Christmas celebrations and presents in the Moldavian Hungarian villages

The Angel did not miss the studious Moldavian children this year either; and so with the help of the Association of Csango-Hungarians in Moldova, presents arrived to various villages just in time for christmas in 2005. The children in turn played some small pieces, recited poems, and enacted Bethlehem plays to show their gratitude to their parents and benefactors. The Hungarian language celebrations mostly took place in the state schools, with only few exceptions where celebrations had to be held outside of the state school.

Packages Delivered:

Frumósza 130
Lábnik 105
Dioszén 50
Lészped 40
Pusztina 120
Csík falu 110
Külsőrekecsin 230
Kóstelek 65
Buda 50
Klézse 100
Somoska 70
Magyarfalu 135
Trunk 20
Továbbtanulók 60
Total: 1285 packages

The angels received help in preparing the presents from: the Bon Sweet Bon candy factory in Sepsiszentgyörgy, the Maltese Charity Service's branch in Szentes, the students of Mezőkövesd as organised by LÁZÁR Mihályné, the Szent Ferenc Foundation, the Impar kft. in Udvarhely,and the british Blythswood charitable organisation.

We thank everyone for the help in the name of the children! In addition to the general present packages, we also helped deliver 270 personal presents from godparents to their godchildren. We thank the Szent Gellért bookstore in Budapest, Tháler Tamásnak, and the Horváth family in Tiszapüspök for helping in collecting and delivering the presents!

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Come teach in Csángóföld

We would like to expand our educational programs in the Hungarian language in Moldavian Csángó villages.

Therefore we are looking for teachers to facilitate extracurricular activities outside our Hungarian language schools for our elementary school (grades 1 - 8) aged students.

We provide teachers with a house, and a set expense allowance; that is to say, officially employing our teachers, we pay above and beyond the government paid sum that teachers who are Romanian citizens would
already receive.

The contract must be signed for at least a period of one year.

Teachers can even start in the middle of the school year, as there are still many villages where - though the children still speak Hungarian - there are no Hungarian language teachers yet.

For more information you can email hegyeli@xnet.ro or call +40 722-627-656.

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III. Poetry Recital Contest in Frumósza

"Messze ott, hol a nap szentül le" ("Far away, where the sun sets", but literally [in non-standard idiomatic construction] "Far away, where the sun holies down") - this was the closing poem of the now traditional Poetry Recital Contest in Frumósza held on 2005. December 3rd. The hosts bid their guests goodbye with the poetry of LAKATOS Demeter, that is from their 25 fellow students who came to compete from the more distant Csángó villages in the region. We also had the pleasure of welcoming some godparents in our midst, who presented the contestants and the children of the host families with valuable gifts.

There were two students competing from each village, a younger one and an older one, usually in 5th - 8th grade. Naturally their Hungarian teachers helped them select and learn their poems.

The contest was started off by a high-school student from Nagy Sergiu Csíkszereda, and was followed by the other contestants one by one. We heard the poems of WEÖRES Sándor, JÓZSEF Attila, and CSUKÁS István among others. Everyone had a good laugh upon hearing the story about the Turks and the cows.

The jury had a difficult job, since they heard the most skilled students from every village, in selecting the best from the best.

The children awaited the results impatiently, with one eye on the valuable prizes. The first prize winner in particular had the pleasure of taking a bob-sled home.

And so, the results were:

I. - IV. graders:

1st prize winner:

ISTÓK Cintia, from Klézse

2nd prize winners:

CATEA Olimpia, from Magyarfalu

SALAMON Annamária, from Lujzikalagor

3rd prize winner:

DEMSE Regina, from Külsőrekecsin

Special mention:

LÁSZLÓ Szilveszter, from Pusztina

V. - VIII. graders:

1st prize winner:

TURBUK Laci, from Magyarfalu

2nd prize winner:

SZTÁN Karina, from Pusztina

3rd prize winners:

ZSITÁR Péter, from Lészped

PORONDI Petronella, from Külsőrekecsin

Special mention:

GERCUJ Nikoletta, from Kóstelek

Everyone was surprised by the gift from the Magyar Művelődési Intézet (Hungarian Institute for Culture), namely 5 one week vacations in Hungary. From the winners, TURBUK Laci, SZTÁN Karina, GERCUJ Nikoletta, ZSITÁR Péter, and DÁVID Mária will have the opportunity to travel to Tatabánya.

