William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-02-01 / 2. szám
In Brief Hungary, Slovakia to begin talks over dual-citizenship laws Magyar Matters_________________ BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Hungary and Slovakia are to begin talks this month in an attempt to ease tensions stirred by dual-citizenship laws. Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova made the announcement in late January after meeting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The history of ethnic tension between the neighboring countries came to the forefront again last May when Hungary enacted a law offering citizenship to ethnic Hungarians in neighboring countries, including Slovakia. In retaliation, Slovakia passed a law which would strip people of their Slovak nationality if they take the citizenship of another country. But Radicova's cabinet has proposed scrapping that law, a move welcomed by Slovakia's ethnic Hungarian minority that makes up 10 percent of the population. Speaking alongside Orbán, Radicova said she wanted a bilateral agreement on the issue of dual-citizenship, which Orbán said was a possibility. SAN FRANCISCO — How did a wine from a remote corner of Europe gain unparalleled fame worldwide? This is the central question answered on virtually every page of Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition, a new book that promises to be a touchstone for all future writing on Tokaji. Author Miles Lambert-Gócs has spent more than 30 years researching the history of the "wine of kings and king of wines," scouring Hungarian source materials from various eras, and has now drawn it all together in a comprehensive and highly original treatment on the subject. "I was motivated," Lambert-Gócs said, "by the realization that Tokaji would not be able to make an authentic recovery and reclaim its renown after Communism if we did not have a firmer and broader grasp of its past "One standard route is the signature and preparation of a standard, international agreement on dualcitizenship based on international criteria," Radicova said. "This is a solution to the situation." She said the Slovak side would propose this at talks to begin on Feb. 17, but declined to give details. Orbán defended the dual-citizenship policy and said that a bilateral agreement, while tried once, was still possible. "The air on both sides is much better," he said, through a Slovak translator. "But in the meantime, it has become clear the dual-citizenship policy is not the devil. The worries that were attached to dual-citizenship were unfounded." Slovakia's previous government regarded Hungary's citizenship law as a security threat. It also retaliated with a language law making the Slovak language mandatory for all areas of public life. Radicova's ruling coalition, which includes an ethnic Hungarian party, scaled that back in December. □ than was available to date. Nothing less than a new approach to that past was needed." Divided into four parts, Tokaji Wine offers a treasure trove of information in easily digested, encyclopedic-style A-Z entries. The four parts cover the people, places, wine-growing areas and grape varieties and wine production methods associated with Tokaji. Everything from Hungary's founding in the 10th century through the post- Communist period is covered. Each part is followed by an essay that ties the A-Z entries together. A fifth essay provides an overview of Tokaji during the Communist era. Sprinkled with fascinating notes and humor, the book is a perfect present for a wine enthusiast, a friend or relative of Hungarian descent or anyone considering a trip to Hungary. Q □ The McKeesport (PA) Hungarian Social Club will host a Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance on Saturday, Feb. 19. Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. followed by music and dancing. The menu will include venison, pörkölt, dumplings and kolbász. Everyone is welcome. □ Hungary is prepared to change some aspects of its disputed media law if asked by the European Union, officials said at the end of January. In a letter addressed to EU Digital Affairs Commissioner Neelie Kroes, Hungarian Justice Minister Tibor Navracsics also indicated that Hungary is ready for direct talks with the EU to discuss any modifications. “The Hungarian government is committed to guarantee that the national regulation of media...is in full compliance with Union law requirements," Navracsics wrote. His letter explained Hungary’s position on three issues raised Jan. 21 by Kroes: the obligation of balanced coverage for audiovisual media, fines on media based in other EU countries and registration requirements for all media. □ Hungary’s ascent to the presidency of the European Union will have more than political and symbolic value. “Hungary’s EU presidency offers an excellent opportunity for the country’s conference tourism [industry] and a chance to capitalise on that for future market gains,” said Gergely Horvath, director of Magyar Turizmus. Some 40,000 to 50,000 guests are expected to visit the country in the six-month period of Hungary’s presidency, spending about 3.4 billion forints (about $ 17.3 million). EU-related events are expected to yield another 1.2 billion forints (about $6.1 million) in tax revenues for the budget, according to projections by the Foreign Ministry. New book offers thorough study of Hungary's most famous wine William Penn Life 0 February 2011 0 13
