William Penn Life, 2013 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2013-11-01 / 11. szám

Tibor's Take with Tibor Check, Jr.

My sister got “married"

and other big events of a great Magyar summer

THE SUMMER OF 2013 will be remembered as another fabulous season of American-Hungarian celebration. I was fortunate enough to bear witness to some wonderful festivities and fraternalism. There were plenty of events that made me proud of my heritage. A few occasions were a bit somber.

First, however, I must clear the air concerning my sister Lizzy getting married. She did get "married," but only as an actress playing a role.

You see, around the time of the feast day of St. Stephen of Hungary, the North East Ohio Hungarian Cultural Center (NEOHCC) in Hiram, Ohio, hosts its annual Falusi Lakodalom. This mock Hungarian village wedding is enjoyed by hundreds each year. Dozens of volunteers spend countless hours practicing so this ritual resembles an actual village wedding from decades past.

Ornately embroidered costumes, authentic props and a real four-piece zenekar (the Harmonia Orchestra) add to the authenticity of the celebration.

Such a lavish production is usually performed by professionals only in Hungary or the Székely region of Transylvania.

My sister's participation in the mock wedding began at the NEOHCC's July picnic. A small contingent of club members, led by club President Mary Jane Molnár and Liz Gulyas Lewis, approached my sister about being a make-believe bride for the August nuptials. Without hesitation, my sister agreed. After a series of thorough practice sessions, the group of over a dozen actors and actresses were ready to perform.

It is the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 18, when the story of an old-fashioned Hungarian village wedding unfolds. Coming down a short hill, the groom, male members of the wedding party and the zenekar stroll through the kapu3 and are greeted by the vőfély (master of ceremonies Markus Imre). He beautifully explains the history and tradition of the ceremony so each guest can understand what is about to happen.

The group then walks towards the "Bride's House" to meet the female bridal party members and the bride's parents, with the bride remaining hidden from the view of the groom. The groom is presented with the heavily veiled bride. But, to the surprise of everyone, the shrouded bride lifts the veil to reveal that he is an imposter. An embarrassed groom is then presented with his real bride.

After tearful exchanges of love and sentiments between

the bride and her anya* and apa5, the entire bridal party makes its way to the church. There, vows are exchanged and the priest (Frank Dobos) anoints the newly wed couple with a special blessing.

Gifts are presented to the couple:

• salt and paprika, so their lives may be full of spice;

• gold, to share wealth;

• bread, the staff of life;

• a piglet, to bring good luck;

• an egg, for many children; and

• grapes, to fill barrels of wine.

The program concludes with the bridal dance. The final person to dance with the bride is the groom. The bridal party then forms a circle around the couple, and each

party member dances a csárdás with the bride. As the wedding party members exit the circle, each is presented with pálinka, kalács, kolbász, pickles and bread. The program ends with the bride's anya and godmother removing the bride's wedding veil and replacing it with a red kerchief.

The weather was the perfect compliment to this special day. As I walked through this compound of Hungarian heritage and good fellowship, I realized just how fortunate I was to witness such a wonderful gathering. Within a 50-yard walk, I could park my car, dance a csárdás, partake in szalonna sütés6, consume a freshly made lángos, krémes, dobos törte, kolbász or lad pecsenye.

I watched skilled bakers create kürtös kalács over an open flame. Other than the WPA Fraternal Fest, where can an American-Hungarian have an experience such as this?

This affair possessed an almost Christmas-like feel to it. I met several people that I have not seen in years. Others I talked to expressed a sentiment that the picnic season would be over in less than a month and they had better enjoy every precious minute of it. Everyone seemed to want to talk. My apa had a long conversation with semiretired band leader Joe Jeromos. Orchestra leader Steve Pal of Akron mingled through the crowd.

We were honored to have in attendance from WPA Chair of the Board Barbara A. House, Vice Chair William J. Bero, National Directors Katherine E. Novak and Richard E. Sarosi and National Vice President-Fraternal Endre Csornán. Mr. Csornán was one of the first participants to perform the bridal dance with my sister. Mrs. House, Mr. Bero, Mr. Sarosi and Ms. Novak all rolled up their sleeves

6 0 November 2013 0 William Penn Life