In the name of the organizers, we would like to thank LÁZÁR Mihályné for honouring us with her presence, and for bringing with her the Christmas presents from the people of Mezokövesd. At the same time, we owe thanks to HALÁSZ Péter for the LAKATOS Demeter books he brought as gifts, as well as to TÓTH Erzsébet who brought us the vacation packages from the Hungarian Institute of Culture.

Our hosts welcomed everyone in a very spirited way this year too, and the guest children had the opportunity to get to know the families in Frumósza. We will not soon forget the cauldron-cooked pityókatokány (a graveyed potato dish) or the big snow-fight!

Photos

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Folk Song contest by the Szeret

On 2005. November 12, the second " Folk Song Contest by the Szeret" was organised, this time in Külsőrekecsin's local house of culture.
Teaching dancing and singing is an important part of our extra-curricular education program. We aim to pass on these talents through local folk artists to the younger generations. And the folk song contest is the exam, resulting in the appraisal of a whole years work.
Contestants from 13 villages arrived on Friday afternoon to Külsőrekecsin, where they enjoyed the hospitality of local families. Throughout October, the Hungarian teacher in every village held qualifying contests, so it is the best ones that arrived here and got to represent and showcase their village's folk song treasures.
As last year, we divided the contestants into two categories: the small ones (grades 1 - 4), and the big ones (grades 5 - 8).
On Friday night, the night before the contest, we held a "táncház" party for the children with the help of local musicians, where the participants could show off their dancing, make friends, and try to relax and lose their pre-contest jitters.
On Saturday morning, after breakfast, the teachers, the local organisers, interested villagers, and the children, by then at once both nervous and excited, entered the not overly friendly house of culture. After just a few more touches, setting up the recording equipment, the placement of the banner, the microphone test, the show began.
After a short greeting, our host, SZARKA Felícsia, introduced the judges: NYISZTOR Ilona, the two winners from last year, then separately greeted the head judge, KALLÓS Zoltán. Then she explained the rules of the contest, the order of the performances, and asked one of the winners from last year, KERTÉSZ Madalina, to open the contest with a ballad.
The 1-4 graders stepped onto the stage one after the other, many being so small that they had to be helped on there. Their songs were mostly children's songs; and two male contestants, BENKE Eduárd from Somoska and VASZI András from Kóstelek, received separate claps from the audience.
During the performance by the dance group from Külsőrekecsin the big ones had time to prepare for their performance too. Their repertoir proved to be wider, and as they performed once after another more and more beautiful folk songs, the excitement grew in the room, especially in the hearts of their teachers. One could also see on the faces of the judges that it would be a difficult decision, especially because KALLÓS Zoli bácsi asked some contestants to perform more than two songs, much to the pleasure of the audience.
The contest was closed by another winner from last year, KOVÁCS Krisztián, while the judges gathered to make their decision. Then came the award ceremony, where the declaration of every name was followed by long clapping from the audience.

The winners from the small ones:

I. PORONDI Krisztina - from Külsőrekecsin
II. ISTÓK Cintia - from Klézse
III. BENKE Eduárd - from Somoska
BOTEZATU Albertana from Buda received a special prize.

The winners from the big ones:

I. SZÁROS Krisztina - from Pusztina and BARBUTA Julianna - from Külsőrekecsin
II. COCHIOR Daniela - from Klézse and GÁL Emilia - from Magyarfalu
III. BOTEZATU Izabella - from Buda and LACZKÓ Maricica - from Lábnyik

