Magyar News, 2003. szeptember-2004. augusztus (14. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-09-01 / 1. szám
In Connecticut the Fairfield Library was chosen by the Hungarian Cultural Center to host a Hungarian program. The literary evening ran under the title “Chairs Above the Danube - or - The Allegedly Bearable Lightness of Being Central European”. The last part of the title explained the event more realisticly. It was an uplifting experience for Americans, not only because the selections were interesting and easy to follow, but because the presented Hungarian literature was all in English. The poems and stories came from the same source. Many of our readers don’t know that there is a quarterly magazine published in Hungary and is written in English. It is “The Hungarian Quarterly”. It was established in 1936 and was closed down six years later because WW II. After long struggle Iván Boldizsár, a journalist and a normal minded politician finally was able to restart the Quarterly in 1960. During the war the Germans, after the war the Communists didn’t want any English. For the past 39 years Miklós Vajda worked at the magazine, and of this time for the past 14 years is the editor. Since he took over the magazine the content and the quality changed. The content became democratic, so is the selection of the writers. It is rich in the variety of literature, and the language is impeccable. For this American tour Miklós Vajda chose the poems and stories from the magazine. He introduced the times when the presented pieces were written, talked about their humour and satire. Kálmán Magyar representing the Cultural Center opened the evening. The performers were from The Threshold Theater Company, New York. The director, Pamela Caren Billig, in a witty way introduced Miklós Vajda. Miklós Vajda, Editor The evening was a success, it was well designed for the American audience who enjoyed every word of it. Also there was a surprise from a local lady. Marie Gall, who as a volunteer works at the library, presented Miklós Vajda with copies of the first Kálmán Magyar period of The Hungarian Quarterly. According to Mr. Vajda they probably don’t have any of those in Hungary. We are looking forward to events of Hungarian subjects that are designed towards the American audience. Camela Caren Billig Page 2 Top.Literary Evening at the Fairfield Library. Above, left to right: The Threshold Theater performers, Joel Leffert, Eleonor Ruth, Erol Tamerman, and Jenő Brogyányi
