2020 Year-End Report (2021/04/01)

 In early February, we welcomed Dr. Péter Szilágyi, Ministerial Commissioner. He presented many great programs to benefit the Hungarians living in the Diaspora.

At the end of February, we were able to hold our annual Farsang (Mardi Gras) – to the great delight of dozens of kids and their parents. There was lot of fun, music, games for the children and costume contests for the youths as well as the adults.

Little did we know this would be the last, largescale event of 2020. The schools and churches began closing because of the pandemic. Many of those who were fortunate enough to keep their jobs, started working from home. Everyone became fearful and hunkered down in their homes as they watched the gloomy events unfold on the television news.

Cancelled events included the Kodaly-Bartok piano concert as well as the popular Mayfest. The Museum of International Cultures, which had been planning to open a Hungarian Room, was closed permanently. There were no Hungarian language classes during the summer. Additionally, several youngsters who were signed up for educational camps in Hungary, were not able to attend because of program cancellations.

Sadly, we lost six of our fellow Hungarians – some due to Covid-19, others to old age or illnesses: Mr. Paul DeCleva, the longtime leader of the Cistercian Abbey – Father Abbot Emeritus Dénes Farkasfalvy, Mr. György Gaál, Mrs. Lenke Walter, Father Beda Lackner, and Mrs. Elisabeth Engel. We will miss them all!

By August, churches were beginning to open with limited capacity as Hungarian language masses were resuming at the Cistercian Abbey. Our community had a limited celebration of Saint Stephen’s Day and the Feast of New Bread by having a short reading regarding the laws of St. Stephen. The event concluded with the participants singing the Hungarian national Anthem. At this time, a new tradition began: those in attendance at each Hungarian service/commemoration met a restaurant afterwards for a meal and to socialize. That being said, the potluck dinners in the school’s cafeteria are still sorely missed.

The commemoration of the 1956 Revolution was celebrated in the same manner. Overcoming the fear of getting sick and braving the chilly October rain, several 56-ers came to the event, laying a wreath at our Kopjafa monument. 

As the traditional American holidays approached, people started organizing small, in-home group gatherings for some much needed fellowship. The last Hungarian Mass of the year was held a few days after Christmas. Finally, we had a chance to be together again – singing a few Christmas carols to celebrate. By Christmas, everyone was happy to say goodbye to 2020.

Despite all the hardships endured by many in our Hungarian community, we are staying strong and are looking forward to many happy and prosperous years.

Eva Beluska,
MMCC President
Dallas, Texas