THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE FALL 2006 (Read-Only)

The New
Fall 2006 - Volume V, Issue 4 - Free
HUNGARIAN VOICE
©
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF HUNGARIAN CULTURE
Our Forum
2
Preserving History
4
Interview
5
Hungarian Talent
6
Hungarian Folk Tale
8
News From Hungary
10
Word Search
11
Chef Louis
12
Rise Up!
14
Treasures
18
Hungarian Nuances
20
Hungary’s PM
21
Learning Hungarian
22
Hungegitarian
23
The Urban Fakanál
24
VANCOUVER
Lorraine Weideman Photo
RISES UP!
www.the1956project.com

EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR
Peter Czink VRNT
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
MARKETING AND
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Lorraine Weideman
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Greg Csiszár
Mike Pratt
Anita Rácz
Magda Sasvári
Andrea Szilágyi
WEBMASTER
Rodney Kovács
ACCOUNTING
Mária Vajna
DISTRIBUTION
Kristina Tanner
Zale Tanner
P.O. Box 74527
Kitsilano P.O.
Vancouver, B.C.
V6K 4P4 Canada
604 733-9948
newhungarianvoice@hotmail.com
www.newhungarianvoice.com
Published by
The New Hungarian Voice
Editorial Committee
© 2006
All rights reserved
OUR FORUM
POINTS OF VIEW FROM THE
HUNGARIAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY
Most of us have heard of the situation in
Hungary today – the Prime Minister confessed
to lying to the people, and Hungarians took to
the streets, demanding his resignation. After
following due process, the Hungarian powersthat-be
voted to keep him in his position for
the time being, and we will have to wait and
see how the situation unfolds.
Personally, I am very saddened by the state
of affairs, and although we Canadians are
known for being somewhat apathetic about
our own political matters, I feel that ours is a
kinder, more tolerant condition. At least we
haven’t made a habit of executing our fallen
political leaders. If I lived in Hungary, I think
I would take to the streets too – perhaps make
signs and definitely publish broadsides, but
I’d leave the cobblestones where they belong.
Ever since the events in Hungary began, my
inbox has been overflowing with email from
Hungarian immigrants, mainly from Canada
and the US, urging me to despise the Hungarian
PM and to blame the nation’s woes on the
past decades of communism. There has even
been the prerequisite poetry, some of which
pleads to God to deliver us Magyars from the
evil Ferenc Gyurcsány.
Some of my old friends who lean to the
right are horrified that the current Hungarian
government has sold off the country’s
treasured iconic national businesses, but have
forgotten how they wildly beat the drum of
capitalism for decades. All of those red stars
that were removed from buildings have been
replaced with McDonald’s and Coca-Cola
advertisements, and the current government,
supported by a great many Hungarians,
mimics its Western counterparts.
The communists have become capitalists.
Fifty years of Western rhetoric has turned the
Hungarian Revolution into a crusade against
communism, even though the Uprising was
about oppression and occupation, initiated and
led by idealistic communists. Hungarian
immigrants still write maudlin verses and
appeal to the world to remember their plight,
yet we don’t speak up against the occupation
of sovereign nations today.
And who would have been able to guess
that a politician would be capable of lying to
his own people Or of manipulating the
electorate
I still am unsure, however, of what I can do
from here. The emails still keep coming, and
2
although I’m convinced that the PM is a
no-good so-and-so, no one has offered me a
recommendation on what to do. In fact, the
emails generally come from immigrants who
have watched the decline of their Hungarian-
Canadian institutions and witnessed the
collective disinterest in their culture by their
offspring. Across Canada and the States, their
cultural sinking ship has often been captained
by people who lack vision and cling to near
extinct methods and ideologies.
Criticizing leadership in our immigrant
community is strictly taboo – but constant
complaining about far-off Hungary is part of
the game – like a bowler who tries to direct
the ball with shouts and gestures as it rolls
down the alley. While around us, our institutions
slowly crumble from lack of attention.
I’m still waiting for one of these internet
political critics to email me the magic
solution. In the meantime, I think I’ll stick
with my plan of doing the best I can to
improve the cultural situation around me. Not
long ago, I suggested to one of the leaders of a
half-century-old immigrant Hungarian organization
that I am intensely involved with, that
we publish an article dealing with the
challenges we are facing, as well as the
solutions. My venerable mentor would have
none of it, as he felt that “people would laugh
at us” if we admit that things need to be overhauled
and updated.
I don’t think there’s any shame in
admitting that we need to do better – to throw
away out-dated ideas and embrace better ones.
If we truly want to help Hungary, the best
thing we can do is set an example – to work
hard in bettering our immediate situation and
to communicate our goodwill and cultural
integrity with the people around us and to
those in Hungary as well.
Politically, we Canadians might be a little
less passionate, but perhaps, as Hungarian-
Canadians we can teach our people back in
the homeland something valuable. There will
always be a right and a left, and each has its
own virtues and prejudices. Is it productive to
dismiss one or the other because of inherited
loyalties or simple closed-mindedness
Politics and passion will always go handin-hand,
but a little laid-back Canadian
tolerance will go a long way in ensuring a
more peaceful community.
Peter Czink

NOW AVAILABLE
THE 1956 HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION
A PEOPLE’S SACRIFICE
A 64-page publication packed with exclusive articles and never
before published photographs. Personal accounts of the
Uprising, technical details and political introspection are
combined with a fresh look at the events of 1956.
Featuring a Revolutionary chronology, biographies, photographs
of artifacts, diagrams, facts and figures, emblems and
symbolism, and rare documents.
A PERSONAL VOYAGE
An honest and engaging account of one man’s 1956 experience.
MAKING HISTORY
Accompany a bona fide Revolutionary through the streets of 1956 Budapest.
THE RE-BIRTH OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
An academic article on the plans for the Revolutionary National Guard.
INSIGNIA OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
Signs and symbols that inspired a nation.
PERSPECTIVES OF THE REVOLUTION
An overview of how the Uprising looked to Canadians of the 1950s
RADIO FREE EUROPE – DEMOCRACY AND DESTABILIZATION
A detailed account of the West’s encouragement of aggression.
WHAT CANADA CAN DO
An overview of what Canadians were doing to help Hungarians at home and in Canada.
CLOSE-COMBAT IN THE STREETS OF BUDAPEST
Revolutionary weapons and tactics.
HOW WE LOOKED
Through the eyes of the immigrants, the West, Communists and the Soviets.
SIFTING THROUGH THE MICROCOSMIC FALLOUT
The very personal journey of a child of 1956 immigrants.
Although our booklet is free of charge and has been
produced by volunteers, we gratefully accept donations -
100% goes toward printing and mailing costs.
To order our publication, send your donation to:
THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE
P.O. Box 74527 Kitsilano PO
Vancouver, BC Canada V6K 4P4
Please make your cheque payable to The New Hungarian Voice
(The minimum needed to cover postage costs are $5.00 within Canada,
$8.00 to the USA and $14.00 overseas)
www.the1956project.com