In this year's contest we had the pleasant surprise of some beautiful archaic religious songs ("Lehullott a Jézus vére" [Jesus' blood dripped down], "Boldog Asszony Anyánk" [Our mother, the Happy Lady], "Mária tiszteletére" [To the honour of Mary], "Siralmass ez világ" [Mournful is this world]) . KALLÓS Zoltán and NISZTOR Ilona specially noted how beautiful and important such song were. Among others, the winners themselves sand such songs. The other pleasant surprise was the participation of the children from Kóstelek, who gave us a taste of gyimes style folk songs.
This year our contest had Dr. DOBÓ Tibor, a program Godfather from Germany, as a guest. Dr. DOBÓ is a strong supporter who once again brought valuable presents to Csángóföld.
We thank Kallós Zoli bácsi for agreeing to be a judge this year too, and for contributing some valuable prizes to go to the winners. We also thank the editorial office of Székelyföld for the donated books, and last but not least our local organisers SZARKA Felícsia and SZÁSZ Csilla, and the Hungarian teachers from Külsőrekecsin.

Photos

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The show presented by children of Pusztina

In November 2005, we were presented a very special gift: we had the opportunity twice to welcome our young Csango-Hungarian brothers and sisters. Under the leadership of the teacher Ilona Nyisztor, 3 girls (Magdolna Veres, Adél Veres, Krisztina Sáros) and 4 boys (Krisztián Kovács, Gábor Kovács, Emil Sztán and Gyula Pusztinka) visited us from Pusztina, Moldova.

On 4th November we could enjoy their diverse show in the Saint Stephens's Conservatoire of Zuglo, on 5th November they presented themselves in the Catholic Community's House in Rákosszentmihály. On 26th they made the Family Programme of the Hungarian TV2 Channel more colourful, while on 27th they deserved round of applause of the audience at the Folk-Music Meeting held at the Budapest Cultural Centre. On Advent's first Sunday, the programme composed in the spirit of Expectation and Christmas touched deeply all the participant, and robed even our soul!

In the various programme presented by the Crickets of Pusztina we could enjoy choral and solo songs accompanied by flute, humorous tails, Csango pair- and round dances and even more. Thank them for it, thank them gratefully!

We hope to meet again on 18 February 2006 the latest, at the Csango Ball!

Zsolt Kállay (one of the many godfathers)

Photos…

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The Foundation for Hungarian Education in Moldavia is now operational

As of 2005. October 25th, the business registry court of Pest county registered the "A Moldvai Magyar Oktatásért Alapítvány" (The Foundation for Hungarian Education in Moldavia) whose primary goals are, as mandated by its founders and board of trustees, to support education in the Hungarian language in Moldavia, to expand said educational network, to administer the Godparental system, or in other words, to build and foster relationships between Moldavia and Hungary.

The foundation in Hungary has no employees, does not maintain a head-office, and neither rents nor purchases real estate. Its trustees and helpers all work on an unpaid and voluntary basis.

The founders of the foundation are PETRÁS Mária, an artist of Moldavian heritage, and PETRÁS Róbert. The foundation's first trustees on its Board of Trustees are: FARKAS Tibor, HEGYELI Attila, NAGY Bercel, PETRÁS Róbert and RÓKA Szilvia. The members of the Supervisory Board were selected from the godparents of the children studying in Hungarian in Moldavia: VÁRKONYI György Olivér, BUDAY Miklós József, HORVÁTH Szilárd József.

The foundation now has an account number as well as yellow cheques, which can be mailed to you if you wish to support Moldavian education in Hungarian.

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Representatives of ACsHM meet the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

On the 3rd of Oct, 2005 our Association of Csango-Hungarians in Moldova was invited to join the meeting with the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, that was kept at the Information Office of the Council of Europe in Bucharest. The chairman was Ms Athanasia SPILIOPOULOU AKERMARK, second vice president of the Advisory Committee, altogether with Ms Marju LAURISTIN, member of the Committee. The meeting's interest was to get up-to-day information regarding the situation of Csango-Hungarian communities in Moldova. Partakers from the Association of Roman Catholics Dumitru Martinas were Mr. Gheorghe BEJAN and Mr. Anton COSA, and from our behalf Mr BENCHEA Pavel, our Association's vice-president.

This advisory meeting goal was the information of the Advisory Committee on the Csango issues regarding legal, educational and cultural area.

It's well-known the fact that the Csango-Hungarian communities have great international interest. An interest that resulted in the adoption of Recommendation 1521 regarding Csango minorities in Moldova. In the same manner the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is chiefly concerned for their situation. They underline the importance of the Csangos' presence on this parts throughout the history, the importance of their specific components of their identity, as well as the inclination of certain local authorities of not considering them as a minority entity.

