You are here

1956 Hungarian Memorial Oral History Project

Pages

: Hungarian interview - Joseph Jager; Joseph Jager emigrated from Hungary to Canada in 1928. He describes his route of migration, and also his time living in Montreal before he moved to Toronto. Mr. Jager talks about the activities of the Hungarian Catholic church in Toronto, including: a drama troupe, renovations, and participation in the centennial celebrations in Toronto in 1934. Mr. Jager also talks about a Hungarian school in Toronto. He compares the Hungarian immigrants known as 'DPs' (Displaced Persons), who came to Canada after World War II, and those who came following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Mr. Jager talks about his son's marriage and a visit to Hungary in 1969. He speaks about the priests at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Toronto, and also of the free labour done by its parishioners. Mr. Jager also gives information about Hungarian House, on College St, and the local chapter of the Brantford Hungarian Mutual Benefit Society. Mr. Jager gives his views on communism, and also the future of the Hungarian community in Canada.

: Hungarian interview - Clare Feth; Clara Feth was born in Hungary and immigrated to Canada. Her family settled in the area around Delhi, Ontario, and farmed tobacco along with many other Hungarian immigrants at that time., Clara Feth est née en Hongrie et a immigré au Canada. Sa famille s’est établie dans la région de Delhi en Ontario et faisait partie des nombreux immigrants hongrois qui cultivaient le tabac à l’époque.

: Hungarian interview - Gyorgyi Mustonen; Gyorgyi Mustonen was an actress in her native country of Hungary. She explains why she decided to come to Canada and how she was able to immigrate. Ms. Mustonen describes her first jobs and accommodations in Canada, and also how she was able to improve on these with time. She talks about multiculturalism, amateur theatre, and dance companies.

: Hungarian interview - Marta Hidy; Marta Hidy began playing the violin at the age of 4, in her native Hungary. She describes Russian activity during World War II. She had a husband and two children in Debrecen at time of revolution. She recalls the starvation and plight of Hungarians during and after World War II. She also talks about seeing Russian tanks passing through Debrecen. During the war there was no food and no light in Budapest. With the outbreak of the Revolution in 1956 Ms. Hidy and her family fled Hungary into Austria and then took a boat to Canada, arriving in Halifax. Her first perspectives of Canada where that it had clean air, and felt free. At first they lived in Winnipeg, and then moved to Hamilton, Ontario where she taught at McMaster University and has had a prolific career as a performer and instructor. Ms. Hidy says that Canada gave her a new life, but she is Hungarian, proud to be Canadian.

: Hungarian interview - George Fulop; George Fulop describes his early years in Hungary as a very difficult time. His family often did not have enough food to eat. Mr. Fulop's father had left Hungary for Canada when Mr. Fulop was only six months old. Eventually he sent for the rest of the family to join him, and Mr. Fulop describes the trip they took across the Atlantic to Canada. The family settled in Tillsonburg, Ontario, where they farmed tobacco. He describes how tobacco was 'worked' at that time. Mr. Fulop's father died when he was 15, so he and his brother, then 17, took over management of the farm. Mr. Fulop married, and he talks about his early years of marriage and how they continued to build up the farms. At one point he decided to venture into motel operations, but gave that up and returned to tobacco farming. He talks about the present state of farming and his concerns for future. Mrs. Fulop describes the responsibilities she has on the farm, such as preparing meals and washing clothes for the workers. Mr. and Mrs. Fulop express their opinions on welfare, stating their belief that it encourages inactivity., George Fulop décrit ses années de jeunesse en Hongrie comme une période difficile. Souvent sa famille manquait de nourriture. M. Fulop n’avait que six mois quand son père a quitté la Hongrie pour le Canada. Par la suite, le père de M. Fulop a fait venir le reste de sa famille et M. Fulop décrit la traversée de l’Atlantique vers le Canada. La famille s’est installée à Tillsonburg en Ontario, où ils cultivaient du tabac. Il raconte comment le tabac était «travaillé» à cette époque. À la mort de son père, M. Fulop, alors âgé de15 ans, et son frère de 17 ans se sont retrouvés à la direction de la ferme. M. Fulop s’est marié et il parle de ses premières années de mariage, comment ils ont continué à développer leurs fermes. À une certaine époque, il s’est même aventuré dans un projet de motels qu’il a abandonné pour reprendre la culture du tabac. Il parle de l’état actuel de l’agriculture et de ses préoccupations pour l’avenir. Mme Fulop décrit ses responsabilités à la ferme, elle s’occupe de la préparation des repas et de la lessive pour les travailleurs. M. et Mme Fulop expriment leur opinion sur le système d’aide sociale qui, selon eux, encourage l’inactivité.