PRESERVING HISTORY
It’s not everyday that you have the opportunity to do your
part in preserving history. The opportunity to ensure that it is
perpetually accessible is even rarer. During the last couple of
years I have been collecting artifacts pertaining
to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
for my exhibition at the downtown
Vancouver Public Library, and I have had
the good fortune to acquire a great many
very rare pieces. My intention was to
share these finds with the public, and
judging by the initial response, it seems
that the exhibition has touched a great
many people.
Some time ago, I bought a collection of
original revolutionary newspapers published
during the Uprising, many of which
are on display. They came from an attic
in Hungary – hidden away since 1956,
and brought out only when their original
owner heard that I was in the market for
historically significant artifacts. They had
belonged to an activist who had been
involved with the Uprising from the very
beginning, and among the papers were a
torn, type-written page and a small handwritten
note.
I recognized them immediately – it
would be hard for any Hungarian Revolution buff to miss – a
copy of the famous 16 Points, written a day before the Revolution,
along with some hand-written amendments.
Items from the 1956 Revolution are quite scarce. Even the
official emblems of the time only existed from 1949 until 1956,
so one can imagine how anything from those few days of the
Uprising would be rare indeed. Immediately following the
Revolt, it would have been very unwise to
hang on to anything revolutionary, as the
authorities were doing their best to extinguish
the flames of rebellion.
These documents, therefore, could be
considered among the earliest from the
Uprising, as well as among the rarest.
The poor quality pulp paper of the time
ensured that they would quickly become
ephemeral pieces of history. I mentioned
these items to the Military History Institute
and Museum in Hungary, and they
expressed great interest in them.
After giving the matter considerable
thought, I realised that they would be
difficult to display them here at the library
– they are small and fragile, and would be
lost among the artifacts we already have
exhibited. I also thought that such a rarity
belongs where it can be cared for the best,
and where it can always be accessed. It
belongs back home.
Collecting antiques is a very enriching
and rewarding pastime – holding history
in your hands can connect you to something quite sublime, but
there are also times when “putting something back where you
found it” can be even more satisfying.
Peter Czink
4

The
NHV
INTERVIEW
János Miska is a librarian by profession
but he is also known for his books of
stories, essays, translations, anthologies
and bibliographies. After graduation
from the University of Budapest,
McMaster University and the University
of Toronto, he served as a librarian at
the University of Manitoba and Agriculture
Canada. He retired from the latter
in 1991 as regional director of research
libraries. He is the founding president of
the Hungarian - Canadian Authors’
Association and editor of its anthology
series. János is a recipient of several
grants and honours, and for his many
years of scholarly accomplishments he
was inducted into the Hungarian
Academy of Sciences in 2004. He lives
in Victoria, B.C. with his wife, Marie.
What is the most significant memory
of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
One of my favourite subjects at school
was history. A subject that had proved to
me time and time again that revolutions
seldom solved nation’s essential
problems. Our timid demonstration,
announcing fraternal loyalty to our Polish
and East-German brothers, had turned
into a full-fledged Revolution. Would
history repeat itself
How has the Uprising been
commemorated locally in the past
The commemorations from the outset
acted as a unifying force. Many generations
have joined forces in paying tribute
to the spirit of the Uprising. The earlier
commemorations were more forceful,
more political and emotional. The
wounds were fresh. Hungary was occupied
by a foreign power. In response,
passionate speeches were held, denouncing
the atrocities of the government.
Demonstrations were held in front of the
Soviet Embassy in Ottawa, and the
national and local media carried long
articles about the Revolution. It was the
early commemorations that kept the spirit
of the Uprising alive. The nature of the
remembrances has shown a dramatic
change after the withdrawal of the Soviet
forces from Hungary. The replacement
of the one-party communist system with
a freely elected government, and the
official recognition of the Revolution
have made the commemorations historical,
rather than political. Still, the spirit
of the early commemorations prevails to
this day. We keep paying homage to the
heroes and martyrs of 1956 at local
memorials.
János Miska
How will Victoria commemorate the
50th anniversary of the Uprising
The Hungarian-Canadian community
across the nation has been full of
commemorative spirit throughout the
year. In Victoria, a small committee had
been appointed to find an auditorium, to
draft letters of invitation to Federal,
Provincial and Municipal dignitaries, and
create a program for the occasion. The
commemoration in Victoria will start on
October 22nd, when we will pay tribute
to the heroes and martyrs of the Uprising
at the memorial park. A short program
will follow in the Hungarian Cultural
Centre along with a photo exhibition.
The official remembrance will take place
on October 23rd at the Conservatory of
Music. The program will also include
5
film presentations and an exciting
performance by the Greater Victoria
University Orchestra.
Do you think it is important that
future generations learn about 1956
I most certainly do. From a personal
point of view, the Revolution will help
future Hungarian-Canadian generations
realize that the Uprising was a pivotal
event in history that brought them to
Canada. From an intellectual point of
view, they will gain an understanding of
the nature of oppression and will learn to
recognize it in their lives when they see
it.
What is the most essential lesson
we can learn from the Uprising
The revolution was about freedom.
Political oppression is harmful. It takes
away the individual’s hope for selfbetterment.
Hope is an essential element
of survival.
Shouldn’t we be more outspoken
against the oppression of other
sovereign nations today
Yes, we should be. And we should be
outspoken early enough to prevent
catastrophic events like the ones in
Somalia, Kosovo or Iraq. We should use
every peaceful means to educate the
oppressing governments, convince them
that the practice of noblesse oblige
applies to everyone.
Is violence the only way to deal
with an oppressive government
No, violence is not the only way to deal
with oppressive governments. There are
examples in history showing that
oppression can be dealt with through
peaceful negotiation by offering amnesty
or easing the oppression. We never even
dreamed of waging an armed rebellion
against a powerful political empire. The
peaceful method, of course, depends on
the nature and strength of the oppressive
government, and upon the strength and
determination of those oppressed.

THE TALENT AMONG US
HAJNALKA MANDULA
Vancouver’s Most Natural Designer
Hajnalka Mandula spends lots of time on the telephone these
days. She has been featured by countless fashion writers
(including ELLE and The Globe and Mail) as well as CBC
Radio. Her clothing is of the most natural fabric and woven
with the most intricate designs. Hajnalka’s motivation lies in
using only natural, certified organic materials. She makes use
of the purest wool, cotton, silk and linen and her materials are
cultivated without the use of pesticides. But much of her
inspiration comes from hemp: stronger material widely used in
her home country of Hungary.
There is no question hemp lasts. Hajnalka showed me a 120
year-old hand-woven hemp cloth from Transylvania which
appeared as fresh as it was at the end of the 19 th century. She
first noticed the material in the closets of her grandparents in
Hungary, who proudly kept their own wardrobe of fitted and
elegant hemp clothing. Unfortunately, according to the
designer, hemp production has been illegal in Canada. This has
deprived people of a natural, long-lasting and beautiful material.
But what the Western world has ignored, Hajnalka is putting on
the map, with style.
Hajnalka was born in Debrecen, Hungary and came to
Vancouver in 1990. As a nature-loving young girl, she first
wanted to come to Canada when she saw a picture book of
Vancouver. It would seem only natural that she feels at home
here - in a city with environmental consciousness. Upon her
arrival, she began modeling but soon enrolled in school - a yearlong
design program at Helen Lefeaux. Her travels have taken
her to numerous fashion capitals, such as Milan and New York,
but she has chosen to stay in Vancouver for her newly opened
downtown boutique.
Her store has been open since mid-September of this year. It
is a spacious room, in an older building decorated along the
perimeter with hand-made earthy-toned garments on open
hangers. Hajnalka’s approach is to design each piece as an
individual, matchless work of art. Upon closer look, her clothing
appears cultivated - each with Hajnalka’s personally woven
signature. It is the bulk, mass-produced nature of many other
clothing brands which she has learned to dislike and avoid.
While she admits that leaving Hungary was a painful
decision, Hajnalka does not regret it for a moment. Her life in
Vancouver has also allowed her travel opportunities within and
outside of North America. But she has aspirations which
include expanding her brand and opening boutiques in California
and perhaps Hungary. Currently, aside from a boutique and
work studio in Vancouver, Mandula designs have distribution in
many major centers such as New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
Hajnalka also believes that it is important for people to learn
more about organic clothing, and hemp in particular. Just as
organic food and groceries have reached new popularity in
recent years, Hajnalka Mandula hopes for a similar trend to
continue breaking ground in the fashion industry.
Greg Csiszár
...from Mandula’s
Spring Collection...
For more information you can visit her store at 882 Homer Street in downtown Vancouver,
phone 604 720-3787 or check out her website: www.mandula.com
6
Justin Adam Photo

