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Washington Hungarian Ball, May 2006

Table setting at the AHF Hungarian Ball 2006. In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day, each table was named after a Hungarian Military Hero: The Col. Commandant Michael Kovats table is seen here. Kovats is Father of the US Light Cavalry and died fighting the British at Charleston, S.C., in 1779.5/20/2006 - The Washington May Hungarian Ball - A very special evening benefitting the Hungarian Scouts of Washington and AHF's 1956 Fund! The phenomenal New York Continental Band and a performance by local scouts made for a very special evening. In what hopes to be an annual revival of the famed Hungarian Ball in Dancing the Night Away at AHF's Hungarian Ball, May 2006.Washington, the gala, black-tie affair raised funds to support the Hungarian Scouts of Washington, D.C., and a series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the AHF's National Secretary and Ball Committee Chair, Erika Fedor, welcomed guests and thanked the committee1956 Hungarian Revolution and the Hungarian historical communities living in the countries neighboring Hungary.

Istvan Fedor, AHF President, gave his opening remarks and called attention to the need for unity and national representation and AHF's proud history as the nation's oldest Hungarian-American umbrella organizationAHF's National Secretary and Ball Committee Chair, Erika Fedor, welcomed guests and thanked the committee for the hard work in outting such a beautiful program together. Istvan Fedor, AHF President, gave his opening remarks and called attention to the need for unity and national representation and AHF's proud history as the nation's oldest Karoly Dan, Cultural Attache at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DCHungarian-American umbrella organization. Karoly Dan, Cultural Attache at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC, addressed the audience and read a letter from Hungarian Ambassador Simonyi.

AHF Assoc. President Frank Koszorus delivered a keynote address focused on the implications of the 1956 Hungarian RevolutionAHF Assoc. President Frank Koszorus delivered a keynote address focused on the implications of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and asked the community to join AHF to take concrete steps in righting some of the wrongs resulting from repurcussions against Hungarians in Rumania and elsewhere in the Carpathian Üveges Tánc presentation of Hungarian Scouts of Washington Sári Bárczay, Krisztina Dér, Andrea Kölus, Alexandra Dér, Krisztina Kárpáthy, Emoke TóthBasin as a result of the fear that democratic revolt would spread. He specifically called attention to: "the Rumanian government’s virtual liquidation of the Hungarian-language Bolyai University in Rumania. The New York Continental Band plays during the cocktail receptionNobel Laureates and Wolf Prize Laureates recently called upon Rumania to take “immediate steps” to “re-establish the public Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca/Kolozsvar.” What a fitting commemoration of 1956 righting such wrongs extending back decades would be. Zsuzsa and Atilla Kocsis discuss Bobbie Kalman's new book, "Refugee Child," a story about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution from a 9-year-old's perspective.It would also be a fitting tribute to the memory of thousands of unsung heroes who did not compromise but sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberty fifty years ago. Romania has rejected this request. Our Federation is committed to see the end of discrimination in Romania and the respect for human and minority rights, including autonomy. " Koszorus remarked.

AHF Executive Committee Chair with Freedom Dance Producer Steven Fischer. "Freedom Dance" is an animated documentary about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution based on the real-life experiences and art of Edward HilbertAHF Executive Committee Chair and member of AHF's 1956 Committee, Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi, gave a presentation on upcoming AHF events across the country related to the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He called for volunteers to help ensure a fitting 50th Jubilee. Events include:

  • May 29th, Memorial Day commemoration honoring Hungarian American heroes at Arlintgon National Cemetery
  • October 15th Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick's Requiem Mass in New York City
  • October 20th Gala in honor of 1956 Freedom Fighters at Washington, D.C.'s prestigious Cosmos Club.
  • A 1956 Film Festival
  • 1956 Memorial Statue in Washington, DC
  • 1956 Memorials in Naples, FL; Lorain, and Cleveland, OH, Colorado, and elsewhere
  • 1956 Resolution effort in all US States
  • AHF's 1956 Portal providing free Web pages to all AHF member organizations to help consolidate information into one resource.

The New York Continental BandThe night included a raffle of numerous unique and valuable items (donors can be seen in the right column) and ended with dancing the night away. This is the first of many Hungarian Balls to come - If you would like to serve on the AHF Ball Committee, please let us know! Contact Erika Fedor at efedor55@cs.com

Additional Photos (click for larger image)
Photos by Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi

Atilla (AHF National Office Director and Asst. Treasurer) and Sarah Kocsis Dancing at AHF's Hungarian Ball 2006 AHF Executive Committee Chairman Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi with Hungarian Cultural Attache, Karoly Dan AHF Assoc. President Frank Koszorus (right) with Hungarian Cultural Attache, Karoly Dan

Erika and Sylvia Fedor with AHF Vice Chairman Gyula Balogh (also President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America) dawson-szilagyi_hilberths_kolus_fedors hollosy_fedors_hilberths

Erika and Istvan Fedor Mr. and Mrs. Kocsis Mr. and Mrs. Arpad Gergely The Koszorus Family

Enjoying the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball Enjoying the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball

Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi and Atilla Kocsis Enjoying the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball Enjoying the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball The Table featuring Bobbie Kalman's new book, "Refugee Child" an autobiographical tale of the 1956 Revolution from a 9-year-old's persepective.

