80 years ago, on September 1st, WWII began Karolina Tima Szabó
Because the end of World War I deprived Hungary of 71% of its territory, it pushed the country into the arms of Hitler, who proclaimed that he would bring about a revision of the peace treaties. Given the results of the Treaty of Trianon, that was exactly what the Magyars so ardently desired. They saw in Germany their only hope of changing their situation for the better. This was partly realized by the two so called Vienna Awards. The First, in No vember of 1938, returned to Hungary part of the Felvidék which had become part of Southern Slovakia after World War I. The Second Vienna Award, in August 1940, returned to Hungary Northern Transylvania – including Kolozsvár – which had been taken over by Romania after WWI.
Adolf Hitler, the German Chan fused Hungary’s request to give cellor had a plan to take over back Northern Transylvania, Poland; the only reason he Partium and Székely land. postponed it was that Great Britain and France promised to By the summer of 1940, Teleki fight to save Poland. Finally, on had the Hungarian army lined September 1 st , 1939, at 4:40 in up at the Romanian Hungarian the morning, the German air border. Hitler didn’t want a force started to bomb the Polish conflict between two of his al city of Wielun. A false provoca lies; and he needed Hungary’s tion was used: German soldiers rail line for his troops to reach dressed in Polish uniforms took the Soviet Union. So on August over the radio station in Gliwice, 30 th, by the Second Vienna a small border city. Award, he gave back Northern Transylvania and Székely land Prime Minister Count Teleki Pál Count Teleki Pál to Hungary, which forced Teleki let Hitler know that Hungary to become committed to the would remain neutral, and Germans. would not take part in the fight So how did Hungary get into against Poland. Indeed, he the war? In December, Count Teleki made it possible for tens of signed a permanent friendship thousands of Polish citizens to Romania had agreed to the re agreement with Yugoslavia. A enter Hungary. The thousand quest of the Soviet Union, re few months later, Hitler asked years’ friendship between Po turning Bessarabia and giving Hungary to take part in the at land and Hungary was a major up North Bukovina, which never tack on Yugoslavia. Teleki factor in his decision. belonged to Russia; but it re found himself in a dilemma, and on April 3 rd , he allegedly com ing. About 55 million people mitted suicide (an event which died, including 6 million Jews, is still debated to this day). 2.6 3.1 million Japanese. On both sides of the spectrum, the It was under Bárdossy László, terrors civilians and prisoners the new Prime Minister, that suffered were unprecedented, the areas of Bácska, Muraköz inflicted by the Japanese in and the so called Baranya Tri China and Manchuria and angle were reannexed from against the American prisoners; Yugoslavia. by the Soviets in Eastern Europe; by the Germans in the On June 26 th , 1941, bombing of England, and in the “unidentified” airplanes occupied Soviet territory, and in bombed Kassa and Munkács, the Holocaust. And by the Al and Bárdossy declared war lies, who bombed Europe. against the Soviet Union. Considering the ratio of lives In 1942, the Germans or Prime Minister Dr. Kállay Miklós lost to the total population, af dered the Hungarian army, ter Poland, the Soviet Union 207,000 soldiers and 45,000 and Germany, Hungary lost the people on forced la Ferenc the new Prime Minister, most lives. According to one bor (munkaszolgálatos) to the and resigned. Hitler immedi source, approximate Hungarian Don River. In January of the ately had Horthy interned in losses amounted to 350,000 next year, that army was de Germany. soldiers, 60,000 100,000 civil stroyed at the Battle of Vo ians, and 400,000 Jews. ronezh. Regent Horthy Miklós With that, Hungary’s darkest After the war, the relationship appointed Kállay Miklós to re period of history began, with between the Allies – the United place Bárdossy. the rounding up and deporta Sates and the Soviet Union – Kállay’s main aim was to get tion of the Jews and other anti fell apart, and the long Cold the country out of the war, but Nazi individuals by Szálasi’s Ar War began. his efforts were unsuccess row Cross Party. This dark pe ful. Hitler asked Horthy for a riod continued after the war Karolina Tima Szabo is a retired Sys new army to send to the front, with the Rákosi era and up to tems Analyst of the Connecticut Post and also demanded that he re 1990 when the Russians finally newspaper and Webmaster of Mag yar News Online. place Kállay, which Horthy re left Hungary. fused to do. Therefore, the Magyar News Online Germans occupied Hungary on The Soviet army entered Hun 242 Kings Hwy Cut-off March 19 th , 1944. gary by the Valley of the Úz and Fairfield, CT 06824 Csobányos River on August www.magyarnews.org In October 1944, Regent Horthy 26 th , 1944. They completed the th Editor: Erika Papp Faber tried again to get out of the war country’s takeover on April 4 , Founder, Editor and Publisher by announcing that he was 1945, when the last of the Ger Emeritus: Joseph F. Balogh making a separate peace treaty man army left Hungary by Editorial Board: with the Soviet Union. Hitler Nemesmedves. (In 1985, it Olga Vallay Szokolay, Éva Wajda Charles Bálintitt, Eliz Kakas, had Horthy’s son, ifj. Horthy came to light that the actual Judith Paolini Paul Soos, Joseph Ull, Miklós kidnapped. Seeing that date was April 13 th , and they Estevao