BENCHEA Pavel outlined both the positive aspects, as well as the negative of the present-day situation. One of the positive progresses is the introduction of mother tongue language courses in state-schools, where the language of curricula is Romanian. At the moment 725 pupils are learning mother tongue subject materia in 12 villages in Bacau county. He also reported the informatory campaigns that the Association undergone in order to provide details for the parents about what legal modalities are for mother tongue learning processes.
He emphasised as well the lack of support from the part of local authorities, school managers and teachers in taking active part in these operations. These attitudes altogether with the local press negative crusades help to develop a sense of distrust in connection to our Association's activity.

It was also mentioned the lack of real dialog with the Roman Catholic Church local representatives regarding the possibility of introduction mother tongue religious services in churches (where parishioners voiced their demands, e.g. in Pustiana), altogether with the major issue on the Church disapproval as what our language and tradition maintenance activity is concerned.

As what the Association of Roman Catholics Dumitru Martinas spokesmen's point of views is concerned, they centred the idea that assimilation is a natural phenomena. They strongly connect to the theory that most of the today's Csangos have Romanian ancestors as well as to the fact that few people declared themselves of Hungarian nationality at the last census.

It's evident that our points of view differ. ACsHM has presented itself as a legitimate spokesman of a small group of national minority-people (Csango-Hungarians), while the Association of Roman Catholics Dumitru Martinas represents only the Roman Catholic parishioners, who are in minority regarding to their Ortodox neighbours, and not accepting the fact that they (the Roman Catholics) are a national minority as well.

We have a strong position in relation to this issue, that is

a) assimilation should not be seen as a natural phenomena, and most be stopped,

b) people assuming Csango-Hungarian identity must be encouraged.

We greet the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities for taking the effort and consulting in a periodical time the spokesmen of national minorities and also for monitoring the authorities steps in order to introduce the legislation referring to the protection of national minorities.

By this mean we handed over a document that includes our evaluation with reference to the status of Csango-Hungarians minority in Romania after adoption of Recommendation1521 by the Council of Europe.

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More petitions for teaching Hungarian as mother tongue

414 new petitions were made by parents living in Csángó villages of Moldova, in order to make their children possible to learn the Hungarian language as their mother tongue in village schools. Adding these new petitions to the ones made former years (as the children - excluding the graduating students - certainly continue their studies), we can say that the number of children studying Hungarian language formally is doubled again. Next year more than 650 children will learn the Hungarian language altogether in 12 Moldavian villages as a main subject (i.e. a subject with a test at the end of each semester, whose results are administrated in the catalogue.)
Unfortunately, the petitions and the deposition of the foundation stone on 15 May have revived the nationalist feelings in more villages: students were frightened, parents were treed, while some of our teachers (first of all school directors) faced with the antipathy of the educational authorities. The Church got under way too: believers are misled by saying them that our Association and the petitioning parents aspire to the banishing of school teachers and the village's priest, and they are asked to discourage the activity of the Hungarians, in order to defend the clergy. Not to forget the dozen pages of articles published in the local press (4 Romanian newspapers). These are "revealing" newly the Hungarian danger and poisoning the morale with their instigating writings.

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Development Center for Entrepreneurs has been established in Bako, Moldova.

The office director for the Foundation of "Uj Kezfogas", Mr. Attila Nemeth, visited Bako on 02 April 2005 and where he contacted our Alliance and met with the local Hungarian entrepreneurs. He presented the rules for the submissions of applications to the Foundation, which generated a lot of interest among the ones present. Following this meeting, Mr. Nemeth also visited several Hungarian businesses in other Csango villages.

Our Alliance had decided to develop a Development Center for Entrepreneurs in Bako, which will propagate the expansion of the work of the Foundation in Moldova under the technical direction of the Innovation and Incubation Alliance of Hargita County.

The Curatorium of the Foundation of "Uj Kezfogas" has set aside 10 M HUF for the Hungarian enterprises in Csangoland and an agreement of support was made with the Csango Hungarian Alliance of Moldova.