An Orchestral Tribute to 1956
Friday, October 20th, 2006 8:00pm
A spectacular concert by the
West Coast
Symphony Orchestra
performing works by
Hungary’s most notable composers
Conducted by Les Dala
Les Preludes - Franz Liszt
Piano Concerto Number 3 – Béla Bartók
Intermission
Hungarian Rhapsody Number 2 – Franz Liszt
Peacock Variation – Zoltán Kodály
Christ Church Cathedral
690 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC
Admission by Donation
(Recommended Donation $20.00)
To reserve tickets call 604 689-3081
7

Once there was,
where there wasn’t,
even beyond the Operencia
Sea, and even beyond the Glass
Mountains, there was a ruined furnace
without a side. Where it was good, it was not bad, and
where it was bad, it was not good. Beside a bare mountain,
farther than the back of beyond, there was a river, and on its
bank an ancient, hollow willow tree, and on every branch was
a ragged, tattered skirt. In each hem was a horde of fleas –
and let he who does not heed my story become the herdsman
of those fleas. And if just one gets away, let him be
consigned to the blood-letting of that horde of fleas and be
bitten to death.
Once upon a time, there was, in fact, a very, very old
woman in this world. She was older than the highway, and
even older than God’s old gardener. The woman never once
thought - not even when she was saying sand instead of hand
- that she would one day have to die. Instead, she hurried and
scurried after wealth. She was always on the lookout, sweeping,
scouring, and trying to swallow the whole world! She
had no one, not even one as big as my thumb. Her efforts
were fruitful, for in the end she feathered her nest, amassed a
fortune, and no longer wanted for anything. She had in her
house a small axe, a big axe - everything!
Then one day, Death came and called on her to take her
away. The old woman was reluctant to part with her wealth,
so she pleaded with Death not to take her away just yet. She
begged for ten more years, or five, or even just one! But
Death wasn’t about to compromise:
“You’d better get ready because if you will not come
freely, I shall simply take you.”
Still, the old woman wouldn’t give up, and she begged and
pleaded some more. Death was unmoving and said that he
had already entered her name in the big book, and that there
was nothing he could do about it.
In the end, she pleaded so much that Death gave in - sort
of - and said, “Very well, then. I don’t mind. I’ll give you
three hours.”
“But that is so little!” whined the old woman, “Please! Just
come back tomorrow!”
“Not on your life,” replied Death.
“Oh, come on!”
“Impossible!”
“Please!” The woman was used to getting her way, and
she knew that if she were persistent enough, Death would
give in. And he did - sort of.
“Well,” Death said. “If it means that much to you. What
do I care!”
The woman smiled on the inside and said, “Just one more
HUNGARIAN FOLK TALES
TRANSLATED and retold by andrea szilÁgyi
Death and the old woman
little thing…write here on the door that you will not come
until tomorrow. I shall be more at ease if I can see it written
on the door.”
Death was exasperated by now and didn’t want to waste
any more time, so he took some chalk from his pocket, wrote
“tomorrow” on the door, and with that, went off on his way.
The next morning, after sunrise, Death came to the old
woman’s door and found her still under the quilt.
“Now! Come with me!” commanded Death.
“It is not time,” replied the woman. “Look what it says on
the door.”
Death looked and saw the writing there: “tomorrow” it
said.
“Very well, then, I will come tomorrow!” And he sidled
away.
Death kept his word, and the next day he came again to the
woman’s house, and again, he found her still in bed.
“Now! Come with me!” commanded Death.
“It is not time,” replied the woman. “Look what it says on
the door.”
Death looked and saw the writing there: “tomorrow” it
said.
On the third day, Death came knocking again, and again
the woman said, “It is not time. Look what it says on the
door.”
By now, Death began to tire of the game and said to the
woman, “Now, you shall deceive me no more!” And with that,
he wiped the writing off the door. “Mark my words, tomorrow
I shall come for you and take you away!”
And as the old woman watched Death slink away, her
shoulders drooped more and more. She could see now that
the next day, like it or not, she would have to die. This made
her very frightened, and she began to shiver, though it was
warm.
The next day, as morning approached, she did not know
what to do with herself, she was so terrified. She would have
hidden from Death in an empty bottle, if she could. She
searched and searched for a place to hide. Then…there, in the
pantry, was a barrel of liquid honey. She sat in it so that only
her eyes and nose were showing.
“But what if he finds me here” she said to herself. “It
would be better to hide in the quilt.”
So she climbed out of the honey and hid among the feathers
in the quilt. But, she did not care for that either - they
poked her. So, she decided to come out and look for a better
hiding place. Just as she did so, in came Death, who could not
think what on earth that feathered monster might be. He was
so alarmed by it that he ran away in fright.
Perhaps even to this day he has not gone back to take the old
woman away.
This story is based on a folktale from A mindent látó királylány/The Princess That Saw Everything:
Twenty-four Hungarian Folk Tales (1998). This is bilingual book, with translations by Bernard Adams.
8

Claiming a
Revolutionary
Inheritance
Monday
October 23rd,
7:00pm
A two-hour
presentation of
speakers, personal
reminiscences, historical
overview and commentary
Featuring
National Film Board of Canada short films
This is a Photograph
and
Revolution’s Orphans
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Free
Admission
Alice MacKay Room - Vancouver Public Library
350 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC
Courtesy Pacific Newspaper Group

