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1956 Hungarian Memorial Oral History Project

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: Hungarian interview - Gustav Azari; 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. Azari describes the events that occured between October 27 1956, until his escape in January 1957, through Gyor and Hegyeshalom across the border to Austria. Mr. Azari decided to go to Canada because of the definition he read of Canada in a Hungarian-Engilsh dictionary. He traveled to Canada from Schwechat with others from Lager, and arrived in Hamilton, Ontario. He moved in with a Hungarian family and worked at a labourer on a farm owned by a Dutch man. Although the first Christmas in Canada was difficult, Mr. Azari eventually married and bought a house. Mr. Azari is proud to be a Canadian citizen.

: Hungarian interview - Charles and Eva Galos; Charles and Eva Galos describe what their lives were like in Hungary prior to immigrating to Canada. Mr. Galos had been a lab technician and buyer for Standard Oil, until he got into trouble with the Communist government because of his outspokenness. At that time, Mrs. Galos had just started working as a teacher. They decided to emigrate and left Hungary for Austria. Mr. and Mrs. Galos describe and encounter they had while trying to cross the border. When they finally arrived in Canada, Mrs. Galos got a job working as a domestic servant, although had to break her contract when she became pregnant. Mr. and Mrs. Galos received some assistance from the president of Hungarian Hall in Toronto. Years later, they moved to Delhi, Ontario.

: Hungarian interview - Charles Steinmetz; Rev. Charles Steinmetz talks about the discrimination and hatred that some immigrants faced living in Toronto during the 1930s. He describes the foundation of Hungarian House and Church activities. Rev. Steinmetz also talks about Communist activities during that time, and a Hungarian community newspaper that was started as well. He also talks about the Hungarian who served in Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. Rev. Steinmetz describes some of the activities undertaken by the Church during the war, and also the visit of Hapsburg Otto to Toronto. During the war there was a decision that Hungarian Church services in Toronto could only be in English. Rev. Steinmetz concludes by talking about the 'Displaced Persons' who immigrated to Canada after the war, and their search for jobs in Canada.

: Hungarian interview - Martin Seregelyes; Martin Sergelyes was born in Austria, in 1946. His father immigrated to Canada in 1948. Mr. Sergelyes recalls the death of Stalin, the AVO house search, Radio Free Europe. He offers his perspectives on the world as a child. He discusses school folk songs, the symbolism of Kossuth cimer, and remembers in 1956 when his class burned Stalin's picture. He talks about communism and fear and how this affected people in Hungary. He remembers the arrival of Russian soldiers passing through the Great Plain. Mr. Sergelyes left for England, and attended school in Worcester, before immigrating to Canada in February 1957. He travelled from Montreal to Toronto and then to Hamilton. Mr. Sergelyes discusses his integration into Canadian culturem and also how he maintained his Hungarian hertiage.

: Hungarian interview - Andrew More; Andrew More discusses his personal background, including the story of his father's emigration from Hungary to Canada. His father became a tobacco farmer in south-western Ontario, and was also involved in the fertilizer business. Mr. More talks about the history of early Hungarian settlers in the area, as well as his own family's history. He describes the situation of ethnic minorities in Ontario in the post-WWII period, and also the failure of the 1956 Hungarian refugees to adjust to farming. Mr. More also talks about the Ontario Tobacco Marketing Board and 'tobacco rights.' He provides information on the role of Communist party in the tobacco belt in 1930s and 1940s. The interview ends with Mr. More's opinions on his ethnic group's success in the area around Delhi, Ontario.

: Hungarian interview - Ivan Halasz DeBeky; In this interview Ivan Halasz De Beky talks about the flow of Hungarian people to Canada—before and after the Second World War, and following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He explains the nature of the social hierarchy in Hungarian society. Dr. DeBeky talks about the formation of what he calls a 'special kind' of rightist views in the Hungarian Canadian community, and the motivation behind the creation of TANU, a community newspaper. The goal was to present an objective view of the Hungarian reality, including the left/right dichotomy in immigrant communities in general. He talks about TANU's position in the relationship between the immigrant community and the home country., Dans son entrevue, Ivan Halasz De Beky parle du flot d’immigrants hongrois au Canada – avant et après la Seconde guerre mondiale et suite à la révolution hongroise de 1956. Il explique le fonctionnement de la hiérarchie sociale dans la société hongroise. Le docteur De Beky parle des opinions de droite qu’il qualifie de «spéciales» dans la communauté canadienne-hongroise et des buts et objectifs qui ont accompagné la création du journal communautaire TANU. Le but était de présenter une vue objective de la réalité hongroise, incluant la dichotomie gauche/droite dans les communautés immigrantes en général. Il parle de la position du journal TANU en ce qui concerne les relations entre la communauté immigrante et leur pays d’origine.