Mr. Adrian Solomon was appointed as manager of the Center. Mr. Solomon graduated form the College of International Trade in Budapest, majoring in economics.

The Foundation has adapted the following for grant proposals in Moldova:

1. Loans to support small businesses (KTK)

This grant offers financial support to small businesses operating in Hungarian minority areas, where through loans enabling new business enterprises.

2. Loans to support young entrepreneurs (FTK)

This grant provides financial support for young entrepreneurs, who have sound business ideas, but lack capital to start their businesses.

3. Non returnable grants (VNT)

This grant support already established businesses that need smaller capitals to expand their operations.

4. Interest Support (KAT)

This supports already established small and medium size enterprises with loan interest.

Interested parties should contact the office of the MCSMSZ in Bako, daily 09-13hrs or email: solomon_adrian@csango.ro

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Camp for Csángó children at Nagykörü

We were at Nagykörü between 12-21 July. I was the companion of twelve children coming from different Moldovan villages, such as Frumósza (Frumoasa), Csík (Ciucani), Külsőrekecsin (Fundu Răcăciuni), Újrekecsin (Răcăciuni) and Buda.

From the moment, when we met our hosts in Szolnok until the end of the camp we were surrounded with hospitality and attention. The children did not miss anything to have a good time. The programme was different everyday - they were absolutely fascinating - and the hosts were always very nice to everyone.

This was the first visit to Hungary to the majority of the children in the group. They were filled with excitement at the beginning, though in the end they felt sorry that they could not stay a couple of days longer.

We were taken to three well organised excursions: the first one was to Budapest - it was a great experience to see the Holy Crown in the palace of the Parliament, to take a walk along the Danube and to take a look at the Chain Bridge. We also went up to the Citadella where we enjoyed a panorama of the city.

The other, also very interesting programme was the trip to Eger, where we visited the castle, the Turkish Minaret, the Cathedral and the significant schools and colleges of the city. Since the majority of the Csángó children can attend only in Romanian schools and did not know about "Egri Csillagok" (Stars of Eger), the novel of Géza Gárdonyi, the organisers were so kind that they donated a copy of the movie "Egri Csillagok" to each Csángó village from which children were represented. This film caught the attention of the children.

The destination of the third trip was Ópusztaszer, where we visited the Feszty-körkép, which was again a great experience to everyone. We also learned about the story of the flood in Szeged and the children enjoyed the windmills too.

Our main organiser, Ferenc Horváth, took some pictures at the sculpture of Árpád. He also talked about the kings and the different periods of the Hungarian history. We wish we had stayed another day in Ópusztaszer. The rest of the days were spent with lots of fun too. There was a Cherry Festival at Nagykörü. Football championship, horse race and archery competition were held, in which we could also participate. Despite the weather, a hot spell mingled with slow showers, the children could hardly stop shooting with bow and arrow, horse riding or playing football.

We spent the hottest day in the swimming pool playing and swimming in the water to our pleasure. The day flew away very quickly and we felt sorry that we had to go home.

The Illés-day procession at dark night with torches and flags was part of the "village day" programme. Our children particularly enjoyed carrying the flags. They wore their Csángó costumes and sang traditional Csángó songs, which was greatly appreciated by the locals.

On Sunday, we attended the Hungarian service and there were tears in the eyes of the locals while we were singing the St. István song and the beautiful songs of our Lady.

Imre Harangozó came from Újkígyós to bring sweets to the Csángó children.

We thank the organisers for making it possible that some of the children could meet their godfather, who were generous people participating in the "Godparent programme". We greatly appreciate this wonderful experience, the kindness, the attention and the hospitality. To mention a few names, Ferenc Horváth, or József Romhányi, who were among the children everyday paying attention and explaining things to them or giving them a sandwich or some soft drinks. Nándor Veres - the mayor and Mariann Kiss from Jászberény, who looked after her granddaughter and her two siblings. Elza Pocsainé Müller and András Keseru, who were looking forward to seeing the two children from Csík (Ciucani) and cried when they said good-bye. Lászlóné Szalai and Béla Csibi from Gyergyó (Gheorgheni) who gave considerable discount on the fare and the transportation of the children.

