We wish all our kind Readers a Happy and Healthy New Year! Minden kedves Olvasónknak Boldog Új Évet kivánunk! The new year has arrived silently, without leaving a footprint. Only the moon and the sun indicated that the new year has arrived. Only people with good cheer and in festive attire awaited it, as 365 days of hope. Új esztendı Kányádi Sándor Új esztendı, új esztendı, nem tud rólad a nagy erdı, sem a hó alatt a határ, sem a határ fölött szálló árva madár. Új esztendı, új esztendı, nem volt a nyakadban csengı, nesztelenül érkeztél meg, lábad nyomát nem érezték az ösvények. Csak a hold, az elmerengı, csak a nap, az alvajáró, jelezték, hogy újra megjı éjfélkor az esedékes új esztendı. Csak mi vártunk illendıen, vidám kedvvel, ünneplıben, csak a népek vártak téged, háromszázhatvanöt napi reménységnek. Kányádi Sándor (1929 2018), was a prodigious Transylvanian poet (see November issue of Magyar News Online). Drawing extensively on Nature, he also wrote poetry as well as fairytales for children. In addition, he was also a translator, and his own works were translated into several languages. Many of his poems have been set to mu sic.
Hungarian School of Magyar Studies of America's Christmas party On December 10th, the Hungarian School of Magyar Studies of America in Fairfield, CT held its annual Christmas party at Fairfield Middle School.
Top: Sampling the goodies is teacher Csilla Giaume; teachers and students singing Hungarian Christmas carols, with teacher Kinga Krammer. Bottom: Students and teachers at the party. Children’s Christmas Program, Fairfield, CT viola vonfi On December 16th, the Pannonia American Hungarian Club presented its children’s program at the Cal vin United Church of Christ in Fairfield, CT. Valéria Miklós, newly elected President of the Pannonia American Hungarian Club welcomed the atten dees to the Calvin United Church of Christ’s annual Christmas program on December 16th. Zsuzsanna Deer once again organized the program, which included individual and group recitation of poems, cello numbers, clarinet performances, a flute piece and a Christmas play presented by the Beodray Ferenc Scout Troop of Wallingford. Of course Santa arrived at the end of the program, and with children climbing on his knee, offered each of them a bag of goodies. Rev. Tibor Király gave the invocation and the closing words. Consul Dr. Imre Szakács came up from New York to express his appreciation of, and support for this traditional celebration which filled the church hall. Terre Haute (IN) Hungarian Club is 109! EPF Kathy Miller is Treasurer of the Terre Haute, IN, Hungarian Club. I had contacted her at the suggestion of dr. Tóth Gergely (see December 2018 issue of MNO), and she replied with the following, in relation to the age of the Walling ford, CT Hungarian House.
”I enjoyed reading about the Wal ”Terre Haute's first Hungarian Work lingford Club on your home page. I ing Men's Benefit and Death Society had the opportunity to drive by their was established July 30th, 1909. hall in October when I was in Con necticut. It was impressive. Our ”In the early 1900s, immigration to Terre Haute group does have the the United States experienced a longevity edge, though – we were peak period. Many of these immi founded in 1909 and celebrated our grants were Hungarians seeking a 109th anniversary this past sum Emblem of the original Hungarian place of political stability and oppor mer.” Working Men's Benefit and Death tunity to live. Typically, the men Society of Terre Haute, IN, with came first, found a place to work, She then referred me to their web date of founding raised a little money, then returned page, from which I quote verbatim: to their homeland and brought their wives and children back to America.
