Date: 1977-12-28
Name(s): Cairine Budner, Feld, John
Description: 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…
Date: 2006-07-13
Name(s): Anna Szakaly, Felkai, Frank
Description: 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…
Date: 1978-01-19
Name(s): Kekko, Gabor, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: 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…
Date: 2006-02-08
Name(s): Kardos, Gabriella, Kardos, Geza, Monika Berenyi
Description: In this joint interview, Geza Kardos describes his early life in a small village outside of Körmend, Hungary. His family were labeled as class aliens because they owned property. Mr. Kardos worked in Zalaegerszeg, Budapest, Körmend. He cycled to Austria border with nothing (forced to leave due to class alien status). He talks about the refugee camp that he stayed in before getting on a boat to Canada. The first Christmas in Canada was difficult. He received a letter from his father in Hamilton…
Date: 1979-01-12
Name(s): Bisztray, George, 1938-2012, Papp-Zubrits, Susan
Description: George Bisztray describes his family background and the lives of his parents in Hungary. He explains the impact of World War I on the Hungarian people. Dr. Bisztray talks about the education he received in Hungary and the widespread propaganda in the schools when the Revolution erupted in 1956. Dr. Bisztray continued to pursue a university education with aspirations for an academic career. He emigrated from Hungary and lived in Norway for several years. After that Dr. Bisztray moved to the…
Date: 1978-03-28
Name(s): Egri, George, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: George Egri talks about his decision to leave Hungary following the 1956 Revolution. He escaped to Vienna and then applied for an immigration visa to come to Canada. When Mr. Egri and his family arrived in Canada by ship, they spoke no English. At first he took any job that he could find, but eventually was able to return to his original profession—journalism. Mr. Egri later became an editor of an ethnic newspaper in Toronto. He talks about putting out the first edition of his paper, and about…
Date: 1978-01-11
Name(s): Faludy, George, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: George Faludy explains why he left his home in Hungary, and shares his memories of the 1956 Revolution. At different points in his life, Mr. Faludy lived in Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malta, and Canada. . Mr. Faludy explains why he chose to make his home in Canada. He also talks about how he has earned his living, as a poet, writer, and translator. When he moved to Canada he was offered a professorship at the University of Toronto, and wrote a book on Erasmus. He…
Date: 1978-01-09
Name(s): Feuer, George, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: 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.
Date: 1977-07-26
Name(s): Fulop, George, Susan Galos
Description: 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…
Date: 1978-05-06
Name(s): Nagy, George, Papp-Zubrits, Susan
Description: George Nagy talks about his childhood growing up on a farm in Hercegfalva, Hungary. He describes the unrest that followed the First World War. Dr. Nagy attended high school in Budapest, and then went on to law school, earning a Ph.D. in Law in 1933. Dr. Nagy talks about his time studying in Paris and also about the fear of Hitler at that time in France. He recalls his impressions of the international situation at that time from his position in Paris. After Paris, Dr. Nagy returned to Hungary…
Date: 2006-02-09
Name(s): Azari, Gustav, Monika Berenyi
Description: Gustav Azari discusses his Hungarian military career. He also talks about the Yugoslav border oil crisis, emigration in 1956, proletariat in Miskolc and Hamilton, story of escape, father's service in Russia in World War II. Mr. Azari is a Greek Catholic, born in a peasant village, and served as a soldier in Nagykanizsa, and also discusses the Yugoslav oil crisis. He returned to Miskolc and worked in heavy industry. Discusses the revolutionary activity in Miskolc- murders, tanks, terror. Mr.…
Date: 1978-02-21
Name(s): Mustonen, Gyorgyi, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: 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.
Date: 1981-06-01
Name(s): Mary Stefura, Schvarczkopf, Helen
Description: Helen Schvarczkopf was born in 1909, TurTerebes, Szatmar, Hungary. She was one of twelve children, and her father was a farmer. An older brother had immigrated to Canada previously, and in 1929 Mrs. Schvarczkopf went to join him. She was married in Welland, Ontario, in 1931 and moved to the Sudbury area and later to Copper Cliff. Mrs. Schvarczkopf recalls the early organization of Hungarian Insurance Benevolent Group and Kossuth, a leftist organization. She describes a meeting at the UKR Labour…
Date: 2006-03-24
Name(s): Hegedus, Istvan, Monika Berenyi
Description: Istvan Hegedus took an active part in the 1956 Revolution. Family was sent to Britain for winter months. Details of revolt, radio free Europe, story of escape, pioneer movement - western European perspective of 1956 revolution. Spent WWII in Fehérmegye. Remembers 1946 - post WWII Budapest, bombed bridges. Began Grade 1 in Buda. Father lost his job in the National Bank of Hungary because children were receiving Catholic education. 1948 - 1956 describes years of turbulence in Hungarian history.…
Date: 1979-03-01
Name(s): Halasz de Beky, I. L., 1919-, Papp-Zubrits, Susan
Description: Ivan Beky-Halasz gives his reasons for leaving his homeland of Hungary, and talks about his experiences during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Mr. Beky-Halasz then immigrated to Canada, and he talks about the first occupations he held in his new home. In Canada, Mr. Beky-Halasz became involved in activities within the Hungarian community. He also did some work compiling bibliographical finding aids, and with Hungarian TV. He gives his opinions on the strengths and weakness of community…
