Magyar News, 1994. szeptember-1995. augusztus (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1994-09-01 / 1. szám
GREAT NEWS! HE IS HUNGARIAN! We just got back from a trip and were discussing the exciting moments of it when the phone rang. It was Bert Thomas calling. I was a bit surprised because he never called before. This conversation was a bit lopsided. I could hardly get a word in edgewise. He kept on repeating that Bill Clinton is here, and, as a matter of fact he is sitting right in front of him. My first thought was that the extreme hot weather had something to do with Bert’s continuous outbursts. I have great respect for Bert so I packed up my darling, lovely wife and took off to pay an immediate visit to Bert. As we entered, Bert pointed out a man among the guests and said, “He is from Hungary!” At this moment things were starting to fall into place. This gentleman looked like a person who could be Bill Clinton’s brother, but this person introduced himself in Hungarian as József Böröczky. Now we were on the right track. On the coffee table, there were photos showing József with his make-up and best face forward, as President Clinton in front of the American flag. Well, no question about it, he is a dead ringer of the President’s image. The picture you sec here is actually József Böröczky. So who is József Böröczky? Any Hungarian-Hungarian would tell you. He is an outstanding, leading comedian in Budapest. He is a member of the Microscope Stage. He is also known world-wide. József made several tours in the U.S., and with our luck he performed a few years ago at the Calvin Hall in Fairfield. His radio and TV shows arc the source of outbursting laughters. Recently, he docs Clinton impersonNORWALK FIRST IN THE WORLD A special event brought Norwalkers into the limelight again. Two artists came from the Old Country to bring something back. Sándor Györfi, an outstanding and highly awarded sculptor, and György Sümegi, an art historian arrived in Norwalk to make a copy of the Hungary 1956 monument in Freese Park. Their trip was sponsored by the Miskolc Gallery and the Hungarian Cultural Ministry. Locally, hospitality was provided by the Norwalk Hungarian Committee. The artist who created the monument was Lajos Szalay, who at that time lived in New York. Mr. Györfi and Mr. Sümegi took an impression of the relief. This they will take back to Hungary where, through a casting process, they will make an exact replica. There arc three reasons to justify such an effort. Lajos Szalay was an internationally ations. One evening the Budapest TV interrupted its program with a live bulletin showing “Bill Clinton” getting out of his limo with police escort and entering the Parliament in Budapest. Naturally, this stirred up interest in the audience, and the news of President clinton was lingering on for days. It was something like when Orson Wells brought the aliens to America without a disclaimer in his 1940’s War of the World radio broadcast. 1 have to mention another episode. famous artist. This monument, among all in the world, expresses the spirit of 1956 the strongest way. The third reason lies in the people of the Hungarian community of Norwalk. They were the first in the world to show their commitment to the memory of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. (-h -h) DÉVAI NAGY KAMILLA This past summer we had a small group of entertainers from Hungary. They were sponsored by the Hungarian Cultural Society, the Pannónia Club and the American Hungarian Heritage Association. All outstanding, much awarded artists. Lila Mikes gave a powerful show, reciting Jonah’s prayer, that was probably too long for the audience that is not that well tuned into the Hungarian language any more. Then Peter Gál from the Microscope Stage gave impersonations. Most of the listeners were removed from those targeted in the parody and could not follow the otherwise enjoyBöröczky had been doing his impersonation of the president for sometime on the Microscope Stage. One evening the elderly lady attending the cloakroom remarked that the Stage must be doing very well because they could afford having the President of the United States there every evening. As far as I could tell József Böröczky’s performance would be worth being seen by the president. I also understand why Bert Thomas was so excited. J.F.B. able act. Virtuoso violinist Fcrence Santa could please any audience, not just Hungarian. The fourth member of the group was Dévai Nagy Kamilla, a folk music singer. 1 would like to spend more time on her, not just her performance. To start with a summary; I found her voice to be beautiful, highly trained. As she said, in her charming personal way, her mother and grandmother had lovely singing voices, but she was the lucky one to develop it. In a soft manner, holding her guitar, Kamilla talked about her first audition. She went with her guitar, to everyone’s surprise, and made it clear that they belong together. She immensely loves to accompany herself, and she loves losing her songs, the Hungarian folk songs. This is what she likes and this is what she is going to do. She had everybody eating out of her hands. In her career she was a member of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, she traveled the world, she won many awards, and for us, we arc very thankful that she had an evening to spend with us. Dévai Nagy Kamilla we hope to see you again. Bring along some friends. page 7