Top: Spring Dance 2014; Magyar Klub officers, l to r: Steve Muchki, Trustee; Eileen Prose, VP; Kay French, Secy; Kathy Miller, Treasurer; Larry Wilson, President. Bottom: Magyar Klub booth at Chili Cookoff; rummage sale ”Terre Haute, Indiana, with its industry quired in 1956 from Paul Metro. The and railroads was one of the thriving Hall became a place for meetings and Different New Year’s cities the Hungarians would make their dances, wedding parties and wakes. Customs home in the early part of the 20th cen To this day, the annual Harvest Dance viola vonfi tury. At least 40 families settled into a in October has been one of the lasting neighborhood just east of the Malle traditions.” In some families, they used to bake able & Mfg. Co. near 19th and Maple so called ”good luck pogácsa” on New Streets on the city’s northside. Over ”Currently, the building is available to Year’s Eve. A coin was placed in one the years, many of them worked at rent. It has a licensed kitchen, wet bar, before baking, and whoever got it was ’the Malleable’ as it was called. Others stage, central air, and seats up to 100 presumed to have good luck in the were railroaders, miners, craftsmen, guests. The club is accepting mem coming year. (In my family, Mom fried teachers or storekeepers. As the immi bers, both Hungarian and non doughnuts on New Year’s Eve, and grants typically worked in the most Hungarian. Meetings are held Dad gave her a coin to put inside dangerous jobs, most major insurance monthly, as well as a members' lunch one.) companies would not insure them, and eon. Annual activities typically include these were the days long before pri two dances, rummage sales and other At midnight of New Year’s Eve, some vate corporation and government in fundraisers. There is also interest in farmers would draw water from the surance plans were available. Ethnic collecting and recording the history of well. This was called ” aranyvíz ”, or communities in many cities would form the organization.” ”golden water”. Anyone drinking from their own sick benefit societies. Also, it would be liable to become rich! this was before funeral homes and She added: ”We have 60 regular common practice at that time was for members, 11 social members and 5 New Year’s Eve dreams were said to families to hold a wake for their dead honorary members.” come true. family member in their own home. However, the newest immigrants lived And then she wrote what really made New Year’s Day is often popularly in boarding houses with their only sup us feel on top of the world: "Your called ” kiskarácsony ”, or ”little Christ port being their fellow immigrants. newsletter is so interesting! It is such a mas”. In some localities that is when Such was the case in Terre Haute mixture of topics, historical and cur the children receive gifts, not from the when a Hungarian man passed away rent. I will be able to share topics from angels or the Christ Child, but from the with no family present. it at our monthly meetings as a ”New Year’s Colt”. (I never heard 'Hungarian 101' topic." about this one either!) By ”gifts” were ”The Terre Haute Hungarians went meant apples, walnuts or pogácsa . together to pay for his funeral and in Thank you, Kathy, for your kind words. 1909, established Terre Haute’s First And although Connecticut cannot claim Another popular belief held that if girls Hungarian Working Men’s Benefit and to have the oldest Hungarian Club, we wanted to know whether they would Death Society, as it was originally are proud of both Hungarian achieve get married that following year, they named, with the following purpose: ’To ments! May they continue their noble should run to the pigsty and kick the financially assist its sick members, to endeavors for many more generations wall of the sty. If the pigs grunted, bury its dead members, to cultivate to come! the girls would be tieing the knot. the spirit of
Left: Nativity play performed by Hungarian Boy and Girl Scout troops of Garfield; singing Christmas car ols;some of the guests.Right: New Pastor Balogh László;even the youngest (3 years old!) helped with the cleanup. Great Plains”, whose dwelling sec FOLK ARCHITEC tion has only one entrance; rooms TURE OF HUNGARY can only be approached through an Simányi Frigyes intermediate space, the inner porch or the kitchen. Hungarian folk architecture is unique. The author explains some What are the general characteristic of the special characteristics that features that render Hungarian folk distinguish it from the folk architec buildings unique by comparison to ture of other countries. those of other countries? What do we consider folk architec They are always single story. ture? Ethnographers and architects They are of single span, i.e., the Patapoklos Regional house with bas generally list in this category the width of one room, potentially ket arched porch and parapets. The country architecture preceding enlarged with a porch. street façade has a truncated hip. World War II. In Hungary, having They are of a comb like arrange been an agricultural country, 85% ment, with a long axis perpendicular of her population used to live in vil to the street, with or without a front th yard. 19 century, fired brick started to lages. The peripheries of several gradually started to squeeze out the cities and towns (such as Kecs They always have gable roofs; mostly with gable ends, though dirt based building methods. Roofs kemét, Karcag, Hódmezıvásárhely, were generally covered with thatch Hajdúszoboszló) also had rural char sometimes they