THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE FALL 2004 (Read

Fall 2004 - Volume III, Issue 4 - Free
©
A VANCOUVER NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF HUNGARIAN CULTURE
T H E A RT O F
WALL PROTECTION
was submitting a sample of their work, many of which were
falvédő. Falvédő literally means ‘wall protector’. Large rectangular pieces of linen, falvédők (plural) are decorated with
monochromatic stitching, often red or blue, and a stylized
sentimental, romantic or patriotic image; as well as a poetic
Continued on page 14...
WEIDEMAN
On my first visit to Hungary I was impressed with the
exquisite examples and endless variety of embroideries that I
encountered in homes and museums. During another visit our
host Elizabeth (who taught embroidery for many years) was
involved with coordinating an exhibition of local work at the
Görömböly cultural centre. It seemed that every lady in town
“You need to caress me and hum in my ears now and then - be sweet to me, like you used to…”
www.newhungarianvoice.com
THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE
P.O. Box 74527 • Kitsilano P.O. • Vancouver, B.C. • V6K 4P4 • Canada
phone/fax: 604 733-9948 • email: [email protected]
Greg Csiszár • Péter Czink • Rodney Kovács • Mike Pratt
Magda Sasvári • Andrea Szilágyi • Kristina Tanner • Zale Tanner
Mária Vajna • Lorraine Weideman
OUR FORUM
POINTS OF VIEW FROM THE HUNGARIAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY
Hungary has gone through a number of distinct political and social ideologies over the last century, and the most recent bad taste
left in Hungarian mouths is Communism. In 1997 Lorraine Weideman and I went to what was then a fairly new attraction in
Hungary, known as Statue Park. It was basically a large fenced-off gravel field outside of Budapest where a bunch of the giant old
communist-era statues that dotted the country’s landscape were ‘put out to pasture’. It was as controversial then as it is now proponents of the park believe that it is important to preserve the sculptures for historical purposes, and those against it believe they
glorify a dark and shameful past.
Last year Lorraine wrote an article about our visit to Statue Park, and being an accomplished artist her insight focused on the
unique sculptural styles popular in Hungary from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. Her article was vetoed by our democratic editorial
committee because it was about an era that was still a ‘touchy subject’ to many Hungarians. Lorraine very graciously accepted the
decision of our committee.
Greg Csiszár visited Statue Park on his recent trip to Hungary and was also inspired to write about it, and this time (after some
heated discussion), our committee decided to include it in this issue (see page 6). I think you’ll enjoy it as much as you would have
Lorraine’s story - whether you are right-of-centre or a staunch communist (although those are pretty rare these days) I believe that
we can all appreciate the need to preserve history whether it was good or bad.
Another article that may ruffle a few of the community’s feathers is my story on the 1956 Revolution (see page 4). It is certainly
very different from most of material presented about the Uprising by the local Hungarian-Canadian community, as I feel the need to
present historical work in a way in which it can be useful to us of the present, and perhaps by those in the future as well.
I think that these articles will contribute to the education of people who are interested in the Hungarian experience, but even more
so I wish that they will spark debate and entice more of us to take part in the preservation of our heritage by ‘thinking outside of the
box’. The Editorial Committee of the New Hungarian Voice welcomes your input and opinions, and we sincerely hope that you
consider our paper to be an accessible forum within the Hungarian community.
P.Cz.
FROM THE ‘PROUD TO BE A BRITISH COLUMBIAN-HUNGARIAN’ DEPARTMENT
A fun run, not a race. This is how the Terry Fox charity run was promoted in Budapest this year, and the thousands of runners
who participated could all testify to the fun that was had.
The registered participants could walk, run or cycle a 5km or 10km course on Margaret Island, held on September 11 - with
the race starting during a warm and sunny morning at 11:00am. Those who took part handed over a 1,500 HUF participation fee
per adult and child over 10; and children under 10 could run, cycle or walk for free.
The first 1,500 paying and registered participants all recieved a T-shirt with the Terry Fox logo. Raffle tickets were purchased
at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce or the Run location (1,000 HUF per ticket or 5,000 HUF for a booklet of 6) for chances to
win air tickets, restaurant vouchers and many other great prizes.
All proceeds from the run go to cancer research in Hungary. Donations with a value of 100,000 HUF or more are listed on the
Sponsor Board at the Run and also on the run's website (www.terryfox.hu). Over the last seven years, the Terry Fox run in
Budapest has been able to donate a massive 79,600,000 HUF to cancer research in Hungary.
Budapest Sun Online
RÁCZ
THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE WELCOMES
MIKE PRATT TO THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Mike Pratt has been on the Hungarian scene for some time - the former Hungarian Scout has
been a dancer since 1997, and he’s now playing bass and contra violin with the Forrás Folk Band.
Currently studying the saxophone at Vancouver Community College, Mike’s main passion is
Hungarian folk dance and music and has visited Hungary and Transylvania three times to study his
favourite subject. Welcome to the New Hungarian Voice Editorial Committee Mike!
The New Hungarian Voice would like to gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of our supporters who help make our
newsletter possible. Thank you from the New Hungarian Voice Editorial Committee!
TV
HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE
2
HIRADÓ - Weekly News Summary - Sundays at 3:00 pm
MAGYAR VILÁG - Weekly Documentary - Sundays at 3:30 pm
On SHAW Multicultural Channel (channel 20 in Vancouver)
It’s the New Hungarian Voice’s first ever
HELD OVER UNTIL
DECEMBER 15TH!
Win great prizes,
get published in the NHV!
Photo Contest!
Whether it’s Budapest at night, a hot day at Lake Balaton… or your favourite
village in the countryside… we’re looking for photographs from everybody!
(As long as you are the photographer, and the topic clearly relates to Hungary)
Here are some of the editorial committee’s favourites:
Wedding in Szék - Greg
Mountain Meets Sky, Gy
imes - Greg Csiszár
Csiszár
Send in your best
photos today for your
chance to win!
Good Luck!
er Czink
Architectural Detail, Budapest - Pét
The winners will be published in our next issue (online too).
Please include your contact information. The deadline for entries is December 15th, 2004
The competition is open to amateurs and professionals. • Entries may be colour or black and white, digital scans or prints. • DIGITAL SCANS: (email entries to
[email protected]). Digital scan entries must be no larger than 800 x 600 pixels at 72 dpi. And no smaller than 640 x 480 pixels at 72 dpi. File sizes
should not exceed 800 - 900 KB per image (compressed size). No allowances will be made for poor-quality scans. Acceptable file formats are JPG (best quality), TIF
and TGA. All other file formats will be rejected. PRINTS: Prints will only be returned if you include an aptly sized self-addressed mailer and appropriate shipping fees
with your submission. Do not send negatives, slides or transparencies. Desktop inkjet prints are acceptable only at photo-quality on inkjet photo paper (glossy or
matte). Print size may not exceed 11 x 14 inches. • You must be the sole author and owner of the copyright in all photos entered. Images must not have been digitally
altered in any way other than necessary cropping and minor colour correction. • Your e-mail address must be included with each entry. • Up to 3 photos may be
entered. No photo may be entered more than once. Please include the following details with your submission: Your name, e-mail address, city and province/state of
residence. A title for the photo, a brief statement of your thoughts on the photo, where the photo was taken, when it was taken and the equipment used to take it.
Please note that writing names, placing logos or writing on photos will disqualify your entry, these markings must be removed prior to submission.
3
CZINK
Time Magazine named the Hungarian
Freedom Fighter ‘Man of the Year’ in
1957. Although valuable as
propaganda, the West didn’t feel the
Hungarians were worth helping.
CZINK
WHY TURN
TO VIOLENCE?
As Hungarians, we are perhaps
closer to the answer – and a solution.