Arato his other son, István, had lost left by way of Pinkamindszent.) Webmaster: Karolina Szabo his life in a “military airplane Assistant Webmaster: Zsuzsa Lengyel accident”, Horthy gave in to the In the history of the world, WW Treasurer : Zita Balogh blackmail. He named Szálasi II was the most devastat Budapest to dition to her childhood memo Erika introduced her cousin, ries, selections from her Dad's Peter Vajk and his wife Dr. Danbury diary and correspondence pro Helen Vajk , who flew in from Olga Vállay Szokolay vide details of the daily lives of California for the occasion, rep regular people who lived resenting his late parents Seven Eleven , as a moniker for through World War II and after, "Uncle Raul" and "Aunt convenience stores in the details that one does not find in Louise". “Little Peter” was United States, obtained a history books. there with his siblings when the new meaning this sum Papp family arrived at mer. On July 11 th , our be the railroad station of loved Editor in Chief, Erika Princeton Junction, New Papp Faber observed Jersey on that memora th the 70 th anniversary of her ble July 11 , in 1949. arrival in America with her family. More than 50 of her The guests gave a warm friends and extended family appreciation to the cou filled the lovely venue, An ple of veterans – John thony’s Lake Club in Dan Edmond , a Navy veteran bury, Connecticut for a festive Erika Papp Faber of World War II, and Paul luncheon, to partake in her Soos of Hungarian parentage celebration. who served as a Bombardier in Benediction by Father Gregg the Vietnam War. The rain of the forecast politely Mecca , Pastor of St. Peter’s waited until most of the guests Church, opened the festivi A special treat of the occasion were leaving. Yet, few availed ties. Father Ivan Csete , whom was the participation of an themselves of the lovely terrace Erika met when he was still a Olympic champion. The world adorned with flowering plants, layperson standing in line to knows her as Ekaterina Sabo , overlooking Lake Kenosia. The hear Cardinal Mindszenty at but we call her Szabó Kati. She event’s attractions were plenti Fordham University, followed is the sister of Zita Balogh , ful to keep people indoors. with greetings. Treasurer of our monthly web Pictures from the Papp family’s page Magyar News Online. As life were projected in a continu Erika welcomed the guests. part of her 20 medal collection, ous stream, courtesy of Zsuzsa She expressed thanks to all who Lengyel and Karolina Szabo . Kati won four gold medals in made the day possible: gymnastics at the 1984 Los An geles Olympics. The guests were seated at ta to the good Lord for having bles of eight. The center pieces helped them through the war, The event was enhanced by the at each table, hand crafted by its aftermath and kept her for Erika and her friends, had a visit of Erika’s paternal third 70 years; cousin, once removed, red white and blue theme. At Haeffner Donát and his fian each setting, a “party favor”, a to her aunt and uncle who cée. Don just finished an as copy of her new book “With helped her family survive and signment as Communications God’s Little Finger Over Us” who sponsored them to come and Press Officer at the Hun greeted the participants. Title to this country; of the book was inspired by her garian embassy in Paris, France. Mother, who used to say that and to the United States for they had survived that horren taking them in and giving them Erika also introduced two non dous bombing attack in April the opportunity to live free and 1945 only because "God held Hungarian fellow immigrant to prosper. His little finger over us." In ad couples: André and Gedi Olga Vállay Szokolay is an ar after three decades of Campé from Lithuania who ar chitect and Professor Emerita of teaching. She is a member of rived by boat the same year as Norwalk Community College, CT the Editorial Board of Magyar she did, as well as Joseph and News Online. Anna Thampoe who came from Sri Lanka 25 years ago. She also presented an adopted member of her family, Amy Doorga and her Mom Sheila from Guyana. Her son, Scott was born here, so he is a “native American”. She also thanked all those who had helped her with the arrange ments, including Eva Wajda and Barbara Raimundo , both of whom had offered decorating suggestions and provided much appreciated assistance. The culinary offerings and the service were certainly exquisite and greatly appreciated. All raised their glasses of cham pagne to a toast to the United States and sang God Bless America . At dessert time, Charles Balin titt introduced Olga Vállay Szokolay who read her con gratulatory poem of 10 seven line stanzas, depicting the syn opsis of Erika’s lifeline, from Budapest to Danbury… each stanza ending with our heartfelt wishes: “Happy Anniversary!” The inscription on the cake ex pressed Erika’s feelings con cisely: 1949 – 2019 Deo gratias! top: Erika with Cousin Peter Vajk, with Zita Balogh and Olympic Alleluia! Champion Ecaterina Szabo (Szabó Kati); middle: cake, Olga Vállay Szokolay (our "Poet Laureata") reading her poem; bot tom: the "MNO Bunch" seated: Karolina Szabó, Olga Vállay Szokolay, Éva Wajda, standing: Paul Soos, Zsuzsa Lengyel, Charles Bálintitt, Erika A Song About Soldiers Going Off to War Erika Papp Faber
During the 20th century, young men in Hungary were called upon twice – in World War I and World War II – to fight in wars they did not want. Here is a popular song that describes them boarding trains in Budapest to be taken to the front at the border.
