News from Florida

"Freedom Dance: The Movie," an animated documentary produced by AHF's Emmy-nominated producer Steven Fischer and Telly Award-winning animator Craig Herron, retelling the story of artist Edward Hilbert who, during his four months on the road to freedom with his newly wedded wife, kept a journal of cartoons detailing an adventurous escape from communist Hungary to the US during Hungary’s bloody 1956 revolution against Soviet occupation12/5/2006 - Miami Screening of "Freedom Dance: The Movie," an animated documentary produced by AHF's Emmy-nominated producer Steven Fischer and Telly Award-winning animator Craig Herron, retelling the story of artist Edward Hilbert who, during his four months on the road to freedom with his newly wedded wife, kept a journal of cartoons detailing an adventurous escape from communist Hungary to the US during Hungary’s bloody 1956 revolution against Soviet occupation. The preview screening of Freedom Dance was held in front of an enthusiastic audience at KimbaraCumbara Cafe in Little Havana. Law & Order: SVU star (and Hungarian-American) Mariska Hargitay recently recorded the narration for Freedom Dance. [read more]


Rev. Stephen Nagy and Father Emil Vargyas dedicate the 1956 memorial in Naples Florida's Collier County10/21 - 12/3/2006 - Andy Evva of the American Foundation for Hungarian Youth and Culture (AFHYC) working with Frank Dobos of Hungarian Club of Southwest Florida and local leaders dedicate "Talpra Magyar" memorial to 1956. The Collier County Board of County Commissioners named the Main Government Complex as "Freedom Memorial Park" and approved the "Talpra Magyar" 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution Commemorative Sculpture unveiled on December 3, 2006. [read more]


Kalman Nagy and Executive Committee Chair Dr. Paul Szilagyi at AHF's 1956 Memorial at the Venice Hungarian Club in Florida.10/22/2006 - The Hungarian Christian Society / Venice Hungarian Club commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Speakers were Tibor Helcz, Chairman of the Hungarian Ex-political Prisoners Organization, and v. Endre Tamaska (at 93) representing the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation. AHF Vice President, Dr. Paul J. Szilagyi, greeted the commemmorative getherings in the name of AHF. Dinner was served by the Club arranged by its honorary President, Kalman Nagy, Vice President of AHF. Kalman Nagy, see here with Dr. Paul Szilagyi, had earlier kicked off the year for AHF with the unveiling of the its 1956 memorial. AHF's Venice 1956 memorial was unveiled on October 23, 2005 as Hurricane Wilma approached.


AHF Chairman, Akos Nagy provides keynote address at 1956 Memorial unveiling at Miami's Kossuth Club10/22/2006 - AHF Chairman, Akos Nagy provides keynote address at 1956 Memorial unveiling at Miami's Kossuth Club. Miami's Hungarian community commemorated 1956 with a service at the First Hungarian Church of Christ followed by the unveiling and unveiling of its 1956 Memorial. The consecration ceremony began with the Ringing of Bell for the martyrs and the national anthems of Hungary and the Untied States sung by Mrs. Barbara Funk. Mr. Gabor Nagy-Bozsoky recited Petofi's "Elet vagy Halal" and Zsuzsanna Besze recited Wass Albert's "Veren Vett Orszag." The commemorative keynote address was given by AHF Chairman, Akos Nagy. Rev. Eva Lukacsi, Rev. Miklos Beregszaszi, and Rev. Joshua Lopez led participants in a prayer for the fallen as leaders laid a wreath on the memorial. The final benediction was delivered by Rev. Laszlo Lukacsi.

Following the dedication, some 300 people attended the commemoration dinner in the Kossuth Club's Banquet Hall. Local Miami newspapers did interviews as well as the Spanish-language TV station. The Honorary Hungarian Ambassador, AHF member Mr. George Pozsgay addressed participants and introduced Mr. Laszlo Dosa, a former Voice of America correspondent who replayed the broadcast recording of his October 25, 1956 radio broadcast and delivered a speech. In addition, members of the Hungarian Reformed Federation (www.hrfa.org) were represented by Ms. Judit Zambo and Catalina Levay. Other distinguished guests included the Honorable Yioset de la Cruz, Mayor of Hialeah Gardens, Florida, who gave a speech in Spanish and English and was interviewed by the Spanish-language TV crew. The next day several articles appeared in the Miami and Broward County, Florida papers. Congratulations to all who made this event a success!


