THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE WINTER 2006 (Read-Only)

THIS IS AN INVITATION
NOT AN ATTACK!
On one of the few weekends where I have had a moment are different. I cannot recall all the times when people have
that did not involve work, studying, family or friend time, I grouped me in with Italians, or Ukrainians, assuming we are all
caught myself perusing through the entertainment section of the the same just because we may have similar loves or culinary
paper. It was filled with various concerts, plays, dances and so dishes. Yes, we may have some commonalities but we are
on. The wonderful thing about all these events is that they were different. Second, not only should we recognize that we are
from all sorts of different cultural groups. Greek dance performances
were run next to East Indian theatre plays, next to this difference. This could be as simple as sharing a story from
different, but be able to vocalize, share stories and participate in
contemporary Japanese musical concerts. Considering the your past regarding immigration, or photos from a trip, or
recent success of the Csárdás dance
spending some time looking into
and music concert in Vancouver, I
began to wonder, why aren’t Hungarians
the ones telling their stories and
sharing their culture on a more
continuous basis Is it because there
are no Hungarians No - we do have
three churches, a Hungarian Hall, two
dance groups, one band and countless
other committees and organizations
that are run, and supported by
Hungarians. Is it because there is no
audience I don’t think so because
when we do have events they are
usually very successful. Cities in
Canada, especially Vancouver are
booming multicultural havens of
excitement and talent, with eager
audiences who are open, accepting and
exited about cultural traditions, developments and differences.
Why then are we not expressing our culture
Before I begin to discuss this interesting dilemma let me
make it perfectly clear that this is not an attack on those organizations,
individuals and clubs who are out there, promoting the
Hungarian culture with its traditions, differences, and styles but
rather an invitation, an encouraging nudge if you will, to the rest
of the people who are hesitant in defining how they are unique
and different as Hungarian Canadians and allowing them to
explore, participate and embrace who they are in this mass
collage of multicultural entities in Canada.
Perhaps the first step is to recognize that we, as Hungarians
“For many, issues
and injustices run deep,
others have merely
inherited past issues from
their parents. For
others still, the rubble
seems too deep to even
make an attempt at
finding a way out.”
Hungarian history. Never the less, this
difference needs to be a continuous
action and attempt at growing, nurturing,
and fulfilling our needs as
individuals. Lastly, we need to stop
fighting amongst ourselves. Perhaps
this is the hardest for most people to
overcome. For many, issues and
injustices run deep, others have merely
inherited past issues from their
parents. For others still, the rubble
seems too deep to even make an
attempt at finding a way out. This
wall that we put up may be for protection,
but inevitably it causes more
harm then good, for it truly keeps each
other out. There may be thousands of
Hungarians living in Canada, but if we
keep putting up walls, we will only be individuals instead of
growing, flourishing and embracing communities which nurture
our uniqueness and bring us back together.
Perhaps these steps and guidelines may seem too idealistic
and optimistic. Well, I’m a dreamer. And, I know that talking
about it and realizing that the need to be individual, yet somehow
a part of a group are the first steps to achieving anything. I
do hope that one day, we too can be such a huge force, such a
strong magnet on the multicultural radar that all Hungarians, be
it first, second, or third generation, will be able to proudly say
with a smile “yeah, I’m Hungarian.”
Anita Rácz
FREE HUNGARIAN STYLE MOUSTACHE
In the olden days, if a young huszár recruit
(light cavalryman) was unable to grow a proper
Hungarian style moustache, regulations
stated that he would have to
“acquire a false one at his own expense”.
Cut out your own Hungarian moustache and attach
it to your upper lip with a tape ‘doughnut’, and you’ll
immediately feel like a like an authentic Magyar!
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