NEWS
FROM HUNGARY
by Magda Sasvári
POPULARITY OF PRIME
MINISTER AND SUPPORT FOR
MSzP ON THE DECLINE
2006.VIII.03.
In the month of July, when Prime
Minister Gyurcsány and Economy
Minister János Koka announced the
New Balance austerity package, their
popularity dropped by 12 %.
MAMMOTH REMAINS FOUND
IN SOUTHERN HUNGARY
2006.VIII.14.
The remains of a mammoth have
been found near the town of Zok in
southern Hungary, an expert from the
institute of geography at the University
of Pécs said. The skull, a 150cm piece
of tusk and several of the animal’s teeth
were found on a hill covered with vineyards.
The remains of the prehistoric
animal, which lived between 10,000 and
18,000 years ago, will be covered with a
special glue for protection before being
transferred to the university for further
analysis.
HUNGARY’S INFLATION
MAY HAVE ACCELERATED
2006.VIII.14
Hungary’s inflation rate probably
rose to the highest this year after oil
soared, making it more likely the
Central Bank will keep raising interest.
Consumer prices may have risen 2.9%
from a year earlier, after increasing 2.0
% in June. Crude oil near $77.00 a
barrel has driven up everything from
utility bills and transportation to food.
Hungary has the highest interest rates in
the European Union.
DANUBIUS HOTELS
GETS BUYOUT OFFER
2006. VIII.14.
Danubius Hotels, Eastern Europe’s
second largest hoteliers, received a
buyout offer from CP Holdings Ltd. for
5,625 HUF ($27.00) a share. CP Holdings,
based in London, already has 5.3%
in Danubius. The shares jumped as
much as 5.2% after the announcement
and closed 3.5% higher at 6,000 HUF in
Budapest, valuing Danubius at 497
billion HUF.
ST. STEPHEN’S DAY
CELEBRATION TURNS INTO
DISASTER IN BUDAPEST
2006, VIII.20.
1.5 million people turned out to
watch the St Stephen’s Day celebration
fireworks in Budapest. A storm, with
winds of 120km per hour, hit the
people gathered on the shores of the
Danube to watch the fireworks. Five
people died, and three people were
presumed to be drowned as they fell
overboard after colliding with other
boats. Officials say that more than 500
people were injured.
HUNGARIAN STUDENT
BEATEN IN SLOVAKIA
2006. VIII 24.
Unknown attackers beat a Hungarian
girl attending the University of Nyitra,
and they wrote anti-Hungarian slogans
on her shirt. It happened in one of the
underground passages in Nyitra and it
was provoked by the girl speaking in
Hungarian on her cell phone. After the
beatings they wrote on her blouse
“Hungarians get out of here to the other
side of the Danube,” and “Death to all
parasites.” She was taken to hospital in
Nyitra with internal bleeding.
A second incident involved a 19
year-old man, who was attacked in
Diószeg on August 26th. The incidents
have been increasing since a far right
member of the Slovak government, Jan
Slota, made remarks about the ethnic
minority Hungarians in Slovakia.
POET AND WRITER GYÖRGY
FALUDY PASSES AWAY
2006.IX.1.
György Faludy, born September
22nd, 1910, in Budapest emigrated to
France in 1938. Following the German
occupation he escaped to Marocco, and
in 1942 he left for the US. After the
Second World War he returned to
Hungary in 1950, where he was imprisoned.
He was freed in 1953. Following
10
the 1956 Revolution he lived in London,
Florence, Malta and Toronto. He
returned to Hungary after 1989.
His writings included Autumn Dew
(Öszi harmat) and Prison Poems - a
collection of 200 sonnets. He died
before the publishing of his latest book
On the Limbo of Hell.
His many awards and prizes included
the Kossuth Prize (1994), and the
Pulitzer prize (1998). In Canada, the
Hungarian Embassy announced the
foundation of a memorial park in
Toronto designed by architect Scott
Orrence, that will be opposite Faludy’s
former home.
TAX INCREASES
2006.IX.1.
September 1st marks the increase of
AFA (National Sales Tax) from 15% to
20% on all goods in Hungary, including
groceries. Also, fees will be introduced
to healthcare in Hungary on January 1st,
2007. Every time a person goes to a
clinic, to the doctor’s office, or to a
hospital, they will have to pay 300 HUF
daily. These fees may increase or
decrease depending on the necessity of
the visit. Further fees may be introduced.
UN REGIONAL FOOD AID
OFFICE MOVING TO BUDAPEST
2006.IX.7.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation
of the United Nations will relocate
its offices from Rome to Budapest in
January 2007, Hungarian Agricultural
Minister, József Gráf announced. It will
also open a Human Resources and
Banking service for the UN in Europe,
Africa and the Middle East, starting
September 2007. Hungary will contribute
a one-time amount of 200 million
HUF.
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
BANS HUNGARIAN RALLY
2006.IX.12.
The rally had been planned by
Hungarians to protest anti-Hungarian
incidents in Slovakia. The municipality

of Bratislava banned the rally, scheduled
for September 16, on the request of
police, who fear the rally may turn
violent. There are 500,000 Hungarians
living in Slovakia.
4,000 PROTEST IN BUDAPEST,
OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT
2006.IX.16.
The demonstration by a group representing
families, protested against the
newly introduced tax increases and
charges for health services and education
introduced by the government to
curb the country’s huge deficit. “These
measures hit the most vulnerable, and
they increase the burdens of families,”
said Ádám Török, general secretary of
the Association of Families.
THOUSANDS DEMONSTRATE
DEMANDING RESIGNATION OF
PM FERENC GYURCSÁNY
2006.IX.24.
The demonstrations started Sunday,
September 17th, when the media aired
and broadcasted a leaked tape of the
Prime Minister’s speech to his Socialist
Party members. The speech was made
immediately after the present government’s
winning re-election in April of
this year. He stated that their win had
been based on lies about the economy of
the country. To quote the prime minister,
“We lied morning, noon and
evening,” “we surpassed the capacities
of the country, … and we did nothing
for the past four years.”
By next morning, the people of
Hungary, already suffering from the
introduction of new and increased taxes,
took to the streets demanding the resignation
of the Prime Minister and the
government. By the same evening the
number of peaceful demonstrators rose
to the tens of thousands. A renegade
group of a few hundred marched toward
the national television station, trying to
force entry to the building in order to be
able to announce their demands. They
stormed the building, breaking glass and
furniture and forcing the police to fight
back with tear gas and flare guns. About
150 people were injured, many of them
policemen.
The demonstrations continued all
week in front of the parliament. Clashes
between some demonstrators and the
police left 250 people injured, and 200
arrested. Both Tuesday and Wednesday,
over 10,000 people gathered in front of
the parliament, still demanding the
resignation of the Prime Minister. The
demonstrations continued Thursday, and
Friday, but without incident.
The country nervously waited for
Saturday, September 23, the day that
had been planned months before by the
opposition party’s leader, Victor Orbán
for the FIDESz party to hold a public
meeting, where hundreds of thousands
of party faithful and sympathizing
citizens were expected to meet on
Kossuth Square in front of the parliament.
However, the anxiously expected
meeting was cancelled by FIDESz party
president László Kövėr, as a result of a
bomb threat and on the request of the
police who said that they will not be
able to handle a crowd of 200,000.
Victor Orbán, the leader of FIDESz
postponed the meeting until after October
1st, when he will again call a public
meeting after the results of the local
governments’ elections will be known.
Sources:Figyelönet,
Budapest online, Magyar Nemzet
Hungarian Word Search
By
andi
szilÁgyi
Hungarian Names
(male)
Ádám
Ákos
Attila
Béla
Csaba
Dénes
Ferenc
Frigyes
Gábor
Gyula
Huba
Imre
István
József
Kálmán
Karcsi
László
Levente
Miska
Robi
Sándor
Soma
Szabolcs
Tibor
Zsolt
K A F J G B I S B R T G Z E S
Q X M Y G F C S O F T G T O H
M G U O J Q E D C Y D N K L U
A L S S S Z N R J R E A I Z B
A T T I L A S O E V A M F S A
I M W K S J Z C E N R K T A S
S A D A M S V L L E C U L L E
T C E X E C B D T O O O O A Y
V H S F C S A B A G B B S Z G
A A K S I M I D M A D A Z T I
N N A M L A K Z R B M E Z V R
B K K T J O B T T O E L N S F
N J F K R R B Y J R B L C E O
I P J B A E W A X O C I A O S
X X K D A I B O R I B M T H R
Solution on page 26… No peeking ‘til you’re done!
11