: Hungarian interview - Michael Elek; Michael Elek came to Canada in 1956 because of the events following the Hungarian Revolution. He describes his escape from Hungary to the West, and shares his first impressions of the 'free world.' In the escape, Dr. Elek had been unable to bring all of his possessions with him out of Hungary. Canadian authorities helped Hungarian refugees to get to Canada from the refugee camps in Vienna, Austria. He tells what he knew about Canada prior to his arrival, and of his first accommodations and jobs in Canada. Dr. Elek talks about the differences he has noticed between the Hungarian and Canadian hospital systems. He also reminisces about where he lived during his internship. Then Dr. Elek discusses his professional goals and plans. The interviewer asks if he ever felt like strangers among the 'Anglo-Saxons,' and whether they live their lives like Canadians, or Hungarians abroad. Dr. Elek replies that they are 'Hungarian-born Canadians.', Michael Elek est arrivé au Canada en 1956 en raison des événements qui ont suivi la révolution hongroise. Il décrit sa fuite de la Hongrie vers l’Ouest et raconte ses premières impressions du ‘monde libre’. Quand il s’est enfui, le docteur Elek a presque tout laissé derrière lui car il ne pouvait emporter que le strict minimum. Les autorités canadiennes ont aidé les réfugiés hongrois à venir au Canada à partir des camps de réfugiés à Vienne en Autriche. Il nous raconte ce qu’il savait du Canada avant son arrivée, il parle de ses premiers logements et emplois au Canada. Le docteur Elek parle des différences entre le système hospitalier en Hongrie et ici au Canada. Il se souvient aussi de l’endroit où il a vécu durant son internat. Il discute ensuite de ses objectifs et projets professionnels. L’intervieweur lui demande s’il lui est arrivé de se sentir étranger parmi les ‘Anglo-Saxons’ et s’ils vivaient comme des Canadiens, ou plutôt comme des Hongrois à l’étranger. Le docteur Elek a répondu qu’ils sont des Canadiens nés en Hongrie.

: Hungarian interview - John Hirsch; John Hirsch explains how he came to Canada from Hungary. Mr. Hirsch talks about his academic studies, and his work in theatre in Hungary. Mr. Hirsch continued this work in Canada, and was involved in organizing the first professional theatre in Winnipeg. He recalls what he knew about Canada prior to his immigration, and explains the amount of English that he knew then as well. Mr. Hirsch then describes his voyage from Hungary to Canada. He recalls his first impressions, and also the things that he expected from his new life. He talks about the aspects of life in a new country that he found the most difficult to accept, and also how he adjusted. Mr. Hirsch explains how he feels about life in Canada now, and whether or not he feels like an immigrant or a citizen of Canada.

: Hungarian interview - Frank Felkai; Frank Felkai was born in 1942 in Budapest. He was a student in grade 8 when the revolution happened. Was present during the Oct 23 protests and street fights. Talks about BEM Szobor protest and the crowds at the radio tower. How he and other 'Pesti Sracok' built Molotov cocktails. Frank's father was a prisoner of war in the Soviet Union following WWII. He was very politically aware as a child. His grandmother secretly listened to the BBC. Found out that they were on a list to be deported to a rural region in Hungary because they were on a political black list. Talks extensively of his role with the 'Pesti Sracok,' or young children, who took part in the fighting, building and throwing Molotov cocktails, carrying and using guns against Russian tanks. Talks about escape after revolution fails. Arrived in Canada, moved to Tillsonburg, Ontario. Eventually completed a law degree at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. Successful career as a lawyer.