4
GÁBOR JOBBÁGYI
The 1961 Hungarian book
‘Mercenaries and Traitors’ labels the
Freedom Fighters as blood thirsty
terrorist fascists, intent on undermining communist control for the sake
of ‘capitalism’ and ‘democracy’. In
Hungary the 1956 Uprising was
officially known as the ‘1956
Counter Revolution’.
All cultures solemnly commemorate great events, and
none are more serious than
remembrance days of wars and
conflicts. We recite poetry and
remember heroes and beat our
collective chests to the faded
memories of what happened
long ago. I have taken part in
many such events, and as a
Hungarian I happily join my
fellow patriots and choke back
the tears as the red-white-green
banners flap in the wind. As a
history buff, however, I like to
think that there is more to it
than that – that somehow I can
use some of the material to
help propel me toward a better
future.
Being born in Vancouver
and having developed a rudimentary knowledge of the
Hungarian language, I feel a
little left out of the loop with
some things magyar, and on the
other hand I can’t shake the
thousands of years worth of
DNA or whatever it is that
would make me answer ‘A
Hungarian’ if someone were to
wake me in the middle of the
night demanding to know what
I am. Like any other Canadian
I read the papers and watch the
news and I keep hearing the
word ‘terror’ and ‘terrorist’
these days – in fact I hear it so
often that I had to look it up in
the dictionary recently to make
sure it wasn’t some kind of
macabre ringing in my ears.
I thought I had seen it all
before I had a look at this photograph
(at right) – a dead soldier displayed on a
street corner – a peace-keeper perhaps,
stripped from the waist up, covered in
cigarette butts mercilessly thrown from
passers by; his officer’s shoulder-board
left on his chest to identify him as ‘the
occupier’.
The man in the photo was either a
Russian soldier, or a secret policeman –
it’s tough to say from a black and white
photo (the colour of his shoulder-board
would give it away). We can be sure,
however, that the passers-by were
Hungarians. The photo was taken on
Köztársaság Square, Budapest, in 1956.
The newspapers called the soldier a
‘liberator’ and the smokers were simply
‘terrorists’. The Hungarian government
at the time, as well as educators, labour
leaders and just about anyone else in a
position of control; spent the next few
decades calling what happened in 1956
a ‘Counter-Revolution’.
Why would anyone display a dead
OCTOBER 23
by Peter Czink VRNT
5
My father, Lajos Czink, brought
truckloads of food to the starving
capital and ferried people back to
the Austrian border. Captured and
interrogated by Soviet troops, he
eventually fled Hungary and lived in
exile until 1989. He was considered
a terrorist for his troubles and was
wanted by the secret police.
It was common for boys as young
as this 11 year-old to attack Soviet
armoured troops with ineffective
vintage firearms.
If not killed in battle, many were
arrested and executed.
MICHAEL ROUGIER - LIFE
1956
Hungarian communist government.
Our parents’ and grandparents’
homeland boiled over in revolution 48
years ago. The people wanted reform,
justice and freedom. There were 25,000
Hungarian casualties and 20,000
Hungarians were deported to the USSR
following the revolt. Hundreds of freedom fighters were executed and 200,000
Hungarians left their country during the
confusion.
On October 23rd each year we gather
to commemorate the uprising, and we
do our best to make certain that the
heroes did not die in vain. Civilians,
most of who didn’t have the benefit of
military discipline or weapons training;
went up against one of the day’s most
modern armies. They were encouraged
by the CIA’s ‘Radio Free Europe’ to
keep fighting their old ally Mother
Russia, while the West had no intention
to intervene.
How can we really make sure that
‘they didn’t die in vain’? Our homeland
has seen a lot of tyrants and oppressors,
and ‘liberators’ have come and gone, but
we’re still kicking. We’ve got unique
cultural and historical experience that
we can put to good use and we can start
by looking a little more deeply at what
commemorating an event such as the
1956 Revolution should be - more than
just poems and tears and waving of
banners. We can use what the past has
taught us to better understand the
present, to empathise with others who
are oppressed, and to see through propaganda and misinformation.
I think that if you take everything
away from a person – their family,
home, and dignity; they have nothing
left to lose. When that happens a
human being is capable of anything both horrible and heroic. Take away all
venues for people to voice their complaints, or turn a collective deaf ear to
them; and they’ll turn to terror.
I am proud of the Hungarians who
stood up to Red Army, and I am equally
impressed by many who stayed behind
and hoped to change the country somehow. Here in Canada and other parts of
the world, large numbers of Hungarians
in exile kept the fire of freedom and
justice burning admirably.
On October 23rd, I’ll think about a
day when there will be no more
terrorists – the day when freedom will
no longer have to be fought for.
CZINK
body on a sidewalk? What could possibly inspire someone – let alone several
people - to throw lit cigarettes on a
corpse?
Questions like this rattle through my
mind and the din grows louder the
closer we get to October 23rd. The icing
on the cake was when a friend of mine
sent me an old book (that he had found
at a Budapest flea market) entitled
‘Mercenaries and Traitors’ – a communist era ‘Who’s Who’ of criminal and
terrorist organisations, two of which I
happen to be a good standing member
of. My father spent almost forty years
in exile because he was considered a
terrorist and a counter revolutionary by
a ‘loyal’ Hungarian government put in
place by the ‘benevolent’ liberating Red
Army!
It is very hard to imagine how
anyone could throw lit cigarettes on
corpses, or how someone could let their
pre-pubescent boy attack a tank with an
antique rifle. When civilians take up
arms in desperate attempts to better
their lives they will resort to any
method available to fight who they
perceive as their enemy. Today, strapping dynamite to oneself is a la mode.
Situations where civilians are relentlessly bombed, sovereign nations overrun, occupied and relieved of their
natural resources; their oppressed population starving and on the breaking
point is nothing new – Hungary lay in
ruins after W.W.II and it was business as
usual to stand in line for half a day for a
piece of meat (and there was often none
left when it came to your turn), well
into the 1950’s.
People disappearing, or being arrested and tortured were commonplace
even a decade after the Soviet occupying
troops finished brutally raping and
murdering countless civilians and
executing large numbers of Hungarian
military personnel, all under the watchful eyes of the post W.W.II puppet
It’s 6:08 AM. You arrive in Budapest by train. It’s been a drawn-out, delayed approach to Keleti
Pályaudvar. The clicking of the MAV line comes to a stop. The train releases a long waft of steam.
Young adults scurry, and you wake up to hyper-coloured pamphlets being tossed about. Hostel
salespeople befriend you and are eager to get you the cheapest places to spend the night… They’ll
also tell you about the city’s bar scene and best attractions: “Rise above the city on the Budavári
Sikló! Fall into a mineral bath-induced state of bliss at Lukács Fűrdő! Uncover the ruins at
Aquincum! Don’t forget Váci Utca!” And so on… Then you
take a closer look at the bright tourist information map in your
lap and one attraction reaches out a little more...
STATUE PARK!
CSISZÁR
CSISZÁR
Budapest, known for its outdoor cafés and beautiful bridges, has
long been holding communist era statues in an outdoor museum
just outside city limits. Today it sees plenty of international tourists
and local visitors. ‘Szobor Park’ doesn’t sound controversial. While
the excitement and debate has subsided
since its opening in 1993, discussion
lingers. Today, Statue Park itself is a large
expanse enclosed by brick wall. With
dried out yellow grass and gravel, the land
itself might otherwise have been used for
an automotive junkyard or warehouse.
Instead, not long after the fall of the Iron
Curtain, a bunch of immense statues (that
for decades were daily reminders of Soviet
influence and occupation) were placed
within this entirely new context. Statue
Park became perhaps Hungary’s most
ironic attraction. Symbols of communist
oppression sit in a park, a place whose
primary purpose is to attract business and
the gathering public.
