Hírünk a Világban, 1962 (12. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
1962 / 2-3. szám
Hírünk a világban 23 The Role of the Hungarian Writers . . Apart from the great role the writers of Hungary played in the 1956 Revolution (and indeed in all previous revolutions in this land), they have always been the most respected section of the community. Anyone who has established himself in Hungary, even in the most modest way, as a writer, has a greater standing among the entire population than any politician or practical man of affairs. They have none of the exaggerated respect we show towards our temporary rulers. It is as if the Hungarians have seen that the practical men of affairs have done them little throughout their tragic history, and they turn away to something more permanent. This is particularly true today. Kadar, Münnich, Marosan, and the others who govern Hungary today are not so much disliked for their Russian affiliations as looked upon as nonentities — compared with Dery, Illyés, Nemeth, Hay, Tamasi, the lyrical poet Sándor Weöres, and a host of other authors who are busy writing again. . . If — as a Pole told me — ‘Poland is run today by two men in direct opposition to one another, equally powerful but respecting one another’s power, Gomulka and Cardinal Wyszynsky,’ one might strain this obvious exaggeration further, and say that in Hungary today the Government too has its Wyszynski, in the form of the writers.” (Encounter, Nov. 1961:83-84) BARTÓK BÉLA: Ha azt kérdezik tőlem, mely művekben ölt testet legtökéletesebben a magyar szellem, azt kell rá felelnem, hogy Kodály műveiben. Ezek a müvek hitvallomás a magyar lélek mellett. Külső magyarázata ennek az, hogy Kodály zeneszerzői tevékenysége kizárólag a magyar népzene talajában gyökerezik. Belső oka pedig Kodály rendíthetetlen hite és bizalma népének építő erejében és jövőjében. ENGLISH SUMMARY Zoltán Kodály, Hungary’s greatest living composer, is eighty years old. His work is commemorated by Sándor Veress (Reme), another noted Hungarian composer (whose ballet, “Térszili Katica”, was recently presented by the Vienna Opera House). At tire occasion of the sixtieth birthday of Gyula Illyés, poet, writer and playwright, we remind our readers that our title (“Our reputation in the world”) was taken from Illyés’ series of articles in 1943-1944; and we take the occasion to measure our editorial policy over the past twelve years against the standard set by his ideas. Sándor Kiss (New York) analyzes Hungarian literary life today. In the relatively eased atmosphere which the writers forced the government to grant, great literary works are born. On the other hand, Western interest in Hungarian literature since the 1956 Revolution, in which writers played a leading role, led to the translation of many outstanding Hungarian literary works into various Western languages. Andor Klay, First Secretary of the American Embassy at Belgrade in 1958-1961 and at present American Consul in Frankfurt a.M., TO BE PUBLISHED IN MARCH BÉLA BARTÓK’S YEARS IN AMERICA by VILMOS JUHÁSZ Ten of Béla Bartók’s friends, pupils, fellow-musicians, doctors testify about his last years of exile in the United States. Out of the testimonies and out of Prof. Juhász penetrating study, the first thoroughly exact picture of Bartók emerges. His opinions, his private passions, his weaknesses are discussed as well as his ‘distinctly provoking’, ‘transcendentally humanistic’ and ‘prophetic’ personality. OCCIDENTAL PRESS P. O. Box 1005, Washington 13, I). C.