: Hungarian interview - Mr. and Mrs. John Tarr; In this joint interview, Mr. and Mrs. John Tarr share their memories of living in Hungary as young children. Mrs. Tarr was ten years old when she and her family emigrated, and Mr. Tarr was only four years old. Mrs. Tarr recalls some customs that she remembers, including All Saints Day, Ur Napja, The Feast of Mary, Lenten customs, and Christmas. Mrs. Tarr gives an account of her early years in Canada, and also how she met her husband. Mr. Tarr talks about how his family came to settle in Quebec, and what his life was like in that province. He tells the story of how he ran away to join the army, and his experiences in World War II. In the years following, Mr. and Mrs. Tarr got married, and set up house together. They talk about their first tobacco farm, and how the Tobacco Marketing Board was set up. Mr. and Mrs. Tarr talk about some of the controversies and problems they had starting up before they achieved some success. Mr. and Mrs. Tarr offer some of their views on Canada now, on the problems of modern youth, and the problem of hostility to other (more recent) immigrants.

: Hungarian interview - Peter Karolyi; Peter Karolyi was born in Gyor. He was a young student in grade 4, when the uprising happened in 1956. Interesting opinion about Hungarians, not necessarily positive. Came by boat to Canada. Arrived in Montreal with 2 sisters and parents. He had a relatively good life in Hungary before 1956. Came to Canada with one of the first ships that arrived in December 1956 (Arosa Sun or Arosa Star). The family was interviewed by television journalists. Does not have a lot of Hungarian friends, he finds them too different. He always tried to become very Canadian. He thinks it is very important to tell his story with his life experiences because other people might learn from his mistakes. He is a businessman and runs engineering firm in Toronto.

: Hungarian interview - Pal Orosz; Paul Orosz gives details of the events of the 1956 Revolution, including : the 'de-kulakization' of villages, inflation, Rákosi era, Csepel factory activity, revolution account (blood), etc. Mr. Orosz was born in Szabolcs Szatmár megye. He talks about World War II, starvation, bombs, a bread crisis, the gradual take over by Soviets, inflation, and radio. His family was black-listed for owning land. He talks about communist activity and collectivization, and Josef Stalin's death in 1953. He highlights the differences between Hungarian, Polish, and Slovak communism from 1946-1956. Mr. Orosz then talks about the build up to the 1956 Hungarian revolt, including the Csepel gyár (inner city activity), the interwar period in Hungary and the changes that occured. Between 1930 and1956 Hungary became socialist. He talks about a factory meeting of 45,000 workers, communist propaganda. Mr. went to Budapest to take part in revolt, and he gives an account of the revolution and the deaths. He describes his escape via Sopron, a 80 km walk in the cold, in December 1956. He arrived at the refugee camp in Austria, and then fled to Canada, landing in Newfoundland. Mr. Orosz did not receive much help when he arrived. He married a German Hungarian woman and worked in a steel factory for 30 years. The interview concludes with Mr. Orosz talking about the destruction of Hungary and the lack of general awareness of the 1956 revolt. He thinks Canada is the best country in the world.

: Hungarian interview - Zoltan Petro; Zoltan Petro is a Hungarian originally from Felvidék, present day Slovakia. He talks about Hungarian activity in the highlands during the 1956 Revolution. There existed discrimination against Hungarians within Slovak borders, and they had access to medication, no language rights. He talks about Radio, student activity is Roszno in 1956, as well as communization of schools. Mr. Petro talks about 'Slovakization'- Hungarians had no schools, language, papers, and their homes were given away. He then talks about the 'Sovietization' of the region because of the Russian influence. Mr. Petro was a soldier in the Slovak army and then in Czechoslovakia. He describes a period of reprisal, brainwashing by communists, and conflict. He decided to leave with his wife and two children. Eventually they decide to escape via Austria, and from then to Canada by airplane. They lived in Toronto and Hamilton, and Mr. Petro worked as a factory work, and a janitor, before getting his teaching certificate and a job at a learning centre.