The figures themselves are skilfully
sculpted pieces of art. They are large and
overwhelming. They are dark, strong,
muscular and often forward-leaning
(attempting to indicate a ‘forwardthinking’ and ‘progressive’ regime.)
A giant red star made of garden flowers
rests in the center. Plenty of plaques embrace the Hungarian-soviet ‘friendship’.
Giant hands still cradle an ideology of global communism. These once dotted the Budapest landscape.
Now they line a brick wall just outside
Etele Tér.
The idea for this Statue Park was first floated by László
Szörényi in an article published in the periodical ‘Hitel’
on July 5th, 1989. After the political change and
upheaval in 1989 and 1990 the fate of the statues
became a hot topic. A tender followed from the
Cultural Committee of the Assembly: how to best
create Szörényi’s idea? The winning proposal
came from architect Ákos Eleod, who emphasized
These two 6 metre figures commemorated Soviet
the ‘documenting’ characteristics of the attraction.
“fallen heroes in the battle to liberate Hungary.”
It is understandably a serious matter for many.
6
CSISZÁR
This statue of Lenin, by and unknown Soviet artist used to be at the main entrance of the Csepel Ironworks.
There are people who strongly believe that the statues should
have been dismantled, destroyed, disintegrated, and would have
happily devoted time to that effort. After all, these works of art
are the remnants of Hungary’s four decades of Soviet satellite
status.
For anyone who has spent half of a lifetime under the watchful gaze of a larger than life Lenin or oversized Osztapenko,
finding them all together in one park might be hard to swallow.
For others, the function of the statues has changed. Instead they
act more like a critical vestige, or memory of an oppressive time.
As suggested by Eleod himself; it is about communist dictatorship, but democracy as well. The latter allows us to think about
the former. The attraction is not a joke and it’s not meant to be
funny, and not vice-versa. Perhaps it can be observed as tyranny
itself… jailed and contained; and don’t visit if you don’t want to.
Greg Csiszár
How to get there: Bus Number 7 will take you to Etele Tér. From there take the yellow ‘Volan’ Bus from platform 2.
ARNOLD MIKELSON
MIND AND MATTER GALLERY
Suite 110 - 1140 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 4G1
604 683-6773
TRADITIONAL HUNGARIAN DESIGNS
470 CRISP, BLACK AND WHITE HUNGARIAN
MOTIFS FOR DESIGNERS AND ARTISANS
68 pages, spiral bound
$24.95 (plus postage)
‘Beauty & Beast’ by Arnold Mikelson
HUNGARO ENTERPRISES
PO BOX 74527 • KITSILANO PO
VANCOUVER, BC
V6K 4P4 • CANADA
604 733-9948 • [email protected]
13743 - 16th Avenue
South Surrey, BC V4A 1P7 604 536-6460
Regular Hours: Daily from 12 pm to 6 pm
(or by appointment)
www.mindandmatterart.com
7
HUNGARIAN FOLK TALES
Retold by andrea szilÁgyi
THREE WISHES
Once, long ago, there lived a very poor man and woman
who were married without children. They got along well
most of the time, but they argued occasionally about silly
things. Both Csaba and Márta were farmers, and one day
Márta came home from the fields earlier than her husband.
She sat down on the wooden stool for a moment and
thought hard about what she could put
together for a decent supper. She felt
sorry for herself for another moment
and then jumped up to put a pot of water on the fire to boil - perhaps she
could make soup.
Just as she finished placing the pot on
the fire, a fairy appeared behind her,
nearly startling Márta out of her skin.
“Don’t be alarmed,” said the fairy, “I
came to grant you three wishes.” With
that the fairy disappeared and the
woman was left standing in a stunned
silence. She thought that maybe her
hunger was causing her to see visions,
but the fairy must have been real. She
began to think, and soon her mind was
whirling with wishes. How would she
ever decide?
She looked at the pot of water and
was reminded of their continual hunger,
so she wished for a metre of sausage but was doubtful that
it would actually appear. Instantly, a frying pan materialized with a coil of sausage placed in the centre. There was
even lard in the pan, so it was ready to fry. The woman
gasped, astonished and delighted, and quickly set the pan
on the fire.
When her husband came home, he was surprised at the
wonderful aromas that were wafting from the fireplace.
Márta described the fairy’s visit, and they began to discuss
what to do with the other two wishes. Their discussion
soon escalated into an argument. Csaba wanted a pig, a
cow, and a horse. Márta wanted new boots and a new winter coat. The couple bickered for so long that they forgot
about their hunger altogether. Csaba went to light his pipe,
but when he reached for coal from the fire, he upset the
frying pan and the sausage went tumbling into the flames.
Márta grabbed for it, attempting to salvage their supper, but
it was too late. She was furious!
“I wish this sausage had grown onto
your nose instead of falling into the
fire!” Bam! There was now a metre of
sausage dangling from the centre of
Csaba’s face, hanging down to his knees.
Márta gasped, and then she tried tearing
it off, but it was no use. Frightened, she
burst into tears, realizing that not only
did her husband have a sausage for a
nose, but she also squandered the second
wish.
Whatever the third wish was, it
would surely be granted, but what were
they to do about the sausage? “I cannot
be seen in the village like this,” said
Csaba, “and you would never kiss me
again with a sausage nose. The only
way to get it back into the pan is to wish
it there.”
“We’ll cut it off,” Marta suggested.
“No way,” replied Csaba. “But what about my boots, your
cow, and your pig?” asked Márta.
He just looked at her. She knew what she had to do, and
she did just that. The final wish was made: “let the sausage
be returned to the frying pan.”
With much relief, the man rubbed his nose, which was
back to its normal shape, and the couple sat down to their
sausage supper, but they could not enjoy it, for they were
too busy grumbling about who was to blame for the fact
that they were going to be as poor as ever all over again, for
the rest of their lives.
“Three Wishes” is a well-known folk tale that appears in several Hungarian folk tale anthologies. This story is based on a
version from a collection called Once Upon a Time: Forty Hungarian Folk-Tales by Gyula Illyés, which was published by
Corvina in 1970. There is an excellent foreword by Gyula Illyés, entitled “What Grown-ups Can Learn from Children’s
Books.” Though the book is now out of print, used copies can still be found online and at specialty bookstores.
8
Ti Ti Tábor*
Since the early 1990’s there has been an event that occurs in the middle of August on
Washington’s Raft Island called ‘Ti Ti Tábor’. This August I had the chance to be a
part of it all. Ti Ti Tabor is a week-long Hungarian folk dance camp put on by
non-Hungarians who, interestingly, have developed a deep passion for
Hungarian folk culture. A variety of people attend: children, adults,
Hungarians, Americans, Canadians, dancers, musicians, etc.
This year we learned dances and songs from Szilagysag, and were
instructed by Ricsi Kokeny, Marianna Majorosi, and Erika Juhász. Folk
music from Magyarpalatka, located
in central Mezoség, Transylvania,
was taught by the Dűvő band
from Hungary - a talented and
knowledgeable group of
instructors, and man can
they party!
Raft Island, located
west of Tacoma, Washington, isn’t the easiest
place to find if it’s
your first time going to the camp,
but it’s a beauti-
by Mike Pratt
ful place right
on the ocean
with a dock and
canoes, if you’re the
adventurous type.
The abundance of
greenery and fresh air
add to the feeling of
being on vacation.
A typical day at Ti Ti
would look like this: dance
and music instruction would
begin every morning at around
nine. We would break for lunch
around noon, and then continue
learning from two until five. Táncház would begin every evening at 8:30
for children and 9:00 for adults and go until the wee hours of the morning.