are hipped. They are always correctly ori or reeds. acteristics. Here we will concen trate on residences, peasant houses ented, from SW to SE, meaning the orientation of the long façade facing Wood shingles were used for of yore. churches, bell towers, and some the yard. The buildings are mostly white times for residences as well. Tiled After all, great intellectual and roofs began to be popular only from physical achievements of rural in washed with few exceptions (usually th by some of the ethnic minorities). the first half of the 19 century. habitants had been born in those peasant houses. Dr. Vargha László, Naturally, we do find arrangements Among the many floor/ceiling solu one of the most significant ethno tions of building structures, only one graphic scientists of the 20 th different from the comb like con struction in the country, such as the is worth mentioning, the so called century, had a degree in architec “peasant floor”, that was most wide ture as well. It was due to his ef Great Plains’ ranches, the “bushes” near Nyíregyháza, or the “ szer ” spread in the whole country. forts that the first post war historic Initially, this consisted of planks laid around the western borders. monument law (1949) contained the next to another across floor beams, possibility of folk buildings’ inclu Those, however, are characteristic of certain regions only, thus they later with about 2 3 cm (about 1 sion, preceding by 14 years the inch) overlap to cover gaps. They “Velencei Karta”, the bible of monu are of local and not countrywide importance. were caulked from above with lay ment protection. ers of mud or clay. With floors we Initially, materials for the structures have to mention the architraves In relation to dwellings, we are es (crossbeams resting on top of a col were determined by the geographic sentially interested in two basic pro umn or doorway), not just for their totypes throughout the coun location. In wooded regions, we find wood construction with its structural usage but also, in some try. One is the “Western Hungarian regions, for their unparalleled rich or Transdanubian”, with all rooms variations, while plain and marshy areas employ more dirt, twigs, ornamental carvings that were even opening onto the yard or a porch. painted in color. These were even Those date back to times when sedge and reed. Mountainous re gions – Mátra, Bükk, Mecsek, Bala historically significant, usually show houses had no chimneys and the ing the date of the house’s con smoke from the kitchen stove exited ton highlands – favored stone, al though its use was more local, due struction and the initials of the own through the ceiling, the attic space ers. Due to the stormy history of and the roof. To keep the other to its poor thermal insulation. With the diminishing woodlands, varia Hungary and the accompanying rooms free of smoke, they all had a devastation - wars, natural catas- door opening directly to the out tions of dirt based construction be came more common all over the trophes, floods and fires - some doors. people had to rebuild their home country until the first part of the th Many times. Thus they frequently The other building type is the 20 century: layered wall, mud wall, adobe. Starting at the end of the had to turn to ancient, traditional “Middle Hungarian, or that of the building methods. This is how, Left: Vejti – Street façade with masonry pediment, guttered eaves and downspouts, enriched by ornamental ele ments. Feked – Aerial photo showing the village’s harmonic unity. It is built on two sides of the river, at some distance from the water. Patapoklos – Regional house with arches supported by classicist style columns. Center: Magyarlukafa – Folk building with board pediment. The structure is front porched, with ornamental carv ing. Rábapordány – Streetscape formed by row of one story buildings with pediments, without front yards, in comb like arrangement. Fertıszéplak – Streetscape formed by sawtooth placement of buildings, a variation of the comb like arrangement, exclusively seen in a few settlements around Lake Fertı. Right: Bikal – Fine example of straight closure porch, with turned wood columns. Zengıvárkony – Straight clo sure porch supported by columns decorated with custom designed elements. even in the first half of the 20 th tion of modern chimneys and heating of into it. In those cases, however, century, folk architecture still em equipment, those are now rare to find. these columns had no fork top. ployed archaic elements or, rather, Instead, they employed larger one they can still be found on surviving The other is the use of so called raf piece supports with square or rectan structures. Of those, two are worth ter forks, columns dug into the gular cross sections shaped from a mentioning. ground, with a fork like top, built into single tree trunk. Those were used the two end walls and into the sepa decoratively, richly carved with reli One is the oven protruding from the rating walls parallel to the ends. Their gious motives, crosses, and Marian structural rear wall of the building, role was to support the top girder of initials, similar to architraves. In the allowing the enlargement of the the roof. In some regions, these were 1960s and 1970s, in regions near kitchen area. But due to the prolifera built in front of the main wall instead Gyır, rows of streets still preserved those elements. Pediments are parts of residences’ rural folk ensemble that received the man eye. This roughly determines decorative structural elements that, rank