Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. január-június (23. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1940-03-14 / 11. szám
March 14, 1940 .Verhovayak Lapja. Page S SPEECH by Mr. HUZ1ANYI: Th^ text of a recent _ ~ech, on behalf of the Benjamin Franklin Bibliophile Society of Cleveland, given by Stephen Huziányi before the Christian Endeavor Society of the Hungarian Reformed and Evangelical Church, South Side, Chicago, as well as the Chicago Chapter of Chi Sigma Gamma is printed herein to acquaint our readers with one of several activities carried on by Hungarian communities in the United States. Selling icebergs to Esquimaux or sun-ray lamps to Ubangis is no more difficult, in the opinion of some cynics we know, than creating a demand for culture. In the following sales-talk, published verbatim, Mr. Huziányi demonstrates one method by which a product whose appeal is not yet widespread can be made attractive to Everyman. Mr. Huziányi was presented on the occasion of his speech by Rev. Stephen E. Balogh, minister of the Hungarian Reformed Church, and George Görömbey, a member of the Christian Endeavor Society. Western World, feel that you should gloss over your Asiatic past, as an unnecessary complication in your racial make-up, go ahead. But don’t let it scare you away from Arany János’ great story. You needn’t have considered yourself, just because of this Asiatic past, to be radically different from the average European, in the first place. (To Be Concluded). Verhovay Overseas Club (Continuation) The time is yet to come, or should I amend this to say, the time is coming soon when adequate translations and criticisms of all the major Hungarian literary works will come by the high-minded efforts of organizations such as the new Franklin Society, be made accessible to just about everybody. It is not so fantastic ai3 you might think, to expect, in the near future, to see old Hungarian heroes and heroines of story and myth popularized to the same extent as are now Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. Just a sample of what you may expect, I should remind you that there have been excellent broadcasts already of Hungarian plays and plays based on Hungarian novels, sent out over American radio networks. I remember especially a very fine and elaborate presentation over a nation-wide hookup, of the world famous yet little understood TRAGEDY OF MAN, by Madách Imre. Even so, we are behind England and Continental Europe in this respect. We can hope for more of this gentle propaganda, however. And America, let alone you Hungarian youth, will be all the better for it. Incidentally, I came as near to tears as I ever will when I listened sometime back to a heart-warming radio address by an old line American, who declared that America, in order that she grow up and acquire a culture that Europe couldn’t sneeze at, must appreciate to the full such peoples as have brought over from other lands civilizations much older than the American. The speaker went on to say that by the blending of an ancient national culture with that in the United States, America would come that much nearer to her ideal and destiny — would come of age. so to speak. I’m waiting to see the look of shocked surprise on some faces before me when I report that the speaker on the future of America chose as his model of such an ancient civilization as might do wonders for us — that of Hungary. Inevitably, some of the way of life of such a country as Hungary, will grow upon the broad foundations of the American order. We will be not so isolated from the moving spirit of other nations as,, heretofore. An evidence of this trend toward a greater concept of the world by Americans is to be found, for instance, in the activities of the Franklin Society. Their first issue, the work of Arany János, is the mainspring of Hungarian national literature. The DEATH OF KING BUDA puts forth the essence of Magyar tradition as has no work of any author before Arany János. Arany assembled all he could of Hungarian national history and set it down in a literary form that the world will never forget. Arany wrote for the common man, or the man on the street, as we say here, and reflected in his writings the common man’s awareness of the age old presence of the Hungarian national spirit, or soul, or szellem. — Since Arany’s art is the very expression of Hungary and its venerable history the Franklin Society’s choice could not have been improved upon. The appeal of Arany’s BUDA HALÁLA is not confined to Hun gárians, as you might have thought. The Magyar traditions on which the epic is based come out of the misty ancient past of Europe, and are related to the ancient traditions of the Scandinavians. Hungarian history and mythology often overlap with the accounts in the Nibelungenlied and the Icelandic Eddas and Volsunvasaga. You may rest assured therefore that Hungarian traditions havi had more than casual attention and scrutiny from scholars elsewhere than Hungary. Arany himself had to devote more than casual attention to the Scandinavian folk-lore, inasmuch as he could round out the full account he intended to make of early Hungarian history only by research into Norse mythology. The research of Arany, moreover, led him into other frontiers of ancient Hungarian experience. Terrible Turanian deities appear in his DEATH OF KING BUDA, and give an atmosphere to the work reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Heroic Asiatic figures stalk through the course of the epic and evenlop the narrative with the age-old