We thank the organisers for the camp at Nagykörü and everyone else, who made this ten-day camp so pleasurable for us.

Botezatu Viktória

Please take a look at some of the photos Ferenc Hováth took during the camp.

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II. Guzsalyas Camp

Even those students who intend to continue their studies could join the camp this summer. Young people from Klézse (Cleja), Külsőrekecsin (Fundu Răcăciuni), Magyarfalu (Arini) and Pusztina (Pustiana) attended the II. Guzsalyas camp held in Előpatak (Vâlcele).
The week was spend with enthusiastic work rather than with resting or entertainment. The attendants could learn how to make felt, which originates from the East, in Kazakhstan, and also the secrets of rope-making, fingerloop braiding and batik. Both boys and girls eagerly undertook the preparation of a felt blanket, which took not less than two full days of work. The children prepared interesting, traditional or modern patterns from the felt made of combed and painted wool, which they first laid on a bamboo mat. When the pattern was finished, which was a real patience-trying job, it was covered with three layers of wool. Then they poured hot soapy water on it and rolled it up. After this, it took at least another day to "knead" the blanket. On the last day of the camp, the visitors could see a rich exhibition made up of the newly made works.
We thank the Guzsalyas Playschool at Sepsiszentgyörgy (Sfântu Gheorghe) for the organisation of this camp. It was interesting and useful what we learned there. Photos of this event can be seen in the Photo Gallery.

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Moldovan Dancers in Finland

The Moldovan adult dance group set out for a long trip to Kaustinen in Finland to attend the traditional International Folk Music and Dance Festival between 8 and 13 July. The dancers and musicians from Külsőrekecsin (Fundu Răcăciuni), Klézse (Cleja), Somoska (Somuşca), Pusztina (Pustiana), and Csík (Ciucani) travelled to the Scandinavian-peninsula to the invitation of the Hungarian Cultural Centre in Helsinki and the Moldvahon Csángó Cultural Society. During the nearly one hour show, they performed Csángó songs and dances. Even the daily Finnish newspapers wrote about their success, which was told us by the symbolic "godmother" of one of our little pupils. She said that the appreciative and enthusiastic text about the Csángós' performance was possible to read nationwide.
The kindness of the hosts and the colourful programme are in proof of a strong Finnish-Hungarian relationship, which was also experienced by the Csángós. The Moldovan group also met Tytti Isohookana-Asunmaa, the former Council of Europe Representative, who visited Moldova couple of times before and dealt with the issue of the Moldovan Hungarian education.

Photos

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Guzsalyas

Between 27 June and 2 July, 10 Moldavian Csango, primary-school children camped at Előpatak (Vâlcele) near Sepsiszentgyörgy (Sfântu Gheorghe). The children were invited by the Guzsalyas Foundation and were sponsored by MCSMSZ. In the camp, which can be considered a tradition by now, the Moldavian children could learn the tricks of some crafts. This year we could send some of the children who intend to continue their education to the Guzsalyas camp, since some more serious works were also made at the same location between 17 and 24 July: the pupils could learn how to make felt by preparing bigger-sized felt rugs.

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Visiting Budapest

Between 26 June and 5 July some of the young Moldavian Csangos, who intend to continue their studies either in Csíkszereda (Miercurea-Ciuc) or Bucureşti, together with the young of Kóstelek (Cosnea) represented the Csangos at the Youth Meeting Hosted in Budapest. It was a gathering of young Hungarians living beyond Hungary's borders. We had a good time, the organisers offered a rich cultural programme and we had plenty of opportunities for entertainment as well. The most important was that all the Moldavian Csangos coming from different locations and studying at different institutions recognised each other.

Éva Ferencz, companion.

To get a foretaste of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.

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Flood Report

Dear Godparents!

Many of you asked whether the heavy rainfall and the flood caused severe damage to the villages where Moldavian Csangos live; whether your little godchild got hurt.