: Hungarian interview - Pearl Sojnocki, Eugene Ruzsa, Helen Ruzsa; Pearl Sojnocki explains why her father, Reverend Ruzsa came to Canada from Hungary. She talks about the conditions and organization of Presbyterian churches and representation of the Hungarian community. Pearl Sojnocki and Eugene Ruzsa offer personal memories about Rev. Ruzsa. Helen Ruzsa talks about immigration, life in Canada, and her parents. She gives information about her role as the wife of a minister. Helen Ruzsa talks about a trip she took to the United States to collect funds for building a church. The three of them talk about life with Rev. Ruzsa, community activities, publishing a book on Hungarian-Canadians, and assistance given to Hungarian refugees in 1956. Eugene Ruzsa discusses his role as an interpreter and assistant at a refugee center in England following the Hungarian Revolution in 1956.

: Hungarian interview - Andrew Hertel; Andrew Hertel discusses the founding of Hungarian Hall in Toronto and in Delhi, Ontario. He talks about losing money in oil speculation in Alberta, giving credit to refugees, and never getting it back. He also provides information about early social life in the Hungarian-Canadian community, and the reaction against communism.

: Hungarian interview - Gabor Kekko; Gabor Kekko explains when and why left his native Hungary to go to school in Switzerland. He talks about his studies and also his first job as an engineer in Zurich. Mr. Kekko explains how he started to collect paintings and drawings. He decided to move from Switzerland to Canada and talks about the process of applying for an immigration visa. He and his family moved to Canada, and Mr. Kekko describes how he found accommodations for his family and then for the art gallery that he opened. He established himself as an art dealer in Toronto and explains how that happened. Mr. Kekko speaks about his clients and his plans for the future of his business.

: Hungarian interview - Miklos Majorcsak; Miklos Majorcsak gives a general description of how he immigrated to Canada from Hungary. In 1928 his father had come to Canada and found employment working as a farm hand in western Canada. In 1938 he sent for his family to join him, partly because of the situation in Europe and also because of the financial opportunities in Canada. The Majorcsak family moved to Ontario and settled in Tillsonburg. Mr. Majorcsak talks about the cultural differences and customs in Hungary and Canada. He describes his own wedding and the rituals surrounding that custom. He also compares the games that children play in Hungary and Canada. Mr. Majorcsak shares his plans for his own children, including maintaining their Hungarian heritage by attending Hungarian church, social events, and teaching them to speak Hungarian.

: Hungarian interview - Steve Minacs; Steve Minacs speaks about life in Hungary after World War I, and the attitude of villagers towards emigration. Mr. Minacs immigrated to Canada, living in Saskatchewan and Ontario. He talks about his first occupations in Windsor, Leamington, and Oshawa (Ontario). Mr. Minacs also talks about the first Hungarians in Oshawa and how the community began to organize itself. The community members founded a Hungarian House, Hungarian church, Hungarian soccer club, and produced amateur dramatic productions. Information is provided about his wife, Irene Minac's emigration from Hungary to Canada. Mr. Minacs talks about schooling in Oshawa, bowling teams, a culture club, the House Munrás movement, and other activities within the Hungarian community. Mr. Minacs speaks about the arrival of post-World War II Hungarian immigrants, called 'DPs,' and those who arrived following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Mr. Minacs talks about the use of the Hungarian language in Czechoslovakia and Canada, a return trip that he made to Hungary, aid provided for refugees in 1956. He concludes by sharing his views on his homeland and speculating on the future.

: Hungarian interview - Steve Mayorcsak; Steve Mayorcsak gives a brief description of his family background, and his parents' decision to immigrate to Canada. He talks about his life as a young boy in Ontario and also some occasions when he noticed prejudice towards him. Mr. Mayorcsak describes his enterprises and social commitments in the tobacco farming community of Delhi, Ontario.