We were provided with three healthy meals a day, which were included in
the cost of the camp ($480 USD or $350 for participating children, and $215
for non-participating children). The cabins are equipped with electricity and bunk
beds, or if tenting is more your thing there is plenty of space for that. If you are at all
interested in Hungarian folk dance, music or song, I would highly recommend attending
‘Ti Ti Tábor’ next summer. For more detailed information, the online flyer can be found at
www.seanet.com/~kpelkan/ttt04.
* Ti Ti Tábor (tábor = camp) is a humorous and clever name for a Hungarian folk dance camp.
‘Ti - Ti - Tá’ is an expression used in dance and music as a rhythm for right - left - right step for dancers
or two eighth notes and a quarter for the musicians.
9
by Magda Sasvári
FROM HUNGARY
COST OF LIVING INCREASE IN JUNE
4004.VII.4.
Last year's increase of 4.3% has been
topped this year, as consumers are
paying 7.5% more for food. Sadly, the
pensioner consumer index is even worse
than that: at 8.1%.
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
GRESHAM PALACE, BUDAPEST
2004.VIII.3.
The Gresham Palace, a historical
landmark in Budapest (located at Roosevelt Square across from the Chain
Bridge) opened its doors in June as the
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace
Budapest, two years behind schedule.
Architect Patrick Fejér said, that “we
worked for six years on the restoration
aiming for the utmost historical
accuracy.”
TOKAJ WINES FOR SALE
2004.VIII.8.
Louis XIV called it the ‘Wine of
Kings, King of Wines’. Now the last of
the great Tokaji wine producers and the
largest in Hungary, Tokaj Kereskedoház,
is to be put up for sale. Since the
collapse of communism, the once-great
company in the east of Hungary has
been forced to eke out a living on state
handouts. It was eventually broken up
with many of the best vineyards and
cellars sold, mostly to foreigners.
The government will put the rump of
the company up for sale later this year.
Selling state assets in Hungary has
become a hot political issue in a country
which has seen many of its prized
companies fall into foreign hands.
POLITICAL PUTSCH IN HUNGARY
2004.VIII.18.
It started on Wednesday, August 18,
2004. An aggressive and self confident
Peter Medgyessy, Prime Minister of
Hungary announced to the coalition
members how he planned to reorganize
his cabinet. When he announced that he
will remove Economic Minister István
Csillag from the cabinet, the coalition
partner SzDSz (Liberal Party) objected
and expressed their non-confidence in
the Prime Minister. Party chief Gábor
Kuncze threatend to pull his party out of
the coalition. The Prime Minister's
aggressive position pulled the two
parties (MSzP & SzDSz) together against
him. By Thursday morning none of the
coalition parties stood behind the Prime
Minister, who at that point mentioned
that he will resign.
On August 21st, at the MSzP's meeting (they have the majority numbers in
the coalition), they named two people as
possible candidates for PM for Hungary.
They decided that the MP had to be
chosen from KISZ (Communist Youth
Alliance Party). Two former leaders of
the Alliance were named: Peter Kiss and
Ferenc Gyurcsány.
MISS WORLD HUNGARY CHOSEN
2004.VIII.19.
The
event
took
place
in
Hajduszoboszló August 19, 2004. The
winner of the title is Veronica Orbán
from Zalaegerszeg.
HUNGARIAN OLYMPIC MEDALISTS
2004.VIII.14 – 2004.VIII.25.
Men's Kayak K4 1000m
Gold
Women's Kayak K1 500m
Natasa Janics Gold
Women's Kayak K2 500m
Gold
Women’s Fencing (Epee)
Timea Nagy Gold
Men's Water Polo
Gold
Women's Modern Pentathlon
Zsuzsanna Vörös Gold
Women's Skeet Shooting
Diana Igaly Gold
Men’s Wrestling
István Majoros Gold
Men's Discuss Throw
Zoltán Kövágó Silver
Women's Kayak K4 500m
Silver
10
Men's Fencing (Sabre)
Zsolt Nemcsik Silver
Men's Fencing Team (Epee)
Silver
Men's 200m Breaststroke
Dániel Gyurta Silver
Women’s Weighlifting
Eszter Krutzler Silver
Men's Kayak C1 -1000m
Attila Vajda Bronze
Men's Kayak C2 1000m
Bronze
Men's 400 m Swimming Medley
László Cseh* Bronze
*László Cseh, who broke his leg on
July 21, and incredibly went on to win a
bronze medal.
THE PRIME MINISTER ELECT
2004.VIII.25.
In less then a week after the surprising event concerning Prime Minister
Péter Medgyessy, the ruling socialist
party choose one of Hungary's richest
businessmen to become Prime Minister
in a month's time. Ferenc Gyurcsány, a
former sports minister was selected to
become the new PM. Gyurcsány, who
owns manufacturing and real estate
companies, wasn't backed by most of
the socialist leadership at the special
party congress, but he easily defeated
his competitor Peter Kiss on a 453-166
vote.
REFERENDUM ON
DUAL CITIZENSHIP
2004.IX.13.
The Parliament's unanimous votes
ordered a referendum on the subject of
dual citizenship for Hungarians living
outside the country. Initiated by the
World Federation of Hungarians, the
referendum's question will deal with
favourable repatriation for those Hungarians who can prove their Hungarian
nationality by former documents or by
questions to be determined by the referendum's questionnaire.
Sources: Magyar Hirlap,
Magyar Nemzet, Budapest Online,
Access Hungary.
HUNGARIAN WORD SEARCH
by Andi Szilágyi
HUNGARIAN
CITIES
BÉKÉSCSABA
BUDAPEST
DEBRECEN
GYŐR
GYULA
KECSKEMÉT
KISKUNHALAS
MISKOLC
NYIREGYHÁZA
PÉCS
SALGOTARJÁN
SOPRON
SZEGED
SZOLNOK
VESZPRÉM
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B
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Turn to page 23 for the solution. No peeking!
THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED
CHURCH OF VANCOUVER
900 East 19th Avenue Vancouver, BC
Garden of Languages
Certified Translation Services
Services start at 12 noon every Sunday and Holidays
October 10 – Thanksgiving Service - Communion
October 31 – Special Reformation Service
November 27 - Christmas Bazaar – Bake Sale 10am-5pm
Held at: The Hungarian Cultural Society 728 Kingsway
Hungarian Food all day – Traditional Christmas pastries: walnut and
poppy seed rolls & crescents, Rum - Chestnut – Cheese – Mocha
cakes, Pogácsa, Krémes and more.
Sausages: white sausage, fresh & smoked.
For more information call Elizabeth Fábián at 604 321-4226
Zita Szilagyi, Proprietor
Hungarian - English ▪ English - Hungarian
December 19 - Special Candlelight Service – Lunch
Christmas program - gifts for the children
Certified translator
831 East Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC Canada ▪ V6A 2A4
December 26 - Christmas Worship Service
January 2 - New Year’s Worship Service
Phone: 604-430-1651 ▪ Fax: 604-430-1625
Email: [email protected]
October 31 – Hungarian Mission in Abbotsford
Services are held the last Sunday of every month at 3pm.