Budapesti vasútállomáson At the Budapest railroad station három gızıs áll a negyedik vágányon . three train(s) (lit. steamers) stand on the fourth track. Az elsınek, jaj de füstıl a kéménye, O how the chimney of the first one is smoking, azon visznek a magyar határszélre. on it they are taking me to the Hungarian frontier. Szépen szól az eggyes honvéd banda, The number one national guard band sounds nice, magyar fiúk szépen menetelnek raja. Hungarian boys march nicely to it. Menetelnek messze idegen határba, They are marching to a distant foreign frontier, mindegyik csak a szabadulást várja. every one is only waiting for his discharge.
Budapesti vasútállomás – railroad tween Pest and Vác. It is the station of Budapest – largest station in Budapest, and honvéd – term used first in the (abbreviated as "v.á.”) In addi has domestic train service to the Freedom Fight of 1848 49 for tion to several railroad stations, outskirts and to eastern Hungary. the national guard set up by Kos there are three major railroad suth Lajos to defend Hungary terminals ( pályaudvar , abbrevi Keleti pályaudvar was opened against the Austrians and the ated as "p.u.”) in Budapest: in 1883. It is the most fre national minorities whom Austria Nyugati (Western), and quented. Most international was inciting to fight against the Keleti (Eastern), are located on trains arrive and leave from Hungarians. It literally means: the Pest side, and Déli here. "hon” – homeland, "véd” – de (Southern) pályaudvar, is fends. located on the Buda side . gızös – meaning "steamer”. A gızös may be a According to the Compromise of Déli pályaudvar ’s predecessor locomotive, a railway train or a 1867, the Hungarians were al was opened in 1861. Its name is steamboat. lowed to have their own home not derived from its geographic határszél – area next to the fron land defense forces integrated location, but from the name of tier – soldiers were sent to the into the Austro Hungarian army, the railway company that built it area bordering Austria after as the Honvédség. The name – the Déli Vasút. It was the end World War I, before the plebiscite has been continued to refer to station of the Buda Kanizsa line there – also, to the various bor the Hungarian defense forces to at the time. der areas in World War II this day. It was totally bombed out during határ – border; outlying fields (Today’s Budapest Honvéd Fut World War II, and reconstruction eggyes honvéd banda – the num ball Clu b used to be the army was completed only in 1975. It is ber one (eggyes) national guard soccer team.) the largest station on the Buda band – side, with trains servicing west egy – one szabadulás – being freed; libera ern Hungary. Some international eggyes – number one tion; discharge from the army – trains arrive here and leave from Hányas szoba? What is the room here. number? "felszabadulás” was the term ap Eggyes. Number one. plied to the Russian take over of Nyugati pályaudvar was thecountry at the end of WWII, opened in 1877, replacing the In Hungary, showing num- and liberation from the Nazis end station of Hungary’s first rail bers on you fingers begins way line (1846) which ran be with the thumb! tion equipment. designed by the Hungarian doc “Operation Free- tors. With Dr. Csókay András as dom” – Siamese The first phase of what became the team leader, and known as “Operation Free Dr. Csapody Marcell leading the Twins Separated dom”, separating Rabeya and anesthesia group, the girls were Rokaiya, took place in Bangla finally separated from each other by Hungarian desh a year ago. At that time, on August 1 st and 2 nd in a very Medical Team 85% of the shared cerebral veins intricate, 33 hour procedure. In Erika Papp Faber were separated in a series of the course of the grueling opera three operations. Dr. Csókay tion, the team paused three András, head of the team, who times to pray, together with their A Hungarian medical team, led by himself has developed several Moslem and Hindu colleagues. dr. Csókay András, made head new techniques for treating brain lines around the world when, at and spinal injuries, stated, “Dr. In an interview with Hungarian the beginning of August in Dhaka Hudák István, who is world TV, Dr. Csókay said, "It is never (formerly Dacca), Bangladesh, its famous for endovascular matters the doctor who heals; the doctor members separated a pair of 3 (using catheters in the brain) was only treats. Only God heals.” In year old Siamese twin girls con the only one in the world capable another interview he added, joined at the head. They had to of performing this unique proce "Two of the neurosurgical inno develop their own protocol for dure.” vations with which my patients the extremely difficult – and recovered better, or for which I lengthy – procedure. Next came preparatory surgery in received recognition or prizes, Budapest, in January of this occurred to me while I was pray “It would be impossible to sepa year. During the seven months ing the Rosary. They did not rate these two”, thought dr. the children (with their parents) come from myself.” Csókay András, neurosurgeon, were in Budapest, dr. Pataki per when he first encountered Ra formed a series of 44 surgeries, Rabeya came out of the induced beya and Rokaiya in Bangladesh grafting a specific Hungarian coma first, and as of this writing in November 2017. But then he designed tissue expanding im (August 22 nd ) is smiling, speaking consulted another neurosurgeon, plant system into the girls’ heads and eating on her own. Her twin, dr. Hudák István, who suggested to stretch the skin and soft tis Rokaiya, opened her eyes only a pioneering approach, and