William Penn Life, 2001 (36. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-01-01 / 1. szám
Duna TV to begin broadcasting to North America in spring 2001 WASHINGTON - Duna TV, the Hungarian public satellite television service based in Budapest, will begin broadcasting its programs to North American viewers in 2001. Primarily offering news and cultural programming, Duna TV currently reaches audiences throughout Europe and in Israel. The Hungarian parliament approved in December an allocation of 800 million forints ($2.7 million) to cover start-up costs and guarantee operational costs of the North American broadcast for three years. The project includes all parts of the U.S. and Canada. Leaders in the Hungarian American community hailed the announcement. "We were thrilled to hear the news of the Hungarian government's commitment," said Edith Lauer, chairwoman of the Hungarian American Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Washington that promotes public understanding and awareness of Hungarian American issues. The Coalition played a leading role in securing the North American broadcast. It formed a partnership with Duna TV in 1994 to promote the from The Budapest Sun Online BUDAPEST — U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright praised the democratic changes in Hungary when she visited Budapest on what will probably be her last official visit to Europe in December. Albright also thanked the nation for its support of democracy in Yugoslavia. "Hungary is a close friend and ally of the United States and it is clearly a leader in the region," she said. "It is an example to the world in how to need for such broadcasting here. "Duna TV will be a godsend for Hungarians in the U.S. and Canada," said Zsolt Szekeres, project leader for the Coalition. The broadcast will bring "us into daily contact with the everyday reality of Hungary and the surrounding countries." Between 15,000 and 25,000 viewers in the U.S. and Canada are expected to subscribe to Duna TV. Those figures are based on a 1998 market survey funded by the Coalition and Duna TV. The North American broadcast will consist of a daily six-hour segment, repeated four times a day. Trial broadcasting will begin in the spring, with full service targeted to begin on St. Stephen's Day, Aug. 20, "Hungarian Americans are a diverese and talented group, from young professionals and scholars to third-generation children of immigrants with a keen interest in Hungarian affairs," said László Hámos of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation. "It is about time that Hungary reaches out to this very important diaspora." make a transition from a centralized state to democratic rule." Following a meeting with Prime Minister János Martonyi, Albright announced the U.S. would be donating $150,000 towards the purchase of computer hardware and software for Roma community centers in Hungary. Martonyi said Hungary owes "a special and personal gratitude to Madam Albright for the role she played in our joining NATO and thereby laying the groundwork for a stable, prosperous Hungary." New Year's party BUDAPEST — Concerts, street parties and fireworks on a similar scale to last year’s New Year's Eve and the grandiose Aug. 20 St. Stephen’s Day celebrations greeted the new millennium in Budapest. The capital’s main celebrations took place along the Danube promenade, and included a 15- minute fireworks display launched from the Erzsébet Bridge, the Chain Bridge and barges on the river. Hungarian National Television broadcast the festivities along with celebrations in Esztergom, Szeged and Kaposvár. Tourist scam alert BUDAPEST - The U.S. Embassy in Hungary is warning Americans visiting Hungary to be aware of several typical scams used to victimize unsuspecting tourists. It also offers a list of clubs and restaurants with records of abusing foreign guests. For more information on the scams and a list of restaurants to avoid, log onto the embassy’s website at www.usis.hu/tourisLhtm. Calling all Magyars What’s happening in your local Hungarian American community? The William Penn Life is always looking for information about Hungarians and their activities to publish in our monthly magazine. If you have information about your organization or local community you’d like to share, please contact: John E. Lovász, Managing Editor, William Penn Life, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Or, you can e-mail us at: jlovasz@williampennassociation.org. 2001. Secretary of State praises Hungary as ‘friend and ally’ during last official visit William Ppm Lile, January 200 I 7
