Fraternity-Testvériség, 2009 (87. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2009-04-01 / 2. szám
_________________________I__I_____ HUNGARIAN BALL DEBUTANTES Melissa: The entire experience was memorable. To be there with all of my family was quite a moment to remember and to have a whole night devoted to “me” is an event I could only hope my daughter will someday take part in. Q. In what way did any part of this experience endear you to your Hungarian heritage or culture? Kelly: I learned how to do the Csárdás. I’m half-Hungarian and half-Irish. Melissa: I’m part Hungarian and Italian. Kelly and I both know some words in Hungarian. It was nice to actually participate in a Hungarian event. Q. Why do you suppose this tradition is still alive and well today in spite of America’s more relaxed attitudes toward formal occasions? Kelly: I think it’s because there are still those who value the heritage of their ancestors. With every generation, it seems that the link grows weaker. Melissa’s and my great grandparents on our grandfather’s side came from Hungary. Melissa: Truthfully, it is the fear, 1 think, of losing traditions that essentially keeps these events alive since modem America has almost diminished these formal occasions. Only those who still value and honor these events truly know how important they are. Q. What did the whole experience do for you as a young lady about to enter the social scene? What did it teach you about society’s mores or its social stratum and do you feel any differently toward others who never were part of the debutante scene? Kelly: I definitely enjoyed dressing up. Melissa: I think the ball is not to differentiate between the classes of society but rather define a young lady’s position to herself. It is this event that teaches the young lady that if she is content within her own mind about who she is, then society will accept her as well. Q. What has this experience taught you about the importance of social traditions and the preservation of Hungarian cultural heritage? Kelly: The ball needs to be modernized and made more appealing to young people. I think it really needs to be talked up and advertised so I’m grateful for this opportunity to feature it in HRFA’s Fraternity magazine. It’s such a nice opportunity for young people. However, the speeches and entertainment did not help keep the lively spirit of the Ball. The only Hungarian aspect to the Ball was the band as there was no Hungarian food or desserts or anything else ethnic. There weren’t even Hungarian flowers or decorations. So I think the Ball’s organizers should keep in mind that more Hungarian motifs are necessary to keep this event truly in the traditional mode. Melissa: Social traditions help to develop the morals and values of young women. During this impressionable age, it is essential that a girl asserts herself within society with morals, values and traditions that define her. It also shows her that it is all right to mature in a way that allows her to keep her traditions and heritage sacred and intact. KÜLFÖLDI MAGYAR CSERKÉSZSZÖVETSÉG HUNGARIAN SCOUT ASSOCIATION IN EXTERIS Los Angeles-I Nemzetközi Cserkésznap 2009-ben 2009. március 29-én megtartottuk a már hagyományossá vált évi nemzetközi cserkésznapot a Long Beach városban lévő Will J. Reid BSA cserkészparkban. 74 lengyel, 35 magyar, 31 örmény, és 28 litván cserkész vett részt a félnapos programon. A program zászlófelvonással és a cserkészindulók eléneklésével kezdődött, majd akadályversenyen, illetve ügyességi és nemzeti tudást terjesztő versenyeken vettek részt a cserkészek. Mindegyik őrs magyar, lengyel, örmény, és litván cserkészekből állt, így jobban megismerhették egymást. Az akadályverseny után mindenki vacsorázott. Mivel a lengyelek voltak a vendéglátók idén, a vacsora jó részét ők készítették. Vacsora után tábortüzet tartottunk, amelyet a lengyel cserkészvezető, Marek Tuszynski, vezetett kiválóan. Népdalok eléneklése mellett, több tábortűzi mókát is bemutattak a cserkészek, igen jó hangulatban. Amint sötétedni kezdett, mindenki lassan hazafelé indult, a lengyelek kivételével. Ok a cserkésznapot egy hétvéggel megtoldották, hogy Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, és Phoenix FRATERNITY - TESTVÉRISÉG 25 ♦
