NOTE: correction ran May 11:

Off By A Bit

There was an error in last week’s story concerning the program presented at Fairfield Public Library by students and staff of Magyar Studies of America.

Erika Papp Faber, a Newtown resident and the principal of the Fairfield-based Hungarian language school, pointed out this week: “1.5 million was the total number of emigrants from Hungary between 1890 and 1910. Many of these went to Cleveland, making it the largest Hungarian settlement in the US, and others came to Bridgeport and Fairfield, to make it the second largest concentration of Hungarians in the United States.”

—Shannon Hicks

Hungarian School Caps A_Month-Long Celebration Of Its Language

By Shannon Hicks

On April 21, Erika Faber made an almost-routine drive from Newtown to Fairfield, only this time instead of driving from her home to her office she went instead to Fairfield Public Library. That Saturday afternoon, Ms Faber welcomed the public for a two-hour program called “Telling Passages.” The program was one in a series of events being presented by the library during the month, which had been dedicated to exploring Hungary, its language, and its customs.

The library was taking part in “World of Words,” a celebration of Connecticut’s literary and cultural roots being sponsored by Connecticut Center for the Book.

Ms Faber is the principal of the Fairfield-based Magyar Studies of America, a school that was formed with the purpose of furthering Hungarian culture and providing instruction in the language of Hungary. The non-profit organization was established by Gyula Egervári and incorprated in 1978.

“The Bridgeport area, at the turn of the century, was home to one of the largest portions of the Hungarian population in the country,” Ms Faber said recently. Between 1890 and 1910, approximately 1.5 million Hungarians — about ten percent of that country’s population — immigrated to Bridgeport alone. The Connecticut city represented the second largest contingency of Hungarians in the US at that time, second only to Cleveland. Because of this large population and the new generations born in this country, Ms Faber explained, the school was formed.

Students are all ages and of all levels of speakers. There are 70 students currently enrolled in its once-a-week program, according to Ms Faber. There are four adult classes at different levels of proficiency and one class of children and aside from a nominal one-time registration fee, the classes are free of charge.

Ms Faber opened the April 21 program with a brief introduction to the school, and then invited the attendees to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” along with her and the school’s students. The floor of one of the library’s largest rooms was then opened for demonstrations and presentations.

“The room could have held 100 people, and it was absolutely full,” the principal recalled. “There were people standing around the edges. It was a wonderful turnout.”

Following the American national anthem, the children’s class began the afternoon with poems and games. Songs were performed by students of all ages; one of the advanced class members, Bob Kranyik, a retired University of Bridgeport professor, offered a lecture “About the Hungarian Language” as well as two humorous presentations; and there were a number of poetry readings.

“Having the songs and children’s performances between the adult readings and discussions helped the afternoon to continue moving well,” Ms Faber said. In the two-hour span of the program, 21 brief presentations were offered.

Ms Faber additionally delivered a “Dual Citizenship Words” program along with members of the adult pre-advanced class. She also offered a talk on “About the Written Hungarian Word” and later presented the closing remarks. The afternoon concluded with those in attendance singing the Hungarian national anthem, “Himnusz.”

Registration for Magyar Studies of America is generally held in October, although information is available year-round. School principal Erika Faber may be reached by calling 426-3675.