later become an internationally renowned restaurant which he
ran from 1963 to 1989. Although it was in an unpopular part of
town, the Bakery’s reputation grew and it became famous for its
CHEF LOUIS
by Lorraine Weideman
daily five-course meals and Chef Louis’ signature Beef
Wellington. His enthusiastic personality dominated the dining
room and business grew. Eventually, they were able to
purchase the building and used the upper floors to house his
ever-growing book collection.
He and his wife ran their successful business, taught,
lectured, wrote best-selling cookbooks and food columns in both
English and Hungarian. He was determined to share his vast
knowledge of the culinary world.
Recently, while surfing the internet, I came across the His book collection was housed in thirty-one rooms above
Culinary Archives and Museum website featuring wonderful old his restaurant, and included rare treasures dating back to 1490
articles written by a gentleman named Chef Louis Szathmáry. that were kept in a special humidity-controlled room. He loved
Some were from past issues of the Hungarian Heritage Review, his books, finding their appearance heart-warming, appreciating
written between 1986 and 1988, highlighted by a poignant the craftsmanship, paper and design - the nuances of printing as
quote: “I have always felt one of the most important things in much as the contents. He loved to hunt for new additions to his
life was to give my acquired knowledge to the next generation.” collection in shops all over the world, taking great pleasure in
Chef Louis did just that by sharing his passion for cooking, finding a rare item. He constantly referred to them for his
educating and writing, along with his astounding book collection.
He amassed one of the world’s finest culinary book and research projects.
articles and books, and allowed others to access them for their
ephemera collections that he later donated to universities and He would eventually amass one of the largest collections of
museums.
cookbooks, culinary literature and related artifacts. As his 70th
He was born on June 2nd, 1919 in Budapest, Hungary. He birthday approached he and his wife decided to close The
graduated in 1944 from the University of Budapest with a Bakery, sell the building and donate his personal collection to
Masters degree in Journalism and a Ph.D. in Psychology. He institutions of learning. 15,000 items from his unique collection
was quickly pressed into service as a psychologist in the went to the University of Iowa and Johnson and Wales College
Hungarian Army, and part of his varied responsibilities were Culinary Archives and Museum.
writing instruction manuals for field kitchens (known to His manuscripts and books relating to Franz Liszt, Bartók
Hungarian soldiers as gulyás ágyúk or gulyás cannons) and mess and Kodály were donated to Boston University. The University
procedures. In no time he added “cook” to his CV.
of Chicago Library received the majority of his Hungarian
After the war he spent time in various prison camps before language collection (including unique works on the Hungarian
immigrating to America in 1951. He sailed from Bremerhaven, nobility, the origin and early history of the Hungarian nation,
Germany to New York with a total of $1.10 in cash and a small the Turkish occupation and the history of Louis Kossuth and the
suitcase that contained a few articles of clothing and fourteen Hungarian uprising of 1848-1849), along with close to 1,500
books (mostly on Mozart, great Hungarian poets and his bible). volumes in German, Latin, French and English.
He once wrote: “I can't recall a time when I did not have books He received many honours, including the Living Legend
around me. My family in Hungary was rich in books, not award from the American Academy of Chefs, and others from
money. We had a standing account with one book dealer that the James Beard Foundation, the Illinois Restaurant Association,
had been active since the 1790s. It isn't strange, then, that I Food Arts magazine, and the József Venesz Lifetime
grew up to become a book collector, although I never expected Achievement Award from the Hungarian Chefs Association.
to own some 45,000 of them.”
Before passing away on October 4 th , 1996, the prolific Chef
He spent his first seven years in America in the New Louis wrote The Chef's Secret Cook Book, Sears Gourmet
England area, working in a variety of jobs in the food industry. Cooking Forum, American Gastronomy, The Chef's New Secret
In 1959 he moved to Chicago taking a position at Armour and Cook Book, and The Bakery Restaurant Cookbook. He was also
Company as product manager and executive chef. He is the editor of the 15-volume Cookery America and Antique
credited with improving the freeze-drying process that is used American Cookbooks, the Iowa Szathmáry Culinary Arts Series,
by many food manufacturers today as well as for the Nelson Algren’s America Eats, as well as several books of
development of the first flash frozen dinners for Stouffer’s. poetry written in Hungarian.
He married Sadako Tanino in 1960, and in 1962 they opened Chef Louis Szathmáry, a life long scholar, restaurateur,
a business called The Bakery. They started out baking high teacher, writer, philanthropist and dedicated collector, applied
quality cakes for airlines, hotels and fine restaurants, and soon his voracious appetite for knowledge, life and learning to inspire
grew into a little neighbourhood bakery and eatery that would everyone who knew him.
12

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising, Pacific Cinémathèque, in conjunction with the Canadian Film
Institute, the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary and Magyar Filmunió, presents a quartet of noted Hungarian feature
films that deal, in differing narrative and stylistic ways, with the tumultuous events of October 1956 and their aftermath.
The Unburied Man (A Temetetlen halott) Hungary/Slovakia/Poland 2004. Director: Márta Mészáros
Friday, October 27 – 7:15pm Saturday, October 28 – 9:30pm
Whooping Cough (Szamárköhögés) Hungary 1987. Director: Péter Gárdos
Sunday, October 29 – 7:30pm Monday, October 30 – 9:25pm
Eldorádó (aka The Midas Touch) Hungary 1988. Director: Géza Bereményi
Saturday, October 28 – 7:30pm Sunday, October 29 – 9:15pm
Time Stands Still (Megáll az idö) Hungary 1982. Director: Péter Gothár
Friday, October 27 – 9:40pm Monday, October 30 – 7:30pm
200 - 1131 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2L7 24-Hour Film Information. 604 688-FILM (3456)
email. info@cinematheque.bc.ca www.cinematheque.bc.ca
MHBK
VANCOUVER
CHAPTER
JOIN US!
PO Box 74527
Kitsilano PO
Vancouver, BC
V6K 4P4 • Canada
604 733-9948
czink@shaw.ca
www.mhbk.com
13

A unique exhibition of artifacts from
the Hungarian Revolution on display for
the first time in 50 years
Artifacts exhibited on the
library’s main level and 6th floor
14

REVIVING THE
REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT
October 2nd - 31st, 2006
Vancouver Public Library 350 West Georgia Street
15

HUNGARIAN
LANGUAGE LINK
Certified Translation Services
Personal • Medical
Legal • Technical
and Immigration Matters
ESTHER VITALIS
Certified Translator
English - Hungarian
Hungarian - English
#301 - 1717 West 13th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2H2
604 738-6869
cel: 604 789-0027
fax: 604 738-6805
evital@shaw.ca
www.evitalis.com
ORBIS PICTUS HUNGARICUS - HUNGARIAN FOLK COSTUME
During the First World War, the ‘Youth Contingent’ of the Hungarian Red Cross produced a
series of 14 Hungarian folk costume postcards in a fold-out booklet for fundraising. The originals
were executed in black ink by Jenő Horváth and each card measures 9cm x 14cm. On the back of
each one was a description (which we have translated into English) and a space for correspondence.
There was also a map of ‘old Hungary’ showing where the particular figure is from. Although
reproductions of some of these images are often seen, the complete series of 14 cards is quite rare.
HUNGARIAN NATIONAL
COSTUME FROM
PALÓC
YOUNG BRIDE FROM RIMÓCZ
She wears a red, fringed silk shawl on her head, and she is carrying
rosemary and geraniums in her hands. Her blouse is white, and around
her neckline, above the white frills, there is a red pearl necklace. Her
vest is blue and lilac silk, with black braids and blue straps. Her skirt
is light green silk with red edging at the bottom, while her apron is
black silk with a red ribbon. Her handkerchief is white and her boots
are red, with tiny yellow and black embroidery along the stitching.
No.7
Use crayons, felt pens, coloured pencils or watercolour paint to bring this Hungarian figure to life.
If you want to cut it out and put it in a frame, slip a piece of black paper behind it so the print on the
other side won’t show through! The complete set of 14 will be reproduced in the NHV.
16

KÁROLY MÜHLBECK
ANNA TUTSEK
TREASURES
FROM THE
COMMUTER TRAIN
by
Magda
Sasvári
At the beginning of the 20 th Century, Hungarian Anna Tutsek
was writing popular adventures - fashionable adventures of
Cilike were the predecessor to the well known North American
Nancy Drew adventure books.
Anna started writing for young ladies in Hungary at a time
when the German language
dominated literature in the
Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Vienna was considered the
cultural centre for the educated
and fashionably elite at the turnof-the-century,
but by the late
1880s Hungarian literature was
slowly becoming more acceptable.
Well known children’s author
and editor Elek Benedek helped
change popular attitudes by
approaching the Hungarian Parliament
for funding to support
Hungarian language children’s
literature. His lobbying had
worked - they reviewed their
discriminatory language policies and the Singer and Wolfner
Publishing Company embraced the idea of taking on the task of
publishing Hungarian language books for young adults. It was
at this time that Anna Tutsek wrote her famous Cilike books
that were to become the favourite reading material of a whole
generation of impressionable young Hungarian girls.
If we look at these books today, we can not help but notice
their conservative and romantic tones, but at the time, Tutsek’s
writings were bold and unusual, when women and young girls
dressed in outfits that covered
them from neck to toe. Her
heroines’ behaviour influenced a
generation of middle-class young
ladies. She wrote seven books in
the Cilike series (with titles like
The Adventures of Cilike, Cilike
in Short Dress, Cilike’s Engagement
and Cilike as Bride). Each
edition was anxiously awaited
with great anticipation by girls
from six to sixteen.
Encouraged by the success of
the Cilike books, Anna Tutsek
wrote a number of books similar
in nature, under the pen-name
Mrs. Robert Tábori - The story of
Viola, Little Miss Windstorm,
Among the Mountains, The Last Girl from Pest, This Sweet
Home, The Story of Ágnes and Katika’s Cookbook.
In the 1930s, she started writing for the Weekly Hírlap and
for the Hungarian Girls and Mothers Magazine. She contrib-
18

