The Hungarian Communion of Friends (familiarly known as MBK- Itt Ott) will hold its 41st annual, family-friendly gathering August 11-18 – as always, at Ohio’s Lake Hope State Park.
This year’s program features Hungarian and English presentations by guests from Hungary, Slovakia and the U.S. Presenters include: Mr. Pál Hatos, head of the Balassi Institute, the Budapest-based institute charged with promoting Hungarian culture worldwide, Dr. János Horváth, formerly of Indiana, now Doyen of the Hungarian Parliament, Ms. Zita Bencsik from the Consular Office of Hungary in New York City, Dr. Hajnalka Juhász of the Hungarian Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, Hungarian Reformed Bishop Géza Erdélyi of Slovakia, who will speak about the Hungarian-Slovak relationship and the Hungarian minority and Mr. István Kopár, who will relate his sailing adventures on the high seas.
The English language program will cover topics including: Growing up Hungarian in the U.S., Kossuths’s U.S. legacy and connection with Abraham Lincoln, History of Hungarian immigrant churches in coal-mining states and a discussion entitled: Should I retire or relocate to Hungary?
During the morning presentations, a children’s program of stories, games and handicrafts ensures Hungarian-themed fun for all. The Gyanta Band, the Hungarian folk ensemble whose members hail from Montreal and Toronto, will perform on several occasions.
The ever-popular picnic will take place Wednesday evening. Thursday and Friday nights are devoted to concerts and folk dancing for all. Literary presentations, movies, and exhibitions will round out the activities, with plenty of time left over for lakeside recreation, hikes and informal discussions.
Dr. Zita Bencsik of the New York Hungarian Consulate will be available throughout the week to answer questions related to Hungarian citizenship and accept any official paperwork that needs to be submitted for obtaining citizenship or passport (for those who have gone through the process for establishing their citizenship).
For further details, visit the Itt-Ott website at www.itt-ott.org/conference/2012