to sue. some days later, and although gether they worked out a proto she is currently fighting a special col for the entire procedure. As Dr. Csókay relates, he prac viral fever, is said to be in stable ticed, in autopsies, the individual condition at this time. Dr. Csókay is the leading physi steps laid out by Dr. cian at the Neurosurgical Depart Hudák. What helped them, he During a press conference, Dr. ment of Honvédkórház in Buda said, was the knowledge that Csókay stated that, during the pest, and co founder, with plastic people in Nigeria surgery, they had been on a surgeon dr. Pataki Gergely, (where Cselekvés has a mission), physical, mental and emotional of Cselekvés a kiszolgáltatottakért and a million people in Hungary rollercoaster. At times they alapítvány (Action for Defenseless were praying for them. (Clergy thought they were losing the chil People Foundation). Purpose of and Catholic media in Hungary dren. They also experienced the Foundation is to provide help had asked people to pray espe situations that they could not for those who can do little or cially on August 1st and 2nd for explain, such as a kidney function nothing to protect themselves success of the surgery.) irregularity of one of the girls, due to their health or economic which disappeared all of a sud condition. They volunteer to per Finally, a team of 35 doctors den and the kidney began to form free surgery, at home and traveled to Bangladesh to per work normally. abroad, provide instruction and form the actual separation of the assist in the acquisition of medi twins’ skulls and brains. There He also related a heartwarming cal instruments, specialized hos were no textbook models to fol incident: once the operation was pital furnishings and rehabilita low – the entire procedure was over, the girls – both still under anesthesia – instinctively reached who suffer from burns, dr. Pataki of Cselekvés perform their chari for each other’s hand! began the Bangladesh mission for table work “according to the de restorative plastic and burn sur mands of our time, the highest Some of the doctors on the team gery in 2010. In 2016, dr. value being a high level of pro remained in Bangladesh after Csókay was led to establish a fessional preparedness, the hu wards for more volunteer neuro neurosurgical mission in Nigeria. mility necessary for the task, the logical and plastic surgery as well “Children’s deformities and inju strength of our teams’ faith in as giving professional lec ries must be treated as fast as each other and in the local com tures. They had taken along two possible, because they are devel munity – but perhaps most im tons of medical equipment and oping and their behavior is portantly, the real service of the left most of it in Bangladesh as a shaped by their physical possibili person in need.” donation. The entire team will be ties. For example, it is very im returning there in three to six portant whether or not someone As mentioned above, they have months, to carry out further sur can use his hands, which will de established missions in Bangla gery on Rabeya and Ro termine whether he will be able desh and Nigeria. There they kaiya. However, this will not be to work or will become a depend spend two weeks every year, the last intervention for the ent person.” They have sepa performing some 70 80 neuro girls. Secondary skull construc rated, in many patients, fingers logical and plastic surgeries on tion and other rehabilitation will which had grown together, put needy patients, and on patients probably take years. together injured faces, done plas born with developmental disabili tic surgery. ties who otherwise would have Dr. Csókay says, "We can't speak no chance for a normal life. of success even now. It's not the It is their firm belief that the successful application of tech greatest need must be addressed The funds they raise are spent on niques that signify success, but first; they have to help those who providing bandages and medical when the patient says, it is better have the least chance for healing, instruments for Hungarian hospi now than it was before." where the greatest good can be tals; on electric hospital beds and achieved with the least amount other hospital furnishings; on We pray for the complete recov of money. Their work is sup health lectures; and on continu ery of Rabeya and Rokaiya, and ported by donations. ing professional education for ask the Lord’s continued bless medical personnel at home and ings on the Cselekvés team! Quoting again from their mission abroad, to enable them to help statement, the doctors as many people as they can. More about Cselekvés a kiszolgáltatottakért Founded in 2002 on the inspira tion of Mother Teresa, Action for Defenseless People has helped thousands since its incep tion. According to their mission statement posted on the internet, “The essence of Cselekvés is that we try to help, in an active and direct way, here and now, at home and abroad, in proportion to our abilities.” They travel to areas hardest hit by a lack of doctors and by pov erty to perform special surgical procedures. Since in Third World countries there are many children Szeptember elején / At the Beginning of September Kosztolányi Dezsı
Fall is described as lounging in a golden cape among the rich toys of summer, surrounded by its burning red fruit, and nodding in agreement that life is one, the beginning and the end. The author declares that he does not feel it painful either that he has to lose everything that is beautiful . He wraps himself in the heavy golden mantle of wisdom, and all his words are "smiles and indifference".