3260 Gladwin Rd., Abbotsford, BC
www.gardenoflanguages.com
11
OCTOBEROKTÓBER
Sunday
Vasárnap
Monday
Hétfő
Tuesday
Kedd
Wednesday
Szerda
Thursday
Csütörtök
Friday
Péntek
Saturday
Szombat
1
2
Malvin
3
4
5
Helga
10
Ferenc
11
Gedeon
17
12
24
Miksa
Lukács
25
Farkas
Blanka, Bianka
31
Dömötör
Teréz
22
Vendel
Szabina
Gál
23
Előd
Orsolya
28
Dénes
16
Helén
21
27
Koppány
15
Kálmán, Ede
Nándor
26
Amália
14
20
9
8
Brúnó, Renáta
13
19
Hedvig
Salamon
Aurél
THANKSGIVING
DAY
Brigitta, Gitta
18
7
6
Petra
29
1956
REVOLUTION
Gyöngyi
30
Simon, Szimonetta
Nárcisz
Alfonz
NOVEMBERNOVEMBER
Sunday
Vasárnap
Monday
Hétfő
Tuesday
Kedd
Wednesday
Szerda
Thursday
Csütörtök
Friday
Péntek
Saturday
Szombat
1
2
3
4
5
6
Mariannal
7
8
Rezső
14
9
Zsombor
15
Alíz
21
Cecília
Kelemen, Klementina
Hortenzia, Gergő
András, Andor
12
Jónás, Renátó
Jenő
Szilvia
20
Jolán
Erzsébet, Zsóka
26
Katalin, Katinka
Lénárd
13
19
25
Emma
Imre
REMEMBRANCE
DAY
Márton
18
24
30
Taksony
Réka
Ödön
Károly
11
17
23
29
Stefánia
Tivadar
Albert, Lipót
Olivér
Győző
10
16
22
28
Achilles
27
Virág
Virgil
DECEMBERDECEMBER
Sunday
Vasárnap
Monday
Hétfő
Tuesday
Kedd
Wednesday
Szerda
Thursday
Csütörtök
Friday
Péntek
Saturday
Szombat
1
2
3
4
Elza
5
6
Miklós
Vilma
12
7
13
Gabriella
19
Viola
26
Teofil
22
Kamilla
Etelka, Aletta
Zénó
29
Judit
17
23
Tamás
28
János
Valér
Lázár, Olimpia
Auguszta
25
Ádám, Éva
Viktória
Tamás, Tamara
Árpád
18
24
30
Borbála, Barbara
11
Natália
16
Szilárda
Ferenc, Olívia
10
Mária
15
21
27
István
Ambrus
Luca, Otília
20
9
8
14
Melinda, Vivien
CHRISTMAS
DAY
Eugénia
31
Dávid
Szilveszter
HUNGARIAN EVENTS
October 10 • THANKSGIVING SERVICE AND LUNCHEON
Hungarian Reformed Church of Vancouver
October 9, 10 and 11 • HUNGARIAN FOLK FEST
Forrás Folk Ensemble (see advertisement on page 17)
October 24 • ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE 1956 REVOLUTION
Hungarian Cultural Society
October 30 and 31 • 60th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Hungarian Cultural Society
November 20 • CHURCH BAZAAR
Our Lady of Hungary Church
November 27 • CHURCH BAZAAR
Hungarian Reformed Church of Vancouver
December 4 • BAZAAR
Hungarian Cultural Society
December 31 • NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE
Our Lady of Hungary Church
December 31 • NEW YEAR’S EVE BALL
Hungarian Cultural Society
PLEASE CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE ORGANISATION TO CONFIRM DATES AND TIMES
SEE PAGE 22 FOR A LISTING OF LOCAL HUNGARIAN ORGANIZATIONS
13
WEIDEMAN
This very large example (66cm x 268cm), reads:
“The two nicest feelings are friendship and love, no one has yet loved me truly from the heart; perhaps you might try?”
...continued from page 1
PITTMANN
WEIDEMAN
changed, now it no longer plays an essential part of everyday
expression or verse, then framed with decorative trim. Their
life. It is still, however, a link between generations of Hungarisimplicity, combined with the highly developed and disciplined
ans, and a continuation of cultural heritage. Styles of falvédők
aspects of Hungarian folk art impressed me a great deal.
often reflect popular sentiments. Older ones sometimes feature
I was told that the wall
great Hungarian personalities like
protectors became fashionable
Lajos Kossuth; and during the
just around the turn of the
1920’s and 1930’s, Trianon and
century, coinciding with technoHungarian nationalism were
logical advancements in manupopular.
The most common
facturing following the Industrial
themes are love and marriage,
Revolution; specifically
the
gastronomic motifs and sentimanufacture and availability of
ments about home and family are
coloured threads. Until that time
quite frequently encountered.
ladies in rural Hungary spun
Since my last trip to Hungary I
their own thread.
have been collecting these curious
In the village home, the most
embroideries, which have inelaborate room was called the
spired me to research embroidery
‘tiszta szoba’ or clean room, used
techniques. Although I am prifor special occasions. This room
marily a painter and photogra“A prayer for the home. Where there is faith, there’s love; pher, I have become so
was full of the household’s finest
items including embroideries, Where there is love, there’s peace; Where there is peace there enamoured with the village
are blessings; Where there are blessings there is the Lord;
pillows, and the family’s best
falvédő, that I am spending a lot
Where the Lord is, there is no need for anything else.”
furniture.
The kitchen and
of time incorporating traditional
backroom served a far more
embroidery onto my canvasses.
utilitarian function, but also needed to be decorated. Falvédők
The naive designs, coupled with sentiments that are univerhung on the wall to protect it from scrapes and scratches the
sally meaningful, make them ideal and interesting subjects.
heavy furniture would cause, as well as from soot and grease
Recently a friend in Hungary introduced me to the work of
from the coal or wood burning
Zsófia Pittmann; an artist and
stove. In country homes today,
fellow falvédő collector who is
they are still made for the ‘nyári
also focusing on village stitchery,
konyha’ or ‘summer kitchen’ (a
using the falvédő as a platform to
‘back-up’ kitchen used for cookexpress current pop cultural
ing, canning, butchering, etc.).
sentiments. Her recent art exhiFalvédők have been popular
bition in Hungary has been very
in every region of Hungary, and
popular and received a lot of
generally speaking there are no
attention from the press.
particular regional differences in
The passage of time elevates
style. They are primarily made
most art forms, including folk
by ladies, and usually done in the
art, to more sublime levels. It
winter when there is far less
looks like the humble falvédő is
outdoor work to be done. The
appreciated now more than ever,
skill of embroidery is passed
still good for protecting your
down through each generation,
walls while preserving a precious
Something to protect modern walls by artist
from mother to daughter. The
tradition.
Zzófia Pittmann reads:
role of handmade textiles has
Lorraine Weideman
“My name is Bond, James Bond.”
14
The MHBK is the
World Federation of Hungarian Veterans
(Magyar Harcosok Bajtársi Közössége).
We represent Hungarian veterans,
preserve their history,
and perpetuate their
valuable ideals.
VANCOUVER
CHAPTER
Anyone interested in Hungarian
history may join men and women, young or old;
we all have one thing in common the desire to honour those that came
before us, and to enrich
present and future generations
with our noble traditions
and fascinating history.
www.mhbk.com
Join us!
MHBK
P.O. Box 74527 • Kitsilano P.O. • Vancouver, B.C. • V6K 4P4 • Canada
604 733-9948 • [email protected]
Stephen S pinder
Fine Art Photography
www.spinderartphoto.com
[email protected]
TEN YEARS IN TRANSYLVANIA
TRADITIONS OF HUNGARIAN FOLK CULTURE
Takes us on a personal 'visual celebration' of this traditional Hungarian folk
culture. Over 130 color photographs (and black/white) reveal the still powerful
vestiges of an ancient culture that have changed little over time. The images
focus on traditional music and dance - integral parts of village existence - and the
culture that guards it and preserves it.
Hardcover, Color, A4 (23cm x 33cm),152 pp. $45
BUDAPEST THROUGH MY LENS
A SOLITARY PERSPECTIVE
Over 130 unique views, exquisitely enhanced with sepia, duo-tone reproductions, rendering of the 'feel' of the city's 'Golden Age'. The artist's personal
writings highlight aspects of Budapest and Hungarian history.