of World Heritage in 1987, simul the proportion of the street façade’s based on their shape (triangular, ba taneously with the Acropolis of Ath gable end and wall surface under roque, hipped and their variations) ens, the Great Wall of China and the neath, the pitch of the roof, as well as could be characteristic of certain re lagoons of Venice. Our regional elements, shapes, sizes of windows, gions, and their surface (masonry or houses ( tájházak ) are on the waiting doors, even porches, in folk struc boarded) suitable for decoration. list. tures. Boarded ones usually have jigsaw decorations and may be painted; ma Those regional houses deserve men In conclusion, let’s mention that many sonry ones are adorned with plaster tioning. Essentially, their category have tried to define the concept of work. Buildings without porches typi was established in the 1970s, since absolute beauty. In architecture, it cally employ pediments over en enforcing the strict law of historic means the harmonic unity of trances, supported by arches on col buildings would have involved hard “function” (for what purpose is it umns or piers, sometimes brack ship for the mostly elderly inhabitants made), “structure” (implementation) ets. These are generally used only in of protected peasant houses. and “form” (appearance). We can certain regions. Therefore, in 1971, the State provided confidently state that Hungarian folk a substantial amount for the purchase architecture, by always considering Porches, however, were uniformly and maintenance of endangered natural and geographic conditions as present countrywide. Initially, they houses. This enabled the acquisition well as economic options typical of the represented wealth in folk architec of nearly 170 buildings in the ensuing region, has been building homes most ture, but since they were practical, years. Those structures, however, functionally, thus achieving this har their use became ubiquitous by the needed a new function to be estab mony. second half of the 18 th century. Their lished. That function became the location shows great variety from side “regional house” whose number by (translated by Olga Vállay Szokolay) to end, and their esthetics renders now has reached about 400 nation Hungary’s folk architecture unique wide. Simányi Frigyes worked as a design worldwide. engineer in various cities and various Now what exactly are regional capacities. He retired in 1991. His We still have to mention cellars, rows houses? They are regionally charac interest in folk architecture was of cellars and cellar villages, such as teristic and authentically furnished aroused in his college days by Profes the grouping of wine press houses structures preserved on location and sor Vargha László, whom he mentions and cellars of Palkonya, Gyarmat, Ha protected by historic building at the beginning of this piece. Be jós, Villánykövesd, etc. Being located laws. With few exceptions, they are tween 1983 and 1985, he was chief further from the settlements, they in State or municipal ownership, and engineer of the Open Air Ethngraphic were less influenced by historic can be visited as museums. The fact Museum of Szentendre. He has pub changes – destruction by wars, fires, that in the 21 st century a country can lished two books dealing with regional modernization, etc. Their function re protect and service nearly 400 fully houses (tájházak), which he describes maining the same for centuries, they furnished regional buildings or groups in the above article. could preserve several elements of of buildings “in situ”, with features of folk construction and form, as well as historically bygone eras, is a world original equipment and consumer im wide unparalleled achievement. Their Magyar News Online 242 Kings Hwy Cut-off plements. furnishings, furniture, textiles, dishes Fairfield, CT 06824 of various materials, utensils give evi www.magyarnews.org Dealing with esthetic values of folk dence of the unusually high level of buildings, we also appreciate the sim folk art, small trades, handicrafts. Re Editor: Erika Papp Faber ple country people’s instinctive sense gional houses are the rare, valuable Founder, Editor and Publisher of proportion, their unique creativity in documents of the history, culture, Emeritus: Joseph F. Balogh achieving beauty. It is all the more creativity and talent of the Hungarian significant that a considerable portion people. Editorial Board: of folk buildings was constructed with Olga Vallay Szokolay, Éva Wajda help from friends and family. The Another curious characteristic of folk Charles Bálintitt, Eliz Kakas, joint effect of these buildings – the architecture is its proportion. By now, Judith Paolini Paul Soos, harmonic rural streetscapes – crown it has been proven that builders of the Joseph Ull, the uniquely balanced esthetic experi village houses instinctively applied the Estevao Arato ence that distinguished them from ancient golden rule which, in essence, Webmaster: Karolina Szabo folk architecture of other coun determines the relation of the length Assistant Webmaster: tries. This is validated by the fact that and width of a quadrangle so that it Zsuzsa Lengyel the Hungarian Hollókı was the first seems the most optimal for the hu Treasurer : Zita Balogh “The Land of Smiles” in Shanghai By: Erika Papp Faber
One of Lehár Ferenc’s best known operettas, presenting the problem of East meeting West – through the love of a European countess and a Chinese ambassador – was performed in China for the first time this past November.
