Magyar News, 2000. szeptember-2001. augusztus (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-02-01 / 6. szám
BENCZÚR, Gyula (1844, Nyíregyháza -1920, Dolány) * After 1851 he studied under H. Anschütz, and then between 1855 and 1869, under K. Piloty. He first scored success in 1867 with the painting "László Hunyady's Farewell". In 1870 he won the national competition of history painting with "The Baptism of Vajk". He assisted Piloty with the frescoes of Maximilianeum and Rathaus in Munich and he also illustrated books by Schiller. The Bavarian king Ludwig II commissioned him to paint Rococo themes, that was the time that be went on a study trip visiting Italy and France. He was invited to direct the painters schools at Prague and at Weimar, but only accepted the professorship at the Academy of Munich in 1876. He moved back to Hungary in 1883, and became a professor of the Masters' School of Painting, established specifically for him. He soon became the favourite artist of the official line of cultural policy: he painted the portraits of kings and aristocrats, as well as producing monumental history paintings ("The Recapture of Buda Castle", 1896). Other major works by him are the altar painting and mosaic of the St. Stephen Cathedral in Budapest and the panneaux of the Hunyadi Hall in Royal Palace of Buda. In addition, he often painted mythological subjects and nudes, as well as groups of putties in Ruben's mould, decorated with splendid flowers. With these paintings he rivalled the history painting of Makart. One may find more on <http://www.kfki.hu> László Dobos visits Connecticut László Dobos, writer, politician, Hungarian minority leader from Slovakia gave a talk on Country Without Borders - Nation United, while visiting Connecticut in December. His remarks were sympathetically received by his audience, and they were followed by a lively discussion. Mr. Dobos' life reflects the turbulant history of his native land. After his university studies he became a teacher, then a writer and activist, as he founded Hungarian associations, a literary maga-Page 2 zine and cultural institutions. In 1969-70 he was named Minister of Nationalities in the reform-minded Dubcek government. After the defeat of the Prague Spring and Dubcek's death, Mr. Dobos was effectively blacklisted for 18 years. His books, The Dispossessed /1967/, The Blanket of Snow 1X9191, With Your Permission /1987/ give a human dimension to the daily struggles of minority life and illustrate the painful process by which individuals become scarred by the injustice and conflicts between man and society. After the fall of communism in 1990, Mr.Dobos served in the Czechoslovak Parliament, played a major role in the founding of the Hungarian political party Co-Existance. He accepted the position of Director of the Madach Publisher that he had founded in 1968. Madach publishes the Hungarian weekly, "Szabad Újság", four monthly periodicals, and 8-10 books annually. It also supports seven bookshops to promote and distribute Hungarian books in Southern Slovakia. Up to May of this year, Mr .Dobos has served as the Regional President representing the Carpathain Basin in the World Federation of Hungarians . Among his many awards, in 1994, he received the highly prestigious Kossuth Prize for literature In 1990 , the Hungarian President honored him with the Golden Order of Merit of Hungary for his major contribution to Hungarian culture and politics. Last month, on the occasion of of Mr .Dobos’ 70th birthday, the Slovak government presented him with the Silver Medal of the Slovak Republik. In his talk Mr. Dobos outlined the conditions the Hungarian minority has to face in present day Slovakia. These were sobering words: the situation is difficult with no hint of improvement in the foreseeable future. Hungarians are leaving Slovakia for nearby Hungary: the mother country provides a stable political system and offers economic incentives, out of proportion to what Felvidék can offer. A "brain drain" is underway - 30% of students of high school age elect to complete their education in Hungary, instead of Slovakia, every year. It requires a herculean, almost masochistic effort to maintain and support newspapers and publications in the Magyar language. Despite the difficulties, despite the hardships facing his activities, Mr. Dobos continues in his quest: he is not ready to give up the work he has been dedicated to all his life. Those present at the meeting in December in Cheshire, came away convinced that it was incumbent upon all of us to assist the Hungarian cause in Slovakia, to the best of our abilities. Dr .Balázs B. Somogyi Donations could be made to Madách Kiadó. Make check out to HCSC. Write in memo “Madách Kiadó” and send to: PO. Box 2026, Cheshire, CT 06410