: Hungarian interview - Eve Gabori; Eve Gabori is originally from Budapest, Hungary. She and her husband left in 1956 because of the Hungarian Revolution. She describes their escape from Hungary to Austria as 'adventurous.' From Austria they were able to emigrate to Canada, with the assistance of the Viennese Consulate. After arriving in Halifax, Mrs. Gabori and her husband took the train to Toronto. She describes her first impressions of the city, how she found her first job in Canada, and their first home. Mrs. Gabori was successful in finding a job as a librarian, and also went back to university, where she studied Greek philosophy. She talks about the various homes that she and her family lived in around the city. After a little while she divorced her first husband, and later remarried. Mrs. Gabori talks about their standard of living in Toronto. She says that the only thing she does not like about Canada is that there is not the same appreciation of culture, as there is in Europe. She herself works to try and change this attitude. The interview ends with Mrs. Gabori talking about her daughter., Eve Gabori est originaire de Budapest en Hongrie. Elle est partie avec son mari en 1956 à cause de la révolution hongroise. Elle raconte leur fuite ‘aventureuse’ de la Hongrie vers l’Autriche. Avec l’aide du consulat à Vienne, ils ont quitté l’Autriche pour émigrer au Canada. Arrivés à Halifax, Mme Gabori et son mari ont pris le train pour Toronto. Elle raconte ses premières impressions sur la ville, comment elle a trouvé son premier emploi au Canada, et leur première maison. Mme Gabori a réussi à trouver un travail de libraire et elle est aussi retournée à l’université où elle a étudié la philosophie grecque. Elle parle des nombreuses maisons à travers la ville où elle a vécu avec sa famille. Elle a ensuite divorcé de son premier mari et s’est remariée. Mme Gabori parle de leur niveau de vie à Toronto. Elle regrette toutefois qu’au Canada la culture ne soit pas aussi appréciée qu’en Europe et elle espère changer l’attitude des gens à travers le travail qu’elle accomplit. Mme Gabori termine l’entrevue en nous parlant de sa fille.

: Hungarian interview - Edmund de Fay; Edmund de Fay talks about his childhood in Hungary, and the occupation of Transylvania by the Romanians following the First World War. During the interwar years, Mr. de Fay attended school and trained for a career as an Air Force Officer. He became a specialist in aerial photography during the Second World War, and served as a General staff officer. Following the war, he immigrated to Austria, near Innsbruck, and then to Germany, near Munich. He worked at a truck repair shop, and also as a pianist in a mess hall. He performed in a travelling show and later worked in a photographic shop. Mr. de Fay talks about his life as a 'Displaced Person.' He moved to Canada and worked as a photographer in Brantford and Toronto. Following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, he was involved in refugee assistance. Mr. de Fay talks about the Hungarian House in Toronto and the purpose of its community activities in Canada. As a professional photographer, Mr. de Fay travels the world with the film crew of the United Church. He was also involved in the Hungarian (Air Force) Museum in Oshawa, and a Hungarian television program on Metro Cable. He offers his views on a new multicultural television station., Edmund de Fay parle de son enfance en Hongrie et de l’occupation de la Transylvanie par les Roumains après la Première Guerre mondiale. Pendant l’entre-deux-guerres, M. de Fay a entrepris des études et suivi une formation en tant qu’Officier de l’armée de l’air. Il est devenu un spécialiste en photographie aérienne durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et a servi en tant qu’officier de l’état-major. Après la guerre, il a immigré en Autriche, près de Innsbruk, et ensuite en Allemagne, près de Munich. Il a travaillé dans un atelier de réparation pour camions, et aussi comme pianiste dans un réfectoire. Il a joué dans un spectacle itinérant et a ensuite travaillé dans une boutique de photos à Brantford et à Toronto. Après la révolution hongroise en 1956, il a participé à des projets pour venir en aide aux réfugiés. M. de Fay parle de la Hungarian House à Toronto, des objectifs et activités communautaires de cette organisation au Canada. En tant que photographe professionnel, M. de Fay voyage à travers le monde avec l’équipe de tournage de l’Église unie. Il a aussi participé aux travaux du musée hongrois (l’armée de l’air) à Oshawa et à une émission de télé hongroise sur Metro Cable. Il partage ses idées sur une nouvelle station de télévision multiculturelle.

