A 2-month exhibit of posters, as well as photos and artifacts highlighting the lives of the early Hungarian immigrants to the area opened with a reception on October 29th at the Fairfield Museum and History Center. The Director, Michael Jehle, introduced the exhibit, saying he hoped this would be the beginning of a collaboration with the Hungarian community of the area. He introduced the Hungarian Consul Viktor Polgár, who thanked the Museum for mounting this exhibit and welcomed the approximately 80 guests.
Thirty posters, lent by André Farkas, illustrate the changing political situation of the 20th century, beginning with two post-Trianon era illustrations. One has the inscription “Magyarország nem volt, hanem lesz” (“Hungary was not, but will be”), the other shows a coat of arms shattered by the Trianon Treaty, with a white dove pierced by a lance, and the inscription “Magyarország szétdarabolása a béke halála” – “The dissection of Hungary is the death of peace”. There are even two foreign-language posters, one in French, asking whether readers would like “4 pieces of Alsaçe?”; the other, in Dutch, showing the flag with the hole in it, and requesting contributions for the refugees following the Revolution of 1956. The final one shows a hammer-and-sickle being shattered, with the inscription “A változás jelei " – “Signs of change.”
(The poster selected from the collection for the postcard used to publicize the program did not reflect the views of Magyar Studies of America or Magyar News Online!)
Local residents contributed embroideries, kitchen gadgets, and family photographs. Unfortunately, the narrow Ruth Carlson Horn Gallery has limited space for exhibits. But a number of programs have been scheduled to provide a fuller picture.
Zita Balogh, Banner Liquors and Paul Soos contributed wine for the reception following the official opening. Finger foods, chicken paprikás in paper cups and baked goods were provided by the American-Hungarian Pannonia Club and Magyar Studies of America, as well as by some additional generous volunteers.
The film “Searching for Wordin Avenue”, which commemorates the Hungarian immigration experience to Bridgeport, was shown on Thursday, Nov. 5th at 7 pm, with a discussion led by Robert Kranyik. One hundred people attended the showing, and a lively question and answer period followed.
On Sunday, Nov. 15th, 2-4pm, families of Hungarian descent are invited to bring family heirlooms, photographs and documents and to share their stories.
The Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27th, has been designated Community Day of Hungarian Art and Culture. In addition to the displays, there will be a variety of Hungarian music from 11am to 2pm. At 1pm Erika Papp Faber will have a book signing of her book "Our Mother's Tears: Ten Wheeping Madonnas in Historic Hungary" as well as the Hungarian version. At 2pm, there will be a talk on “Hungarian Contributions to the World”, presenting inventions in common everyday use.
The program is scheduled to close on January 3rd, 2010.
