William Penn Life, 2014 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-01-01 / 1. szám
In Brief Magyar Matters Branch 14 member Mary Jane Molnár and National Vice President-Fraternal Endre Csornán wear the Árpád Szövetség medals they received Nov. 30 from the Hungarian Association. Csornán, Molnár recognized during 53rd Hungarian Kongresszus CLEVELAND - WPA National Vice President-Fraternal Endre Csornán and Branch 14 member Mary Jane Molnár (pictured above) were recently honored for their efforts to preserve and promote Hungarian culture in America. Each received the Árpád Szövetség medal presented by the Hungarian Association (HA) during its 53rd Hungarian Kongresszus (Congress) held Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 in Cleveland. In a letter to Mr. Csornán announcing his award, HA President John Nadas wrote that Mr. Csoman's work "went far beyond the call of duty where you actually embraced every opportunity to support Hungarians in need, and were one of the first to initiate a form of reconnection with Hungary, by organizing trips to Hungary for those of Hungarian descent....Your work has truly fostered unity." Ms. Molnár was recognized "for her tireless work in preserving Hungarian culture and strengthening the Magyar identity of Hungarian Americans," particularly through her efforts as president of the Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio. Also honored were Dr. Karoly Jokay, executive director of the Hungarian American Fulbright Commission and a founder of the Jokay Foundation, who received the Árpád Szövetség medal, and Zoltani Csaba, editor of the book Transylvania Today: Diversity at Risk, who was awarded the Árpád Academy Gold Medal. All received their medal during the HA's debutante ball, held Nov. 30 in conjunction with the Congress. The business portion of the Congress featured presentations and exhibits from Hungarians from around the world. It provided experts from various fields an opportunity to exchange ideas on issues of common interest. Although the programs were given primarily in the Hungarian language, the Hungarian Kongresszus also offered English language presentations. □ It’s not too late to make your reservations for this year’s Fehér Rózsa Bál (White Rose Ball) hosted by The Hungarian Arts Club, to be held Feb. I in Dearborn, Mich. For tickets and information about the ball, or to become a debutante or an escort, please call either Linda Enyedy at 248-352-0927 or Jana Johnson at 734-459-5253. You can also email the Hungarian Arts Club at Hungarianartsclub@gmail.com. a The Hungarian American Coalition recently held its Annual General and Board Meetings at the Cosmos Club in Washington D.C. and hosted its 22nd Annual Mikulás Dinner at the Embassy of Hungary. The Coalition’s activities included the annual White House briefing Dec. 6, attended by a delegation of approximately 30 Coalition board members and guests. Among the topics discussed were U.S.-Hungarian relations, U.S. policy towards Central-Eastern Europe, and the human rights of Hungarian minority communities, particularly in Romania. The Coalition hosted its Mikulás Dinner Dec. 7. The evening’s keynote speaker was Gergely Prőhle, deputy state secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Prőhle reaffirmed Hungary’s admiration for shared American values, beginning with a love of American culture, in particular jazz, and extending to democratic traditions. “We believe in a strong America,” he said. □ The Hungarian Embassy in Washington hosted more than 100 children and 150 adults during its traditional children’s Mikulás day celebration Dec. 6. Hot chocolate was served to the young ones and gliichwein to the not so young. The József Bátori Hungarian Scouts group of Washington, D.C. presented a nativity scene, which was followed by everyone singing Christmas carols. The Tánc Ház (Dance House) was open to all visitors and, of course, Mikulás (a.k.a. Santa) imade a special appearance, bringing presents for all. William Penn Life ° January 2014 0 11
