AHF Headlines
 8/26/2011 -- Insights on the Balkan Wars and NATO enlargement from Dr. Michael Haltzel, who from 1994 - 2005 was Democratic Staff Director of the Subcommittee on European Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and foreign policy aide to U.S. Vice President (then Senator) Joseph R. Biden. Dr. Haltzel spoke at a recent CEEC forum moderated by AHF President Frank Koszorus, Jr. [read more]
 8/5/2011 -- AHF submits statement to Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia. The statement focuses on three issues: (1) minority rights as the prerequisite to democracy in the multi-national states of Romania and Slovakia; (2) the intolerance of and discrimination against the Hungarian minorities living there; and (3) the need for balanced and informed judgments relating to Hungary. AHF also called on Slovakia to rehabilitate Janos Esterhazy. [read more]
 8/3/2011 -- The American Hungarian Federation and the Central and East European Coalition participate in a reception and Capitol Hill Policy Seminar entitled, "20 years: Three Perspectives on the Evolution of U.S. Strategic Engagement with Central and Eastern Europe." The purpose of the forum was to discuss Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and American foreign policy toward that region. The forum brought together two panels consisting of leading authorities on issues of concern to the United States and CEE. Moderated by AHF President Frank Koszorus, Jr. [read more]
 7/12/2011 -- AHF Reacts to Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, who questioned democracy in Hungary and criticized expressions of concern for Hungarian minorities. AHF's letter expressed its steadfast conviction that judgments be "objective, fair, balanced and based on facts and not generalizations and speculation." It also urged the Helsinki Commission not to ignore the Hungarian minorities but to publicly and privately encourage Slovakia and Romania "to build tolerant societies by respecting the rights of their Hungarian and other minorities and the rule of law." [read more]
 Levelet írt az egyik szenátornak az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség [tovább]
Miért támadja Magyarországot az amerikai szenátor? [tovább]
 American-Hungarian federation strike back at US senator... [read more]
 6/28/2011 -- The American Hungarian Federation Expresses Concern About Romania Ignoring Minority Rights... Romania considers "redistricting." The statement expresses AHF's concern that more than two decades after the collapse of Communism, Romania has yet to fulfill its promises to its ethnic Hungarians. "...the irrefutable record demonstrates that its laws and practices continue to fail to conform to European and Western standards relating to human and minority rights, but in effect aggravate inter-ethnic tension.
We trust that the Tom Lantos Institute will forcefully speak out on this matter and on other instances of discrimination against Hungarian minorities in the region." [read more]
 Az amerikai magyarok a kisebbségi jogok miatt aggódnak - Az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség aggodalmát fejezte ki az emberi jogok megsértése miatt Romániában. [tovább]
 6/27/2011 -- Ronald Reagan statue unveiled in Budapest’s Szabadság Tér on the 100th anniversary of the former American President’s birth. Ronald Reagan earned an immortal reputation for his role in the fall of communism. There is also a bust of the former President in City Park. Statues of other notable Americans include Gen. Harry Hill Bandholtz (who prevented a group of Rumanian soldiers from removing Transylvanian treasures from the National Museum) and AHF's George Washington Statue. The Tom Lantos Institute will be also inaugurated. [read more]
 6/4/2011 -- On the 91st Anniversary of the Treaty of Trianon, AHF remembers the ill-advised treaty and publishes essay by Sir Bryan Cartledge who called the treaty "the greatest catastrophe to have befallen Hungary since the battle of Mohacs in 1526." Over the course of its more than 100-year history, the American Hungarian Federation has commemorated the Treaty of Trianon, highlighting the gross injustices wrought by that treaty (better described as a diktat) and the entire Versailles so-called peacemaking. Trianon continues to plaque the region. Sir Bryan  Cartledge is also author of The Will to Survive: A History of Hungary (2007 and published by Columbia University Press in 2011) a highly acclaimed volume by the former British diplomat. Buy it now on the AHF Amazon Store!
