Hungarians Celebrate

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31150, 29 August 1966, Page 2

Hungarians Celebrate

Hungarians in all parts of the world celebrate the feast day of St. Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary. Yesterday was set aside as national day for the Hungarian community in Christchurch.

. Most of those celebrating the feast day were already naturalised New Zealanders, said the organiser, Mr Z. Ladanyi. In spite of that, they had maintained their own language and customs. Songs which they had not forgotten, including their national song, were sung with enormous gusto. More than one man in the audience unashamedly wiped away a tear. Guild’s 13th Birthday The Aranul Townswomen’s Guild celebrated its thirteenth birthday this month. Mrs J. Terras welcomed the guests, including the founder of the guild, Mrs G. A. C. Plumridge. Members of the gardening circle decorated the hall and entertainment was provided by the singing circle and the drama circle. Mrs E. Duthie sang three solos. Earlier in the month members were entertained by Mr G. Foster, who discussed an exhibition of antique clocks and musical boxes.

All the children present were born in New Zealand, but were able to join in the singing and follow the Hungarian programme. Young people, who fled from Hungary after the revolution in 1956 and have married New Zealanders, have kept their children aware of their national identity. Mrs Ladanyi explained the origin and significance of the festival in English.

“St. Stephen, who was to become the first Christian King of Hungary, was born in 969 A.D. and was influenced in his early upbringing by his mother who was a Christian.

“He was crowned in 997, when he was 28 years old, and it was through his exertions that the nation became Christian. “Before he died in 1038 he had completed the conversion of Hungary. In 1083 he was canonised, and St. Stephen’s day was instituted as a national celebration.

“His only son died in 1031 —on the very day that his father had set aside to have him anointed as the new king —so St Stephen’s dynasty died with him.”