I can reassure you that not these, but other villages suffered more difficulties. The problem, which mainly affected the Csangos living in this region, was that their asphalt roads were washed away. Consequently, the roads running from Transylvania to Moldavia and the roads crossing the Carpathians are unusable for more than a week, regardless that they are European or simple county roads. The swollen Tázló (Tazlău) and Tatros (Trotus) rivers washed the soil from under the rail tracks with heavy current and now tracks are hanging in the air at several places. The traffic of the asphalt roads had to be diverted at different locations, because some bridges collapsed. We can see collapsed fences and yards filled with mud on both sides of the road to the Gyimesek (Zona Gimeşului). There has been no electricity for more than a week; flickering candlelight can be seen through the windows of the damaged houses.

The flood caused severe damage in the Gyimes area, which is quite close to Transylvania, by leaving half-meter high mud in the courtyards.

Kóstelek (Cosnea), where two of our colleagues have been working since January this year, is rather close to Gyimes. This village has been completely blocked for about a week now. The flood ruined the telephone network, washed away the roads and spoiled the wells, which caused difficulties in purchasing food supplies. Although a bit late, eventually the inhabitants of Kóstelek received all the necessary provisions delivered by a helicopter. The children of Kóstelek were in a camp in Szováta (Sovata) during the heavy rainfall and their return to home was a bit adventurous. In the end, our little pupils were brought back by horse carts.

In Pusztina (Pustina) agricultural land and pasture were overflowed and one farmer saw 40 of his beehives destroyed.

In Frumósza (Frumoasa) the yard of the house where the Hungarian teacher is accommodated was flooded by inland waters, but it did not cause serious damage.

We received the news from Lészped (Lespezi) that the house of two families collapsed and three horses of a farmer were taken by the water. Apart from these, the water flooded another 10 houses and ruined their furniture, leaving 50 cm mud behind.

The agricultural lands are still under water in Trunk (Galbeni), where two yards were also flooded.

The damage was insignificant in Klézse (Cleja); some cellers were overflown.

There were no visible signs of the rainfall in Magyarfalu (Arini), Somoska (Somuşca), Diószén (Gioseni), Külsőrekecsin (Fundu Răcăciuni) and Csík (Ciucani). We have no news from Lábnik (Vladnic).

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Garabonciás Camp at Sovata

Between Jul.3. and 10. our pupils could camping again at Szovata by favour of the "Garabonciás Egyesület" (Garabonciás means a kind of shaman in Hungarian Language).
Now fifteen children from Klézse, Buda and Somoska could enjoy every day of the camp, because the organizers ensured coloured programs for them -altough they could not ensure the orderly sunshine, of course.
The children from this villages - their team was the "Naputánjáró", means "Walk after the Sun" - made a good competition with the children from Marosvásárhely.
At the mornings the children learned to knotting,to made potteries of clay, to needling, planking, and to sticth pearls, and at the evening the two teams played ball games, or they went to hiking. At the campfire the children from Moldva teached moldvian songs and dances to the children from Marosvásárhely.
Of course they swimmed in the saltwater lakes of Parajd and Szovata, and they visited the saltmine of Parajd, too.
We render thanks to the soulful members of the "Garabonciás Egyesület", who organized this succesful camp at their own cost, and hosted the children from Moldva. This camp was a real experiment for them...
"It was good, it was fantastic!" Pictures in the Gallery

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Camp about the mother-language in Eger

Thanks to the "Petrás Incze János Cultural Organisation of Eger", children from Buda, Lészped and Külsőrekecsin could make a great holiday in Eger and In Heves between juni.20 and july. 2.
The kind hospitality of the organisators gave a beautiful experiment to the childrens. We cant recite everything, but I like to let them to know that we
developed in our body and in our soul in this two weeks, too.
May God pay back their goodness and turn for a hundred time back on them!
In the name of the children : Szász Csilla (escorting teacher)

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Camp of little musicians

Our little musician pupils camped in Szováta between juni. 18 and 24.
Seventeen children learned fluting, fiddling, and drumming in the Teleki Camping. These musician-children came from Pusztina, Somoska, Külsőrekecsin and Kóstelek, to learn more moldvian tunes from Séger Ferenc and Csibi Szabolcs. Outside the football, hiking, and swimming in the saltwater, a true musician-band recruited from these children!
They represented, what they learned in Szováta, by an impromtu concert in front of the Lake Medve. This concert was held in the last day of the camp, and the children got a lot of icecreams and a big applause from the visitors of the holiday-town.
"It was a true experiment to camping in the Teleki Camping" - said the children, who returned thank for the tasty meals with loud music.
"Thank for the organisator, and thank for teaching and taking care of us. If they organise it again, then I will come back in the future, too." - wrote Kovács Krisztián, the singer and fluter from Pusztina.