A hosszú, néma, mozdulatlan ısz aranyköpenybe fekszik nyári, dús játékai közt, megvert Dárius és nem reméli már, hogy újra gyız. Köröskörül bíbor gyümölcse ég s nem várja, hogy a kedvét töltse még, a csönd, a szél, a fázó zöldes ég fülébe súg, elég volt már, elég s ı bólogat, mert tudja tudja rég, hogy egy az élet, a kezdet s a vég. Nekem se fáj, hogy mindent, ami szép, el kell veszítenem. A bölcseség nehéz aranymezébe öltözöm s minden szavam mosolygás és közöny .
Kosztolányi Dezsı (1885 – 1936) became a journalist, and contributed to the literary magazine NYUGAT, among other publications. He exhibited great virtuosity with the Hungarian language, and started a phi lological movement in the 1930s which strongly influenced the writers of his time. He was a linguist and a literary translator. Marked by social concern, his versatility was evidenced by his short stories and novels written from a psychoanalytical point of view. He was among the very few writers who could make a living from his craft. A follower of Bicsérdy (see the January 2019 issue of Magyar News Online) and a hypochondriac, Kosztolányi eventually developed cancer of the throat. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Apples in a Robe / cording to your taste and pinch of salt. Add the flour little by what is available in your little, beating constantly, until the Alma pongyolában area . mixture has a thick liquid consis tency. 2 eggs, separated 2 tsp sugar Beat the egg whites until stiff, and 1 ½ cups milk fold carefully into the batter mix ¼ cup white wine ture. Peel and core the apples and pinch of salt cut into ¼ ½ inch thick rings. 1 2/3 cups flour 1 ¼ lbs tart apples Heat a generous quantity of oil about 2 cups of oil for deep until bubbling. Dip the apple rings frying in the batter, then drain off the With the fall comes the ap ground cinnamon and pow excess and fry in the oil until ple harvest, with all different dered sugar golden. varieties available at farm stands. This recipe calls for Beat the egg yolks and sugar until Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar some type of tart apple, ac frothy. Add the milk, wine and a and serve hot. The Battle of Pákozd combat the Austrians. Jellasics tember, 16,000 men were on the was beaten by the honvédek in hillside with their leader, Lieuten – Fut Bécs felé the Battle of Pákozd on Septem ant General Móga János. Jellasics, a gyáva ber 29 th , 1848. Karolina Tima Szabó A Memorial Park has been cre The Croatian and the Austrian ated to recall that great patriotic army were defeated by the Hun “Fut Bécs felé Jellasics, a battle. This year will mark the garians in battle on September gyáv a, tenth time that the 29th, and Jellasics retreated to Seregének, seregϋnk Honvédfesztivál ward Austria. nyomába.” (national guard festival) will be organized there September 23 The battle was a minor one, but Petıfi Sándor: A Vén 29, 2019. it was a very important part of Zászlótartó the war for Hungarian independ North of Lake Velence, between ence. It provided encouragement These two lines of Petıfi’s poem Pákozd and Sukoró, a great bat to the Hungarian cause and was characterize the leader of the tle took place between the Aus a significant contributing factor to Croatian uprising against the trian Emperor’s army, led by Bán the outbreak of the Vienna Revo Hungarian revolutionary troops , Josip Jellasics (Jelačić), governor lution of October 6th. Of course, Bán Josip Jellasics as a coward, of Croatia, and a new Hungarian according to Austrian historians, running off to Vienna after his army led by Móga János. the battle was insignificant. defeat by the Hungarian national guard (honvédek). These had The Habsburg Empire consisted September 29th became been called into being by Kossuth of many ethnic groups that all Honvédség Napja (National De Lajos during the Freedom Fight wanted independence, which fense Day) in Hungary, but was of 1848 as a military force to gave a chance to the Emperor to later changed to May 21st, the attack Hungary. day of the 1849 Battle of Buda. The Hungarian government The idea of a memorial was first wanted to avoid suggested in 1874 by a patriotic the conflict. Deák group; donations were slow in Ferenc and Count coming and it was unveiled only Batthyány Lajos in 1890. The National Defense went to Vienna to Memorial Park, the only one in negotiate with the Hungary, is located at the battle Emperor, but they site on Mészeg hegy and estab were unsuccessful. lished in 2002. The main purpose of the park isn’t just to memorial On September ize the victims of the battle, but 11th, Jellasics to honor all who were the victims crossed the Dráva of the absolutism that followed. River with 30,000 It is a memorial to the heroism of men, heading to Hungarian soldiers of the last 150 ward Székesfe years. hérvár. Kossuth Lajos sent a proc The Don Chapel memorializes the lamation to Hun heroes of WW II. There is also a garian soldiers to memorial for peacekeepers. The return to Hungary; 41 ft tall Miskahuszár statue is he also recruited the world’s largest huszár statue, soldiers from the made of 100 tons of concrete. It Great Plains. By stands on Bogár halom (Bogár Memorial of the battle at Pákozd the end of Sep mound). According to legend, it is the same place where Jel leaving the rocks