made confessions about human sentiments in a sensitive and delicate manner. He sang about the love of the homeland, people, and about romantic, pure love. Petőfi surprised readers with his shaded richness of moral magnitude and expression, which was similar to only the most outstanding personalities - his intellectual contemporaries: Byron and Heine. Antal Szerb, a distinguished Hungarian literary historian (1901-1945) pertinently wrote the following words about him: “Petőfi was not the poet of longing, but of intellectual presence: he could find and express the eternity of every moment.” A few selected items are presented here for all those who are also interested in the intellectual values of a country. The illustrations are by Karoly Reich, Kossuth Prize-winner graphic artist. How Shall I Call You? How shall I call you, When in the dreaming afterlight I look in wonder on the evening star Of your fair eyes, As if discovering I looked Upon this star, And every ray A brook of love To flow into the ocean of my soul... How shall I call you? How shall I call you, The sweetest mother of delight, The fairy daughter of a fantasy That dared to storm the sky!— My wildest dreams ashamed before The blinding beauty of a truth !— The only treasure of my soul, The dearest treasure of the world, So lovely, sweet and young... my wedded wife, How shall I call you? Translated by E.B. Pierce andE. Delmár The Bush Quivers Because... The bush quivers because A little bird flew there; My soul quivers because You came into my mind; You came into my mind, O little maiden fair; You, of the mighty world The diamond most rare! Translated by J. C. W. Horne Tree Will I Be... Tree will I be, if you are tree’s flower, Flower am I, if you are the dew. Dew will I be, if you are a sunbeam... Only that I shall be one with you. Translated by E.B, Pierce and E. Delmár Wife of Wives Wife of wives Pride of my house Now that you’re beside me A fire burns inside me I loved you as a maiden But then I was mistaken I never knew what joy it meant To be complete and fully content. THE TASKS OF HUNGARIAN TRADE UNIONS By Sándor Gáspár. General Secretary of the Central Council of Hungarian Trade Unions The trade unions are the broadest of the mass organizations of the working class, of wage and salary earners; they function as protectors of their interests and as responsible leaders in the development of their social activities ... We are aware that there are a greater number of absolutely justifiable demands than our present circumstances allow us to meet. When faced with such a welter of conflicting interests, including those between the national economy and the enterprises, between society as a whole and the different groups or strata within it, not to mention those of individuals, the decisions we take must be ones that serve the common social good and are based on the prior interests of society. This can be justified and accepted because it accords with the people's own sense of justice. That is why the trade unions take part in the preparation and discussion of a variety of projects. They receive all the information received by those putting forward proposals. They must, of course, then try to improve their own sources of information, so as to make sure of.additional knowledge. While the demands of the membership are brought to the conference table, the trade unions also put forward their own ideas. Discussions of this kind serve to help us solve problems and fulfil our tasks more effectively. Debates take place everywhere that work is done, right up to ministry and cabinet council level, as is natural given the role of the trade unions. The trade unions are most concerned to see that democracy flourishes in workplaces, because that assists in validating the working people’s claim to be owners of public property and participants in exercising state power, and that contributes, as well, to the development of a socialist outlook. Have you renewed your subscription to Heritage? THE INTERNATI0NAL YEAR OF THE CHILD- HUNGARY'S PLANS A 44-member national committee has been set up in Hungary to plan and co-ordinate events for the 1979 International Year of the Child, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister György Aczél. Members include among others a foundryman, a miner, a poet, a bishop, a scientist, an actor and a sportsman. Preparations began last year; in June a competition was announced for contributions to the spirit of the International Year of the Child in artistic forms such as children's songs and writings, plays, radio plays and short films for children. Around Christmas time gift fairs were organized in primary schools around the country at which children sold toys they had made themselves in aid of UNICEF's Children’s Solidarity Fund. The national committee's plans, in close accord with the UN General Assembly's resolution declaring the International Year of the Child, are grouped around five main tasks; 1 .To propagate real love of children and the socialist ideal of the family. Forums have been organized at which schools, parents and enterprises that 'adopt' children can discuss problems of bringing up children and providing professional child guidance. 2. Action to help the developing countries. Hungary is participating in the picture postcard campaign launched by UNICEF's Children's Solidarity Fund, as well as mounting artistic events with famous personalities taking part, in aid of the fund. 3. To organize meetings for both children and adults. Examples are scientific conferences on defence of children's rights and application of them in Hungary, and meetings to mark the 20th anniversary of the UN declaration on the rights of children. 4. To spread the spirit of the International Year of the Child through the mass media. The committee is bringing the Year constantly to the attention of the press, radio and television, urging them to reflect the ever-growing care our society pays to the child and the family. Stamps and books are also appearing to mark the Year and its message. 5. To organize an international forum on the rights of children. The forum will take place in Budapest this spring, with government experts, representatives of the UN and its agencies, and observers taking part _ 7