The Shanghai Opera, in collaboration bandmaster in the Austro Hungarian with the Budapest MŐPA (Mővészetek army, his mother was Hungarian, of Palotája) staged the production on German descent. Ferenc himself November 28th to great popular ac spoke only Hungarian until age 12. claim. Originally titled ”Land des Lächelns”, its success was due not He studied violin at the Prague Con only to the appealing music, but also servatory, then joined his father’s to the fact that the artists themselves band in Vienna. Later, he became came from two different cultures: the bandmaster at Losonc, Hungary and Chinese characters were sung by Chi several other places. In 1902, he be nese singers, while the European came conductor at the Vienna Theater characters were sung by European an der Wien, where his operetta artists, visually reinforcing the oper "Viennese Ladies" was performed that etta’s theme. same year. While the Director, Conductor and Lehár composed over 30 operettas Stage Designer were European, the (six of them specifically for Richard 200 costumes were made in a Chinese Tauber’s voice), three operas, and workshop under the supervision of a several musical comedies ( Singspiele ). Chinese costume designer. Probably the best known of his oper ettas is ” The Merry Widow”. The Director, Káel Csaba, ex plained: ”This wonderful operetta He married Sophie Paschkis, who was spoke to the heart of the Chinese au Jewish, and it was only through the dience: they were able to experience intervention of Joseph Goebbels that personally the unusual meeting of two she was spared. In 1940, Lehár was cultures... they could identify with the elected honorary citizen of Sopron. Chinese melody as imagined by Lehár that was sung by (Princess) Mi, or the He died in Bad Ischl, Austria in Octo world famous melody ’You are my ber of 1948. The father of our Edito heart’s delight’ by Prince Sou Chong, rial Board member Eva Wajda was in since Lehár’s music has amazing Bad Ischl at the time and attended strength, it’s fantastic to listen to.” Lehár's funeral. The Shanghai Opera will add ”The On a personal note: I saw ” The Land Land of Smiles” to its repertory, and it of Smiles” in Hannover, Germany, plans to take it on tour throughout probably in the winter of 1946. It was China and Europe. It will be per performed in a makeshift theater, and formed in Budapest with similar cast we sat in our coats for the entire per ing in February of this year. (In 2013, formance, since the place was Shanghai and Budapest became "twin not heated. It was sometime before cities".) my eighth birthday, and I was mes merized by the gold and yellow cos ”The Land of Smiles” was first per tumes, the scenery, the music. In the formed in Berlin in October of context of those bleak post war years, 1929. It was one of Lehár’s later op this was sheer magic! I was hooked erettas. on operettas for life! Lehár Ferenc (1870 1948) was born in An early poster Komárom. His father was a military
Left: MŐPA ; cast at end of performance in Shanghai (photo: MŐPA Budapest); Shanghai Grand Theater; Káel Csaba. Right: Lehár Ferenc (photo: MTVA Sajtóadatbank); score of the most famous aria from Land of Smiles followed his advice died as a result, Bicsérdy Béla – so that his opponents accused him ”Prophet” of Raw of being a murderer. Doctors in Ro mania accused him of quackery and Vegans demanded an official investigation EPF into his methods. He later modified his program to include only two or A hundred years ago, a revenue three day fasts, with some fruit or officer turned health guru drew a fruit juice for sustenance. He main large following in Transylvania tained that the less food we con and Hungary with his promotion of sume, the faster we achieve re a raw vegan lifestyle. sults. His regimen of natural foods, fasting, a lot of physical exercise Born in Pest in 1872, he obtained a Bicsérdy Béla and fresh air would bring about tre degree in business in Fogaras, mendous beneficial changes in a Transylvania. At age 20, he con person’s life. tracted syphilis, a condition which, essary prerequisite. Eventually, his at the time, was considered incur long term goal was the perfection Bicsérdy Béla was a charismatic able. of society. personality, and people thronged to hear his talks. By the mid twenties, But Béla did not accept the verdict; He gave talks around the country, he was said to have 120 150,000 he studied German, French and first without charging admis followers. They became known as English, so he could travel abroad sion. Later on, he used the income ”bicsérdisták”. Not only the average and learn about foreign curative from selling tickets to his presenta person, but many famous literary methods. He performed numerous tions to finance publication of his and musical figures (including nutritional experiments on himself. books. His first work was entitled Babits Mihály and Kodály Zoltán) Many of these experiments con „A halál legyızése” – Conquering were also among his listeners. The sisted of a combination of fasting Death – published in 1924, which wife of the poet Kosztolányi Dezsı and sweating cures. He became a promised to prolong life for centu cured herself of a serious stomach vegetarian, eventually a raw vege ries. He himself intended to live for ailment by following his regimen. tarian, consuming only uncooked 600 years, and to emphasize his ”Bicsérdista” restaurants were fruits and vegetables. And he point, once sold a painting (he was