balancing on Pákozd Battle 171 years ago? lasics’s tent was located, in front one another. of which he watched the battle. If can you stay longer, on Octo There are playgrounds, picnic ber 4th there will be a memorial The X. Honvédfesztivál will be areas, trails to walk, and a look remembrance of the 170th anni celebrated between September out tower providing a panorama versary of the execution of Count 23rd and 29th. The program will of Lake Velence and Sukoró. It is Batthyány Lajos and the Martyrs include competitions for school a beautiful place to visit any time of Arad. children, “war of numbers” (a of the year, but why not during Hungarian children’s game), a the Honvédfesztivál to remember Karolina Tima Szabo is a retired youth street patrol competition, a all the great men who fought in Systems Analyst of the Connecti military history competition, re cut Post newspaper and Web membrance of the Pákozd Battle, master of Magyar News Online. reenactment of the battle, exhib its, programs for children and much more… A wreath laying ceremony and an ecumenical prayer service will also be taking place. The mountain and lake area is very is rich in wildlife – animals, birds such as the darázsölyv and kabasólyom (types of hawk and falcon) and vegetation (miniature irises, black kökörcsin – wild anemone). Some 250 varieties of trees and shrubs can be found there. After you visit the Memorial Park, you might want to see the 240 acre arboretum and vadaspark (wild animal sanctuary) nearby on the Sukoró side of Mészeg hegy. There you can see red deer, wild boar, wild turkeys, and pheasants close up. One part of the museum houses an exhibit dealing with the lives of fishermen and their tools, and another explains the forming of Mészeg hegy and the ingókövek (rocking stones). The ingókövek, which form what is sometimes called ‘a Magyar Stonehenge’, have actually noth ing mystic about them. The giant granite rocks were formed natu rally when, over thousands of years, the soft minerals were the WWII memorial, Miska huszár, Reenactment of the washed away by the elements, battle,wild boars, ingókövek Explorer Sass at the last moment another mu tiny took place which so seri Flóra – Florence ously threatened Sam’s and Florence’s life that no other al Baker – part 6 ternative remained but for Sam
Éva Wajda to discharge his men who had already been paid in advance This is our last instalment for one year of service. of the adventures of Hun garian Africa explorer After leaving the bulk of sup Sass Flóra and her English plies with a friendly native husband Samuel Baker. chief, Sam was able to secure a small party of Latooka natives Mohammed the slave trader and started his land journey for who had escorted Speke and the Central Lake Basin. Grant to Gondokoro agreed to recruit 50 porters for Sam who Dog, a spy, and it was a dis Florence and Sam encountered would accompany the expedi grace for a Mohammedan to innumerable hardships, suffered tion, together with Sam’s 45 serve, that they would starve in from diseases, malarial fevers, armed escort to Faloro, the his service, and would not be starvation, death and deser nearest trading station a 15 allowed to steal cattle and could tions, the loss of their animals, days’ march South. All were not have slaves. They were but they pushed forward with pleased to join Mohamed’s large demoralized and neglected all strong determination toward party of 200 men. Sam orders; donkeys and camels their goal. Finding porters was counted and weighed 54 con were allowed to stray; the lug a constant problem. They tainers, a hundred pounds each gage was overrun by white sought the assistance of Kam of goods to be transported, the ants; men were absent without rasi, King of Bonyoro, who with heaviest being beads and cop leave and spent their time in cunning, lies, empty promises per for trading, and ammuni camps of other traders. to provide food and an escort tion. No expedition had been delayed their progress for sev more carefully planned; the Sam learned that a mutiny was eral months. transport animals were in good planned halfway to Faloro, and condition and all were ready to the rebels would kill him and While waiting near a village to leave on an agreed upon day. Florence, take all their guns, meet Kamrasi, Sam and several ammunition and all their bag of his men sat beneath a large However, the men belonging to gage. shady tree, a beautiful Persian the various traders were deter carpet in front of them. A large mined to prevent the expedition Mohammed and his party de crowd of 600 villagers came to from leaving and would not al ceived Sam by leaving Gondo gape at them. Suddenly, the low an Englishman to penetrate koro two days before the entire crowd jumped to their the country. They were afraid agreed upon date. Five of feet and ran yelling and the lucrative ivory and slave Sam’s men deserted to join screaming toward the hut trade of the White Nile would them with their guns and am where Florence was staying. no longer be a mystery and that munition. They threatened that She had washed her long blond the atrocities of the slave trade if Sam followed their party on hair (a constant amazement to would be exposed and likely their road, they would fire upon the Africans) that morning and terminated by the European