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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.
 Bryan
Dawson-Szilagyi gave a report on AHF national activities and showed the
mini-documentary on 1956 produced by Imre and Zsuzsa Toth and shown in
US Congress. AHF's Treasurer, Sandor Murray, gave a financial report and
distinguished professor Peter Hargitai spoke of his upcoming book on the
1956 Revolution.
 Istvan
Peterman, publisher of the Hungarian-language weekly Magyar Szo/a Hid,
now the largest Hungarian-American weekly in the United States, discussed
his plans for making the paper bilingual. He also discussed the problem
of "endangered local Hungarian organizations." He noted that
many small, local Hungarian American organizations are in financial trouble
and are at risk to lose property, "their very existence is threatened."
Using New Brunswick as an example, he added that Hungarian immigrant communities
move as they get more affluent and new communities fill the void left
behind. He said that AHF should focus efforts on where the new Hungarian
immigrants communities are and be flexible to meet their needs. If one
local group is dwindling, perhaps those assests could be transferred to
an area in need of a Hungarian organization or club, in a dynamic way.
New York's Borough Park was cited and a perfect example. Peterman organized
the first Hungarian Christmas in Brooklyn's Borough Park this past year.
Special guest, photographer Steven Spinder, brought with him his latest
book featuring photos from Transylvania. At the end of the conference,
the Hungarian Christian Society Donated $1000.00 to support AHF's national
efforts. THANKS!!
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Do you need a Website to help you get the word
out on your 1956 plans?
www.hungary1956.com
The American Hungarian Federation is sponsoring
the Hungary 1956 Portal as part of its goals to coordinate and
assist member organizations across the country as it continues plans for
kicking off a year of events leading up to October 2006. The 1956 Portal
will serve as a central information resource on 1956 as our community
prepares for this important milestone. Includes many photos as well as
Audio and Video files!
Featured Video
Note: You will need the free RealAudio
Player to see these videos. Click [here]
to download.
 "Five
Days of Freedom in Budapest" - "Budapest is in revolt. With
uncontrolled fury, crowds set fire to Russian flags... The impossible
has happened. A handful of heroes has shaken the communist world to its
foundations." (5.2 Mb)
[See more audio and video
files]
[See www.hungary1956.com]
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