opened in Transylvania, where he cured himself even of his said to have been a very good and his teachings were said to have ”incurable” disease! Most of his painter) to be paid off over 120 – caused mass hysteria. A short lived hair grew back, and he claimed yes, one hundred and twenty! – newspaper entitled "Bicsérdyzmus", that, although he had lost three years. planned to be a monthly, was pub teeth, they grew back as a result of lished in Petroseni in 1925. his efforts. Cooking and baking, he maintained, destroyed the nutritional value of Bicsérdy and a group of his follow In addition to his diet, he began natural fruits and vegetables. ”If ers established a colony on the is doing body building exercises. In you ask me about vegetarian reci land of Ada Kaleh in the Iron Gates 1922, at age 50, he broke a world pes, you have understood nothing area of the Lower Danube, which record by lifting 188 kilos (225.6 of my book”, he said. Bread was had belonged to Turkey, but was pounds) from a lying position. (A the only exception to this dic given to Romania at the end of diving record he set was reported in tum. He also claimed that the body World War I. At the time, it was a British sporting magazine in required little nutrition as compared inhabited by Turks, Serbs and Hun 1904.) to what the average person stuffs garians, with the ruins of an 18th into himself daily, and advised only century fortress and a Franciscan To undergird his nutritional theo two meals a day. He quoted Aris monastery that had been turned ries, Bicsérdy developed a philoso totle, who supposedly said that no into a mosque. Bicsérdy moved phy based on Zoroastrianism, Brah one ever created anything great on there with his wife in 1923, but manism and Buddhism, and de a full stomach. ”What you don’t eat stayed only for a short while. (That clared that he was the next enlight is the most beneficial.” island figured prominently as No ened ”Master”. The purpose of his Man’s Island – Senki szigete – in teaching was to promote spiritual In the beginning of his career, Bi the Jókai Mór novel ”Az aranyem development towards the divine, for csérdy counseled long fasts, but ber” – The Man with the Golden which physical health was the nec quite a few of those who slavishly Touch. With a length of somewhat over a mile, and about a third of a • and probably the true one – is colorful – claims that, upon mile wide, it was flooded and disap that he died of a heart condi • arrival in the US, he founded a peared when the Iron Gates electric tion. Another story claims he sect, and a disgruntled follower plant was built by Romania in 1970.) died of injuries sustained in World shot him to death. War II. The third – and most At the end of the 1920s, Bicsérdy stopped giving public lectures, re stricting himself to free talks to his followers. He even withdrew his books from circulation, claiming that most people were unable to under stand them. In time, people tired of his preaching, and he and his theories faded from view. They were rediscovered after the regime change of 1989. The raw vegan style of life is popular once again. At the end of 1944, Bicsérdy and his wife at the time – he was married five times! – left Hungary for Germany, and they emigrated to the US in 1951. He died in Billings, Montana in December of that same year. There are several versions of the story of his death. The most prosaic Top: Bicsérdy the athlete; first page of short lived newspaper (photo:Milei.vencel); Bottom: "Man's Vocation" and "Outline for a Reformed Life" (in one volume); "Conquering Death" ——————————————————————————————————————————————————--
Piquante Rake’s soup/ fly away, game run away with our Directions: Pikáns Korhelyleves luck. Karolina Tima Szabo Soak beans in water overnight. Here is a soup recipe that contains Cook the smoked pork in 2 quarts of pork, cabbage and beans, sure to water. Remove from water after To say good bye to the old year and welcome the new is a very important bring you luck. cooking. event, and many traditions and su perstitions are attached to it. One of Ingredients: Rinse sauerkraut. them concerns what we eat on New After meat has been removed, add Year Day. 1 lb. smoked pork soaked beans, sauerkraut, kolbász/ ½ lb. beans kielbasa, whole onion, bay leaf, garlic The “New Year Piglet” looks forward ½ lb. sauerkraut and savory to liquid. into the future with his snout. In ¼ lb. smoked kolbász/kielbasa When all is cooked, remove onion, Hungary it is consumed in a form of 1 medium size onion garlic and bay leaf from liquid. 1 bay leaf Cut cooked pork into cubes, and slice “virsli” (frankfurter). 2 cloves garlic kolbász/kielbasa. Put both back into Cabbage symbolizes a roll of money; ½ tsp savory the liquid. the round legumes, beans, lentils and 3 Tbsp flour peas represent plenty of money, 1 cup sour cream Mix flour smooth with sour cream, food, health, etc… Salt add to soup. Bring to a slow boil and Pepper boil for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper Lemon juice and lemon juice to taste. Some foods are strictly forbidden to eat on New Year’s Day: poultry will Dill greens Add fresh cut dill greens before serv ing. Turul – The Hungarian a turul bird. The turul appeared to her important ones and is a symbol of the in a dream and told her that in her city of Tatabánya. The location is a “Big Bird” womb a great river would begin, and protected area and offers a great desti István Arato flow out over strange