Hungarian interview - Michael Elek

Audio file
Date
1978-03-29
Personal name
Interviewer: Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Interviewee: Elek, Michael
Corporate name
Description

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.

Physical description
(1 audio file (0:20:06))
Genre
Interviews
Oral histories
Sound recordings
Type of resource
Sound recording non-musical
Language
English
Identifier
HungTape4122
Terms of use
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Source/owner of material

Multicultural History Society of Ontario