uted to from 1934 to 1941, and in 1944 she compiled an album
called 50 Years - The Hungarian Girls Album 1894-1944 that
included the best stories written for young people during those
years. Anna Tutsek was born March 12th, 1865 in Kolozsvár
and died December 17th, 1944 in Budapest. Her career
started with novellas but she is best known for her Cilike adventures.
Most of Anna Tutsek’s books were illustrated by Károly
Mühlbeck, a graphic artist and painter. I met him a few times on
the commuter train. My mother and Mühlbeck bácsi, as we
called him, travelled together daily to work - my mother from
Rákosszentmihály to Budapest, and Mühlbeck bácsi from
Sashalom to Budapest.
He lived with his wife in Sashalom, on the outskirts of
Budapest, in a modest little bungalow. It was in his attic studio
that he created his wonderful works of art and countless book
and magazine illustrations, like the ones for the Cilike series.
He gave my mother several watercolours, which my family
treasures to this day (some of my favourites are pictured here).
Károly Mühlbeck was born in Nagysurány on April
2nd,1869. He completed studies as a painter and graphic
designer in Budapest and soon after became a well known
illustrator. He was engaged to do illustrations for the popular
publications like Az Ėn Ujságom, Magyar Lányok, Mackó and
later on his satirical and humorous drawings could be seen in
weekly magazines like Új Idök and Borsszem Jankó, as well as
the Göre Books. His aquarelle pictures were in great demand
and they were in many exhibitions. Károly Mühlbeck died in
Sashalom on March 1st, 1943. Today, his graphic arts are on
display at the Hungarian National Gallery.
TRADITIONAL HUNGARIAN DESIGNS
470 CRISP, BLACK AND WHITE HUNGARIAN
MOTIFS FOR DESIGNERS AND ARTISANS
Mother’s Herbs
living foods
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North Vancouver, BC
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Box 29, 110 – 1140 W. Pender St.
Vancouver, BC V6E 4G1
T: 604 683-6773 F: 604 683-5773
pendercopy@telus.net
19

Hungarian Sayings: Közmondások and Szólások
PEOPLE - COUNTRY - FREEDOM
Hungarians everywhere are remembering and commemorating the 1956 Revolution this year, when many, now living all
over the world, fled their country in search of freedom.
In contrast to many other themes among Hungarian sayings, most of these are serious in nature and many may not make
sense to other cultures - especially ones that have not experienced occupation and oppression. Many Hungarians left their
country, their families and friends, and had to start their lives all over, venturing into an unknown and uncertain future.
These Hungarian saying reflect a tumultuous past.
“A gondolattól vámot nem szednek.” They cannot put taxes on your thoughts.
“A szabadság drágább az aranynál.” Freedom is more precious than gold.
“Ahány nép, annyi nyelv.” There are as many tongues as peoples.
“Ahány ország, annyi törvény.” There are as many laws as countries.
“Azonegy ország egynek számkivetés, másnak édes hazája.” A country for one means exile, for another their sweet home.
“Egy proféta sem kedves a maga hazájában.” No prophet is appreciated in his own country (or amongst his own people).
“A legdrágább kincs a szabadság.” The most precious gift is freedom.
“Nem szabad ember kinek mulatni nem szabad.” No man is free, who is not allowed to enjoy himself .
“Nyelveben él a nép.” A nation lives through its language.
“Szabadság jobb a gazdagságnál.” Freedom is more precious than wealth.
“Szép halni a hazáért.” It is noble to die for your country.
“Szép halni a hazaert, de meg szebb a hazénak élni.” It is noble to die for your country, but it is even nobler to live for it.
There is an interesting cultural difference reflected in the way Canadians and Hungarians sing their national anthems.
While Canadians are more casual and relaxed while singing Oh Canada, Hungarians (even today, here in Vancouver), will
stand taller, stiffer, with their hands firmly held by their sides, without fidgeting, while singing in sombre and loud voices
(often with teary eyes by the end of it).
Kristina Tanner
NUANCES OF THE
HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE
20

HUNGARY’S EMBATTLED PRIME MINISTER
Leader of the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP), Ferenc Gyurcsány, has been at Hungary’s reigns
since taking over from Péter Medgyessy. Mr. Medgyessy stepped-down in 2004 following controversy
which swirled about his political past as a counter-espionage officer.
There has been upheaval throughout the country, as
Hungary's Prime Minister has admitted to lying in order to win
the spring election. Many people are criticising his domestic
policies, but his policies towards Hungarian minorities abroad
have perhaps been more harmful.
Hungary’s embattled PM, Mr. Ferenc
Gyurcsány, is now into his second term
and many aspects of his tenure are ripe
for criticism, particularly from the
perspective of Hungarians who live
abroad. For those living abroad it may
be inappropriate to criticize Hungary’s
domestic politics or economic situation.
This, of course, should be left to those
who work and make their living in
Hungary. However, Mr. Gyurcsány’s
policies towards ethnic Hungarians
living abroad have been harmful, hurtful
and should be re-evaluated and reconsidered.
Previous Prime Ministers
have voiced an obligation to represent,
and work to improve conditions for
Hungarians who live as minorities.
Mr. Gyurcsány will make no such
admission.
Most recently, he has downsized and
dismantled the government offices for
Hungarians Living Abroad (Határontúli
Magyarok Hivatala). This agency
monitored and provided information on
ethnic Hungarians who live as minorities
in neighbouring countries. Their
services offered a valued connection to
ethnic Hungarians living in countries
including Romania and Serbia. While
the effect of this will become clearer with time, it is viewed as
detrimental move by a growing number of people within and
outside of Hungary. This can only be a sign that Mr. Gyurcsány
and his party have little priority for many of the most
Canada Post’s
1956 HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION
commemorative envelope
(limited to 10,000)
First day of issue – October 12, 2006
Price $2.50
CANADA POST - POSTES CANADA
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Péter v. Laborc photo
Ferenc Gyurcsány
21
disadvantaged members of his own ethnicity. There are other
examples of his recent politics of disdain. Notably, on
December 5th, 2004, an ill-fated referendum took place. This
was initiated by the World Association of Hungarians
(Magyarok Világ Szövetsége) and while
it was a two-question referendum, one
question sought to simplify the process
for granting Hungarian citizenship to
those Hungarians who live in neighbouring
countries. This question was geared
to Hungarian minorities living in
countries with little prospect for accession
to the European Union (such as
Ukraine and Serbia). Understandably,
this question had little relevance to
Hungarians who live in member states
of the EU (Slovakia) and EU candidate
countries (Romania) as they will soon be
able to move more freely regardless of
the referendum. The question quickly
became politically charged - Gyurcsány
and his party proclaimed that Hungarians
should vote “no” to granting citizenship.
Misinformation circulated along
with false threats about a massive
displacement and influx of people to
Hungary. In the end, slightly more
people voted “yes” though voter turnout
did not reach the agreed-upon number.
Mr. Gyurcsány believed this to be a
victory. For many others, it was among
the darkest days in recent memory.
What has become clear is that
Hungarian minorities are of little interest
to Mr. Gyurcsány and his government.
Unfortunately, there are no signs that this will change. Indeed, it
would appear that Hungarians abroad and the culture they have
maintained require attention now, as much as ever.
Greg Csiszár