: Hungarian interview - Mrs. Gabura; Mrs. Gabura provides information on her background, including what life was like for her family in Hungary. She describes how she met her husband and their marriage. Mrs. Gabura shares the preconceived notions she had of 'America,' before immigrating to Toronto. Mrs. Gabura discusses the situation of Hungarian immigrants in Toronto., Mme Gabura décrit ses origines, sa famille et comment ils vivaient en Hongrie. Elle raconte comment elle a rencontré son mari et leur mariage. Mme Gabura nous parle des idées préconçues qu’elle avait sur ‘l’Amérique’ avant d’immigrer à Toronto. Mme Gabura parle de la situation des immigrants hongrois à Toronto.

: Hungarian interview - Joe and Elizabeth Czerlau; Joe Czerlau describes family life in Transylvania and why his father decided that their family should move to Canada for a new start. Mr. Czerlau tells about the journey and also their first few years prior to moving to the tobacco farming area of south-western Ontario. Mr. Czerlau moved to Tillsonburg and started to farm tobacco, where he met the future Mrs. Elizabeth Czerlau, whose family also farmed in that area. Mrs. Czerlau talks about why her family immigrated to that area and chose to farm tobacco. They discuss their marriage and their life in the Hungarian community around Tillsonburg, Ontario., John Czerlau décrit sa vie de famille en Transylvanie et ce qui a motivé la décision de son père de déménager toute sa famille au Canada afin de commencer une nouvelle vie. M. Czerlau raconte la traversée et les premières années avant leur installation dans le sud-ouest de l’Ontario où se trouvent les terres de culture du tabac. Mme Czerlau explique pourquoi sa famille a immigré dans cette région et a choisi la culture du tabac. Ils parlent de leur mariage et de la communauté hongroise dans la région de Tillsonburg en Ontario.

: Hungarian interview - Madge Axford; Madge Axford (née Fazekas), talks about her family background in Hungary and what her parents' lives were like in their homeland. Ms. Axford's mother had previously immigrated to America. Ms. Axford explains what her life was like growing up in Welland, Ontario, in a Hungarian neighbourhood. She talks about her education, and also the attitudes of teachers towards immigrant children. After finishing school, Ms. Axford entered the workforce and she lists her different jobs. She has also been involved in community activities, including the Church and the Onkepzokor. She talks about her family life, and the attitudes of the community towards girls who left home to work elsewhere. She describes her experiences of World War II. Ms. Axford talks about what knowledge of Hungarian exists in her own family., Madge Axford (née Fazekas) parle de son milieu familial en Hongrie et décrit la vie de ses parents dans leur pays natal. La mère de Mme Axford avait d’abord immigré aux États-Unis. Mme Axford raconte comment elle a grandi à Welland en Ontario dans la communauté hongroise. Elle parle de son éducation et de l’attitude des enseignants envers les enfants d’immigrants. Après ses études, Mme Axford est entrée sur le marché du travail et elle parle de ses différents emplois. Elle a aussi participé à des activités communautaires incluant celles de l’Église et l’Onkepzokor. Elle parle de sa vie familiale et des attitudes de la communauté envers les filles qui quittaient la maison pour aller travailler ailleurs. Elle décrit ses expériences de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Mme Axford parle de la connaissance qu’ils ont encore du hongrois dans sa famille.

