Magyar News, 1993. szeptember-1994. augusztus (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1993-09-01 / 1. szám
A JOURNEY TO HOPE ISLAND (REMÉNYSÉG SZIGETE): bringing hope to Hungary’s Dispersed People. Transylvania, once a vital part of Hungary, while amputated after World War I by the Treaty of Trianon, is still tied ethnically and spiritually to its motherland. Hungary’s outreach to its near yet distant cousin was most visible in the workings of Hope Island, a center for Hungarians from Romania seeking lodging and food while receiving medical treatment in Hungary; a place of refuge for Hungarians leaving other countries permanently; a site where theological students from Transylvania are educated tuition-free, and a place where young Transylvanians can learn English and Christian studies. Located on the outskirts of Budapest, in proximity to the city’s cultural center, the Székely’s of Transylvania brought their own distinct Hungarian-ness, one which has been prized and exulted for centuries, and one which can enjoy its fullness most freely in the motherland. I was blessed with an invitation from Reformed minister Géza Németh to teach English at Hope Island, preach at the Transylvanian Church and gain insight into the struggles of Hungary ’s lost people starting anew in Hungary or revitalizing themselves before a courageous return to their homes in Transylvania, now a part of Romania. The Székely people, one million of the three million Hungarians living in Transylvania, brought with them an astounding faith and desire not to be forgotten among Hungary’s lost nation. Events at Hope Island included a “Vigil for peace in Eastern Europe,” in which clergy throughout Budapest were invited, as the event was televised, radio broadcasted and covered by the newspapers. A Martin Luther King Jr. celebration was also televised as the Reverend Dénes Fülöp, Reformed minister from Maros vásárhely, Transylvania, delivered a message for the reconciliation of the Hungarian and Romanian people living in Transylvania. A Holocaust reconciliation gesture was also demonstrated by the students as they cleaned and beautified the Jewish cemetery, in which Hungarian Holocaust victims were buried. I had the distinct honor of watching the students grow in faith and spirit from the beginning of their studies to the end, growing in love for each other, hope in God, and in hope that their heritage will continue to live wherever life may take them, in whichever land they inhabit. The meaning of “Hungarian” was redefined for me during my semester’s stay. With 6 of the 16 million Hungarians of this world, living in “the Diaspora,” from these dispersed people, I learned that being Hungarian is a spiritual state, more than coming from a geographical area or artificial boundary. And this is how the 6 million Hungarians living outside of Hungary are residing today. To be Hungarian is something of the heart and the soul—more than holding fluency in its difficult language, more than eating of its sumptuous cuisine—and generates brotherhood and sisterhood beyond its borders. Hungary, a spiritual state, a state of mind, a boundless state which allows its citizens, wherever life may take them, to express their full-hardy independence, generosity and warm-heartedness, which distinctly marks them as being Hungarian. May mother Hungary never forget her children outside her heartland, as they have not forgotten her. Rev. Lt. J. G. Leila Havadtöy WINNING PULITZER PRIZES PRIZE WINNING PULITZERS Browsing through obituaries I came across a familiar name, and, as in cases like this I read the article. This time it was about Joseph Pulitzer, Jr. He was chairman of Pulitzer Publishing Co. and former editor and publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He died at the age of 80. His grandfather, Joseph Pulitzer founded the paper in 1878. The son of the founder, also Joseph, expanded the reputation of the Post-Dispatch. The grandson of the founder was baptized Joseph Pulitzer III, but later changed his name to Joseph Pulitzer Jr. Under his leadership the company became a multi-media operation with newspapers in three states, seven television and two radio stations. Also served as the chairman of the Pulitzer Prizes for 30 years. Pulitzer Joseph Jr. was a deserving person to carry on his grandfather’s work, accomplishments and ideas. I would like to take advantage of the moment and reflect back to the first Joseph Pulitzer. When an American journalist wakes up in the middle of the night with a happy, wide smile on his face it means that he had a very pleasant dream. Well, what could be so great to dream about? He probably dreamt that he won the Pulitzer prize and Joseph Pulitzer personally handed it over to him with a nice speech—in Hungarian. The founder of the most distinguished Pulitzer Prize was a Hungarian, bom April 10,1847, in Makó, southern Hungary. At the age of 17 Pulitzer left for Hamburg, Germany, where he was recruited by Lincoln’s representatives, and, this man who later in his life gave millions of dollars away, arrived to the shores of the United States without a penny in his pocket. First he fought in the Union Army during the Civil War, then he settled in St. Louis and at the age of 20, Pulitzer became an American citizen. He worked as a news reporter and with a good sense of business he bought a newspaper that finally became the St. Louis “Post- Dispatch.” Always crusading for the public interest, the Post-Dispatch in a short time became one of the most influential papers in America. In 1883 Pulitzer bought out the New York “World” and moved his headquarters to the metropolis. In his new paper he fought the gangsters and the crooked financiers. He also raised the then extremely huge sum of $100,000 to erect the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. The public liked him and with the public’s support Pulitzer founded two more papers. When Pulitzer was 43 years old, he built a 22-story home for his papers, but his sudden blindness prevented him from seeing thegolden dome topping the building. In 1903 he founded the Pulitzer prizes and financed the creation of the Columbia School of Journalism. This school opened in 1912, one year after Joseph Pulitzer died, at the age of 64. There are fourteen Pulitzer prizes in three categories; journalism, literature and music, and they are given out on the first Monday in May. Here is a little sampling of the American fiction book writers who were rewarded a Pulitzer Prize: Sinclair Lewis, Pearl Buck, Margaret Mitchell for Gone With The Wind, John Steinbeck, Upton Sinclair, James Mitchener and so on. We are also proud that a journalist from our Hungarian community received the Pulitzer Prize a few years ago. She is Irene Virág, grew up among us, and now is working for the Long Island Newsday. I am writing this article on a sad note, but it fills my heart with joy to acknowledge the great accomplishments of the Pulitzer family. (CMB) MANY THANKS AGAIN to our advertisers whose loyal support makes it possible to present this publication to our Hungarian community every month. The Magyar News also expresses its appreciation to the readers who with their dollars add the extra pages and the printing of pictures.Recentcontributorsare:JohnToth, Joseph Racz, John Lesko, Kevin Lesko, Isabel Kocsish, Katalin Horvath, Andy Pechena, Elaine Purdy, Anthony Magyar, Rose Toth, Rev. Elswick, Nelson Batky, Maria Oslai, Valerie Varga, Paul Kardos and a generous contribution from Irene Warcup. Many thanks again.
