News from Florida
12/5/2006
- Miami Screening of "Freedom Dance: The Movie,"
an animated documentary produced by AHF's Emmy-nominated producer Steven
Fischer and Telly Award-winning animator Craig Herron, retelling the story
of artist Edward Hilbert who, during his four months on the road to freedom
with his newly wedded wife, kept a journal of cartoons detailing an adventurous
escape from communist Hungary to the US during Hungary’s bloody
1956 revolution against Soviet occupation. The preview screening of Freedom
Dance was held in front of an enthusiastic audience at KimbaraCumbara
Cafe in Little Havana. Law & Order: SVU star (and Hungarian-American)
Mariska Hargitay recently recorded the narration for Freedom Dance. [read
more]
10/21
- 12/3/2006 - Andy Evva of the American Foundation for
Hungarian Youth and Culture (AFHYC) working with Frank Dobos of Hungarian
Club of Southwest Florida and local leaders dedicate "Talpra Magyar"
memorial to 1956. The Collier County Board of County Commissioners
named the Main Government Complex as "Freedom Memorial Park"
and approved the "Talpra Magyar" 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian
Revolution Commemorative Sculpture unveiled on December 3, 2006. [read
more]
10/22/2006
- The Hungarian Christian Society / Venice Hungarian Club
commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
Speakers were Tibor Helcz, Chairman of the Hungarian Ex-political Prisoners
Organization, and v. Endre Tamaska (at 93) representing the Hungarian
Freedom Fighters Federation. AHF Vice President, Dr. Paul J. Szilagyi,
greeted the commemmorative getherings in the name of AHF. Dinner was served
by the Club arranged by its honorary President, Kalman Nagy, Vice President
of AHF. Kalman Nagy, see here with Dr. Paul Szilagyi, had earlier kicked
off the year for AHF with the unveiling of the its 1956 memorial. AHF's
Venice 1956 memorial was unveiled on October 23, 2005 as Hurricane Wilma
approached.
10/22/2006
- AHF Chairman, Akos Nagy provides keynote address at 1956
Memorial unveiling at Miami's Kossuth Club. Miami's Hungarian
community commemorated 1956 with a service at the First Hungarian Church
of Christ followed by the unveiling and unveiling of its 1956 Memorial.
The consecration ceremony began with the Ringing of Bell for the martyrs
and the national anthems of Hungary and the Untied States sung by Mrs.
Barbara Funk. Mr. Gabor Nagy-Bozsoky recited Petofi's "Elet vagy
Halal" and Zsuzsanna Besze recited Wass Albert's "Veren Vett
Orszag." The commemorative keynote address was given by AHF Chairman,
Akos Nagy. Rev. Eva Lukacsi, Rev. Miklos Beregszaszi, and Rev. Joshua
Lopez led participants in a prayer for the fallen as leaders laid a wreath
on the memorial. The final benediction was delivered by Rev. Laszlo Lukacsi.
Following the dedication, some 300 people attended the commemoration
dinner in the Kossuth Club's Banquet Hall. Local Miami newspapers did
interviews as well as the Spanish-language TV station. The Honorary Hungarian
Ambassador, AHF member Mr. George Pozsgay addressed participants and introduced
Mr. Laszlo Dosa, a former Voice of America correspondent who replayed
the broadcast recording of his October 25, 1956 radio broadcast and delivered
a speech. In addition, members of the Hungarian Reformed Federation (www.hrfa.org)
were represented by Ms. Judit Zambo and Catalina Levay. Other distinguished
guests included the Honorable Yioset de la Cruz, Mayor of Hialeah Gardens,
Florida, who gave a speech in Spanish and English and was interviewed
by the Spanish-language TV crew. The next day several articles appeared
in the Miami and Broward County, Florida papers. Congratulations to all
who made this event a success!
10/29/2006
- Sun Sentinel publishes, "Budapest is a riot!"
by AHF's Professor Peter Hargitai of the
Miami Hungarian Workshop. "As a boy in 1956, he witnessed the street
fighting of the Hungarian Revolution. Returning this fall, he saw a different
kind of demonstration." "Budapest is a riot. But it's not because
the people can now practice their democratic rights of free speech and
free assembly, or because a group of soccer hooligans hijacked the demonstrations.
Budapest is a riot because it is a fun city, a city of lights, a riot
of architecture where eclectic doesn't mean hodgepodge but a distinct
style in which baroque, medieval and modern co-exist peacefully."
[see
the full article] or [read
more] about Professor Peter Hargitai, a 2006 recipient of the Col.
Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom.
10/22/2006 - The Kossuth
Club of Sarasota has also done an outstanding job of giving memorable
celebrations for the memory of 1956. Students and faculty members
of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest were present. The Club held two
concerts and other festivities. Several actual freedom fighters, who live
in Sarasota, and Dr Istvan Mikola from Hungary and other dignitaries were
present
10/21/2006 - The Hungarian Club of Southwest
Florida is having a dinner on Oct 21 in honor of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
at the Florest Glen Country Club in Naples at 6:30 for reservations call
Frank Dobos 239-597-2345 after Sept. 27th. All Hungarians and Friends
of Hungarians are welcome to join the club and take part in the activities.
They will then hold a memorial service in honor of the hero's of 1956
with Rev. Istvan Nagy, pastor at the Lely Presbyterian church, Sunday
Oct 22nd at 12 noon.
1/28/2006
- AHF Leadership Conference in Venice, Florida...
AHF members met at the Hungarian Christian Society's Hungarian Club in
Venice to discuss AHF 2006/2007 plans, how to improve coordination at
both a local and national level, and events related to the 50th Anniversary
of the Hungarian Revolution. Representatives from
Florida organizations presented their activities. Andy Evva and Frank
Dobos of the American Foundation for Hungarian Youth and Culture and the
Naples Hungarian Club, respectively, provided
a multimedia overview of their remarkable recent activities that include
extensive plans for 1956 commemorations and a short video on the 1956
Revolution set to powerful rock music with lyrics subtitled in English
to appeal to the younger generation. AHF VP Kalman Nagy of the Venice
Hungarian Club proudly showed participants AHF's 1956 memorial which he
spearheaded and funded with almost $10,000 (seen here with Executive Committee
chair Dr. Paul Szilagyi) and unveiled on October 23, 2005 as Hurricane
Wilma approached. At the end of the conference, the Hungarian Christian
Society Donated $1000.00 to support AHF's national efforts. [read
more]
Naples, FL: The American Foundation for Hungarian Youth and Culture
- raising funds with 1956 Commemorative Car Ribbon Freedom Magnets
The Foundation supports education and awareness of Hungarian Culture
in Naples and in Hungary, primarily among youth. They are also making
plans to commemorate the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Support the cause
by purchasing Ribbon Car Magnets to commemorate the 1956 Fight for Freedom.
It says "USA 1776 / Hungary 1956: Freedom is not Free." Magnets
cost 1-4 magnets cost $5.00 each, with quantity discounts. Tax-deductible
donations are also appreciated. Contact Andrew Evva, President at (239)
593-9513 or asevva@aol.com
Venice Hungarians preparing to commemorate the 50th
Anniversary of 1956 with a series of events kicking off on October 23,
2005! AHF VP Kálman Nagy reports that the Hungarian Christian
Society of Venice has already raised $5000.00 toward a fundraising dinner
and a 1956 memorial to be erected in Sarasota. Work on the memorial has
already broke ground!
The Hungarian Christian Society are also sponsoring several 1956 Freedom
Fighters from Hungary who will attend the ceremonies in Venice and other
events in Washington, D.C.
[Read
More about the other AHF organizational members].
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