News
from Texas
10/22 - 10/29/2006 - TEXAS AHF CHAPTER GROWS WITH SUCCESSFUL 1956 COMMEMORATION EVENTS
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 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 
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 
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!
To
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 AHF, the symposium
consisted of two panels and a film screening. 
The
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.
Finally,
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 Scienc
e
from Sam Houston State University who brought a Polish perspective on
the events of October 
1956.
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
International
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.
Finally,
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 
and
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 
Csardas
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!
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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.
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!
