The Hungarian Heritage Foundation hosted a Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday, October 21st at San Jose’s City Hall. The event commemorated the 1956 October Revolution, celebrated the 60th Anniversary and recognized the Hungarian-American community in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This celebration was co-hosted and supported by the San Jose City Hall Council-member Johnny Khamis.
Hungarian Flag raising honors 56 heroes
Bay area opera singer Diana Pray who is a descendant of Hungarian parents and left Hungary as a result of the 1956 revolution sang both national anthems while each flag was raising to the sky. Balint Sapszon, pianist who accompanied Ms. Pray during the flag raising and also performed a mini concert of Hungarian composers during the Reception. The Eszterlanc Dance Ensemble performed two beautiful dances. Our honorable speakers were Eva E. Voisin, Honorary Consulate of Hungary and Johnny Khamis, Council Member of San Jose, District X.
Our First California Hussar Regiment and the San Francisco Bay Scout troops presented the flags and saluted during the flag raising and Father Maurus Nemeth and Reverend Gabor Magyari-Kope blessed the Flag Raising ceremony and our Hungarian community in both English and Hungarian.
An exhibition of the 1956 Revolution was prepared for the 3-day event featuring valuable materials to represent the terrific events of October 1956.
The Commemoration saluted the fallen and the victims of the horrific events of 1956 by raising the Hungarian National Flag high up to the sky; representing Hungarian heritage and culture to the general public through an outstanding display of Hungarian talents and celebrating the Hungarian community in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
The speakers and performers touched everyone’s heart. Volunteering members of the Hungarian Heritage Foundation and the San Jose City Hall Representatives were proud of our ceremony, the first event in a 3-day celebration series.- Reka Kiss
