Magyar News, 1995. szeptember-1996. augusztus (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1996-05-01 / 9. szám

LOVE or HOMELAND .SOUNDS

Many times we heard the sound of Hungarian shoes klick-klacking on our streets and in our buildings. Ambassadors of our heritage were walking among us, visiting here and filling our souls with the lovely music of the Old Country. The list of groups, young people, is quite impressive; the Kantus from Debrecen, the Cantemus from Nyíregyháza, then the Kodály Korns, and now the Sárospatak College Choir. All the students were absorbing with widened eyes the American impressions, and the people hosting these youngsters were bonding with the memories of the once Homeland.

Somehow it generates a strange, but warm feeling to see the members of the choir and think that these youths are representing a college over four and a half century old. An institution with ties to Ferenc Rákóczi, his wife Zsuzsanna Lorantffy are already hallmarks. There were students graduating from the school, as Lajos Kossuth, Ferenc Kazinczy, the great sculptor Miklós Izsó, the poet Mihály Tompa and many others. Looking at the choir, seeking the eyes of these children, one is hoping to discover the future in them, a future that would benefit our people.

The college had its ups and downs. It bounced back after the persecutions and the depression after World War One. It established the English College and organized an outstanding center for education and intellectual progress, also for spiritual development. Among all the t6he educators in high standing let me mention John Comenius who wrote the illustrated textbook, the first in the world. After 1952 only the Archive and the Great Library remained in the hands of the church. The Theological Seminary was closed down and the school was nationalized. Both were opened a few years ago.

There are many American Hungarians who are trying to support the school. A Sárospatak Scholarship Foundation was

established. Alumni members in Hungary, United States and Western Europe are raising money to give scholarships of $500.00 to students. This amount covers the cost of tuition, room and board and incidental expenses for one student for one academic year. The scholarship carries the name of the sponsor. This year over thirty scholarships were awarded, but the realistic amount would be twice as much for each year. You may fulfill your consideration by sending your contribution to Martin Tomallyay, 750 South Hanley Rd., Clayton, MO 6315. For information on the program you may contact The Honorable John W Shirley, P.O. Box 369, Stonington, CT 06378. Ambassador Shirley is an alumni of Sárospatak.

Well this was in nut-shell about the school.

The concert was held at the First United Church of Christ. The interior gave a beautiful setting for the event. It was nice to see the interest that was easily measured by the attendance. All pieces were appreciated by overwhelming applause. The selection of the performance was made up of hymnals, psalms, other religious compositions, folk song arraignments and patriotic numbers. They also sang the song of the Sárospatak students. The conductors were Zsuzsanna Toth Szeder and Agnes Bereczk. Kalman Ujszaszy was in charge of the group.

Rev. Dr. Anthony Szilagyi, president of the American-Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association organized the North American tour. Locally Rev. Bela Poznan organized this heart lifting event.

Joseph F. Balogh

WORDS OF APPRECIATION FOR THE GREAT DEEDS

We would like to express our thanks to all the members of the organizing committee and chairpersons of the Connecticut concert; the Diamond Benefactors, Golden Benefactors, Benefactors, Sponsors and Donors. Thanks to the First United Church of Christ and the Calvin United Church of Christ for making available their facilities to support the choir. Special thanks to the host families for their hospitality, those who prepared the meals and refreshments for the students and baked pastries for the reception after the concert and all those who contributed in any way. We ask for God’s blessings upon the North American tour of the Sárospatak Choir, and its members and directors.

Coordinators: Rev. Dr. Anthony Szilagyi, First United Church of Christ and Rev. Bela Poznan, Calvin United Church of Christ.

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We would like to give an incomplete list of those whose contribution made this event financially possible.

Diamond Benefactors: Calvin United Church of Christ, First United Church of Christ. Golden Benefactors: United Church of Christ, Hungarian Reformed Church (Norwalk). Benefactors: Church of Resurrection, Holy Trinity B.C. Church, St. Emery R.C. Church, Margaret Kaminski, Marika Oslai, Elizabeth Pogácsás, Rev. Bela Poznan, Elizabeth Sefcik. Sponsors: Geza Bodnar, Michael Czinkota, László Papp. Donors: Dr. László Csóványos, John Kochis, Joseph Miklós, Frank Ungi.

Host Families: Tibor Adamkovics, Ernest Aranyi, Oskar Balogh, Andrew Beres, Ernest Csengery, Raymond Gilliam, Violette Hadar, Dr. Alexander Havadtoy, Zoltán Kakas, Elek Késmárki, Zoltán Kocsis, László Papp, Steven Papp, Matilda Plesko, Elizabeth Pogácsás, Rev. Bela Poznan, Csaba Rethy, Martha Siphul, Frank Valu, Donald Winner, József Zsedo.

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