Association of Csango-Hungarians in Moldavia - Start-up of the "Childrens-House"

The Start-up of the "Childrens-House" in Külsőrekecsin!

There was great excitement in our village, on early Saturday morning, September-26-th. For days, we were preparing, so that the "Big-Day" would be the best ever! The ladies of our village were cooking and baking the delicious, traditional food, such as "kalács" and "geluska" with meat, from Friday afternoon to late night. Meanwhile, many spirited, tireless teachers, those who teach the Hungarian (Magyar)-language, were working, so that the House would be exceptionally "sparkling" clean, by the time, the many guests would arrive. The start-up and the blessing of the House began Saturday morning at 11. The first and most important point was the blessing of the House, not a small 20feat, especially because the priest of Külsőrekecsin personally attended and gave the blessing for the House, that was intended to be the place, that would teach Hungarian, to the local children. For the people of the village, the blessing, from the local priest assured them, that the "Magyar-Ház" (Hungarian-House) is truly theirs! After the blessing came the festivities, on the temporary-stage. In the beautiful sunshine, the guests and the news-media, along with the people of the village, enjoyed the "Magyaros" greetings and thanks-giving, from the stage. The childrens program ended the celebration. The childrens program included Gradinaru Madalina, studying at Csikszereda, who sang a nice, local song. Dobos Liliana Roza read a childrens story. We are hoping, that the "Magyar-Ház" will give us many, talented school children. The nicest, most memorable part of the program happened, when almost one-hundred children sang a few, very nice songs of Külsőrekecsin. Following, Fehér Mihály, a musician of Külsőrekecsin and 12 children entertained with Rekecsini dances. Later, while the dancers rested, a local lady, Dobos Rózsa sang beautiful songs, to the audience. Salamon Adrián, the president of the "Moldvai Csángómagyarok Szövetsége" expressed his gratitude to those present and far, who helped made possible, the building of the House. Among those present, speeches were given, by Guha Péter, vice-president of the "Helvetia-Hungaria-Társaság", also, representatives of the Hungarian, the Transylvanian (Erdély) and the German-Rotary-Club. Dr. Gegesy Ferenc, mayor of Ferencváros and Lázár Mihályné, Borika - leader of the "Godparent's" (Keresztszülők) of Külsőrekecsin. Following the speeches, Salamon Adrián opened the exhibit, where the paintings of Csillag Monika, old photographs, from the village's past life and the history of the Hungarian-language-education of Külsőrekecsin, created for this special occasion.

At the close of the program, "házi-kalács" and thanks to our friends, from Szeged, fine wine was served. The day ended with the traditional Csángó-Bál, that began 8 o'clock in the evening and lasted until dawn. Everyone danced to the harmonica-music of Fehér Mihály, and all had a great-time! We were successful in this great 20undertaking, that began one year ago, last fall, to build the "Magyar-Ház" in Külsőrekecsin! This Childrens-House will help, not only with the teaching of the Hungarian language, but will give place, for teachers - meetings, camping, exhibits and cultural programs, that will aid in the saving of our traditions.

Our most grateful thanks, to all of our supporters, who made all this possible!!!

Vontobel Stiftung, Zürich. Böröcz József Switzerland, Guha Péter Béla Switzerland,
Helvetia-Hungaria-Association Switzerland, Association of Hungarian Engineers and Architects of Switzerland, Rotary Club of Kézdivásárhely, RC of Székelyudvarhely (Erdély), RC of Eger, RC of Miskolc. RC of Miskolc-Tapolca. RC of Szeged, Szent-Györgyi Albert. RC of Szentendre. RC of Pécs (Magyarország), Rotary Club of Big Bear Lake, RC of Hemet Sunrise, RC of Palm Springs (U.S.A.), Rotary Club Nidda (Germany), Rotary Club of Szeged, The Government of Ferencváros, Székely József, Schmidt Ágota, Bohner Antalné, Vinculum Caritatis, Szalai Zsolt, The "Bencés" gymnasium and college of Pannonhalma, The Congress (Legislature) of the Hungarian Republic, Polster Tamás, "Petőfi-Circle" Hungarian Culture-Club of Ingolstadt, The Australian Erdélyi Hungarian Association, The Hungarian Parliament, Chemark Alapítvány, Fittler family, Lázár Istvánné, Modine Hungaria KFT of Mezőkövesd, Saint István Catholic-School of Mezőkövesd, Takács Sándor Győr, Lázár Mihály and the "god-parents" of Hungary.

Csillag Mónika, Csillag Levente, Divald Borbála, Kovács Melánia Hungarian teachers, from Külsőrekecsin