The Eighth Tribe, 1981 (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1981-02-01 / 2. szám
Page 8 THE EIGHTH TRIBE February, 1981 and provincial administrations have materially helped the cause of the Centre. The municipal and provincial governments together gave $400,000 toward the purchase price — the other half of course, has been provided by the local Hungarian community — and there is much more public money yet to come to complete the task. Even at the risk of appearing conceited, perhaps, we do believe that to some extent the response of our elected representatives is a recognition of the contribution that Hungarians have made to the essential fabric of our multi-cultural society. Contributions from the public purse, naturally, means that the Centre really belongs to the entire community. It is Calgary’s as much as it is the property of the Hungarian community. Within the next six weeks a baseball diamond as well as other additional facilities will be completed. Mr. Zöld sees the dual role of the Cultural Centre as a boon to its finances and commercial viability. The premises will accommodate 650 to 700 patrons at a minimum and as a matter of fact, the Centre has entertained more than 1,500 people on a social occasion which remains a record to date. Mr. Zöld, along with the members of the board of directors, takes special interest in the museum and the library, both to be housed on the upper floors of the Centre. (Reprinted from Calgary Hungarian Courier) * * NEWS BRIEFS: — Population of Hungary according to the 1980 Census (in round figures) is ten million seven hundred and ten thousand, an increase of 3.8% from the 1970 Census. There are two million and seventy thousand people living in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Three million six hundred and forty thousand are living in the big cities, while five million and ten thousand are living in the rural areas. Women outnumber the men. For each 1,000 men there are 1,064 women. The women population has increased in Budapest and the big cities, while it has dropped in the rural areas. Population of larger cities: Miskolc 207,000; Debrecen 192,000; Szeged 171,000; Pecs 169,000; Gyor 124,000; Nyíregyháza 108,000; Szekesfehervar 103,000. Special to the Eighth Tribe: — Hungarian Congress In Cleveland It had to be the most elegant, sophisticated, and cosmopolitan Hungarian event held annually in the United States. It was the 20th annual meeting of the Hungarian Congress and the Árpád Academy, held as usual in Cleveland, Ohio, on the days following Thanksgiving. In attendance were over 500 Hungarians from all across the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as such places as Finland, Argentina, and Australia. The language of the convention was Hungarian and meetings were held by various Hungarian groups: physicians, engineers, priests, the Hungarian scouts, Transylvanians, stamp collectors, etc. In addition, other groups discussed political and cultural topics. During the breaks, those in attendance could look through the huge photographic display of Hungarian events and activities, browse among the more than 200 paintings by Hungarian artists from around the world, and look at the huge arrangement of Hungarian books. Friday evening was a night for entertainment. Featured were vocalists, poets, and a young violinist playing some Bela Bartók selections, along with an Australian writer who read a humorous article that he had written concerning the Hungarian neighborhoods on Buckeye Road in Cleveland and Bloor Street in Toronto. Saturday evening was the gala awards banquet and dance. Awards were granted by the Arpad Academy to individuals making outstanding contributions to Hungarian culture during the past year. A representative of Cleveland’s mayor gave plaques and a key to the city to Dr. János Nádas and his wife for their work on behalf of the Congress and the Academy. Following the awards, about 20 young people gave a demonstration of Hungarian folk dances dressed in traditional costumes. Young men wore black vests, trousers, and boots with white shirts. Young ladies wore folk dresses of various colors and designs. Most of the colorful costumes had been sewn by the participants or their parents. Following the demonstration, the debutantes in long dresses were introduced to the audience. And, after this, ladies in evening gowns and men (often in the traditional Hungarian black formal wear) moved to the dance floor to try out their feet on the waltz, csárdás, keringő, or other dance steps. It was obvious that at this event “dressing up” had not gone out of style. This was the 20th annual convention held in Cleveland, but if you would like to make plans to attend the 21st, which will be held on the Friday, —Continued on page 13—
