Fraternity-Testvériség, 2008 (86. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2008-07-01 / 3. szám
THE HUNGARIAN CLASSROOM IN PITTSBURGH'S CATHEDRAL OF LEARNING English, French, German, Greek, Indian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Scottish, Swedish, Ukrainian, Syria-Lebanon, Yugoslav and Early American classrooms. As I carefully toured the Hungarian classroom, I wondered which of the Magyar folk arts, wood carvings and stained glass windows my husband had helped purchase. The design of the room is characteristic of Hungarian folk art; in places, it is simple, and in others, highly ornamental. The 70 paprika- red ceiling squares are decorated with folk motifs painted in turquoise blue, pale green, and white on orange red. The walls are of oak veneer and are a warm tobacco brown color. The grain of the oak wood has been carefully matched to form an attractive pattern. The display case holds elaborate embroidery, lace, Herend porcelain, and costumed dolls. A tulip chest, or traditional hope chest of Hungarian brides, is carved with plant, bird and floral designs. The oak entrance door is intricately carved with the words “Hungary” and “Magyarorszag.” The coat of arms of Hungary’s oldest university, Buda, founded in 1388, hangs over the replica of the crown of St. Stephen and both dominate the front wall. The first two stanzas from the Hungarian National Anthem, “Hymnus,” are inscribed near the ceiling. Bless the Magyar, O our God, Fate, of old, has rent him sore; Bountifully, gladly! May it now bring healing! Shield with Thy protecting hand By-gone sins are all atoned When his foes smite madly! Ev’n the future sealing. The carvings on the entrance door, on the professor’s lectern and the student chairs, and on the panels under the wall cabinet are representative examples of Magyar carving. Plaster of Paris models were made in Budapest and shipped to the United States to guide the American wood carvers in order to ensure authenticity. Stylized tulips, pomegranate leaves, daisies, carnations, and sheaves of wheat carved deep in oak provide a contrast with the rich but unadorned walls. But it’s the stained-glass windows which visitors first notice as they have been added since the Avinoff water color was painted. These windows relate the legend of Hungary’s beginnings and important events in the nation’s history and culture; the stories of the Magyars and the Huns are depicted in art work and honor the Hungarian leaders of cultural freedom from earliest times. For most Hungarians, stepping through the door must be like entering “home.” With no plaques depicting donors, amounts and fraternal organizations to which each room is indebted, one can obtain such information at the main desk or from the research center. To those many FRATERNITY - TESTVÉRISÉG 23
