Fraternity-Testvériség, 2009 (87. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)

2009-07-01 / 3. szám

STORY CORPS COMES TO THE KOSSUTH HOUSE by Kathy A. Megyeri

On Saturday, June 27th, ten HRFA members shared their personal stories in a make-shift sound studio on the first floor of the Kossuth House in Washington, DC. Story Corps, sponsor of the recording session, is the largest oral history project of its kind. It is a non-profit project whose mission it is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening as it creates a portrait of who we really are as Americans. Since its inception, it has recorded more than 50,000 Americans’ life stories. Of all those recorded, less than 1% are eventually aired on National Public Radio, but all stories are archived in the Library of Congress for use at any time and for access by family, friends, institutions, and organizations. Millions listen each week to NPR to hear the selected vignettes which can also be found on Story Corps’ website. The project’s major funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, but Story Corps is partnered with NPR, The American Folk Life Center at the Library of Congress, the National September 11th Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Because of the Extremely Hungary 2009 project three locations were selected to record Hungarians’ stories: the Kossuth House in Washington, DC, the Hungarian House in Manhattan and the American-Hungarian Foundation in New Brunswick, NJ.

Dave Isay, founder of Story Corps, began the project in 2003 with a small story booth in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, and the project continues as an enduring American institution of public service. His goal is to remind us of the importance of listening to and learning from those around us as we celebrate our shared humanity. His project tells people that their lives matter and that they won’t be forgotten. Isay says that through Story Corps, he hopes to create a kindler, more thoughtful and compassionate nation. The interview session is the heart of Story Corps as each 40-minute conversation is recorded on two CD’s-one is preserved at

the Library of Congress and the other copy is given to the participant. Since Isay’s focus is on serving a wide diversity of participants, the Hungarian portion of the project was launched this year. Its new initiative will be to reach out to people affected by memory loss and those who suffer from Alzheimer’s. Isay’s parent company, Sound Portraits Productions, made possible his 2006 book. Listening Is An Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the Story Corps Project (available online).

Participants at the Kossuth House were a vital link to Story Corps as they recorded their history, hopes and “humanity.” After his recording session, HRFA’s IT consultant and member Atilla Kocsis said, “Having heard excerpts on NPR radio for many years, it was nice to have a chance for my wife Sarah and me to record some of our thoughts and feelings about our families and lives together as well as the wonderful joy our daughter Vivian Zsófia has brought us. Growing up in New Jersey with the name Atilla and speaking only Hungarian when young and then learning English helped make me who I am today. We enjoyed our time with Story Corps a great deal.”

HRFA President Les Megyeri said, “I recalled my personal Hungarian history and my return three years ago to Hungary to commemorate the '56 Revolution in which I was an active participant. Just last month, I returned again to Hungary to celebrate my 50th class reunion, so I could also reflect on the lives of my classmates who remained in Hungary and juxtapose my life in America to theirs.”

Zoltán Fehér, an HRFA member and member of the Hungarian diplomatic corps, teamed with Washington graphics designer Lidia Anna Vigyázó in their Story Corps session. She said, “Zoltán and I talked of social mobility, our childhoods, poetry, the end of Communism and our artistic

relationship.” Zoltán added, “I enjoyed the Story Corps experience tremendously, not the least because it was a double-bill. Lidia and I recalled some memories of our friendship and collaboration, but at the same time, it was a chance to discuss issues that cut deep into our bi-cultural, multi-cultural, multi-continental existence, European/Hungarian perceptions of America, the Hungarian community in the U.S., and diversity and unity in American society.”

Petra Fehérvári, another participant and HRFA Home Office staff member said, “I was surprised how honestly I spoke about the life-changing experience of living away from home and all the good things that happened to me in the United States, but also the sorrow of being away from my loved ones at home. Melinda and I shared memories from back home and memories together since we both started to work for HRFA.”

Melinda Trinfuly, HRFA staff member who teamed with Petra for the interview added, “It was a great opportunity to participate in the Story Corps interview with Petra. We had a very interesting conversation about our lives at the Kossuth House and our adjustment to the American culture since we both fell in love with American men, who we got married to. We found true friendship.”

HRFA thanks other members, László Pásztor and Marianne Schattenstein, who added to Story Corps’ legacy of American- Hungarian experiences. We also look forward to hearing some of those pieces that may be aired on NPR in the coming months.

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