Hirünk a Világban, 1955 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1955-08-01 / 8-10. szám

Hírünk a Világban

15

OUR REPUTATION IN THE WORLD

Elemér Bakó is the next contributor to our round-table discussion on the appreciation of Hungarian literature abroad. He regards the present comparative obscurity of Hungarian literature as transitory. The Hungarian genius is undergoing an inner renaissance in this century and the result will crystallize later on, in the form of universal acceptance and availability in other languages. Regarding the selection of works for translation, the author thinks that, first, those Hungarian works should be introduced to foreign readers which, because of their spirit and artistic merit, as well as contemporary interest, will create a lasting impression.

Géza Teleki concludes his series, „Armistice Negotiations in Moscow.’ ’

*

In sports, Hungary’s athletic advancement has created a world sensation. Although the Hungarians have for long been leaders in many sports (swimming, fencing, soccer, etc.) in the field of athletics they have so far gained Olympic records only in relatively unimportant fields. This situation has now radically changed.

„The whole of Europe regards the athletics international between Great Britain and Hungary as the final answer to the problem of who occupies second place behind the Russians in the European ranking table. No country, net even Russia, has had such a rapid rise to athletics maturity as Hungary. Considering her size Hungary’s performances have amj&'.ad the world. F rom a

ENGLISH SUMMARY By G. B. Grosschmid, Duquesne University

small population she has been able to produce champion after champion, and' the supply seems endless.’’

So wrote THE EVENING NEWS (London), on August 13. 1955, and the next day THE OBSERVER began its report as follows:

„Hungary earned the title of the world’s number three athletic power behind the big battalions of the United States and Russia when its national team defeated Britain by 116.5 points to 93.5 at the White City Stadium, London, yesterday... It is clear that Hungary have now achieved world leadership over the middle-distance^. .

Among Hungarian sprinter*-:, Sándor Iharos achieved the besr résultats: during 1955, he made four new world records, winning 1500 m in 3 min. 40.8 sec. 2 miles in 8 min. 33.4 sec., 3000 m in 7 min. 55.6 sec. and 5000 m in 13 min. 50.8 sec.

One of the exciting competitions in this year was held in Bratislava (Pozsony), where during the Hungarian-Czechoslovak athletic meet, Zátopek was defeated by József Kovács and Miklós Szabó.

*

There were other sport victories for the Hungarians during the summer. Probably the most important of these was the European championship in basketball. There the Hungarian team defeated the Olympic-champion Russians.

This meeting provided a good opportunity for the Hungarians to express their violent anti-Soviet feelings. The games, ending on July 19, always drew a capacity crowd at the People’s Stadium in Budapest. The crowd heartily applauded the representatives of Western nations, hardly noticing the parading Russians. There were special cheering teams designated by the Communists to encourage the Russians during the garnis. The crowd, however, applauded heartily whenever the Russians lost a point. During the Hungarian- Russian game there was such a violent demonstration against the Russians, that special police enfocerrents had to be sent to the bleachers. The crowd openly booed the Russians, and twenty people were arrested during the melee.

*

The Hungarian press occupies for publication output fifth place in the USA. Only the Spanish with 108 organs, German (82), Italian (69), and Polish (.55; press exceeds the Hungarian : the latter has 47 organs, two dailies among them. Altogether, there are approximately 857 foreign language papers published in the USA.

During the June revolution, the St. Rochus chapel burned down in Buenos Aires. The picture of St. Stephen and the statue of St. Elizabeth were also destroyed.

The Piarist Fathers re-elected the Most Rev. Vince Tomek, S. P. Father General of their order *<>!• another six-year term. The election was confirmed by the Pope. During his first six-year term as