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More than 3,000 people viewed an exhibit about Hungarians in the Bridgeport-Fairfield area at the Fairfield Museum and History Center. The exhibit closed on January 10, 2010. The colorful and informative exhibit, set in the Ruth Carlson Horn Gallery at the Museum, conveyed in especially colorful and informative terms key aspects of the history of Hungarian settlers in the area, examples of intricate Hungarian embroidery and colorful clothing, and an impressive display of posters from the collection of André Farkas of Norwalk Connecticut.
This impressive exhibit was the work of a talented, hardworking Museum staff, assisted by a large number of local Hungarian-Americans representing such organizations as the Pannonia Club, Magyar Studies of America, and this website, Magyar News Online, as well as unaffiliated individuals from the area.
The exhibit was launched on October 29th with a warm and colorful reception. Volunteers wore their Hungarian best, and with Liszt, Kodály, Bartók, and a variety of csárdás and traditional Hungarian music in the background, dignitaries and guests met and enjoyed a variety of very special Hungarian appetizers, wines, and soft drinks. The Hungarian Consul General, Ambassador Viktor Polgár from New York and his Deputy Consul General Dr. Gábor Földvári, mingled with the guests and appeared to enjoy this celebration of things Hungarian thoroughly.
The exhibit was accompanied by a series of special programs, including a showing of the film "Searching for Wordin Avenue", the story of the local Hungarian community, filmed by Sacred Heart University's Cinema Department. Our own MNO Editor, Erika Papp Faber presented a very informative talk on Hungary's contributions to the world, and there were additional programs for adults and children featuring arts and crafts with a Hungarian perspective.
The exhibit stimulated lots of intergenerational discussion, as grandparents proudly showed the exhibits to their grandchildren. Those who were not of Hungarian origin were also stimulated by the history, the artistic flavor, and intricate needlework of many of the displays. Mr. André Farkas's display of Hungarian posters helped visitors understand the country’s 20th century history and major events that changed people’s lives, and added excitement and color to the display.
Eighth-grade students at The Unquowa School were inspired by the exhibit to create their own family histories, which are now on display at the Museum. One long-term Museum member worked with his adopted granddaughter to develop a family history, in essence “sharing” his Hungarian grandmother with a little girl whose only knowledge of her biological family was that she had some Hungarian ancestry. Magyar News' own Karolina Szabo was able to use the exhibit to help inform and inspire her own grandchildren regarding their heritage.
The exhibit could not have been so successful without the dedicated and creative work of the Museum staff, including Executive Director, Michael A. Jehle, Curator Adrienne Saint-Pierre (who was responsible for the exhibit design and production), Laura Roberts, Director of External Affairs, Christine Jewell, Director of Education, and Librarian, Bonnie Collier. Other staff members who were helpful included Roderick McKenzie, Walter Matis, Maura Bauersfeld and Caroline Saxe.
The Museum wishes to especially acknowledge the assistance rendered by Karen Adams, Joseph and Claudia Balogh, Zita Balog, Klara and Louis Barabas, Louis Boros, Phyllis Boros, Zoltan Boros, Gloria Evans, Erika Papp Faber, André Farkas, Ellen Gould, Joyce Hergenhan, Anne Horton, Russell B. Jennings, Anne Kochan, Robert and Louise Kranyik, Zsuzsa Lengyel, József Miklós, Tünde Miklós, William Stansfield, Karolina Szabo, Jack Szepessy, Christopher Tors and Louis Vörös. The Museum is grateful to the Pannonia Club, Magyar Studies of America, and Magyar News Online, together with their sponsors who contributed to making the opening reception such a success.
Although the exhibit has closed, it leaves behind a large number of local citizens who now possess greater appreciation of the role of Hungarian immigrants in the community. Based on the interest shown, the Museum is looking forward to further activities about the Hungarian community and the possibility of enlarging the existing Hungarian archive by adding publications, photographs, and regalia through donations from our "Fairfield Hungarians".
Robert Kranyik, Ph.D. is a Fairfield native, a retired professor and dean at the University of Bridgeport, and a member of the Editorial Board of Magyar News Online. He wishes to thank Adrienne Saint Pierre of the Fairfield Museum and History Center for her assistance in the preparation of this article.
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