them. stood by the doorway of the Powers. They fraternized with hut, brushing her shimmering Sam’s escort and convinced Sam planned to follow another curly hair in the strong sunlight them that he was a Christian slave trader heading South, but as it dried. She was a sensa Arabic as he had not heard in his life! She shrieked at him, denounced his morals, his character, intelligence, hospi tality. She called him a son of a dog, a lying savage, an impo tent eunuch, criticized his peo ple, his manner, personal hy giene and honesty, of which there was none. A slave woman translated but could hardly keep up with this verbal assault. When her anger was exhausted, she glared at Kam rasi with pure fury, who wanted no part of such a trou blesome woman. He explained his custom to give his visitors one of his pretty wives in ex change for theirs. He ordered several of his people to accom pany the expedition. Florence and Sam mounted their oxen and rode off with the porters picking up their load. In the next village they were met with a savage farewell parade, 600 warriors came rushing, scream ing and jumping, shaking their lances and shields, dressed like demons with antelope horns Top 4 pictures drawn by Sam Baker. Left: episodes during the ex strapped to their heads and pedition; right: a rhinoceros, and Murchison Falls. Bottom left: dressed in leopard and monkey dedication of Sass Flóra memorial plaque; right: Hungarian and skins. English text of plaque. They continued their quest tion. The natives started to call South, exhausted and hear Myadue , the Morning Finally, Kamrasi made himself weak. Florence suffered from Star (Hajnalcsillag). People available to meet Sam and his sunstroke, dehydration, malnu came from far away villages to party and was given the Persian trition and malarial fever and see Florence. They watched carpet as a gift. was unconscious for a number her every move. Some tried to of days. She had to be carried touch her. There was no es His greed and demand for more on a litter and Sam gave up all caping her audience; she had gifts was endless, and when he hope for her recovery when she no privacy. When Sam covered finally promised Sam escorts to fell into violent convulsions. the doorway of the hut with a resume their journey, he de Sam fell upon a mat, ex blanket, they pried spy holes in manded Florence in exchange hausted, worn out with sorrow the thatch of the hut and doz for one of his wives! Florence and fatigue; he hadn’t slept for ens of brown eyes followed her flew into a rage and gave Kam seven days. When he awoke every move. rasi such a dressing down in the next morning, Florence’s eyes were open, calm and Society.) At a later time, Sir Upon their return to England in clear. Two days’ rest and the Roderick wrote glowingly to a 1873, Flóra and her husband party moved forward. They friend about “Baker’s little blue spent the rest of their lives at were getting closer to the lake. eyed Hungarian wife who is still their house, Sandford Orleigh, only 23 years of age, who we in Newton Abbot in Devon. Finally, on May 14, 1864, the like very much.” Sam was for Florence was renowned for her glorious prize suddenly burst mally welcomed home at a kindness and welcoming upon them in the shape of a meeting of RGS’s headquarters home. Sam wrote books, mighty sea. In the distance, on where he gave a brilliant talk newspaper and magazine arti the western shore, a range of about his African encoun cles on a variety of political and blue mountains rose to a height ters. His humorous anecdotal sporting subjects. They trav of 7,000 feet above its level. style won the listeners’ eled extensively, visited many The lake, lying between mod hearts. He ended by introduc countries, among them Cyprus, ern Uganda and Congo, the dis ing his wife to the audience as India, Japan. covery of which was the crown “one, though young and tender, ing achievement in the lives of has the heart of a lion, without Sir Samuel Baker died of a Sir Samuel Baker and his wife, whose devotion and courage he heart attack in December 1893, Sam named Albert Nyanza would not be alive.” He was and Florence died 23 years (Lake Albert) in honor of Queen awarded the Royal Geographi later, on March 11, 1916. They Victoria’s Consort. cal Society’s gold medal in were both buried in the family 1865. crypt in Grimley near Worces Twenty miles East of Lake Al ter. bert is Murchison Falls, named London society lionized Sam by Sam for geologist Sir and Florence; they were the In her will, Flora requested that Roderick Murchinson. There celebrity couple of the season, all her personal papers be de the Nile squeezes through a and their fame grew rapidly. In stroyed, but a hundred years twenty foot wide gorge and December they traveled to Paris after her death her journal was plunges with a thunderous roar, where Sam was awarded the discovered in an attic in an old dropping 400 feet in a series of Gold Medal of the French Geo wooden box in which she re cascades, creating a rainbow. graphical Society. He was corded the events and her ob In 1951, the movie “The African knighted by Queen Victoria in servations of their Second Af Queen” was filmed on Lake Al 1866 and Florence became rica expedition. bert and the Nile in Murchison Lady Baker. But she was not Falls National Park. It is invited to the ceremony. The Sources: Samuel Baker: In the Uganda’s largest and oldest details of how they met were Heart of the Nile conservation area, hosting 76 meant to be kept secret but the J.W. Buel: Heroes of the Dark species of mammals and 451 story circulated and the Queen Continent kinds of birds. excluded Florence from Court. Pat Shipman: To the Heart of the Nile The return journey occupied Samuel, as Governor General of Books by Samuel Baker, to almost a year; it was Septem the Equatorial Nile, returned name a few: ber, 1865, before they reached with Florence to Africa in 1869 “The Nile Tributaries of Abys England. Their marriage took for the purpose of eliminating sinia” 1867; place at St. James’s the slave trade. Unfortunately, “Ismalia”. 