News from Texas

10/22 - 10/29/2006 - TEXAS AHF CHAPTER GROWS WITH SUCCESSFUL 1956 COMMEMORATION EVENTS

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution was the first tear in the Iron Curtain. Hungarians from all walks of life rose up against insurmountable odds to fight the brutal Soviet installed Hungarian communist government. Thousands died fighting, others tortured and executed, while 200,000 were forced to flee. 2006 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.The events started with the Metroplex (Dallas-Fort Worth) Magyar Cultural Circle's commemoration with a Hungarian mass on Sunday, October 22 at the Cistercian Abbey and Preparatory School in Irving, Texas in honor of the 1956 Revolution and the 50th year of the Cistercian AbbeyHungarian mass on Sunday, October 22 at the Cistercian Abbey and Preparatory School cafeteria in Irving, Texas. During the Hungarian mass, members of the DFW Hétvégi Magyar Iskola under the leadership of Péter Váli, led the congregation in several Hungarian songs, suggested by Louis Ott. Following the service, there was the dedication of the “emlékoszlopok” (traditional Transylvanian Dedication of the “emlékoszlopok” (traditional Transylvanian carved wooden monuments representing male and female forms) near the monastery, in honor of the 1956 Revolution and the 50th year of the Cistercian Abbey.carved wooden monuments representing male and female forms) near the monastery, in honor of the 1956 Revolution and the 50th year of the Cistercian Abbey. Later, delicious Hungarian food Peter Vali of the DFW Hétvégi Magyar Iskola (Weekend Hungarian School)and drink was served and there was a viewing of Zoltán Czigany's pictures made during the thirteen days in 1956, from October 23 to November 5. Please visit www.magyarszo.net for more information.

AHF would like to thank the Imre Gazda and the Metroplex Magyars, along with Beata Szechy and the Hungarian Multicultural Center, for joining AHF!

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution through photos exhibit in the Texas Capitol in AustinTo coincide with the 50th anniversary, the exhibit "1956 - The Hope of Freedom" was unveiled in the Doherty Library on the University of St. Thomas campus on Monday, October 23rd. The exhibit, which tells the story of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution through photos and written commentary, is free and open to the public during normal library hours. This same exhibit had been displayed in the Texas Capitol in Austin from October 2nd thru the 6th and was sponsored by Texas Speaker of the House Tom Craddick with the help of the Hungarian Consulate in Houston and AHF.

On Friday, October 27th a symposium was held commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Hosted by the University of St. Thomas and sponsored by Houston Hungarian Consulate and AHFOn Friday, October 27th a symposium was held commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Hosted by the University of St. Thomas and sponsored by Houston Hungarian Consulate and AHF, the symposium consisted of two panels and a film screening. Dr. Gustavo Wensjoe, Director, Center for International Studies at Houston's University of St. Thomas opens the AHF Symposium on the 1956 Hungarian RevolutionThe first panel consisted of two Hungarian born authors who shared the personal experiences that inspired their writings. The authors were Csaba Teglas, author of "Budapest Exit" and Arpad Gergely, author of "The Face Behind I Hide". Following that, there was a screening of Steven Fischer's film Freedom Dance After the screening, Steven spoke about the making of the film and took questions from the audience.

AHF's Phillip Aronoff,  Honorary Hungarian Consul in HoustonFinally, there was a panel of experts that led a discussion on the implications of the Hungarian Revolution on the wider Cold War, the Eastern Bloc and the Hungarian minority situation in surrounding countries and the current political situation in Hungary. Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi, Executive Committee Chairman of AHF, was among those participating along with Dr. Lee Williams, Professor of History from the University of St. Thomas and Dr. Witold Lukaszewski, a Professor of Political SciencLeft to Right: Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi, Executive Committee Chairman of AHF;  Dr. Witold Lukaszewski, a Professor of Political Science from Sam Houston State University; Dr. Lee Williams, Professor of History from the University of St. Thomas; and Panel Chair, Phillip Aronoffe from Sam Houston State University who brought a Polish perspective on the events of October Particapants address the exprt panel on Friday, October 27th a symposium held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Hosted by the University of St. Thomas and sponsored by Houston Hungarian Consulate and AHF1956.

A special thank you goes to University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany for hosting this symposium. AHF would also like to thank Gustavo Wensjoe and Diana Garcia of the U. of St. Thomas' Center for Chris Cutrone, President of the AHF Texas Chapter, addresses guests at the 1956 commemoration sponsored by the Hungarian American Cultural Association (HACA) of Houston and AHFInternational Studies for their work behind the scenes, U. of St. Thomas Board Member Lee Cutrone Jr. and last, but not least, to Marianne Ivany for her moral support.