mystery and romance of the Orient. If you, as part of the Gloria Costa and her mother, who stayed behind when the group of Verhovays sailed, returned home on the M|M Saturnia on December 21st. Since her return Gloria has been busily engaged in her profession of dancing. She was tendered a reception on her return and has been dancing at the Waldorf Asoria. At the Citizenship Day Rally held in New York on February 18th, Gloria danced to a packed audience. Keep up the good work and lots of success! * * * Helen Blaho of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, who travelled with the Verhovays enroute to Europe, returned home with the first group of Americans who fled the European countries immediately after the outbreak of hostilities over there. Her plans at first were to return via England and the liner Acquitania, out due to travelling impossibilities she was forced to retrace her journey from France and make for the Italian seaport and the liner Rex. She reached home on September 17th. On board the Rex she met and had a lone chat with Gioyanni Martinain of the Metropolitan Opera Company. She also had occasion to see Doris Duke, the richest girl in the world. Since her return home Helen played a long term engagement in Cleveland, Ohio, in the leading feminine' role of the famous Hungarian Opera, “Gul Baba”. We welcome Helen back and hope that she will achieve the goal which she has mapped out for herself. * * * BASEBALL SCHOOL BRANCH 381, Pittsburgh, Pa. could see that they were surprised at seeing such a group and we were more surprised when they spoke to us in English and inquired as to our business in Hungary: It wasn’t long before we found that they were in Hungary studying at the University of Budapest for the priesthood, and were visiting in Ungvár at the time. These two youths are at home now, forced to return to renew their passports. They expect to continue their studies in this country. Albert Sulincsak of East Pittsburgh, Pa., and John Gernat of Windber, Pa., where in Hungary for two years before they were forced to return home. It happened while last year’s Verhovays were on tour in Ungvár. The group had just alighted from the sightseeing bus and were stretching their legs when they were met by two young men dressed in the robes of Catholic priests. The priests were walking towards the famous castle of that city when they noticed the bright blue and gold Verhovay caps which were worn by the group. We The Verhovay Overseas Club of the Pittsburgh Dis trict will hold an organization meeting on Sunday, March 17th at the Home stead Library, at 3 P. M. Invitations have been mailed to quite a few in the Pitts burgh District and a large attendance is expected To those who received invita tions and notification of the meeting it is suggested that they inform those people who are interested to attend this meeting. As stated before, the club is open to all those who are interested in furthering Hungarian ideals language and culture, and who have been in Hungary recently or at any time in their lives. Associate mem ber§ will also be included in the membership. The movement is started and it is up to you to attend and help further the aims and ideals which the club hopes to build up. Sugges tions of any nature will be welcome at this meeting and a foundation for the per manent organization will be laid. We will be expecting all oi: you to attend. Alexander J. Goydan, 722 Wiley Avenue McKeesport, Pa.----------------0--------------It’s when you’re in trouble that you need friends. It’ easy to find them when you’re riding the crest of the waves, and everything is joy laughter and sunshine. The recent monthly meeting of Branch 381, whose meetings are held every first Sunday of the month, turned out to be very interesting. Mr. Bennett, our controller, who is well known in the baseball circles of our city, announced the successful completion of the baseball school which was under his guidance during the winter. The attendance at hese baseball sessions held weekly was well supported by the young men of our community. The instructors at the different sessions were Julius Solters, now playing for the Chicago Whitesox and also former Verhovay player; Wilbur Cooper, former Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher; Bob Collins, now with the Chicago Cubs and also a former Verhovay player; Lute Boone, former New York Giant player; George Susce, now playing with the Pittsburgh Pirates; Earl Stratton, Minor League pitcher and former Verhovay player; Cy Conley, formerly with Montreal of the International League and former Verhovay player; and many old time sandlot stars. A great deal of praise should be given to Mr. Bennett for his securing such talented players as instructors in his baseball school. These classes were held free of charge to all fellows interested in playing and learning the sport. All Verhovay baseball teams interested in booking a first-class attraction for the coming season should write now so that we may arrange our schedule accordingly. Peter Mészáros, Br. 381 Sec’y-Treas. 347 Johnston Avenue Pittsburgh, Penna.--------------------O------------------NOTICE, MEMBERS OF BRANCH 452 Please have your dues in before or on the 10th of every month, as I must send the money to the Home Office in time. Members are also urged to read over and study carefully the new by-laws adopted at the 1939 Convention last September. Denis Palfalvy, Sec’y Br. 452.--------------------O-------------------Anything built on hate must decay. Time sees to that. God’s greatest weapon —TIME.
