HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2006

Heritage Day took place on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at St. Margaret Hall. The program began with a welcome by AHSCA  President, Louis Monic. Suzanna Green then performed the Star-Spangled Banner. This was followed by the Hungarian National Anthem, which was led by Victoria Mocsary. Rev. Msgr. Leo Guillot of St. Margaret Catholic Church gave the invocation. Dr. Stephen Gergatz, Honorary Hungarian Consul for Louisiana, said a few words about how impressed he is with our community and our eagerness to remember our heritage. He also pointed out that 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution against communism. Victoria Mocsary followed with a brief historical sketch of the community and noted that 2006 marks the 110th anniversary of Hungarian Settlement. She then formally recognized all forty-six honorees that were present at the event. Because of all his support for Heritage Day over the past few years,  Fr. Leo Guillot was made an honorary Hungarian for the day. After the recognition of the seniors of Hungarian descent, age 75 and older (the honorees), special gifts were handed out. Mary Mocsary Pauli received a Wal-Mart gift card and a hand-painted wooden Hungarian doll for being the oldest honoree at this event. She was 89 at Heritage Day, but just turned 90 years old at the end of July! Ernest Breda, who came all the way from Beaumont, Texas to attend this event, received a prize (a wooden frame to hold his Honoree Certificate) for being the honoree who traveled the farthest to come to Heritage Day. A dance group, called the Denim and Lace Cloggers, then performed a series of fast-moving numbers that fascinated the crowd. The rest of the afternoon’s entertainment consisted of Hungarian dancing and singing. Tonya King, Sue Nyeki Martin, Victoria Mocsary, Nichole King Smith, and Chris Maklary Thornhill performed the Somogy Karikázó, a women’s circle dance. Helen Fekete Nyeki then sang one of the community’s all time favorites, Részeg Vagyok Rózsám. Paul Bates and Tom Mocsary then joined the other dancers with the Olahos, which is a jumping dance. Helen Nyeki followed this dance with the song, Kapitán Uram. Paul Bates and Tom Mocsary finalized the entertainment with the Géncsi, a men’s recruiting dance. Rev. Robert Weathersby of the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church blessed the food and everyone present was able to then partake of the delicious foods the included Hungarian pastries among other delicacies. An photo was taken of each honoree and later put together in a collage, creating an 8 x 10 group picture. A copy was later given to each honoree as a memento of Hungarian Heritage Day in Hungarian Settlement, 2006.

PHOTO OF THE HONOREES FROM THE 2006 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION:

 

Reconnect Hungary

Apply for the 2019 ReConnect Hungary Program

ReConnect Hungary-Hungarian Birthright Program is a unique cultural, educational and social immersion program for young adults aged 18-28 of Hungarian heritage, born in the U.S. or Canada. The next Hungarian birthright trip is June 14-30, 2019. Take advantage of rolling admissions, and beat the January 31st deadline! You can find out if you have been selected for the Program within 2 weeks after submitting a completed application. Please take a look at our website to find more information, videos and photos of previous trips and general information.

www.reconnecthungary.org

 

Hungarian Settlement Museum

www.hungarianmuseum.com/

The Hungarian Settlement Museum is now open.The days and hours of operation are Tuesdays and Fridays, and the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information on the Museum, click on the link above.