The Center for International Services and Programs at Cleveland State University held its International Education Day program on November 18, 2015, from 10 am to 2 pm. Visitors learned about the countries and cultures of various nations represented at the University. Hungary was also represented at the event with a Hungarian information desk where — thanks to the generosity of the Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Museum — Hungarian objects, pictures, videos, and numerous other interesting objects helped attendees get acquainted with Hungarian culture and the country of the Magyars, as well as get information about the Hungarian courses offered at CSU during the Spring 2016 semester.
During International Day, the various participating countries also presented their traditional dances, songs and music. The Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble organized the Hungarian presentation, during which Bendegúz Pigniczky, Krisztina Nádas and Mátyás Tábor performed dances from Kalotaszeg; Mónika Gyerman sang songs originating from Mezőség; and Hungary’s Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Scholarship recipient Ádám Török Dancsó played Hungarian music on violin and on zither. The Ensemble then invited the audience to participate in a Moldavian circle dance, an opportunity many took advantage of!
The cultural presentations were followed at noon by an International Fashion Show, during which everyone could admire the beautiful traditional clothes of the various countries, including those of Hungary (Krisztina Tábor, her niece Lydia Eppley, and Dénes Mátyás participated in the Fashion Show, dressed in traditional Hungarian clothing). Visitors could taste exquisite Hungarian double smoked sausage, double smoked bacon and walnut roll throughout the whole program through the generosity of Dohar Meats Inc. (West Side Market, 1979 West 25th Street, Stand F-1 & F-2, Cleveland, OH 44113) and Farkas Pastry Shoppe (2700 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113).
The International Day, as well as the Hungarian performances and participation in the event, was a big success and provided an excellent occasion for both CSU students and our wider community to familiarize themselves with Hungarian arts and culture. The organizers of the Hungarian presentation and informational desk, Dénes Mátyás and Tímea Német, would like to express their thanks to the Hungarian Heritage Museum and its President Éva Szabó, to Ádám Török Dancsó, Intern at the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program, to the Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble and its Co-Director Mátyás Tábor, as well as to all Cleveland Hungarians contributing to the success of the event.
We hope that numerous similarly exciting programs can be realized in the future, both at Cleveland State University, and in the wider Cleveland community.
