Fraternity-Testvériség, 1992 (70. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1992-04-01 / 2. szám
Page 20 TESTVÉRISÉG at St. Ladislaus meeting room. Embroidered vestments were on display in the sanctuary. One of the highlights of the programs of the day was Pontozó ’92, sponsored by the Hungarian American Athletic Club. The Pontozó Folk Dance is organized annually on several locations in North America and brings together the best folk dance ensembles from the specific geographical locations. Folk dance and folk music groups from eastern USA were invited to this festival to celebrate and exhibit the beauty of Hungarian folklore. The first Pontozó was organized in 1975 as a part of the N.J. Hungarian Festival in the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J. The American Hungarian Folklore Centrum presented the following ensembles at this festival: Hungarian Regó's Scouts of New Brunswick; Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble of the New York Area; Tisza Hungarian Folk Ensemble of Washington,'D.C.; Életfa Folk Music Band of New Jersey. Additional programs included fencing demonstrations at the HA AC, a children’s story hour at the Hungarian Heritage Center, folk dance performances on the street, and music for dancing in the evening in the HAAC auditorium by the Julius Harayda Orchestra. There was also the traditional twilight concert at the Hungarian Heritage Center courtyard featuring the Philomusica which was organized many years ago by Rev. Imre Bertalan. And finally there was the well-attended Hungarian 5 o’clock mass at St. Ladislaus Church. The Hungarian Civic Association, a coalition of churches and organizations, which coordinates the Annual Hungarian Festival in New Brunswick, was organized in 1975 to become involved in the revitalization of New Brunswick on the neighborhood level. Rev. Imre Bertalan and Rev. Julian Fuzer served over the years as president and chairman of the board of directors until 1980. Currently Rev. Matthew Kiss and Rev. Barnabas Roczey are serving as president and chairman of the board respectively. The festival was first held in 1976 as a Bicentennial celebration with August J. Molnár as coordinator for two years. Peggy Homa, Linda Puskas, and Elaine Kovács each served for one year. Yolan Varga has served as coordinator for twelve years. Prior to 1976, Hungarian festivals were held at the Garden State Arts Center with statewide participation and with Reverend Bertalan serving as chairman during the 5-year period. George Dózsa served as concessions chairman. The festivals attracted crowds of 5000-7000 persons to enjoy the Hungarian American talent introduced on the expansive Arts Center stage. Even earlier than the Garden State Arts Festivals there were the Református Nap celebrations, which were on-going for some twenty years, centering around New Brunswick and organized by the late Rev.Dr. Andrew