An interesting discussion during the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball Zsuzsa and Atilla Kocsis with Steven Fischer (produxer of "Freedom Dance: The Movie," during the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball Guests at the Col. Commandant Michael Kovats table

Zsuzsa Kocsis, the Gergelys, and Gyuri Hollosy at the Col. Commandant Michael Kovats table Hungarian Scouts enjoy the party Hungarian Scouts enjoy the party

AHF President Istvan Fedor (far right) with his wife, the Hilberths and guests Enjoying the AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Enjoying the AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006

Enjoying the AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Enjoying the AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Üveges Tánc performers from the Hungarian Scouts of Washington

Hungarian Scouts enjoy the party Irene Hogye presents a toast at the AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Üveges Tánc presentation of Hungarian Scouts of Washington Sári Bárczay, Krisztina Dér, Andrea Kölus, Alexandra Dér, Krisztina Kárpáthy, Emoke Tóth

Üveges Tánc presentation of Hungarian Scouts of Washington Sári Bárczay, Krisztina Dér, Andrea Kölus, Alexandra Dér, Krisztina Kárpáthy, Emoke Tóth Üveges Tánc presentation of Hungarian Scouts of Washington Sári Bárczay, Krisztina Dér, Andrea Kölus, Alexandra Dér, Krisztina Kárpáthy, Emoke Tóth Üveges Tánc presentation of Hungarian Scouts of Washington Sári Bárczay, Krisztina Dér, Andrea Kölus, Alexandra Dér, Krisztina Kárpáthy, Emoke Tóth

AHF President Istvan Fedor shows his moves Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 The Conga Line begins at the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006

Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006

Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006 Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006

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BÁLBIZOTTSÁG / BALL COMMITTEE

  • Erika Fedor
  • Irén Hogye
  • Frank Koszorús Jr.
  • Marianne Koszorús
  • Judit Kölus
  • Zsuzsa Takács

Tiszteletbeli Védnökök / Honorary Committee

  • Mr. Jules Balogh
  • Rev. Imre Bertalan
  • The Hon. Tom Lantos
  • The Hon. Daniel W. Lipinski
  • The Hon. Thaddeus G. McCotter
  • Leslie Megyeri, Esq.
  • The Hon. Anikó Gaál Schott
  • His Excellency the Ambassador of Hungary,
    Dr. András Simonyi
  • Mr. Steven J. Varga
  • The Hon. Frank R. Wolf

AHF would like to express its sincere gratitude to the following Patrons, Sponsors, Donors, and Raffle Sponsors whose support helped make the event possible:

PATRONS:
Mr.& Mrs. Stefan & Erika Fedor
Mr.& Mrs. Paul Harsányi
Mr.& Mrs. Tamás Hilberth, Esq.
Mr.& Mrs. László Hogye
Mr.& Mrs. Charles Kolozsváry
Mr.& Mrs. Ákos Nagy
Mr. John Stetz

SPONSORS:
Mr. Jules Balogh
Mr. & Mrs. Attila Kocsis
Mr. & Mrs. Zoltán Körössy
Mr. & Mrs. Imre Lendvai Lintner
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Megyeri, Esq.
Mr.& Mrs. Maximilian Teleki
Dr. & Mrs. Eugene Volker

DONORS:
Hon. Anikó Gaál Schott
Mr. László Papp
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Kárpáthy
Mr. & Mrs. Sándor Murray

RAFFLE SPONSORS:
Bobbie Kalman / Crabtree Publishing
Balazs Szabo
Craftsman Wine
Hungarian Reformed Federation
Steven Ficher and "Freedom Dance: The Movie"
Duna Television
Rev. Csaba Osváth
Gyuri Hollósy
Embassy Suites Hotel
Erika and Istvan Fedor
Arpad Gergely
Hugo Tischler
William S. Shepard

About the Hungarian Scouts

The patch of Hungarian Scouting founded in 1909The Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the primary national Scouting organization of Hungary, was founded in 1912, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1990. The coeducational Magyar Cserkészszövetség has 7,198 members as of 2004.

Scouting in Hungary is maintained through Magyar Cserkészet Tanácsa, the Council of Hungarian Scouting. There are two associations in this national federation, Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the Hungarian Scout Association, and Magyar Cserkészcsapatok Szövetsége. Also serving Hungarian Scouts is Magyar Cserkészlány Szövetség, the Association of Hungarian Girl Guides.

Hungarian Scouting was founded in 1909 under Austria-Hungary, and the first Scout group in the dual monarchy, MCA-1912 HAS, was founded in Budapest in 1910. Scouting started in the separate nation of Hungary in 1919, at the end of World War I, when Austria and Hungary were divided. In 1920, the magazine Magyar Cserkész ("Hungarian Scout") was first published.

Hungary was a founding member of the World Scout Bureau in 1922 and later was a founding member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, WAGGGS, which was in fact established in Parád, Hungary, in 1928.

In 1924, at the World Scout Jamboree in Copenhagen, Hungarian Scouts attending their first jamboree came third in the competition of the nations, behind British and American Scouts. They were especially good at water sports.

The first Hungarian National Jamboree in 1926 had 10,000 participants. Hungary hosted the fourth World Jamboree in 1933 at the royal forest of Gödöllo, outside Budapest, in which 26,000 Scouts from 54 nations camped together. The camp chief was Teleki Pál, the member of the International Committee who later became Prime Minister of Hungary. This was the first time there was a Jamboree subcamp for Scouts taking part in aviation. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth World Jamboree, the Hungarian Scout Association hosted a fourth World Jamboree Memorial Camp at Bélapátfalva, Hungary in 1993.

After World War II, the Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség started operating in the displaced persons camps in Germany and Austria in 1948 as the Teleki Pál Scout Association, renamed in 1948 as the Hungarian Scout Association. Scouting was well organized and popular in Hungary until it was officially abolished by the Communist regime in 1948, but remained nascent underground... [read more on Wikipedia]

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