10/29/2006 - Sun Sentinel publishes, "Budapest is a riot!" by AHF's Professor Peter Hargitai of the Miami Hungarian Workshop. "As a boy in 1956, he witnessed the street fighting of the Hungarian Revolution. Returning this fall, he saw a different kind of demonstration." "Budapest is a riot. But it's not because the people can now practice their democratic rights of free speech and free assembly, or because a group of soccer hooligans hijacked the demonstrations. Budapest is a riot because it is a fun city, a city of lights, a riot of architecture where eclectic doesn't mean hodgepodge but a distinct style in which baroque, medieval and modern co-exist peacefully." [see the full article] or [read more] about Professor Peter Hargitai, a 2006 recipient of the Col. Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom.


10/22/2006 - The Kossuth Club of Sarasota has also done an outstanding job of giving memorable celebrations for the memory of 1956. Students and faculty members of the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest were present. The Club held two concerts and other festivities. Several actual freedom fighters, who live in Sarasota, and Dr Istvan Mikola from Hungary and other dignitaries were present


10/21/2006 - The Hungarian Club of Southwest Florida is having a dinner on Oct 21 in honor of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at the Florest Glen Country Club in Naples at 6:30 for reservations call Frank Dobos 239-597-2345 after Sept. 27th. All Hungarians and Friends of Hungarians are welcome to join the club and take part in the activities.

They will then hold a memorial service in honor of the hero's of 1956 with Rev. Istvan Nagy, pastor at the Lely Presbyterian church, Sunday Oct 22nd at 12 noon.


AHF Leadership Conference in front of 1956 Memorial at the Venice Hungarian Club in Florida1/28/2006 - AHF Leadership Conference in Venice, Florida... AHF members met at the Hungarian Christian Society's Hungarian Club in Venice to discuss AHF 2006/2007 plans, how to improve coordination at both a local and national level, and events related to the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. Representatives from Florida organizations presented their activities. Andy Evva and Frank Dobos of the American Foundation for Hungarian Youth and Culture and the Naples Hungarian Club, respectively, Kalman Nagy and Executive Committee Chair Dr. Paul Szilagyi at AHF's 1956 Memorial at the Venice Hungarian Club in Florida.provided a multimedia overview of their remarkable recent activities that include extensive plans for 1956 commemorations and a short video on the 1956 Revolution set to powerful rock music with lyrics subtitled in English to appeal to the younger generation. AHF VP Kalman Nagy of the Venice Hungarian Club proudly showed participants AHF's 1956 memorial which he spearheaded and funded with almost $10,000 (seen here with Executive Committee chair Dr. Paul Szilagyi) and unveiled on October 23, 2005 as Hurricane Wilma approached. At the end of the conference, the Hungarian Christian Society Donated $1000.00 to support AHF's national efforts. [read more]


Naples, FL: The American Foundation for Hungarian Youth and Culture - raising funds with 1956 Commemorative Car Ribbon Freedom Magnets

The Foundation supports education and awareness of Hungarian Culture in Naples and in Hungary, primarily among youth. They are also making plans to commemorate the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Support the cause by purchasing Ribbon Car Magnets to commemorate the 1956 Fight for Freedom. It says "USA 1776 / Hungary 1956: Freedom is not Free." Magnets cost 1-4 magnets cost $5.00 each, with quantity discounts. Tax-deductible donations are also appreciated. Contact Andrew Evva, President at (239) 593-9513 or asevva@aol.com


Venice Hungarians preparing to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of 1956 with a series of events kicking off on October 23, 2005! AHF VP Kálman Nagy reports that the Hungarian Christian Society of Venice has already raised $5000.00 toward a fundraising dinner and a 1956 memorial to be erected in Sarasota. Work on the memorial has already broke ground!

The Hungarian Christian Society are also sponsoring several 1956 Freedom Fighters from Hungary who will attend the ceremonies in Venice and other events in Washington, D.C.

[Read More about the other AHF organizational members].

Become part of the AHF family and let us help you get the word out about your activities!

Member organizations receive publicity on the AHF Website and eNewsletters. Importantly, AHF can serve as a central information resource for all. All are invited to help both local organizations and AHF in its own efforts at commemorating 1956 in the Nation's Capital!

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Join AHF and help us coordinate events around the nation and the world. Contact info@americanhungarianfederation.org or Contribute or join online!

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