[read more]
 Continuing
News: AHF continues call for support of a 1956 Statue
for the Nation's Capital...AHF's 1956 Commemoration Committee
is seeking your help to erect a statue in Washington, D.C. devoted
to the heroes of the Hungarian Revolution. The AHF plan calls for
an actual-size statue to be placed prominently in Washington while
we raise funds for its bronze replacement. Seen here with his prototype
design is renowned sculptor Gyuri Hollosy, who was responsible for
the Boston Liberty Square memorial. At the recent Capitol Reception
honoring 1848, Congressman Tom Lantos mentioned his intent to place
a 1956 memorial in Washington. We must ensure this remarkable design
is selected! [read
more]
Featured Member Books
AHF features books and articles written by distinguished AHF members. AHF encourages all members to submit scholarly essays, books, and other materials which will be featured on our Publications page. 1956 Revolution-related materials are also featured on www.hungary1956.com
 New Zsuzsa Hanto, book published: "Kitiltott Családok" (Banished families.
Communist repression of "class enemies" in Hungary) Hantó Zsuzsa az elszenvedők és visszaemlékezők emlékeit is magában foglaló könyv történész szerzője nem kevesebbre vállalkozik, mint az 1950-ben és 1951-ben vidékről és Budapestről a kommunista rezsin által kitelepített, kitiltott családok szenvedéseit, megpróbáltatásait, nem egyszer pusztulását mutatja be. [tovább]
 Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History - By AHF's Miles Lambert-Gocs. This is a book that Wine Spectator called "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language."
How did a wine from a remote corner of Europe gain unparalleled fame worldwide? This is the central question answered on virtually every page of Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition, a new book that promises to be a touchstone for all future writing on Tokaji. The world's first botrytis wine, Hungary's Tokaji won an enviable reputation centuries ago. But never before have the development of its winetypes and the story of its ups and downs in fame and prestige been presented so fully in English. [read more] or Buy his books now on the AHF Amazon Store
 Scarlett Antaloczy's "FREEDOM ’56: True Stories of the Hungarian Revolution"... is a timely compilation of true accounts of the Hungarian freedom fight of 1956. What started out as a personal family tribute to Scarlett’s parents blossomed into a worldwide journey leading to a host of discoveries and the posing of serious questions about civilization, global domination and political agendas. FREEDOM ’56 is derived from a wealth of interviews and submissions of first-hand information from survivors and friends of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against the Soviet occupation and the Hungarian Communist party. These are the personal experiences and reflections of individual contributors, from all walks of life and from all over the world, who looked back across more than fifty years of history to share their still-vivid memories of the Revolution with readers of FREEDOM ’56. [read more] and Buy her book now on the AHF Amazon Store
 Simon,
Paul M: "The Old lady and the Fawn," the first
bilingual edition of "Öreg néne ozikéje"
(Hungarian)
 Rebecca
McEldowney's "Soul of Flesh: A Novel of the 1956 Hungarian
Revolution" [ read
more]
 Dr.
Katalin Kadar Lynn's "Tibor Eckhardt in His Own Words:
An Autobiography" [ read
more]
[>> See all Publications]
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Strength
can only be found in unity! AHF and its volunteers and members have been serving the community for over century. In this Season of Giving, please join and support your AHF, an all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit 501(C)(3), charitable and educational organization. Your donations may be tax deductible.
 Kellemes
Karácsonyi Ünnepeket!
Santa Claus is called "Télapó" or "Mikulás."
According to legend, one night he put three bags of gold in three sisters
window to rescue them from being poor and allow them to marry honorable
men. Mikulás, (Me-ku-lash) visits children on December 6th, St. Nicholas' Day, which is the name day of "Miklós." Chidren put boots in the windows, like stockings hang by the fireplace on Christmas Eve all over the USA. If the child has been good, Mikulás leaves the boot filled with goodies - traditionally with candies, tangerines, walnuts, apples, dates and chocolate Mikulás figurines. Also, most children get small toys and books. If the child has been bad, the boot will contain just a switch usually with a devil-figure attached, indicating a beating is in order. Since no child is all good or all bad, most get the switch and the treat.
Christmas trees are decorated in Hungary on December 24th (see "How
to Decorate a Hungarian Christmas Tree"). Parents decorate
separately from the children and then ring the Christmas bell, signaling
to the children that the angels have brought and decorated the Christmas
tree and that Baby Jesus has arrived with gifts. The family gathers
around the tree holding hands to sing "Angel from Heaven,"
or "Mennyből az Angyal" in Hungarian. After opening gifts,
a dinner featuring hot, spiced wine, soup, or "borleves,"
and fish, duck or other delectable course is served. Families then attend
midnight mass together.
Links:
8/24/2011 -- AHF Book Review by Csaba K. Zoltani: Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron
(Deborah Cornelius, Fordham University Press, New York, 2011)
 Deborah Cornelius’ Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron (Fordham University Press, New York 2011) gives an excellent overview of the events leading up to and the horrendous events of World War II in Hungary. The effect of the Treaty of Trianon, that without plebiscites, truncated Hungary and deprived it of its natural resources and forced a sizeable portion of its population to live under alien jurisdiction, set the political and sociological climate in Hungary from the 1920's on. Cornelius gives an excellent overview of the readjustment that expressed itself in the politics and led to the belief that revision of the treaty was only possible through German intervention. [read more] and buy it on AHF's Amazon Store.
 FELHÍVÁS! ALERT!
SUPPORT THE AHF DISASTER RELIEF FUND!
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 The 2010 AHF Disaster Relief Fund has raised over $225,000.00 to help victims of devastating flooding and Toxic Sludge in Hungary!
The American Hungarian Federation joined forces with its sister organization in Hungary, the Amerikai Magyar Klub, under its "Amerikaiak a Magyarokért Közhasznú Alapítvány," to raise funds to help families affected by devastating flooding. Do your part and and add your name to the Wall of Honor [Read more]
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Upcoming Events
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Invitation / Meghivó
Washington, DC
AHF PRESENTS the Tiszta Sziv School Choir on September 22, 2011
Free! (Donations to support the choir are encouraged). Next show For more information
[click here]
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9/20/2011 - Tiszta Sziv at the Hungarian Community CLub in Wallingford, CT
The Hungarian Community Club is pleased to present a unique opportunity to listen to 'Tiszta Sziv' - or 'Pure Heart'. This incredible Girls' Chorus from Transylvania will be at the club, 147 Ward St, Wallingford, Ct, on Tuesday September 20, 2011 at 7:30 pm. The chorus will feature selections from classical ecclesiastical and secular works, folksongs and compositions by Bardos, Bartok, and Kodaly. Songs will be performed in both Hungarian and English. Admission is free, but voluntary contributions will be gratefully accepted to help defray costs. Light snacks and resfresments will be available. For information please call Barbara (203-269-9768), Linda (203-634-0602) or Kathy (203-213-3775) or email us at HCCofWallingford@gmail.com. For more upcoming events or to join, visit their Website.
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 Florida celebrates the Franz Liszt Bicentennial!
INVITATION: Sarasota, FL, 12/2:
Celebrating the Franz Liszt Bicentennial: The Kossuth Club Presents: "From Liszt to Ligeti: 200 Years of Hungarian Piano Music" with
Piano Virtuoso
LÁSZLÓ BORBÉLY
Friday, December 2nd at 7pm
at the Glenridge Auditorium
7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota, FL 34238
[read more]
Additional Franz Liszt events in Sarasota:
Sunday, October 23 at 7:30 PM in the Church of the Redeemer (222 S. Palm Ave.). Co-sponsored by the Church and the Kossuth Club. Organ recital from the sacred music of Liszt performed by
Ann Stephenson Moe and Michael Stuart.
Suggested ticket donation $10 [read more]
Thursday, October 27 at 4:30 PM in the Piano recital: Un Hommage à Liszt
Péter Adrian Grauer
Selby Public Library (1331 First Street). Co-sponsored by the Hungarian Medical Association of America (HMAA) and the Kossuth Club.
The HMAA will host a post-concert reception and dinner to meet the artist from 7:00 PM. [read more]
Sunday, November 6 at 2:30 PM in the Beneva Christian Church (4835 Beneva Road). Co-sponsored by the Hungarian Reformed Church and the Kossuth Club: Piano recital, "Un Hommage à Lisz" with
Péter Adrian Grauer.
Meet the artist reception in the Church Hall following the concert.
Suggested ticket donation $10 (includes reception). [read more]
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Sarasota, FL: 10/8 - 10/9
 The Fifth Annual Hungarian Festival. On Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9 from noon to 10:00 PM the popular Festival returns to the Sarasota County Fairgrounds (3000 Ringling Blvd.). The Hungarian Global Friendship Foundation hosts the colorful event that shines a light on Hungarian culture through music, dance, cuisine and customs. Admission is 10 dollars each day; children under 12 are free. The Kossuth Club is one of the sponsors of the event and will have a ticket booth to advertise the Bicentennial events. [read more]
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We are thrilled to announce the DVD RELEASE
of 8-time-award-winning documentary TORN FROM THE FLAG!
Klaudia Kovacs’ multi-award-winning sociopolitical historical documentary is about the international decline of communism and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Torn from the Flag was the last film of legendary cinematographer László Kovács. As Klaudia and krew continue their '56 AROUND THE WORLD campaign, the public-use DVD continues to be available for rental in the USA, Canada and now in Australia and New Zealand for educational screenings (kindly note that private/personal-use DVDs may not be used for group/public screenings).
[Buy or Rent] this historic film, movie posters, post cards, and invite the producer to your event! [read more]
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ONGOING Washington, D.C. - Péter Bacsó Film Club,
Tuesday's, 7pm
Embassy of Hungary
2950 Spring of Freedom Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008
Dress code: Casual
For further information: www.huembwas.org
R.S.V.P. by (202) 362-6730/201
or email: rsvp.was@kum.hu
Looking
Back... AHF History
 WWII and the American Hungarian Relief Program... The American Hungarian Relief Program, under the auspices of the American Hungarian Federation, collected and sent $1,216,167.00 in clothing, medicine, foodstuffs and money. In all, 200,000 care packages were sent by countless local and national groups. Total estimated costs of the relief program exceeded three million dollars. [read more]
AHF
Members' Corner
Featured Member
 The Honorable Helen M. (Ilona) Szablya is the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Hungary for the States of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho based in Seattle. Each year, the Ethnic Heritage Council honors a naturalized citizen who has made outstanding contribution
to the U.S.A., while maintaining his or her ethnic heritage. Congressman Jim
McDermott presented her the “Spirit of Liberty Award" on July 4, 2011, at the the Ethnic Heritage Council's 27th Annual Naturalization Ceremony at Seattle
Center where over 500 people, from more than 75 countries, were sworn in as new citizens of the United States of America. Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, she is an award-winning author, columnist, translator, lecturer, and publisher. Her books are available on the AHF Amazon Store! [read more] about Helen!
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Featured Books & Articles
AHF presents articles written by distinguished AHF members. AHF encourages all members to submit scholarly essays, books, and other materials which will be featured on our Publications page. 1956 Revolution-related materials are featured on www.hungary1956.com
 Through an American Lens, Hungary, 1938: Photographs of Margaret Bourke-White. Kadar Lynn's recently discovered a treasure trove of mostly unpublished photographs taken during the artist's month-long trip to Hungary in 1938 by Life Magazine's most renowned photojournalist, Margaret Bourke-White. The photographs not only furnish us with a look at pre-WWII Hungary and its people, but because Bourke-White took unsentimental portraits of the major political figures in Hungary, from the far right to the far left, Communists, Fascists, Socialists, Social Democrats, Smallholders, as well as the primary government officials, it provides us with an insight into these individuals and history provides us with the consequences of their actions. Purchase this book on [read more]
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Miles Lambert-Gocs: "Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History." Wine Spectator called it "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language." [
"The Porcelain Figurine" (A Porcelánbaba) by Eva Mecs. 