Hardcover, B/W, A4 (23cm x 33cm),160 pp. Rice paper overlays. $45
Stephen Spinder • 119 Hidden Valley Road • Rochester, NY • 14624 • USA • 585 247 7956
Indulge yourself! Stephen Spinder’s lavish hardcover fine art photography books will be
available from the artist himself at the Hungarian Folk Fest Open Market, October 9th and 10th
at the Roundhouse Community Centre
INSTITUTIONS
INHUNGARIAN
VANCOUVER
THE FIRST HUNGARIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (CALVIN, VANCOUVER 1955)
The reformation, a religious movement to disassociate from
attended. In November 1952 a small church at 175 West 24th
Rome started in 1496 by Martin Luther, a theological instructor
Avenue was offered to the congregation, a donation by a Canaand minister from Wittenberg, Germany. In Hungary the
dian widow, Mrs. Ledingham. Reverend Dóka and curator
movement started mostly in the cities with German populations
István Erös accepted the gift. Mrs Mihály Balázs and Mrs Jenö
(Körmöcbánya, Pozsony, Nagyszeben) and become acceptable
Gáspár volunteered to put the church in order. The first service
mostly by merchants and by the students of German universiin the church was held by Reverend Borsai.
ties.
Difficulties still awaited. To
Here in Vancouver, there are
send an official request for a
two churches following Calvin's
permanent minister, the conpreaching. This time I am lookgregation had to secure an
ing into the oldest church's
apartment for the future minishistory, the Calvin Presbyterian
ter’s family. Collections were
Church (since 2001 called the
successful and a decision was
First Hungarian Presbyterian
made to send a permanent
Church). The church belongs to
minister to Vancouver. Reverthe Presbyterian Church of
end Frigyes Metzger from
Canada.
Reverend Miklós
Edmonton, the new minister for
Szigeti gave me a copy of their
the congregation arrived during
‘30 Year Album’ that covers
the fall of 1953. The official
their history from the years
investiture was held the 23rd of
1955 to 1985.
October 1953; the organizaReading some of the docutional work of 63 Hungarianments in the album, it is interCanadians created the Vancouesting to find that there were
ver John Calvin Evangelical
efforts by the few Hungarians
Presbyterian Church.
From left to right: Rev. Attila László György, Montreal;
living here as early as 1927 to
After the Hungarian RevoluRev. Károly Gödöllei, Calgary; Rev. Zoltán Vass, Toronto;
hold
Hungarian
language Rev. Ferenc Szathmári, Ontario; Rev. Miklós Szigeti, Vancouver; tion in 1956, Reverend Kálmán
services. Ferenc Bene, Presby- Rev. Piroska Vásárhelyi, Ontario; Rev. János Péter, Ontario and Dóka took over in presiding
ter is quoted: “...when I arrived
over the British Columbia
Dénes Tomaj, Hungarian Ambassador.
around the end of 1927 there
‘Hungarian Emergency Counwere hardly any Hungarians here but they had arrived later one
cil’. After accepting the position, he took the necessary steps in
by one to Vancouver… ...It was around the middle of the
Ottawa to secure the airport in Abbotsford for receiving the
Second World War, 1943-44 when the Presbyterian Church of
Hungarian refugees. Metzger flew to Vienna and came back
Canada sent the Reverend Jenő Molnár from Calgary to B.C. It
with the Hungarians. In one year, six thousand Hungarians
was him, who called us and we started to get together. Myself,
began their new lives in Abbotsford (the congregation had
István Erös and György Domokos, and my dear friend Sándor
found homes for 1300 of the Hungarian ’56 refugees). The
Henter toured the countryside together in our friend Erös's
congregation gained many new members which made it necesautomobile, visiting the Vancouver Reformed church members
sary for a bigger church to accommodate them. The second
and the Catholic Hungarians.”
church at 19th and Cambie could now hold 140 members. The
After that, Mr Bene writes about the first ministers arriving
consecration of the new church was held in June, 1958. The
to the West of Canada to organize Hungarians and preach the
membership of the church grew from 86 to 350.
Word. “Since 1927 there was Rev. Dr. Jenö Molnár, and after
With so many Hungarians arriving in British Columbia the
the Second World War Reverend Dr. Kálmán Tóth holding
church flourished. The next minister after Frigyes Metzger was
services at the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church's rooms. In
Reverend István Mészáros (from 1966-1967). During that
1948 the Reverend Kálmán Sulyok arrived for a study tour and
period the church obtained its third church at the present
he served in Abbotsford, then in Vancouver, but after a while he
address - 2791 East 27th Avenue. Reverend Attila Csiszár
departed for the University of Princeton to study for his doctorfollowed, and then Reverend László Szamosközi. The present
ate. Around that time a few Hungarians had built a small
minister is Reverend Miklós Szigeti. There were five Ministers
church in Abbotsford which was consecrated by Rev. Gyözö
in 50 years. Plans are again under way: László Tökés, the well
Orths, however he did not stay here.”
known bishop and the Chair of the World Council of Hungarian
Another important event in the church's history was in 1950,
Reformed Churches, will be here in Vancouver this year attendwhen Reverend Dr. Kálmán Dóka arrived and held services in
ing the 50th Jubilee Celebration, on the 7th of November, to be
the rooms of the Hungarian Social Club. In December 1950, 28
held at the Hungarian Cultural Centre.
people attended the service, and on January 14, 1951 32
Magda Sasvári
16
HOW THE MEDIA MADE A HERO OUT OF A BANK ROBBER
It was an easy recipe, mixing the public’s appetite for adventure and escapism, with the media’s eagerness to exploit the drama of a
true-life tale of a Transylvanian-born ice-hockey player turned bank robber.
The daring robberies of Attila Ambrus had all the right ingredients to captivate the country’s attention. The media touted him as a
pleasant-looking, well-groomed middle-class ex-national hockey player that earned a modest living, who wanted more out of life.
Giving flowers (which he used to hide his gun), to female cashiers as he held up the
banks, he once fled a crime scene by diving into the Danube and was captured by police
only when he returned for his dog. It all helped the media boost his favour with the
people. Police nicknamed him the ‘Whisky Robber’ when investigations showed that
before each robbery he drank at least one shot in a bar near his target.
The ‘Whisky Robber’, is serving 15 years for his crimes, but his cult status is secured
with today’s get-rich-quick attitude, the country striving to join the club of Western
democracies and retribution for Hungary’s past ranks of unscrupulous authorities. It has
been reported that a U.S. film producer offered him more than the sum of his ill-gotten
gains for movie rights (Ambrus’ haul is reported to be 142 million HUF, or about
$939,763.00 from his 28 robberies); and publishers were racing to get book rights for
memoirs he had started writing.
Julian Rubinstein’s ‘Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice
Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives and Broken Hearts’ hit
the book shelves this September. This is the true story of Attila Ambrus: grave digger,
church painter, Transylvanian animal pelt smuggler, professional hockey goalie, serial
bank robber and modern folk hero. Julian recalls: “It was the summer of 1999, and I
was in regular intake mode (on my couch, supine and slathered in newsprint) when my
eyes drifted across a short item in the Scorecard section of Sports Illustrated (a magazine
where I had previously worked), headlined ‘Whiskey-a-go-go.’ It seemed that a young
Hungarian hockey goalie who had been locked up for robbing 26 banks since 1993 had
escaped from a fourth story window of the most secure jail in Budapest on a bed sheet. I
sat up.”