Eva Stubits, President of the Hungarian American Cultural Association (HACA) of HoustonFinally, on Sunday October 29th, the Hungarian American Cultural Association (HACA) of Houston and AHF had a 1956 commemoration event complete with speakers, poetry, and music and dancing. Csaba Teglas, as keynote speaker, gave a very moving account of 1956 Csaba Teglas, as keynote speaker, gave a very moving account of 1956 and its meaningand its meaning and AHF President Stefan Fedor presented Dr. Robert Ivany with the Colonel Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom. Ivany then addressed the audience, reminding them of how the spirit of 1956 is still strong and must be preserved through future remembrance. Also, the audience was treated to traditional Transylvanian dancing from the AHF President Stefan Fedor presents Dr. Robert Ivany with is highest award, the Colonel Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of FreedomCsardas Hungarian Dancers based out of Austin, Texas. After the poetry and music, Freedom Dance was screened. AHF would like to thank Olga Bogdan for her tireless work on putting this event together and thanks also go out to Dr. Eva Stubits and Gabor Cserei.

We are happy to welcome HACA to the AHF family!

Please also check out the write up that the Houston Chronicle did on Honorary Consul Phillip Aronoff... Phillip, thanks for being there throughout all of this!


[Additional Photos]

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The Hungarian Revolutionary Flag minus the hated Soviet-imposed communist symbolsThe 1956 Hungarian Revolution was the first tear in the Iron Curtain. Hungarians from all walks of life rose up against insurmountable odds to fight the brutal Soviet installed Hungarian communist government. Thousands died fighting, others tortured and executed, while 200,000 were forced to flee. 2006 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.

AHF's work regarding the tragic events nearly 50 years ago, dates back to the early days of the revolution and thereafter assisting tens of thousands of refugees. In 1956 the American Hungarian Federation activated the second Hungarian Relief program for the refugees of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, providing $512,560.00. With the support of the American Hungarian Federation, over 65,000 refugees arrived in the USA. Get involved and help us continue our tradition of helping our community! Join Us!

LINKS:

  • The MetroPlex Magyar Cultural Circle serves the Dallas Fort Worth area. They produce an excellent electronic newsletter. Click the name to see their Website for more on their local activities
  • The Hungarian Multicultural Center Inc. (HMC) is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization and supports the artist's role in society and cultivates that relationship through education and innovative programming. You can help insure our success by making a generous donation to the HMC today. Your support is tax deductible!

Additional Photos

Dr. Lee Williams, Professor of History from the University of St. Thomas Dr. Witold Lukaszewski, a Professor of Political Science from Sam Houston State University who brought a Polish perspective on the events of October 1956

LEFT to RIGHT: Lee Cutrone; Bryan Dawson; Mr. and Mrs. Arpad Gergely; Steven Fischer; and Chris Cutrone Arpad Gergely at the symposium was held commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Hosted by the University of St. Thomas and sponsored by Houston Hungarian Consulate and AHF

Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi introduces the the Colonel Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom Soprano Rodriquez-Brucker The Hungarian American Cultural Association (HACA) of Houston and AHF commemorate 1956 a the Hyatt Regency

Remembering the 1956 Hungarian Revolution Arpad Gergely at the symposium was held commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Hosted by the University of St. Thomas and sponsored by Houston Hungarian Consulate and AHF Csaba Teglas, as keynote speaker, gave a very moving account of 1956 and its meaning

Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi particpates on expert panel on the 1956 Hungarian Revolution Cameron and Chris Cutrone, AHF Texas Chapter President

AHF's Csaba Teglas shares his personal experiences and reviews his book, "Budapest Exit" at the University of St. Thomas symposium on the 1956 Hungarian Revolution Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi, Arpad Gergely, Csaba Teglas

Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi, Arpad Gergely, Csaba Teglas Bryan Dawson acknowledging the historic ties between Hungary and Poland with Dr. Witold Lukaszewski, a Professor of Political Science from Sam Houston State University who brought a Polish perspective on the events of October 1956.

Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi exploring the reasons behind why Hungary was first to tear the iron curtain Dawson-Stubits-Fedor-Bogdan-Cutrone

Eva Stubits, President of the Hungarian American Cultural Association (HACA) of Houston Steven Fischer of Freedom Dance and Chris Cutrone

Freedom Dance: The Movie. An animated documentary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution Freedom Dance: The Movie. An animated documentary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution Freedom Dance: The Movie. An animated documentary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution - the personal story of Edward Hilbert

The Hungarian American Cultural Association (HACA) of Houston and AHF commemorate 1956 a the Hyatt Regency Lee and Pat Cutrone

The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas

Lynn and Phillip Aronoff Marianne and Dr. Robert Ivany

AHF's Phillip Aronoff addresses the audience at the the Symposium on the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at the University of St. Thomas in Houston Dr. Robert Ivany, 2006 recipient of AHF's highest award, the Colonel Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom Dr. Robert Ivany, 2006 recipient of AHF's highest award, the Colonel Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom

The Ivanys and Aronoffs The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas

Dr. Robert Ivany, 2006 recipient of AHF's highest award, the Colonel Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom Steven Fischer introduces the screening of his film "Freedom Dance" Phillip Aronoff reads AHF's 1956 Resolution passed in both houses in Texas

Zoltan Tacsik Dalma Boronkai Rodriguez The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas

The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas

The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas

The Csardas Hungarian Dancers from Austin, Texas

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