Hungarian American Coalition News, 1992 (1. évfolyam, 2. szám)
1992 / 2. szám
HUNGARY — A VIDEO HISTORY For the first time ever, a definitive video resource has been created from the combined collections of major Hungarian museums, libraries and archives (including footage from Austria, Croatia, Slovakia and Transylvania) to tell the story of Hungary’s history for an English-speaking audience. Each 40-50 minute program of the sevenpart series illustrates a comprehensive yet concise narrative about Hungarian history and the development of the country’s art, religion, architecture, literature, political institutions, and economy. The programs are being prepared according to the following periodization: Part One: “ARPAD HUNGARY” (prehistory to 1301) 45 minutes Part Two: “HUNGARY IN GREATNESS AND DECLINE” (1308-1526) Part Three: “HUNGARY IN THE OTTOMAN PERIOD” (1526-1686) Part Four: “HABSBURG HUNGARY” (1686-1790) Part Five: ‘THE NATIONAL AWAKENING” (1790-1867) Sister Cities International (SCI), a private, non-profit corporation officially known as the Town Affiliation Association of the United States, Inc. (TAA), has helped create and maintain formal affiliations between over 900 U.S. communities and more than 1400 communities in 100 countries around the world. Programs between cities concentrate on educational, cultural and business exchanges of people and information. According to the guidelines given by SCI, an ideal affiliation involves a large number of citizens, representing a broad spectrum of a community. A planning committee decides on goals and objectives for a potential partnership with a foreign community and identifies activities that will help fulfill them. After the endorsement of the mayor or chief elected official of the U.S. community has been obtained and the planning stages are completed, SCI can help the committee research and find an appropriate match. The community can specify its interest in a particular geographic area. Once a possible match is identified, an exchange visit can take place in order for both parties to see their potential partner city Part Six: ‘THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN MONARCHY” (1867-1918) Part Seven: “HUNGARY IN THE 20TH CENTURY” (1918-1989) Like director Roger Conant’s companion series on Poland, HUNGARY — A VIDEO HISTORY is designed to provide an authoritative overview for students, exchange scholars, diplomats, businessmen, journalists and the general public. In order to supply a deeper perspective of the forces that have shaped today’s Hungary, special attention has been given to economic history and the complex mosaic of the historic kingdom’s multi-ethnic heritage. A tapestry of beautifully photographed monuments depicts each period of Hungarian civilization, systematically acquainting the viewer with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, 19th and 20th century masterpieces. Hungarian music through the ages is lavishly represented from early medieval hymns to the modem compositions of Kodály and Bartók. Fifty specially designed animated maps place hisand to meet and discuss their expectations for the relationship. If this exploratory visit proves successful, official letters and resolutions of invitation and acceptance can be made and a ceremony planned to formalize the relationship. Four U.S. cities currendy have sister cities affiliations in Hungary. These are: Fort Worth, TX - Budapest; New Brunswick, NJ - Debrecen; Seattle, WA - Pecs, and Toledo, OH - Szeged. The following Hungarian communities are seeking U.S. partners: Bekes, Békéscsaba, Dombóvár, Godollo, Győr, Nyíregyháza, 17th District of Budapest, and Veresegyház. Sister Cities International will provide you with detailed guidelines and assistance in establishing a formal sister city affiliation with a town or city in another country. If members of your community are interested in creating ties with a Hungarian or other Central or East European community, contact Agnieszka Zieminska, Assistant Manager for CEE Affiliations at SCI, 120 South Payne Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone (703) 836-3535. toric Hungary’s shifting fortunes in a clear geographical context. The series is produced by Roger Conant Presentations in association with Magyar Television, the National Széchényi Library, the History Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Indiana University at Bloomington. Major funding is provided by the U. S. Department of Education, B udapest Bank Ltd. and the Hungarian American Coalition. It is estimated that the series will be completed by early 1993. The Hungarian American Coalition welcomes your tax-deductible contribution to help complete this project. Send your check made out to “Hungarian American Coalition” to 818 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 850; Washington, D.C. 20006, and specify that it is for the Video History of Hungary. Training Program in American Political Campaigns Two young Hungarian political leaders visited Toledo, Ohio and Washington, D.C. as part of a training program in American political campaigns sponsored by the American Association of Young Hungarians and the Coalition. Maria Filep, a 39-year-old organizer for the Hungarian Democratic Forum, and Janos Angi, 29, an advisor to the mayor of Debrecen and to the Young Democrats Party, were the guests of Dr. Maria Wood while in Washington. They shared some of their observations with members of the Coalition and representatives from the Hungarian Embassy during an evening discussion held at the Washington home of Coalition Executive Vice President, Sándor Taraszovics. Ms. Filep found several campaign techniques that she feels could be applied to political campaigns in Hungary, including the use of volunteers and American-style fundraising. According to Mr. Angi, neither of these techniques is common in Hungary, where democracy itself is new. Their trip was organized by Peter Ujvagi, member of the Coalition’s Board of Directors and a former chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party in Ohio. Mr. Ujvagi hopes to see this informal program expand in the future. Sister Cities Winter 1992 • Hungarian American Coalition News « 7