Lorraine Weideman
▪ Power drinks with herb
extracts, greens
and fibres
▪ Digestive enzymes
▪ 100 different health teas
and extracts for joint problems, blood and intestine cleansing, hip and back problems
▪ Products that ease breathing
▪ Vegetable fibres and health teas that prevent
cramping and migraine pain
KULTÚRKOOL
...are all available at:
Check out our funky kool folk t-shirts
at the Hungarian Folk Fest
Open Market, October 9th and 10th at
the Roundhouse Community Centre
Mother’s Herbs
119 Lonsdale
North Vancouver, BC
604 988-4372
604 809-6962
[email protected]
17
LEARNING HUNGARIAN
VOCABULARY
For all nouns, the accusative suffix (see below) is given in parentheses
ház (-at) - house ismer - to know (to be acquainted with
küld - to send olvas - to read
könyv (-et) - book szeret - to like, love
valami (-t) - something gulyás (-t) - goulash (Hungarian stew)
akar - to want kér - to ask for, to want (polite)
kérek/kérem - please (literally, 'I ask for')
GRAMMAR - DIRECT OBJECTS
A direct object is the receiver of the action of a verb. 'Cake' is the object in the sentence 'I eat the cake'
and 'me' is the object in the sentence 'he likes me'. A verb which can take a direct object is called a transitive verb. Some verbs like 'be', 'go' and 'live' are unable to take direct objects. These are called
intransitive verbs. In English, we can identify the direct object by word order. The sentences 'Mike
likes Jane' and 'Jane likes Mike' contain the same words but are different because of the order in which
they appear. In Hungarian word order is flexible and the direct object is recognizable by a suffix -t. This is
called the accusative suffix. Many words ending in a consonant need a link vowel before the suffix, e
for front words and most often o but sometimes a for back words. For words ending in vowels, often the
final vowel is lengthened. This sounds tricky and it kind of is, so don't worry too much about the link
vowel, the important part is the -t. Just try to learn each form as you come across it, and eventually you
will get a feel for it. Look at the following sentences:
Látok egy házat. I see a house.
Ismerek egy pincért I know a waiter.
Magyart tanulok. I am studying Hungarian.
Note: this means I am studying a Hungarian lesson (or something), for the general sense of
'I study Hungarian', most likely magyarul would be used.
Mit olvasol? (remember -sz becomes -l after stems ending in s,sz,z) What are you reading?
INDEFINITE AND DEFINITE VERB CONJUGATIONS
In Hungarian there are two types of verb conjugation for each tense. Last lesson you were presented
with the indefinite and in this lesson you will learn the definite. This is an essential part of Hungarian
grammar and it may seem difficult at the beginning. Here are the basic rules just to give you an idea of
what we are dealing with here:
The indefinite conjugation is used when:
1. The verb is intransitive (incapable of taking a direct object).
2. The object of the transitive verb is indefinite (something general, preceded by the indefinite article egy).
Also when there is no object as in the sentence 'Now I am reading'.
3. The object of the verb is a 1st or 2nd person, e.g. 'they like you', 'you like me'. It is not necessary to
state the 1st or 2nd person object, the use of the indefinite is enough.
The definite conjugation is used when:
1. The object of the transitive verb is definite (preceded by the article 'a, az'; a personal or place name)
2. The object of the verb is a 3rd person, e.g. 'I like him', 'We understand it', They like you (formal). Again
it is not necessary to use the object, the use of the definite conjugation implies it.
CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!
Hungarian Language Course on the Internet:
http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~arubin/hungarian.html
18
A FEW LINES HOME
AN ELECTRONIC BUDAPEST JOURNAL
by Peter Temesvári
I've been living here 2 months, and I've realized that there's no way I can write everything I'd want to each of my friends individually, so I thought I'll try an ‘electronic journal’ and see if anyone's interested. I'm hoping to write some thoughts and observations
about life in Hungary and Europe, travels, society and things that are more interesting. Some of this might be redundant for those of
you that have lived here, but maybe things changed enough that I can catch a few new things too.
Budapest is a very funky place, with lots of interesting things hidden away in the least expected spots. At first it was a little hard
to grasp the whole picture because things are so spread out, and you really have to know where to go to find something. It's happened many times, that I'd be wandering around certain part of town looking for a decent place to eat, with no luck; then a few days
later someone would take me to the same area, and one street farther down is the perfect hole-in-the-wall cafe. It's definitely not like
San Francisco though, where you can park your car once and hit a bar, restaurant, movie, café and another bar all within 3 blocks of
each other, and there's your evening program. In that sense Budapest is like Los Angeles - you really have to go from place to place,
and know where to go.
The economy is clearly improving, and attitudes are changing too. Interestingly, it's in the high end retail stores that service is just
as atrocious as 20 years ago during the communist regime - for some reason the owners of these places haven't yet realized that no
matter how beautiful your sales girls are, you'll never sell anything if they just stand at the counter.
OK, it's really not nearly that bad and especially in the business world people are very professional and really go out of their way
to help you and to get things done right. One of the things that I really enjoy is that the city is quiet on weekends, and especially so
on Sunday. Shops are open until about 1 to 2 pm on Saturday, and after that you really feel that the weekend is a time for resting. Of
course restaurants, corner grocery stores, video rental places, etc, are open, but there are hardly any cars on the street, and everything
is noticeably calmer. This is especially true in the smaller cities; this past Sunday I went to visit Veszprém, which has a population of
at least 30,000. What was amazing was that for periods of 5 minutes at the time, there was simply no activity, not a car moving, not
person walking, not a horn or siren; maybe just a few dogs barking.
Monika
G ál
HUNGARIAN
LANGUAGE LINK
604 728-0244
Certified Translation Services
[email protected]
Personal • Medical
Legal • Technical
and Immigration Matters
Buying and selling
in Greater Vancouver
ESTHER VITALIS
Certified Translator
Service in English or Hungarian
English - Hungarian
Hungarian - English
When you’re ready to
make a move whether you’re selling
or buying, call me - I’ll
get the job done. I
work hard - I work
smart. And best of all,
I work for you.
#301 - 1717 West 13th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2H2
604 738-6869
cel: 604 789-0027
fax: 604 738-6805
Real Service for Real People
[email protected]
RE/MAX Masters Realty 200-1455 Bellevue Avenue
West Vancouver, B.C. V7T 1C3 604 926-6233
www.members.shaw.ca/evital/
19
The Urban Fakanál
by
Mária
Vajna
When Mária Vajna, a local Hungarian matriarch, started work as Editor of the Urban Fakanál;
I begged her to divulge her famous Hungarian Potato Salad recipe. If you ever have the good
fortune of being invited for dinner at Mária néni’s place, you might get treated to this bit of
ambrosia. If so watch out! You’ll never be the same again!
P.Cz.
Hungarian Potato Salad
Ingredients:
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 kg. Potatoes
2-3 tbs. olive oil
1 cup Vinegar – add sugar, by taste.
2 cups water
Method for best results:
- The evening before the day you wish to serve, boil potatoes whole with care so that they
are not coming apart, drain and chill overnight. Slice onions and place in bowl, adding 2-3
tbs. olive oil, sprinkle black pepper, mix and cover. Let stand over night.
- The next morning peel and slice the cold potatoes. Layer into a salad bowl one row onion, the next row potatoes, salt and repeat. Meanwhile bring to a boil the vinegar, water
and sugar. Pour vinegar mixture over the potatoes and onions, cover and keep it at room
temperature.
You can season with parsley or leaves of celery. Serve at room temperature. It goes
great with roasts, fried meats and schnitzel. The quantity can be changed to suit your taste.
Happy cooking!!
The potato originated in South America. The first written record of a European encounter with
potatoes was in 1537 by Castellanos, a Spanish conquistador. The potato came into prominence in
Europe in the 1740's. Since then they have become a staple of the Hungarian diet and are featured in
everyday cooking.
Enjoy! Jó Étvágyat! Bon Appetit!
20
Four convenient locations to serve you:
GVC Credit Union - the kind of financial
institution where you feel welcome.
