Magyar News, 2000. szeptember-2001. augusztus (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-06-01 / 10. szám
Top: The building of the Partium Christian University in Nagyvárad. The folk dance group of the Choir. Bottom: The Palló Orchestra. Dr. Balázs Somogyi, MC & translator and translator, Timea Svalecz singing csángó songs. Rev. Béla Póznán introduces First Selectman John Matsopoulos and Bishop László Tőkés Reformed Church, and Reverend József Templi, Roman Catholic Church, both organizers of the University visited with the choir. Rev. Tőkés is well known internationally. In 1989, serving in Temesvár, he became a significant participant of the events which eventually led to the overthrow of the Romanian Communist Government. He constantly works for the recognition of the minority Hungarian population. I would like to remember a small quote of his talk during the concert. This is: “...there are differences between Hungarians who live outside of Hungary’s border. The American Hungarians, for some reason, left the motherland. The Hungarians in Transylvania, now Romania, never moved. The boarder of the country passed over them ...” Now we are receiving a clear and heart warming message for those members of the the Hungarian people who maintain a Hungarian community in the land of their ancestors. Reverend József Templi, Bishop of the Nagyvárad Roman Catholic Diocese talked about their work with the University. His extreme knowledge of the Hungarian literature enriched his speech. And as it turned out during the banquet he never ran out of anecdotes. The welcome was delivered by Reverends Póznán and Reed, also by Fr. Pintye. The prayer was given by Rev. Alexander Havadtőy, and in Hungarian by Rev. John Bütösi. As it was expected the audience filled the church and constantly expressed their approval of the performance. After the concert the visiting choir and the audience went to the Bessemer center for the banquet that was hosted by the United Church of Christ. The main dish consisted of chicken and the very Hungarian stuffed cabbage. Desserts came from the ladies of different churches(they always do there best). We learned more about the university and about the Hungarians living under Romanian rule from the two Bishops. The choir after the dinner put on an other show. The choir sang a selection of Hungarian music. Their Palló Orchestra played in the gypsy style and also accompanied the dance group. We met some young generation choir directors like conductor Berkesi’s daughter Boglárka Berkesi, and Anikó Barta, soloists Judith Nagy, Noemi Pálfi, and Annamária Timea Svalecz who this time performed csángó folk songs. (Csángós are Hungarians who during the migration stayed outside the Carpathian Mountains.) This was a memorable visit both for the visitors and the hosting community. Our community’s support manifested itself not only by the warm welcome but also by the financial support. With all expenses paid the choir took home from their concert in Fairfield over ten thousand dollars. This will benefit the building fund and scholarships. J.F.B. Gathering for the banquet at the Bessemer Center. The Choir entertaining at the dinner Page 5