: Hungarian interview - Maria Sauerwald; Marika Sauerwald begins by sharing her memories of the events in Budapest, Hungary during the 1956 Revolution. She describes the entire three weeks of the revolt with exceptional chronological accuracy. Ms. Sauerwald came to Canada on an army plane. She loved Montreal, Quebec. She worked in hard physical labor her whole life. Ms. Sauerwald has no regrets about leaving Hungary, as the communists destroyed everything. She talks about the social-political climate in Budapest during the 1956 uprising. Ms. Sauerwald then talks about her early life, she was born Kajcsányi Mária. Her entire family had been black-listed as 'kulak.' She talks about 'the terror,' and how they lived amongst many communist families. Ms. Sauerwald had four siblings, two parents, and the mass suffering during World War II. She describes her experiences of WWII in great detail. Ms. Sauerwald was not allowed to study what she wanted to at school, and was forced into another stream. At this time they lived in fear of Russians. She describes the moments leading to revolt in September and October of 1956. Ms. Sauerwald talks about Budapest radio, the situation with the banks, Pest, Buda, ammunition, strategies, social, political, and economic facts. She also talks about Geró Ernó's speech, movement throughout the city during the night, ammunition Molotov cocktails, the Suez Canal, and other topics. During the Revolution there was a crisis within the hospitals because they could not get any international supplies. Ms. describes the events of November 4th with great accuracy- the bombs, bloodshed, AVO murder, stealing, theft, terror. She and her husband escape Hungary and go to Austria where they end up in a refugee camp. They looked at a map and decided that they wanted to go Montreal so that her husband could continue his education. She talks about crossing the border, and the camp in Austria. Ms. Sauerwald talks about their arrival in Montreal, Quebec, and they learned English and French, and found work in factories. Her husband was unable to get into university in Canada. With the October Crisis in Quebec in 1970, the family moved to Hamilton, Ontario. Marika began teaching Hungarian, raised a daughter, and became active in Scouting, language studies, poetry reading, and folk dancing.

: 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 - Dezso Kadar; Dr. Deszo Kadar was born in Transylvania in 1933. He was a pharmacology student in 1956 in Szeged, Hungary. He talks about his life in Transylvania, and in Hungary after the family moved to Hungary from Romania in 1944. Events in Szeged before the revolution. Talks about the pharmacology students organizing MEFEZ, which was the organization asking for more freedom of press and freedom of speech in Szeged. Dr. Kadar believes that the students at Szeged were the ones who laid the foundation for the seeds of revolution through their request for more freedom, in particular, the students of the pharmacology department. He took an active part in the Revolution. Talks about going to Budapest, Koszeg, escaping in December of 1956 to Austria. Emigration to Canada. He already had 2 brothers living in Canada since 1948. He describes starting university again in Toronto and becoming a pharmacist, researcher and later a professor at the University of Toronto's School of Pharmacology.

: 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 - John Girhiny; Rev. John Girhiny talks about his parents' origins in Hungary, and his own childhood in Welland, Ontario. He describes decision to become a Greek Catholic priest. Rev. Girhiny also talks about Monsignor George Papp and his work among the Canadian-Hungarian Greek Catholic community. He provides information on the history of St. Michael's Greek Catholic Church and also its present situation. Rev. Girhiny explains the language difficulties and problem of maintaining the use of the Hungarian language within community in Canada. Rev. Girhiny's congregation comprises parishioners of various backgrounds. Rev. Girhiny talks about various church activities including the Hungarian culture club, the building of a new church, and the future of the congregation. In the second part of the interview, Rev. Girhiny discusses the financial concerns of the church, and its interaction with other Hungarian Greek Catholic parishes in southern Ontario. He talks about vacations he has taken, contacts with the homeland, the visit of a Bishop Timko, and his experiences during a visit to Hungary.

: 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 - Nicholas Korponay; Nicholas (Miklos) Korponay gives information about what his life was like living in Hungary. He also recalls partisan activities during World War II: ""Kopjasok."" Mr. Jager left Hungary in 1945 and moved to Austria. Mr. Korponay also mentions a Hungarian Veterans Association. He immigrated to Canada in 1951, and talks about the first jobs that he had in Toronto. He also describes Hungarian community activities in Toronto, and the establishment of Rákoczi. Mr. Korponay talks about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and the resulting immigration of refugees to Canada. He describes the community's reaction at the time, and compares the postwar immigrants with those who came in 1956. Mr. Korponay also discusses the issue of language retention. Mr. Korponay talks about his work at the Metro Toronto Emergency Measures organization. He goes into more detail about the activities of Rákoczi: the Association, Historical Society, Memorial Society and the Foundation. The interview concludes with Mr. Korponay speculating on the future of Hungarian community in Canada.