: Hungarian interview - Tibor Ferentzy; Tibor Ferentzy tells the story of his emigration from Hungary to Canada. He talks about the first jobs that he had after arriving in Canada. Mr. Ferentzy became involved in a Transylvanian Association that is concerned with the conditions of the Hungarian minority in Romania. The Association sends care packages, and sponsors dance groups with performers Transylvania. Mr. Ferentzy compares the different waves of immigrants, and their future. He also talks about his affiliations with scouting movement., Tibor Ferentzy raconte comment il a émigré au Canada de la Hongrie. Il parle de ses premiers emplois peu après son arrivée au Canada. Par la suite M. Ferentzy a fait partie d’une Association Transylvanienne qui s’occupe des conditions de la minorité hongroise en Roumanie. L’Association envoie des colis et soutient financièrement des troupes de danse. M. Ferentzy compare les différentes vagues d’immigrants et leur avenir. Il parle aussi de ses affiliations avec le mouvement scoutiste.

: Hungarian interview - George Feuer; George Feuer explains how and when he left Hungary. At first he went to Paris, and then to England, where he worked as a biochemist. While in England, Mr. Feuer got a job offer to work in Canada, so he moved again. He talks about the different places that he has lived in Toronto. The interviewer asks him to compare his life in Canada with what it would have been, had he stayed in Hungary. He also compares the educational systems in Hungary and Canada., George Feuer explique comment et quand il a quitté la Hongrie. Il est d’abord allé à Paris et ensuite en Angleterre où il a travaillé comme biochimiste. Il a reçu une offre d’emploi au Canada alors qu’il était en Angleterre et il a donc redéménagé. Il parle des différents endroits où il a vécu à Toronto. L’intervieweur lui demande de comparer sa vie au Canada avec sa vie en Hongrie s’il était resté dans son pays natal. Il compare aussi les systèmes d’éducation en Hongrie et au Canada.

: Hungarian interview - Paulina Kertesz; Paulina Kertesz describes how her father emigrated from Hungary to Pennsylvania, U.S., and then back to Hungary. Her husband, G. Kertesz first came to Canada in 1929 and worked in the textile mills. He also reemigrated, and the two of them met and married in Hungary. Then, together they immigrated to Canada. Ms. Kertesz describes the journey across the Atlantic. They settled in south-western Ontario and began farming tobacco. Ms. Kertesz describes their lives at tobacco farmers. She also compares their past life and their current one.

: Hungarian interview - Mrs. Wappel; Mrs. Wappel immigrated to Canada from Hungary with her family as a young girl. They came around 1930, and were among the last immigrants to be admitted to the country before the Depression forced the government to clamp down on immigration. Mrs. Wappel's family initially settled in Montreal, and she attended a Catholic school run by nuns. Because of this situation, she learned to speak English and French almost simultaneously. Mrs. Wappel talks about the social activities among the Hungarian community, especially theatre productions, which were very popular. She mentions some other Hungarian organizations, including a Hungarian Church called St. Stephen's.

: Hungarian interview - Frank Feld; In this interview, Frank Feld talks about his parents, George and Theresa Feld, who immigrated to Canada from Hungary in the 1920's. They lived for a short time in Western Canada, ultimately settling in the Windsor area where they farmed for over thirty years. There were many Hungarian families in that community, and Mr. Feld still has an aunt who lives there. Mr. Feld recalls the hard-working lifestyle of his parents over the years, and their pride in home and family. There were four children in his family; one was born in Hungary and the others in Canada., Dans cette entrevue, Frank Feld parle de ses parents, George et Theresa Feld, qui ont immigré au Canada de Hongrie dans les années 1920. Ils sont restés très peu de temps dans l’ouest canadien, car ils se sont finalement installés dans la région de Windsor où ils ont cultivé la terre pendant plus de trente ans. Il y avait beaucoup de familles hongroises dans cette communauté et M. Feld a une tante qui y habite encore. M. Feld se souvient du travail à la ferme qui était extrêmement dur et de ses parents qui ont travaillé pendant toutes ces années et à quel point ils étaient fiers de leur maison et de leur famille. Ils ont eu quatre enfants, l’un d’entre eux est né en Hongrie et les autres au Canada.

Pages