Hungarian Heritage Review, 1991 (20. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1991-02-01 / 2. szám
inaugural rally in Budapest. The rally, attended by more than 400 supporters, marked the recommencement of Army services after 41 years' proscription. At present, Salvationist forces are limited to Major and Mrs. Victor Doughty of the Central Territory, the only active officers in Hungary. Mrs. Doughty's ability to communicate in Hungarian has greatly enhanced the Army's ministry. And the General's visit revealed a hidden army of wellwishers. A civic reception won expressions of support from the ambassadors of eight nations and promises of practical help from civic and religious leaders. The newly elected Lord Mayor of Budapest, Gabor Demszky was present for the gathering. The first Lord Mayor in 43 years and a strong supporter of the Salvation Army, he said, "The Army couldn't have come at a better time." In a public rally, General Burrows offered to make funds available for the purchase of 500 sleeping bags, for in addition to those already homeless in Budapest, Hungary has become a reluctant host to thousands of refugees. More than 40 people stepped forward at the rally to indicate their willingness to be part of a "volunteer army." Major Doughty plans to organize these volunteers into groups covering all the sectors of the city and ultimately all provincial counties, too. Other churches have been openhearted in their welcome to The Salvation Army. At the opening rally, Dr. Karoly Toth, president of the Hungarian Council of Churches, described Hungary as a country longing for spiritual and moral renewal." He expressed the belief that the Army would strengthen the common witness of the churches and enrich the Christian fellowship. A late night conference with General Burrows was attended by representatives of media from around the world including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe. The Winterthur Corps Band of Switzerland participated in the inaugural services at their own expense and brought a financial gift as a sign of solidarity with their Hungarian comrades. Commissioner Caughey Gauntlett (R) and Dr. Garfield Williams, both of whom were involved in preliminary negotiations with the Hungarian government, were present when the General presented publicly Hungary's new Army colors to Major Doughty. Former officers, who had earlier met the General in a moving private gathering, could contain their excitement no longer. With flags waving and tears streaming down their faces, they burst into a spontaneous volley of hallelujahs. "If the spirit of Christianity had to go out of the door under the former regime," the Minister for Social Welfare said at one of the services, "it will always come back through the window." To which the General responded, "Not so with The Salvation Army. We have come back through the door!" DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY'S 'TAMBURITAN'S ENSEMBLE" TO PERFORM IN NEW JERSEY TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY - Duquesne University's Tamburitzans Ensemble, a company of 40 musicians, singers, and dancers, will present a colorful program of East European Folk Music and Dances at the Bergen County Technical High School, 200 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, on Friday evening, March 8, 1991, at 8:00 P.M.; Saturday evening, March 9,1991, at 8:00 P.M.; and Sunday afternoon, March 10, 1991, at 2:00 P.M. Admissions are $12.00 per person. The Tamburitzans are a world famous performing group presenting and preserving East European folklore. Their enlightening performances includes authentic presentations of music, songs, and dances from Hungary, Slovakia, the Ukraines, Serbia, Bulgaria, Rumania, and other countries. All members of the group are exceptionally talented scholarships, college students, who attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The performance of this 40-member Ensemble is a most unique cultural experience for young and old alike. This season the Tamburitzans prepared a special Hungarian dance suite to honor the Hungarian community. The Szatmári Dances has been choreographed by the most outstanding choreographer from Hungary - Zoltán Zsurafszki, Director, and one of the founders of the Kodály Ensemble of Budapest. In addition, three young American-Hungarians are also members of the group. One, Ildikó Magyar, is from the greater New York Metropolitan Area, and you may have seen her perform with the Hungária and/or Életfa Ensembles. For reservations write or phone: DUQUESNE CLUB OF NEW JERSEY 73 Gordon Avenue Tenafly, New Jersey 07670 Tel: 201-568-0915 8 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW FEBRUARY 1991