LEARNING HUNGARIAN
...CONTINUED FROM OUR LAST ISSUE
The Irregular Verb Menni - ‘to go’
Here is the conjugation of the verb menni with the irregular forms in bold. Example
sentences will follow the next grammar section.
CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE...
Hungarian Language Course on the Internet:
www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/a/d/adr10/hungarian.html
22
én megyek
te mész
ő megy
mi megyünk
ti mentek
ők mennek
Note: Menni is an intransitive verb, so there is no definite conjugation.
Prepositions of Motion
While English has the preposition ‘to’ to express motion, Hungarian uses a suffix to
express the same idea. This is the same idea of the ban/ben suffix which you learned
in Lesson Three. The basic suffix for ‘to’ or ‘into’ is ba/be (obviously one for back and
one for front words). Look at the following sentences:
Az orvos a kórházba megy.
The doctor is going to/into the hospital.
Mész Londonba
Are you going to London
However, there are two other suffixes which mean ‘to’, but have slightly different
meanings. The ra/re suffix means ‘on to’. You see above that ba/be is used with
place names. Well, for Hungarian places names the ra/re suffix is used:
Megyünk Magyarországra. Nem megyünk Amerikába.
We are going to Hungary. We are not going to America.
Most mentek Budapestre
Are you going to Budapest now
Mennek az egyetemre. (see note below)
They are going to the university.
Note: Some Hungarian cities do take ba/be, most notably Győr and Debrecen. At
one time these cities lay outside Hungary which is the reason they take the suffix used
with foreign place names. Some nouns also take ra/re, such as posta and egyetem.
The final suffix meaning ‘to’ (a point in space, as opposed to an enclosed space) is
hoz/hez/höz. English examples where this would be used are: ‘to my friend’s’, ‘to
John’s’. Similar to French chez and German bei. Look at the following:
Évához megyünk.
We are going to Eva's.
Egy baráthoz megyek.
I am going to a friend's.

HUNGEGITARIAN
Yes, the pletyka is true, I am a vegetarian. So there, I have said it, and lived it for about
three years now. Yes, I was the girl who grew up in a house where there was sausage made,
hung and smoked to dry, every winter. And I was the girl who grew up learning to cook
dishes that had lots of meat in them. And yes, I was the girl who eagerly sat down
next to a fire to roast bacon which would be eaten with red onions. I am still
that girl.
People often look at me confused when they hear that I am a vegetarian. The
two most common responses I get are “But you’re Hungarian!” and “So, what do
you eat then” I am not at all surprised by the first response. Let’s face it - the
Hungarian culture is one which loves its meat. From kolbász (sausage), to gulyás
(meat stew), to liba maj (goose liver pate); meat is present in every meal, or in at
least according to some, every good meal.
Vegetables have always played a second or third role. The main focus of a meal
is around meat, then some bread, potatoes or nokedli (dumplings) with some
savanyuság (pickled vegetables) on the side in a small bowl, with more meat thrown
in for good measure.
This ties in very well with the second response, “So, what do you eat” When you
eliminate the main section, that main portion of the meal, what is there left to eat
besides the small bowl of wilted cucumbers Well, the truth is - lots. People often
take pity on me and have difficulty trying to coordinate a meal where I too can take
part in the Hungarian cuisine, while staying true to my personal choices. In this day
and age there are lots of us (okay, quite a few of us) who choose the greener path in life.
When dinner parties arise there is often one friend, or cousin, or date that is dying to be
impressed by your Hungarian culture and culinary skills, but seeks a slight alteration.
One can approach the Hungarian vegetarian in two ways. The first is to bring out
Hungarian dishes that do not centre on meat. Examples of this are soups such as bab
leves (bean soup) and tolyás leves (egg drop soup). These allow vegetarians to get a form
of protein without relying on meat. And, let us not forget about Hungary’s famous
halászlé (fish soup) for those vegetarians who will eat seafood.
For main dishes there are főzelékek (creamy vegetables) and lecsó (peppers and tomatoes).
Before getting to the desert category, which is truly fair game for even those who claim to have
a great sense of will power, there are those items which border on the entrée/desert category. They are dishes such as szilvás
gombóc (plum dumplings) and palacsinta (crepes.)
For those who feel adventurous, there is always the option of altering traditional Hungarian recipes in order to meet the dietary
needs of others. Veggie grounds (a tofu product) or lentils can be used in töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage) and mushrooms can be
added to pörkölt (stew). It is difficult to stress how little these dietary changes actually impact a person’s mentality when coming to
a dinner or gathering. Often people are much more worried and focused about it than I am.
Without a doubt, our culinary attachments to our culture remain strong, no matter how far we may personally find ourselves from
the motherland. But it is truly the way that Hungarian people eat, the ambience, the attitude and the energy that I love so much.
This feeding of the soul that takes place when a group of good friends and family members come together and celebrate each other’s
company. This need for Hungarians to fill our spiritual stomach far outreaches our need to eat meat or vegetables. The food in front
of us only adds to what we are feeding inside of us. Do not be concerned or stressed about us Hungarian vegetarians. We are
normal people just like you. For all of you hard core Hungarian meat eaters, well, there will simply be more meat for you.
Hungarian vegetarians will gladly be a part of any Hungarian event - after all, we may come for the food, but we stay for the
Hungarian flavour.
by Anita Rácz
1956 - 2006 ANNIVERSARY FULL-COLOUR COMMEMORATIVE PINS
$2.00 each or $16.00 for 20
Contact the MHBK Vancouver Chapter
PO Box 74527 • Kitsilano PO
Vancouver, BC • V6K 4P4 • Canada
604 733-9948 • czink@shaw.ca
23

The Urban Fakanál*
by
Mária Vajna
MEAT DISH FROM BRASSÓ - BRASSÓI PECSENYE
Ingredients
600 grams boneless pork (loin or leg)
Salt, Pepper and marjoram to taste
2 – 3 Tbsp vegetable broth
2 Tbsp oil
Method for best results
Cut pork into small thin slices. Pan fry slices in hot oil for a few seconds on both sides.
Remove them and sprinkle with salt, pepper and marjoram to your taste.
Turn heat down to medium and then put the slices back into pan.
Add a few spoonfuls of broth and let simmer until tender and liquid has evaporated.
Serve with cooked potatoes. For a few minutes braise them together
Good with any kind of salad or pickles!
Enjoy! Jó Étvágyat! Bon Appetit!
*Fakanál is Hungarian for ‘wooden spoon’. It’s an essential word for your gastronomic vocabulary,
and can also serve as a very naughty sounding expletive for you to use on your non-
Hungarian speaking guests.
24

“Three days and three nights” describes the ultimate Hungarian party -
wedding celebrations among village folk usually last at least this long. And
while guests and wedding party can sneak the odd nap, stalwart musicians are
constantly on call to provide the essential foundation of the celebrations - the
intoxicating, exuberant melodies of Hungarian folk music.
“Three Nights, Three Days” is the Cifra Ensemble’s latest CD, evoking
the rich heritage of folk music from the Carpathian Mountain basin. Travel
to the most remote corners of Europe with these versatile musicians - you
will understand immediately why Cifra concerts produce passionate fans and
why Cifra is Canada’s foremost Hungarian folk band. Hear unique
instruments such as the kontra, gardon, and kobza, and thrill to the
irresistible rhythms of the Gypsies.
Featuring guest artists Kamill Apt (vocals), László Horváth (dancing) and
Sándor Vöröss (dancing).
$20.00 CDN (including shipping)
jcockell@telusplanet.net
25