1874 Church, Piccadilly on November they were not able to accom “The Albert Nyanza, Great Basin 4, 1865. That evening they had plish this lofty goal. The sec of the Nile and Explorations of dinner with the Murchisons. ond expedition commenced on the Nile Sources” (Sir Roderick Murchison was the April 1, 1869 and lasted four Two books were published in founder and president of the years. Hungarian, based on the Afri RGS – the Royal Geographical can Expeditions: Anne Baker’s “Rabszolgák Föld swimmer Milák Kristóf beat Mi turn to base due to stomach jén Egy Magyar Nı Felfedezık chael Phelps’ 10 year world re problems and nausea. és cord in the 200 m butterfly Rabszolgák között 1870 – event at the Gwangju, South One down, one to go. 1873”, based on Florence’s di Korea world championships this Congratulations to Suhajda ary, and July? Congratulations for set Szilárd and his team! Samuel Baker’s “A Nílus Rejté ting another world record with a lye” describing their First Africa time of 1:50.73! …that a temporary whale expedition. sculpture made out of plastic Eva Wajda is a member of the At the same venue, Kapás waste recovered from the Magyar News Online Editorial Boglárka won the 200 m ocean was on exhibit in Buda Board. women’s butterfly champion pest in front of the Parliament ship, while Hosszú Katinka won building? The statue was English Text of Bilingual the 200 m backstroke champi erected by Greenpeace, an in Memorial Plaque onship. ternational movement to pro Dedicated in Uganda tect the environment, to stop Congratulations to all our Ma pollution of the oceans. In memory of gyar swimmers! Flóra Sass Most of the plastics are single The first European woman ... that Hungarian Rubik Ernı, use items, life spans are meas to reach the Murchison Falls father of the world famous Ru ured only in minutes, but it 155 years ago. bik’s Cube, celebrated his 75th takes 400 to 1000 years for birthday? We wish him many them to disintegrate. Flóra Sass, locally called more! Myadue (morning star) was a Transylvanian born Hungarian …that Suhajda Szilárd is explorer and Africa the 1 st Hungarian mountain researcher. climber who reached the Himalaya Mountain’s 8,611 In memory of Flóra Sass’ and m high K2 summit without her husband Samuel White oxygen and baggage carri Baker’s journey in 1864, when ers? they gazed upon the Murchison Falls and Lake Albert for the The K2 is more dangerous first time. than Mount Everest, due to steeper slopes, and is fur Erected by ther North so the weather is the Hungarian Africa Society – unpredictable; but mostly African Hungarian Union because of avalanches and Inaugurated by rock falls. K2 is also known dr. László Kövér, Speaker of the as Savage Mountain. Hungarian National Assembly March 2nd, 2019, on the 155th Suhajda is a member of anniversary of naming the the “Eseményhorizon” team, Murchison Falls. and their aim is to reach the 14,000 m Crown of the Hi malaya; but before that they
Did you know ... had to climb K2 and the Ever Suhajda Szilárd with companion est without oxygen. His part and the
... that while we were on vaca ner, Klein Dávid, had to re temporary whale structure tion, 19 year old Hungarian This summer Maria went back It's a Small to Paraguay for a visit; sorry to World! say, I wasn’t able go with her. Karolina Tima Szabó During her visit there, we were communicating via emails. The When we think of Hungarian emi other day she sent me one with grants, we think of places such five attachments. as the US, Canada or Austra She visited a museum, the lia. Paraguay is not the first “Centro Cultural de la Repub place we would associate with lica” that operates in the build Magyar settlements, but they ing of the Town Council. were scattered even there! The photos are of items created Maria Rodriguez and I have been by Hungarian immigrants in friends for over 30 years. Maria Paraguay. came to the U.S. from Para guay. At one time we talked I am looking all over the inter about visiting each other’s birth net to see how many Hungari country. ans are in Paraguay, but I can not find anything. Yet I am In 2016, I visited my family in sure there are some, because Hungary, and in the last two Maria found a record of them. weeks of my vacation Maria How small is the world! joined me there. She loved Hun gary, Budapest, Balaton, the By the way, next time I am go countryside, my sisters and their ing with her! families.
Top: Hungarian Bible; Hungarian Embroidery; Embroidery Sampler; Photographs. Left: Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody