![Table setting at the AHF Hungarian Ball 2006. In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day, each table was named after a Hungarian Military Hero: The Col. Commandant Michael Kovats table is seen here. Kovats is Father of the US Light Cavalry and died fighting the British at Charleston, S.C., in 1779.](images/gala_2006_05_20/tablesetting_sm.JPG) 5/20/2006
- The Washington May Hungarian Ball - A very special
benefit evening! The phenomenal New York Continental Band and a performance
by local scouts made for a very special evening. In what hopes to be
an annual revival of the famed Hungarian Ball inWashington,
the gala, black-tie affair raised funds to support the Hungarian Scouts
of Washington, D.C., and a series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary
of the1956
Hungarian Revolution and the Hungarian historical communities living
in the countries neighboring Hungary.
![Istvan Fedor, AHF President, gave his opening remarks and called attention to the need for unity and national representation and AHF's proud history as the nation's oldest Hungarian-American umbrella organization](images/gala_2006_05_20/fedor_istvan_sm.JPG) AHF's
National Secretary and Ball Committee Chair, Erika Fedor, welcomed guests
and thanked the committee for the hard work in outting such a beautiful
program together. Istvan Fedor, AHF President, gave his opening remarks
and called attention to the need for unity and national representation
and AHF's proud history as the nation's oldestHungarian-American
umbrella organization. Karoly Dan, Cultural Attache at the Hungarian
Embassy in Washington, DC, addressed the audience and read a letter
from Hungarian Ambassador Simonyi.
![AHF Assoc. President Frank Koszorus delivered a keynote address focused on the implications of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution](images/gala_2006_05_20/koszorus_frank_sm.JPG) AHF
Assoc. President Frank Koszorus delivered a keynote address focused
on the implications of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and asked the community
to join AHF to take concrete steps in righting some of the wrongs resulting
from repurcussions against Hungarians in Rumania and elsewhere in the
CarpathianBasin
as a result of the fear that democratic revolt would spread. He specifically
called attention to: "the Rumanian government’s virtual liquidation
of the Hungarian-language Bolyai University in Rumania.Nobel
Laureates and Wolf Prize Laureates recently called upon Rumania to take
“immediate steps” to “re-establish the public Bolyai
University in Cluj-Napoca/Kolozsvar.” What a fitting commemoration
of 1956 righting such wrongs extending back decades would be.It
would also be a fitting tribute to the memory of thousands of unsung
heroes who did not compromise but sacrificed their lives for the cause
of liberty fifty years ago. Romania has rejected this request. Our Federation
is committed to see the end of discrimination in Romania and the respect
for human and minority rights, including autonomy. " Koszorus remarked.
AHF
Executive Committee Chair and member of AHF's 1956 Committee, Bryan
Dawson-Szilagyi, gave a presentation on upcoming AHF events across the
country related to the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the
1956 Hungarian Revolution. He called for volunteers to help ensure a
fitting 50th Jubilee. Events include:
- May 29th, Memorial Day commemoration honoring Hungarian
American heroes at Arlintgon National Cemetery
-
October 15th Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick's Requiem
Mass in New York City
- October 20th Gala in honor of 1956 Freedom Fighters at Washington,
D.C.'s prestigious Cosmos Club.
A 1956 Film Festival
- 1956 Memorials in Naples, FL; Lorain, and Cleveland, OH, Colorado,
and elsewhere
- 1956 Resolution effort in all US States
- AHF's 1956 Portal providing free Web pages to all AHF member organizations
to help consolidate information into one resource.
The
night included a raffle of numerous unique and valuable items (donors
can be seen in the right column) and ended with dancing the night away.
This is the first of many Hungarian Balls to come - If you would like
to serve on the AHF Ball Committee, please let us know! Contact Erika
Fedor at efedor55@cs.com
Additional Photos (click for larger image)
Photos by Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi
![AHF Assoc. President Frank Koszorus (right) with Hungarian Cultural Attache, Karoly Dan](images/gala_2006_05_20/koszorus_dan_sm.JPG)
![hollosy_fedors_hilberths](images/gala_2006_05_20/hollosy_fedors_hilberths_sm.JPG)
![The Koszorus Family](images/gala_2006_05_20/koszorus_family_sm.JPG)
![Enjoying the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball](images/gala_2006_05_20/reception5_sm.JPG)
![Enjoying the Cocktail Hour at the Hungarian May Ball](images/gala_2006_05_20/reception6_sm.JPG) ![The Table featuring Bobbie Kalman's new book, "Refugee Child" an autobiographical tale of the 1956 Revolution from a 9-year-old's persepective.](images/gala_2006_05_20/refugee_child_table_sm.JPG)
![Guests at the Col. Commandant Michael Kovats table](images/gala_2006_05_20/table1_sm.JPG)
![Hungarian Scouts enjoy the party](images/gala_2006_05_20/table4_sm.JPG)
![Enjoying the AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006](images/gala_2006_05_20/table7_sm.JPG)
![Üveges Tánc performers from the Hungarian Scouts of Washington](images/gala_2006_05_20/table10_sm.JPG)
![Üveges Tánc presentation of Hungarian Scouts of Washington Sári Bárczay, Krisztina Dér, Andrea Kölus, Alexandra Dér, Krisztina Kárpáthy, Emoke Tóth](images/gala_2006_05_20/uveg_tanc3_sm.JPG)
![Üveges Tánc presentation of Hungarian Scouts of Washington Sári Bárczay, Krisztina Dér, Andrea Kölus, Alexandra Dér, Krisztina Kárpáthy, Emoke Tóth](images/gala_2006_05_20/uveg_tanc6_sm.JPG)
![The Conga Line begins at the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006](images/gala_2006_05_20/dance5_sm.JPG)
![Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006](images/gala_2006_05_20/dance13_sm.JPG)
![Dancing the night away at AHF Hungarian Ball on May 20, 2006](images/gala_2006_05_20/dance8_sm.JPG)
![Diverse backgrounds, ONE community](images/gala_2006_05_20/dance15_sm.JPG) ![The New York Continental Band plays during the cocktail reception](images/gala_2006_05_20/NY_continental_band_1_sm.JPG)
Previous Hungarian Charity Balls:
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Tiszteletbeli Védnökök /
Honorary Committee
-
BÁLBIZOTTSÁG / BALL COMMITTEE
- Erika Fedor
- Irén Hogye
- Frank Koszorús Jr.
- Marianne Koszorús
- Judit Kölus
- Zsuzsa Takács
Tiszteletbeli Védnökök / Honorary
Committee
- Mr. Jules Balogh
- Rev. Imre Bertalan
- The Hon. Tom Lantos
- The Hon. Daniel W. Lipinski
- The Hon. Thaddeus G. McCotter
- Leslie Megyeri, Esq.
- The Hon. Anikó Gaál Schott
- His Excellency the Ambassador of Hungary,
Dr. András Simonyi
- Mr. Steven J. Varga
- The Hon. Frank R. Wolf
AHF would like to express its sincere gratitude to the following Patrons,
Sponsors, Donors, and Raffle Sponsors whose support helped make the event
possible:
PATRONS:
Mr.& Mrs. Stefan & Erika Fedor
Mr.& Mrs. Paul Harsányi
Mr.& Mrs. Tamás Hilberth, Esq.
Mr.& Mrs. László Hogye
Mr.& Mrs. Charles Kolozsváry
Mr.& Mrs. Ákos Nagy
Mr. John Stetz
SPONSORS:
Mr. Jules Balogh
Mr. & Mrs. Attila Kocsis
Mr. & Mrs. Zoltán Körössy
Mr. & Mrs. Imre Lendvai Lintner
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Megyeri, Esq.
Mr.& Mrs. Maximilian Teleki
Dr. & Mrs. Eugene Volker
DONORS:
Hon. Anikó Gaál Schott
Mr. László Papp
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Kárpáthy
Mr. & Mrs. Sándor Murray
RAFFLE SPONSORS:
Bobbie Kalman / Crabtree Publishing
Balazs Szabo
Craftsman Wine
Hungarian Reformed Federation
Steven Ficher and "Freedom Dance: The Movie"
Duna Television
Rev. Csaba Osváth
Gyuri Hollósy
Embassy Suites Hotel
Erika and Istvan Fedor
Arpad Gergely
Hugo Tischler
William S. Shepard
Previous Hungarian Balls Supported:
1. The Hungarian Reformed Church Nursery School in Bácskossuthfalva was founded in 2005, this is the ONLY such school recognized by Serbian authorities. Despite the recognition, Serbia has refused to extend any financial support. The school is under serious financial distress and your support is greatly needed and appreciated. See the VIDEO INTERVIEW ( magyarul). Vojvodina, an integral part of Hungary for over 1000 years, was awarded to the newly formed Yugoslavia
by the French at the "Treaty" of Trianon in 1920 when Hungary lost 2/3 of her territory and 1/3 of
her Hungarian population. Intimidation, large scale evictions and ethnic cleansing, emigration, and fear of self-reporting have official estimates of only 300-350,000 ethnic Hungarians
remaining in the province. Some, however, estimate this number to be double that
since many fear self-reporting as Hungarian exposes them to risk. [read more] about Vojvodina.
2. The Hungarian American Education and Cultural Preservation Fund (Amerikai Magyar Oktatási és Kultúrális Alap (AMOKA) to support a wide variety of programs from scholarships and internships that develop our future leaders to assisting local communities at home and abroad to preserve Hungarian schools and cultural institutions, language, history and traditions. In 2012, the Hungarian Scholarship Fund (HSF) / Magyar Ösztöndíjalap surpassed $400,000.00. Founded by AHF Board Member, Prof. Bela Bognar, the HSF supports students who are economically disadvantaged and live in Hungary and in the lands lost at the Treaty of Trianon which cost Hungary 2/3 of her territory, 1/3 of her ethnic-Hungarian population and vast natural resources. [read more and HELP!]
3. Tőketerebes (Trebišov)
In 2013, the ball contributed funds toward the purchase of diagnostic equipment to support the Lung Ward of Trebišov Hospital (Tőketerebes Állami Kórház Tüdőosztály) in Eastern Slovakia (in former Upper Hungary). The Lung Ward treats numerous patients who contracted lung cancer or other lung-related diseases, following the Chernobyl disaster. Tőketerebes (Trebišov in Slovak) was home to the Andrássy family's residence. Built in 1786 by Count Csáky I., it was inherited by the Andrassy family who remodeled it in the neo-rennaissance style. Count Gyula Andrassy, the Kingdom of Hungary's last foreign minister, was born and raised here. Although in 1910 there were 2323 Hungarians and 2181 Slovaks living here (out of a population of 4708), by 2001, the ethnic makeup had changed significantly and reflects the decline of Hungarian populations in Slovakia and elsewhere in the Carpathian Basin due to many factors including widespread anti-Hungarian practices. Out of a population of 22,000 it had become 87% Slovak, 8.9% Roma, and only 1.7% Hungarian.
4. The Claude Alexander Volunteer Program supporting Walter Reed Hospital was founded by Mike Healy in 2005 to help wounded U.S. Army soldiers being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. The program provides outpatients and their families with access to free off-post recreational events.
5. The Budapest-based Juvenile Cancer Foundation. There are approximately 300 children who are diagnosed with cancer in Hungary every year. The key objective of the Foundation is to build a reference 300-bed hospital and treatment center for children with cancer which would offer medical services ranging from diagnosis to sustainable treatment on the level of developed nations by highly qualified medical doctors, nurses and social workers to ensure the recovery of children.
6. The Hungarian Elementary School in Vaján, Slovakia. The school is located in a little ethnic Hungarian village of under 800 people, Vaján (or Vojany in Slovak after annexation following the Treaty of Trianon) in the Kassa District (Kosice) of Slovakia. [read more]
7. "Classrooms of the Future" - This program builds Educational Bridges between the US and Hungary and Promotes Science Education. Securing the support of Dr. Janos Horvath, Hungarian Member of Parliament, AHF worked with McIntosh Junior High School in Sarasota, Florida. The objective is to have students in Zalaber Elementary School in Hungary work directly on scientific programs with their US counterparts via laptop teleconferencing.
8. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Hungarian Heritage - Roots to Revival
2013 also supported a unique opportunity for our community, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The Festival's theme was "Hungarian Heritage - Roots to Revival" and featured a wide spectrum of activities from Hungarian folk crafts to dance and music from various Hungarian communities, including Transylvania. [read more]
About the
Hungarian Scouts [more]
The
Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the primary national Scouting
organization of Hungary, was founded in 1912, and became a member of the
World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1990. The coeducational Magyar
Cserkészszövetség has 7,198 members as of 2004.
Scouting
in Hungary is maintained through Magyar Cserkészet Tanácsa,
the Council of Hungarian Scouting. There are two associations in this
national federation, Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the
Hungarian Scout Association, and Magyar Cserkészcsapatok Szövetsége.
Also serving Hungarian Scouts is Magyar Cserkészlány Szövetség,
the Association of Hungarian Girl Guides.
Hungarian Scouting was founded in 1909 under Austria-Hungary, and the
first Scout group in the dual monarchy, MCA-1912 HAS, was founded in Budapest
in 1910. Scouting started in the separate nation of Hungary in 1919, at
the end of World War I, when Austria and Hungary were divided. In 1920,
the magazine Magyar Cserkész ("Hungarian Scout") was
first published.
Hungary was a founding member of the World Scout Bureau in 1922 and later
was a founding member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts, WAGGGS, which was in fact established in Parád, Hungary,
in 1928.
In 1924, at the World Scout Jamboree in Copenhagen, Hungarian Scouts
attending their first jamboree came third in the competition of the nations,
behind British and American Scouts. They were especially good at water
sports.
The first Hungarian National Jamboree in 1926 had 10,000 participants.