SOLUTION TO
HUNGARIAN NAMES
WORD SEARCH ON PAGE 11
WANTED
Hungarian military artifacts -
decorations, uniforms, documents,
swords, insignia, accoutrements
books, etc.
Ancient to Modern
Buying single pieces or
entire collections
604 733-9948
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A T T I L A S O E V A M + S A
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A A K S I M + + + A D A Z + I
N N A M L A K + R B + E Z + R
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Certified Translation Services
www.mindandmatterart.com
‘Chelsea Bird’ by
Arnold Mikelson
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MATTER
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13743 - 16th Avenue
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V4A 1P7
604 536-6460
Regular Hours:
Daily from
12 pm to 6 pm
(or by appointment)
Come and browse the
Mind and Matter Gallery
“ARTS AND CRAFTS
FOR CHRISTMAS”
(November and December)
Choose from a wide variety of paintings,
pottery, wood sculpture, soapstone, glass,
jewellery, batik, silk, candles and more
The gallery offers an excellent
selection of unique Christmas gift items
And stocking stuffers
Zita Szilagyi, Proprietor
Hungarian - English ▪ English - Hungarian
Certified translator
831 East Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC Canada ▪ V6A 2A4
Phone: 604-430-1651 ▪ Fax: 604-430-1625
Email: zita@telus.net
www.gardenoflanguages.com
A reflexology treatment is one of the most
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To book an appointment contact Eva
604 875-8367
evita_ref@hotmail.com
Home visits are available
26

HUNGARIAN ORGANIZATIONS
FORRÁS FOLK ENSEMBLE
1133 Beach Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V6E 1V1
604 788-1772 • AMerai@orcabay.com
HUMAN RIGHTS FOR MINORITIES
VANCOUVER SOCIETY
606 - 1640 Esquimalt Avenue • West Vancouver, BC • V7V 1R6
604 922-0783 • huffist@intergate.ca
HUNGARIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL ALLIANCE
PO Box 74527 • Kitsilano PO • Vancouver, BC • V6K 4P4
604 733-9948
HUNGARIAN CONSULATE
306 - 1770 West 7th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V6J 4Y6
604 730-7321
HUNGARIAN EMBASSY
299 Waverly Street • Ottawa, Ontario • K2P 0V9
613 230-2717
HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH
OF VANCOUVER
900 East 19th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V5V 1K7
Mail: 7159 McKay Avenue • Burnaby, BC • V5J 3S6
604 321-4226
THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE
is available at:
ABC INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL LTD.
1224 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC 604 684-5019
GVC CREDIT UNION
VANCOUVER
100-4088 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC 604 876-7101
BRENTWOOD
1801 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, BC 604 298-3344
LOUGHEED PLAZA
9608 Cameron Street, Burnaby, BC 604 421-3456
IMPACT PLAZA
137-10090-152nd Street, Surrey, BC 604 584-4434
MAGGIE’S PHARMACY
2591 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B C 778 371-8721
METRO TRAVEL & TOURS LTD.
450-555 W. 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC 604 879-5321
MOTHER’S HERBS & VITAMINS
117 East 14th Street North Vancouver, BC 604 988-4372
VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
5th Floor, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC
HUNGARIAN SOCIETY OF VICTORIA
476 Bay Street • Victoria, BC • V8T 5H2
250 388-5004 • theboard@hungariansocietyofvictoria.org
HUNGARIAN VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 74527 • Kitsilano PO • Vancouver, BC • V6K 4P4
604 733-9948 • czink@shaw.ca
(KALVIN) FIRST HUNGARIAN
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
2791 East 27th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V5R 1N4
604 437-3442
NANAIMO HUNGARIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY
Box 85 • Nanaimo, BC • V9R 5K4
250 756-2410
OKANAGAN HUNGARIAN SOCIETY
1670 Ross Road • Kelowna, BC • V1Z 1L9
250 769-1609
OUR LADY OF HUNGARY CHURCH
1810 East 7th Avenue • Vancouver, BC • V5N 1S2
604 253-2577
CANADIAN HUNGARIAN HOUSING SOCIETY
OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
1564 S.W. Marine Drive • Vancouver, BC • V6P 6R6
604 264-1064
HUNGARIAN
LANGUAGE
TV
HIRADÓ
Weekly News Summary
Sundays 3:00 pm
MAGYAR VILÁG
Weekly Documentary
Sundays 3:30 pm
Tuesdays 1:30 pm
On SHAW
Multicultural
(channel 20 in
Vancouver)
27

OCTOBEROKTÓBER
Sunday
Vasárnap
Monday
Hétfő
Tuesday
Kedd
Wednesday
Szerda
Thursday
Csütörtök
Friday
Péntek
Saturday
Szombat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Malvin
Petra
Helga
Ferenc
Aurél
Brúnó, Renáta
Amália
8
Koppány
9
THANKSGIVING DAY
Dénes
10
Gedeon
11
Brigitta, Gitta
12
Miksa
13
Kálmán, Ede
14
Helén
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Teréz
Gál
Hedvig
Lukács
Nándor
Vendel
Orsolya
22
Előd
23
1956 REVOLUTION
Gyöngyi
24
Salamon
25
Blanka, Bianka
26
Dömötör
27
Szabina
28
Simon, Szimonetta
October 9
Thanksgiving Day
October 2 - 31
Reviving the
Revolutionary Spirit
Vancouver Public Library
October 20
Orchestral Tribute to the
Hungarian Revolution
Christ Church Cathedral
October 21
Revolution Commemoration
(English)
Hungarian Cultural Society
October 22
Revolution Commemoration
(Hungarian)
Hungarian Cultural Society
October 23
Claiming a
Revolutionary Inheritance
Vancouver Public Library
Alice MacKay Room
October 27 - 30
Hungarian Films
Pacific Cinémathèque
Sunday
Vasárnap
5
Sunday
Vasárnap
3
29
12
19
26
Nárcisz
Imre
Jónás, Renátó
Erzsébet, Zsóka
Virág
30
Monday
Hétfő
6
13
20
27
Monday
Hétfő
4
Alfonz
Lénárd
Szilvia
Jolán
Virgil
31
Tuesday
Kedd
7
14
21
28
Tuesday
Kedd
5
Farkas
NOVEMBERNOVEMBER
Rezső
Alíz
Olivér
Stefánia
Wednesday
Szerda
1
8
15
22
29
Wednesday
Szerda
6
Marianna
Zsombor
Albert, Lipót
Cecília
Taksony
Thursday
Csütörtök
2
9
16
23
30
Thursday
Csütörtök
7
Achilles
Tivadar
Ödön
Kelemen,
Klementina
András, Andor
Friday
Péntek
3
10
17
24
Friday
Péntek
1
8
Győző
Réka
Hortenzia, Gergő
Emma
Elza
Saturday
Szombat
DECEMBERDECEMBER
4
Saturday
Szombat
2
9
Károly
11
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Márton
18
25
Jenő
Katalin, Katinka
Melinda, Vivien
November 11
Remembrance Day
10
Ferenc, Olívia
11
Borbála, Barbara
12
Vilma
13
Miklós
14
Ambrus
15
Mária
16
Natália
Judit
Árpád
Gabriella
Luca, Otília
Szilárda
Valér
Etelka, Aletta
This calendar page, complete
with the unique Hungarian
‘name days’, or névnapok,
is sponsored by the Hungarian-
Canadian Cultural Alliance
17
18
Lázár, Olimpia
Auguszta
Ádám,
24 Éva 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
31
Eugénia
Szilveszter
19
26
Viola
István
20
27
Teofil
János
21
28
Tamás
Kamilla
22
Zénó
29
Tamás, Tamara
23
30
Viktória
Dávid