lands. According nation for tourists. to dream interpreters, this meant that Bigger than the “Big Bird” pup she would give birth to a son who István Arato, son of Hungarian immi pet, this monument spreads its would lead his people out of their grant parents, was born in São Paolo, wings protectively, guarding the home in Levedia, and that her descen Brazil where he was a journalist. He city of Tatabánya. Although dants would be glorious came to the US in 1996 and now works there are numerous turul Kings.” (Wikipedia). in the hospitality/restaurant busi monuments in Hungary, this one ness. He attends the Hungarian School is the largest. During the Millennium celebration, sponsored by Magyar Studies of Amer some monuments were erected for the ica in Fairfield, CT. The turul is like a large falcon, the big prestige of the country, but gest bird in Europe, a mythological bird this turul memorial is one of the most of prey and, in Hungarian tradition, a symbol of the ruling House of Árpád in the 9 th and 10 th centuries. Nowadays it is the emblem of the Hungarian Army, the Counter Terrorism Centre and the Office of National Security. This bird is so important for the Hungarians that the Árpád royal descendents are some times called the Turul Dynasty. At the beginning of the 20 th century, the bird was considered as a name for the cur rency, but “pengı” was chosen in stead. In Tatabánya, a city in northwest Hun gary about 55 km (some 34 miles) from Budapest, a turul memorial was erected. It is the largest bird statue in Central Europe, located on top of Gerecse Mountain. The flying wings of the open beaked bird are made of bronze and are 14 meters (42 feet) across. It holds a sword between its claws. The monument is the creation of sculp tor Donáth Gyula, initiated in connec tion with the 1896 Millennium (which commemorated the Hungarians enter ing the Carpathian Basin under Árpád’s leadership in 896). Due to financial difficulties, the statue was inaugurated only in 1907, one thousand years after the Battle of Bánhida (now a part of Tatabánya), in which Árpád’s forces defeated those of Szvatopluk, the Prince of Moravia. One of the oldest tales from Hungarian history is about Emese, the ancestress of the Árpád Dynasty – which founded Top: photo Gulyás Attila; the Hungarian Kingdom. “In the leg bottom: photo Panoramio Lóránt Orbán end, Emese, the wife of Chief Ögyek, was impregnated by attractions in Tatabánya, apart from Snapshots: the Turul monument. But that com mercial history has been made visible Tatabánya by the Outdoor Museum of Mining EPF and Industry ( Bányászati és ipari skanzen ), exhibiting the implements Apart from the Turul monument, once used and giving a glimpse of what else is there to see in Ta the miners’ lives. An actual mining tabánya? shaft was reproduced as a lookout tower, known as the Ranzinger Vince Tatabánya, in western Hungary, lies kilátó, from which there is a great about 36 miles east southeast of panoramic view of the city and its Gyır, as the crow flies. (Following surrounding the road, it is 40 plus miles dis plain. (Ranzinger Vince tant.) Although it is a recent con was an Austrian mining glomeration of the settlements of engineer, who played a Alsógalla, Felsıgalla and Bánhida, the major role in the devel area has been inhabited since the opment of the city’s Stone Age. coalmining industry.) Bánhida was mentioned in an official Another point of inter document as early as 1288. The area est is Szelim Cave, not was occupied by the Turks in the too far from 16 th century, and the population ac the Turul . Legend has cepted the Reformed version of Prot it that it was named estantism. After the Turkish occupa after the Turkish Sultan tion, the area became the property of Selim I (also known as the Esterházy family, which brought “Selim the Grim”) who, in German and Slovak Catholic set it is said, set fire to the tlers. people hiding there from the invading Turk Coal was discovered in the area dur ish forces. The cave is ing the late 18 th century, and it even some 135 ft. wide and tually became an important indus 45 ft. high, so it is eas try. The first tip cart of coal was ily noticeble even from brought to the surface in 1896, and a a distance. It is famous mining town developed in Alsógalla. for the archaeological artefacts found here, After the fall of the short lived Com dating from the Paleo munist government in 1919, the min lithic to the Copper ers staged a protest against the dras Age. tically increased work week and the arrest of many union leaders. The The locals are also gendarmes shot into the crowd, kill proud of the Jászai Mari ing several people and wounding Színház (also known as many. September 6 th has since been Népszínház) named named nationwide Miners’ Day. after a 19 th and 20 th century actress In 1947, Tatabánya became the (1850 – 1926). County seat. In the 1980’s, mining and the metal Caption: Tatabánya's industry began to fade, and an indus coat of arms; One trial park has taken over the econ view of Selim Cave; omy, housing manufacturers of plas entrance to Outdoor tics, medical supplies and car parts. Museum of Mining and Industry; Jászai Having been a mining and industrial Mari Theater; lookout center, there are not too many tourist tower Török építészeti emlékek Magyarországon / Turkish Architectural Remains in Hungary – by Németh István a book review by EPF Although the Turkish occupation of Hungary is usually described as having