Calvin Synod Herald, 1996 (96. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1996-09-01 / 5. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA A Hungarian celebration By Edith Lauer and Andrea Lauer For the 15 million Hungarians all over the globe, 1996 is a year filled with celebrations of historic events - from the founding of Hungary to the Revolution of 1956. Exactly 1,100 years ago, seven Hungarian tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin and established the Hungarian nation. More recently, in our own lifetime, Hungarians demonstrated their long-held love of freedom during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution when they fought Soviet tyranny and through their struggle revealed to the world, for the first time, the true face of Communism. Of the more than 200,000 refugees who fled Hungary at that time, 30,000 were granted asylum in the United States, and 2,000 to 3,000 chose to settle in northeast Ohio. These significant historic events, along with many others, combine to form a defining tradition in which all Hungarians take justifiable pride. As early as 902, Hungary's first parliamentary session was conducted on horseback in the town of Pusztaszer; an event proudly referred to with the quote, "We had parliament before we had chairs." In 1222, Hungary authored a Bill of Rights that led continental Europe in limiting royal power. In an age of intolerance elsewhere in Europe, Hungary provided an early example of ethnic and religious tolerance when, in 1568, it enacted the Edict of Torda, recognizing the right of all religions to exist. In spite of these impressive achievements, Hungary has paid a high price for its love of freedom throughout its turbulent history. As a result, a country whose population during the 15th century matched that of England was devastated while protecting Europe from invading Turks. When finally defeated, Hungary suffered under Turkish rule for 150 years. In 1527, Hungary fell under Habsburg influence. Two centuries later, Maria Theresa, the Queen of Hungary and Empress of Austria, attempted to repopulate certain parts of the Hungarian kingdom by encouraging the settlement of various ethnic groups. Thus the ethnic mosaic of Central Europe was enriched contributing both to the uniqueness and the potential volatility which characterize the region to this day. In the late 19th century, Hungarians fought for and eventually gained a degree of independence within the Austro-Hungarian monarchy as a result of the 1848 revolution. When invited to address the U.S. Congress on his triumphant 1849 visit, Lajos Kossuth, the leader of that revolution, echoed the Hungarian conviction that "Liberty is life!" Paying homage to this hero in 1902, Cleveland's growing Hungarian-American population dedicated the statue of Lajos Kossuth, which stands in University Circle and is regularly visited by Hungarian dignitaries and Clevelanders alike. At the end of World War I, Hungary lost twothirds of its territory and half of its population to neighboring countries. Overnight, millions of Hungarian became citizens of foreign countries not because they chose to move but because without their consent the borders were redrawn around them. To this day, 3.5 million Hungarian live as minorities in Romania, Slovakia, northern Serbia and Ukraine and continue their struggle to maintain their cultural identity and to participate in governing their own communities. Over the years, Ohio's large Hungarian- American population has played an active role in assisting these efforts. In the struggle against Communism, Hungary once again played a decisive role when this small country of 10 million people challenged the absolute power of the Soviet Union in the bloody revolution of 1956. As unarmed students came face to face with Soviet tanks, many died for the same ideal Kossuth had espoused 100 years before. In 1989, Hungary once again responded to this call with its courageous choice of opening its western border to thousands of East German refugees fleeing communism. This act eventually led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Remarkable as they are, these historic events alone do not fully define the indomitable spirit of Hungary. During the Middle Ages this nation gave as many saints to the Roman Catholic Church as it did Nobel Prize winners in the 20th century, like Dr. Albert Szentgyorgyi. Among many others, Hungarian scientists like John von Neumann, Leo Szilard and Edward Teller, composers and conductors Zoltán Kodály, Bela Bartók, and the Cleveland Orchestra's own George Szell all have made outstanding contributions in their fields and represent the best of Hungary's cultural genius. Today, Hungary is faced with one of its greatest challenges ever - to build a democratic, free market society. The commitment to repay the enormous foreign debt incurred by 40 years of Communist rule is taking a heavy toll on economic growth and social services. However, with much of its economy privatized, Hungary has attracted more than $13 billion since 1990, representing 60 percent of the total investment in the region. With its $550 million investment in Tungram, Cleveland based GE Lighting is the largest American investor in Hungary. Although remarkable progress has been made since Hungary gained its freedom six years ago, much remains to be done. In this milecentenary year, as Hungarians everywhere celebrated August 20, honoring Saint Stephen, the first King of Hungary, the remarkable achievement of the past 1,100 years will provide Hungary the inspiration, confidence and courage needed to continue to play its traditionally important role in history. □□□ Edith Lauer is president of the Hungarian American Coalition in Shaker Heights. Andrea Lauer is director of the Center for Independent Journalism in Budapest, Hungary. Editor's note: The above fragmented article appeared in the Cleveland 'Plain Dealer' on August 18, 1996. Unfortunately same newspaper on September 10, 1996 in its 'Letters' column, published a narrowminded response from a Slovak correspondent under the title: "A Lesson in History", with a very twisted view of historical facts, which was not 'a lesson' but a foremost product of bigotry. The English version of Transylvanian bishop Kálmán Csiha's book "The Light Through the Bars is off the press. It is the story of te Bishop's six-and-a-half years of imprisonment by the former Romanian Communist regime. It is a unique publication, with 38 immortal poems. The 166-page book is selling for $8.00 + s/h. Quantity discounts are available. There is no greater gift at the present on the book market for yourself or for your English-reading family members or friends! GREAT NEWS! The book is now being translated into German. The translator, not familiar with the Hungarian language, is using our English Version, translated by our editor, as the basis for the German version of the poems. Thank God for the service of mediation! Look for the order blank on page 15! □□□