VANCOUVER
100-4088 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Tel 604-876-7101
BRENTWOOD
1801 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby
Tel 604-298-3344
LOUGHEED PLAZA
9608 Cameron Street, Burnaby
Tel 604-421-3456
IMPACT PLAZA
#137-10090-152nd Street, Surrey
Tel 604-584-4434
GVC is the successor of the Hungarian
Credit Union formed in 1951. In 1985, it
joined GVC Credit Union in order to make
a wider range of services available to its
members. We are proud of our historical
ties with Vancouver’s Hungarian
Community.
GVCCU is dedicated to providing a full
range of financial services designed to fit
our members’ needs. So, if you’re looking
for a good place to save or borrow, join us
at GVC.
aMemberLink Telephone Banking #604-444-5250
MemberDirect Internet Banking www.gvccu.com
SUTTON GROUP
WEST COAST REALTY
Your Hungarian
Real Estate Team
‘Always the RIGHT move’
JOSEPH UVEGES
604-341-6312
For all your Real Estate needs:
ROBERT UVEGES
604-374-6747
• Buying or Selling
• Property Evaluation
• Marketing Proposal
Call us today for a FREE home evaluation. We look forward to working for you!
Visit our website: www.soundhouse.ca
** Not intended to solicit properties already listed **
21
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION
FOR HUNGARIAN ARTS (CAHA)
1751 Coquitlam Avenue • Port Coquitlam, BC • V3B 1H9
[email protected] • 604 941-5941
FORRÁS FOLK ENSEMBLE
1751 Coquitlam Avenue • Port Coquitlam, BC • V3B 1H9
[email protected] • 604 888-6814
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR MINORITIES
VANCOUVER SOCIETY
606 - 1640 Esquimalt Avenue • West Vancouver, BC • V7V 1R6
604 922-0783
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
TUTORING & TRANSLATING CORPORATION
5980 East Boulevard ♦ Vancouver, BC ♦ V6M 3V4
HUNGARIAN CONSULATE
306 - 1770 West 7th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V6J 4Y6
604 730-7321
Courses starting in mid-October:
• Intensive ESL for Hungarians
• Hungarian language courses for Adults and Children
HUNGARIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY
OF GREATER VANCOUVER
728 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5V 3C1
604 876-4720
• Preparation Course according to
the Hungarian curriculum
(grades 1 - 8 in all elementary school subjects)
• Tutoring ADHD special needs children
(grades K - 7 all subjects)
HUNGARIAN EMBASSY
299 Waverly Street • Ottawa, Ontario • K2P 0V9
613 230-2717
Registration deadline: October 15th, 2004
Registration and more information at:
HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH
OF VANCOUVER
900 East 19th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V5V 1K7
Mail: 7872 Jasper Crescent • Vancouver, BC • V5P 3S9
604 321-4226
604 263-0236 or [email protected]
HUNGARIAN SOCIETY OF VICTORIA
476 Bay Street • Victoria, BC • V8T 5H2
[email protected] • 250 388-5004
EDICI
HUNGARIAN VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 74527 • Kitsilano PO • Vancouver, BC • V6K 4P4
[email protected] • 604 733-9948
ORTHOPAEDIC PAIN
TREATMENT CLINIC
(KALVIN) FIRST HUNGARIAN
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
2791 East 27th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V5R 1N4
604 437-3442
Judy Przibislawsky RMT
Complete Manual Therapy
(formerly called Massage Therapy)
NANAIMO HUNGARIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY
Box 85 • Nanaimo, BC • V9R 5K4
250 756-2410
SPRAINS • INJURY RELATED AND
OCCUPATIONAL STRAIN • HEADACHES
PAIN RELIEF • ARTHRITIS
OKANAGAN HUNGARIAN SOCIETY
1670 Ross Road • Kelowna, BC • V1Z 1L9
250 769-1609
Experienced with Seniors
Fluent in English and Hungarian
OUR LADY OF HUNGARY CHURCH
1810 East 7th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V5N 1S2
604 253-2577
CANADIAN HUNGARIAN HOUSING SOCIETY
OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
1564 S.W. Marine Drive • Vancouver, BC • V6P 6R6
604 264-1064
Vancouver Medical Building
204-1541 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1W7
604 732-6437 by appointment
22
EUROPEAN HAIR DESIGN
4065 MacDonald Street, Vancouver, BC 604 736-2300
GVC CREDIT UNION
VANCOUVER
100-4088 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC 604 876-7101
BRENTWOOD
1801 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC 604 298-3344
LOUGHEED PLAZA
9608 Cameron Street, Burnaby, BC 604 421-3456
IMPACT PLAZA
137-10090-152nd Street, Surrey, BC 604 584-4434
METRO TRAVEL & TOURS LTD.
450-555 W. 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC 604 879-5321
MOTHER’S HERBS & VITAMINS
119 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver, BC 604 988-4372
PEOPLE’S CO-OP BOOKSTORE
1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC 604 253-6442
250 474-5279
THE MAGAZINE STORE
2139 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC 604 730-1110
WORD SEARCH ON PAGE 11
ABC INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LTD.
1224 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC 604 684-5019
by Julius Ling
♥♥♥
From the aftermath of the Second World War to the bloodbath of
the 1956 Revolution, true love flourishes under the yoke of
Soviet Communism. Two Hungarians - a freedom fighter and his
sweetheart are torn apart amid the chaos. Along with many
Hungarian refugees, fate takes one of the lovers to Canada, and
the other to Australia where they cling to a faint hope will they ever see each other again?
♥♥♥
Soft cover $24.95 (including postage)
Julius Ling
591 Delora Drive ● Victoria, BC ● V9C 3S2
HUNGARIAN CITIES
is available at:
GUIDING STARS
SOLUTION TO
THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE
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THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE CLASSIFIED ADS
FOR SALE IN
BUDAPEST
2 bedroom apartment in Zuglo, near
City Park (Városliget), 48 square metres,
with large sunny balcony, low maintenance fee, close to city centre and transport.
Asking price: 13.9 million HUF
($92,000.00). Contact Monika Gál,
Re/Max Masters:
604-728-0244
[email protected].
WANTED TO BUY
Hungarian military antiques, decorations, documents, uniforms, insignia, etc.
from ancient to modern. Also books on
Hungarian history, folk art, embroidery
and woodcarving.
604 733-9948
[email protected]
TRANSYLVANIA
Come to Transylvania and Moldavia.
Roundtrip in Transylvania, Székelyland,
Saxonland, Kalotaszeg the Banat, Aldera,
Bukovina. 13 days, most meals.
$1350.00 CDN
[email protected]
FURNISHED
APPARTMENT FOR RENT
Large, 75 square metre & gallery, fully
furnished apartment in Buda, (15 minute
walk to downtown, 10 minute to castle
area). Short or long term, (except JulyAug.). $560.00 per week.
Zale or Kristina Tanner
604 732-7674
[email protected]
LEATHER HUNGARIAN
KEY CHAINS
Hungarian Key Chains - genuine
leather with embossed coat-of-arms or
Hungarian crown.
$3.00 each or 2 for $5.00
plus postage.
604 734-2111
23
RELIABLE REALTOR
IN HUNGARY
Reliable realtor in Hungary. For all
your buying, selling or renting needs,
please call Eva Fuchs in Budakeszi. 011
36-23-450-795. [email protected]
DISCOVER
TRANSYLVANIA
Discover Transylvania by staying with
a székely family in their beautiful home in
Gyergyószentmiklós.
Modern conveniences, privacy, home
cooked meals and daily tours. Very
affordable. For info call:
Tivadar Czimbalmas
011 40 266 365-0861
or write:
Czimbalmas, Gheorgheni 4200, str.
Fogarassy M. nr 3 Harghita, Romania.
Contact the
New Hungarian Voice for
classified ad rates.