: Hungarian interview - George Nagy; 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 and took a civil service examination. Dr. Nagy worked in the diplomatic service during regency of Miklós Horthy, during the interwar years, and gives an analysis of that regime. He talks about the political parties, elections, economic imbalance, the problems of migrant workers and the Russian dumping of wheat. Dr. Nagy transferred to the Hungarian consulate in Bratislava (Czechoslovakia). He recalls the revolution of the Slovaks against the Czechs in that city Dr. Nagy also shares his memories of Hitler's invasion of Poland. Dr. Nagy speaks in great detail about his experiences in war-time Europe, including the Second Vienna Conference, his transfer to Romania, the Hungarian reclamation of Transylvania, another transfer to Sweden, the German occupation of Hungary, deposition of Horthy, and finally the defeat of Germany and the end of war in Europe. After the war, the Russians occupied Hungary and Dr. Nagy moved back home from Sweden and rejoined the Hungarian diplomatic service. He talks about what the living conditions were like in Budapest after the war, in particular the gradual infiltration and penetration of Communist rule. Dr. Nagy eventually decided to leave Hungary with his family in 1947, and they moved to England and Paris before embarking for Canada. Dr. Nagy and his family arrived in Halifax in 1951, living for a while in Montreal before transferring to Toronto. Dr. Nagy provides information about the Hungarian community in Toronto. He also recalls the reaction to the 1956 Revolution, and the subsequent influx of Hungarian refugees. He talks about his personal life—his occupation, his homes, and his family life. Dr. Nagy recalls the visit of the exiled Cardinal Mindszenty to Toronto and the impact that it had on the Hungarian community in Canada. Dr. Nagy speaks about his involvement in the Canadian Hungarian Federation, the struggle for rights of the Hungarian minority in Transylvania, and the return of the Holy Crown of St. Stephen from the U.S. to Hungary. Dr. Nagy talks about some of the present problems of Hungarian community in Toronto, and compares the Hungarian immigrants who arrived post-WWI with those who arrived in 1956.

: Hungarian interview - Adel Csima; Adel Csima was the daughter of a merchant in her native town of Budapest, Hungary. She recalls the difficult times leading up to the 1956 Revolution, including seeing her aunt's car being expropriated, and University students being made to parrot propaganda. She talks about spies at university, and how her husband got into trouble. Ms. Csima recalls how the student protest turned into a massive protest, and the mood in the streets was a mixture of good will, elation, cooperation. She heard tanks coming on November 3rd, and saw burned-out Russian tanks, relating how an aggressive tank followed her. She and her husband left because he was seen with a gun. They left Hungary on February 1957 via the Yugoslav border. Ms. Csima describes the poor condition of camps, and getting passage to Canada via the French port Le Havre. They arrived in Canada by ship and took train to Vancouver. She describes her first impressions and what life was like living in Vancouver. Eventually they moved to Toronto and had children, while her husband worked at the University of Toronto. Ms. Csima continued her math studies, and they had little money. In 1962 her children were finally allowed to join them in Canada.

: 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 - Antal Urmos; Antal Urmos was born in 1925 in Temerin, Yugoslavia. He talks about his role in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He was helping the revolutionaries transport the flyers on his motor bike, providing them also with typewriters. He had a very good position at the university, but realized he had to join the students because they are fighting for the right reasons. Interesting escape story, across the land with his motor bike. He was blocked by roads several times. Wife and son followed him and met him in Austria. They had no relatives in Canada but were accepted. They came by plane. Talks about settling into life in Canada. One child was born here, both children speak Hungarian well. He is very proud of that. He is very active in the Hungarian Canadian community, especially with the Canadian Hungarian Engineers Association and with the World Federation of Engineers and Architects. He has several awards from Hungary for his humanitarian work.

: Hungarian interview - Helen Schvarczkopf; 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 Temple on Spruce Street. There were re-organizational attempts in 1939, and the organization was renamed the Hungarian Cultural Society in 1952. She talks about the social difficulties that existed between ""old and new"" immigrants (pre- and post-World War II.) Mrs. Schvarczkopf herself did a lot of work helping immigrants who came after the 1956 Revolution, and she explains how she has tried to bridge gaps between immigrants.

: 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 - 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.

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