Pictures about he camp in the Gallery

Reverinda for order!

The coloured special issue of Reverinda (the newspaper of the Hungarian-learning children of Csángóföld) is already available, presenting the children's ideas on the Education Centre to be built in Moldova, in writings and drawings. According to the number of requests, we have decided to make this special issue available.
If you live in Hungary and order the special issue of Reverinda, we post it to you with a paycheck, in order to make you able to support optionally the children's Hungarian education. The special can be ordered to a Romanian address too, in this case the donation can be forwarded to our Association by post.
If you are curious about the dreams of our children on their future school, if you are willing to sponsor education, you can order our students newspaper here.

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Deposition of foundation stone of School Centre 'Regina Pacis'

The foundation stone of the long-desired Hungarian School Centre in Moldova was deposited and sanctified in Rekecsin on 15 May, in the presence of numerous functionaries.

The event started with the Pentecostal pilgrimage to Csíksomlyó, at which more than 500 Csango-Hungarian children and adults took part, just like in former years. On Sunday the ceremony was continued in Gyimesfelsőlok, where Brother Csaba Böjte said the mass in the court of the Secondary School of Árpádházi Saint Erzsébet. After mass the participants travelled to the site in Rekecsin (a village close to Bákó) where the School Centre 'Regina Pacis' (Queen of Peace) will be built.

At the event speeches were delivered by Mrs. Szilvia Róka - President of MCSMSZ, Mr. Pál Benke - President of RMDSZ of Bákó, Mr. Ichim Vasoée - Mayor of Rekecsin, Mrs. Gabriel Berca - school-inspector of County Bákó, Mrs. Dalma Madl - wife of the President of Republic of Hungary and Mr. Csaba Takács - Chairman of RMDSZ. After having read the letter of Mrs. Tytti Isohookana-Asunmaa - former member of the Council of Europe, the greeting speech of Brother Csaba Böjte, President of the St Franci's Foundation ended up this part of the ceremony.

The foundation stone of the School Centre 'Regina Pacis' was sanctified by Csaba Böjte and Professor Vladimir Peterca, President of the Catholic Theology of Bukarest.

Among our guest one could find Mr. Sorin Bereş - on behalf of the Roman Catholic Bishopric of Iaşi, Mr. Zsolt Németh - President of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of the Republic of Hungary, Mrs. Ibolya Dávid - President of MDF, Mr. Szilveszter E. Vízi - President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Mr. János Terényi - Hungarian ambassador of Bukarest, Mr. Mihály Beke - Director of the Hungarian Cultural Centre of Bukarest, Mr. Zoltán Kallós and Mr. Ferenc Pozsony ethnographers, Mr. Gyula Szép - vice-president of RMDSZ, Mr. Ferenc Asztalos and Mr. Árpád Márton RMDSZ representatives, council representatives of County Bákó, and last but not least the symbolic godfathers and godmothers of numerous Hungarian-learning Csango students.

The ceremony of the foundation stone's deposition was followed by folklore programme led by members of Csángó-Hungarian communities: dance groups of children and adults entertained the public. Mrs. Madl with her accompaniment and the representatives of MCSMSZ visited a family living in the outer side of Rekecsin. While the celebrating audience had the delight to see the Mária-sculpture of Mária Petrás Csángó-born sculptress, the bell, donated by Mr. Titusz Farkas the future school was chimed.

The donation of Mr. István Dányi, a stainless steel urn that will contain the foundation documents of the school, has arrived also and it will be built in the school's wall. It bears the following legend:

'Virgin Maria, Queen of Peace,
Our dear Mother,
We ask you to look down at us.
With love: your Hungarian daughters and sons.'

Photos on the ceremony can be found in the Gallery.

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