Hungary hosted the fourth World Jamboree in 1933 at the royal forest of
Gödöllo, outside Budapest, in which 26,000 Scouts from 54 nations
camped together. The camp chief was Teleki Pál, the member of the
International Committee who later became Prime Minister of Hungary. This
was the first time there was a Jamboree subcamp for Scouts taking part
in aviation. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth World Jamboree,
the Hungarian Scout Association hosted a fourth World Jamboree Memorial
Camp at Bélapátfalva, Hungary in 1993.
After World War II, the Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség
started operating in the displaced persons camps in Germany and Austria
in 1948 as the Teleki Pál Scout Association, renamed in 1948 as
the Hungarian Scout Association. Scouting was well organized and popular
in Hungary until it was officially abolished by the Communist regime in
1948, but remained nascent underground...
[read
more on Wikipedia]
100 ÉVES A NEMZETKÖZI CSERKÉSZMOZGALOM
- MIT JELENT EZ SZÁMUNKRA? – Száz évvel ezelott egy afrikai szolgálatból
hazatéro angol katonatiszt elindította azt a nevelo mozgalmat,
amely mára a világ legnagyobb ifjúsági szerveztévé
fejlodött. Lord Baden Powell az ifjúság kalandvágyára
és romantikus hajlamára alapozta jellemnevelo rendszerét,
amellyel talpraesett, testben és lélekben egészséges, jellemes fiatalokat nevel. Az új mozgalom futótuzként terjedt szét a
világon. Magyarország az elsok között volt, ahol
nevelok és vezeto államférfiak – élvonalban
olyan kimagasló személyekkel, mint gr.Teleki Pál és Sík Sándor
– felismerték a cserkészet értékét.
Felismerték, hogy egy cserkészszellemu fiatalság
megalapozhat egy életképes, szilárd erkölcsi alapokon nyugvó,
sikeres társadalmat. Ezáltal a meglátás által
vezérelve, kidolgozták a magyar cserkészet rendszerét,
kiegészítve a Baden Powell-i alapokat egy jellegzetesen
magyar színezettel.
Sík Sándor fogalmazta meg legtömörebben, hogy a magyar cserkészet
célja “emberebb emberek, magyarabb magyarok” nevelése.
Hála a magyar vezetoség kiváló muködésének,
a két világháború között a magyar cserkészet – a trianoni csonkítás ellenére
– világviszonylatban kimagasló és elismert
szervezetté vált. Teleki Pált beválasztották
a világcserkészet legfelsobb vezetoségébe, a cserkész világtalálkozókon,
versenyeken a magyar kontingens az elsok között végzett,
és mindennek koronájaként Magyarországnak
jutott az 1933-as nagysikeru gödöllöi jemboree megrendezése.
Szinte látnoki ihlet által vezérelve, az akkori magyar
vezetoség olyan foglalkozási és nevelési anyagot,
u.n. “próbarendszert,” dolgozott ki, amely erkölcsi és gyakorlati tartalmán kívül
kihangsúlyozta a magyar hagyományokat és kulturális
értékeket. Ez, és a magyar cserkészet elsorangú
vezetoképzo rendszere, tették lehetové, hogy amikor a kommunista rendszer
betiltotta muködését, a magyar cserkészet zökkenomentesen
folytatódhasson külföldön. Az ötvenes évek
közepére már magyar cserkészcsapatok muködtek
nemcsak Nyugat-Európában, hanem Észak- és Dél-Amerikában, valamint Ausztráliában
is.
A Baden-Powell-i cserkészet és annak jellegzetesen magyar
változata olyan szerencsés induló alapot nyújtott,
amelynek segítségével a Külföldi Magyar
Cserkészszövetség immár 62 éve tesz eleget
jellemnevelo és magyarságorzo küldetésének.
De nyújtott olyan alapot is, amelynek segítségével
a kommunista rendszer bukását követoen azonnal megalakultak
a magyar cserkészszövetségek mind az anyaországban, mind a környezo országok magyarlakta
területein.
Ma már a Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetségen kívül a Kárpát-medence
minden országában muködnek magyar cserkészszövetségek,
összesen hét szövetség, amelyek közös
rendezvényekkel, programokkal és egymást támogatva
munkálkodnak az összmagyar fiatalság nevelésén és nemzeti öntudatának megorzésén. És így, egy angol katonatiszt által száz éve
elindított gondolat adta meg azt a keretet, amelyen belül
a négy évtizedes kommunista uralom alatt külföldön ápolhattuk külföldi fiataljaink magyar nyelvtudását
és nemzeti érzését, hogy aztán a szovjet
birodalom bukása után, országhatárokat áthidalva,
összekösse a Kárpát-medencében és a világ minden
táján élo magyar ifjúságot. - Dömötör
Gábor
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