lasted 150 years, it was actually closer to 200 years in duration. At the Battle of Mohács, August 29 th , 1526, most of the leading men of Hungary were killed by the Turks, and the king, Louis II (supposedly) drowned in a brook as he was fleeing the scene. This was the beginning of the Turkish conquest, although Buda fortress was officially occupied by the Turks only in 1541. During their stay, they pillaged and devastated the country. Later, when the Turks threatened Vienna in 1683, the western powers, who ear lier had done nothing to answer Hungary’s pleas for help, finally woke up to the threat, and mustered an international force in defense. They beat back the Turks from Vienna, and three years later, were able to liberate Buda. But the last Turkish soldier did not leave the country until 1718. (Do the math: 1526 from 1718 equals 192 years of Turkish presence!) During that time, the Turks provided for their own comfort by building baths, strengthening some fortresses and erecting mosques and minarets. Some of these latter were actually Christian churches they transformed to meet their religious requirements. It is these architectural remains Németh István presents to us in his recently published work. This book was published in the 300th anniversary year of the expulsion of the last Turkish soldier from Hungary in 1718. Even today, stone and mortar buildings – some in ruins – still testify to their former presence. The au thor presents in detail, and illustrates with numeorus photographs, seven cities where such remains may be found. They are Pécs, Siklós, Szigetvár (all in southern Hungary); Buda, Érd, Esztergom (north central Hungary), and Eger, somewhat further East. Each section is introduced by a description of how the city fell to the Turks. Amply illustrated with photos, the author then presents the still existing Turkish architectural elements in easy to understand laymen’s terms. The various sections close with how the area was liberated from Turkish rule. It is obvious that the author has a teaching degree in history. In the appendix, he lists those Turkish ruins in 14 more localities which did not receive mention within the body of the text. He makes frequent use of local de scriptions by Turkish historian and traveler Evlia Cselebi who had visited most of the places covered, and whose ”Book of Travels” ( Utazások könyve ) he describes as ”a foundational historical concordance”. In addition, he closes the book with a bibliography of works consulted. This is a very informational volume, covering for example parts of the Castle District in Buda. Although I have visited that area several times, I never knew the Turkish background of many of those fortifications. For those interested in Hungarian history, I would highly recommend this book. Let me close with a paragraph taken from the Foreword written by the Publisher, Horváth Zoltán György: ”Some time ago, I entertained a very cultured Roman couple who were very familiar with their own vast (cultural) treas ures and who loved ’old’ architecture. I thought hard about what I could show them which they would not have come across in Italy, a country immeasurably rich in monuments. In a Christian country such as Hungary, the Turkish relics of Buda would be a unique specialty. Such, for example, are the Császár fürdı (Baths), the tomb of Gül Baba, and the Király fürdı (Baths) which can be covered in an easy walk – also providing the opportunity to expound on the related historic connections. Needless to say, it was a huge success...” Published by Romanika Kiadó, Budapest, 2018 Did you know… …that a huszár (hussar in English – meaning light cavalry) exhibition opened in London? At the opening, Kristóf Szalay Bobrovinczky, the Hungaian Ambassador, pointed out that there was a time in history when the whole of Europe copied the Hungarians, and emphasized that we believe the huszár tradition expresses the soul of the Hungarian nation. General Sir Richard Shirreff – who was himself a hussar emphasized how important the hussars were in the life of the British Army, and they are proud of the relationship with the Hungarian huszárs. The exhibit shows the history of the huszárs , from when they first appeared in Hungary in the XV century through when they were established in the British Army. Visitors can explore the excellent descriptions, uniforms and weaponry. There is even a picture of Winston Churchill in a hussar uniform. The exhibit will be open until June of 2019. Zsuzsa Lengyel, Associate Webmaster
... that the Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary is of Hungarian American descent? Archbishop Michael August Blume was born in South Bend, IN, where his grandmother, Kocsis Anna had emigrated from Himod, in the Rábaköz area of western Hungary. He attended Our Lady of Hungary Church and school in South Bend before being ordained there as a priest of the Society of the Divine Word. He was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to several African nations before being named to Hungary in July of 2018. Archbishop Blume visited his ancestral village on the third Sunday of Advent, where he was warmly re ceived. He has started learning Hungarian. EPF László, whom he mentions at the beginning of this piece. Between 1983 and 1985, he was chief engineer of the Open Air Ethnographic Museum of Szentendre. He has pub lished two books dealing with regional houses (tájházak), which he describes in the above article.