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85th annual Hungarian Day event hits the right note
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
What began about 10 years ago as a hobby for Andrew Check II has become something of a tribute to his late grandfather.
On that note, he continues to play the cimbalom.
“It’s the great-grandfather to the piano,” said Check, of Chesterland, Ohio, referring to the musical instrument he played as part of the entertainment for Sunday’s 85th annual Hungarian Day festival, themed “Magyar Nap” (Hungarian Day). Sponsoring the gathering was the Youngstown American Hungarian Federation of Churches and Society.
Plenty of people gathered during the five-hour event at the Youngstown American Hungarian Club, 2219 Donald Ave. on the West Side, to enjoy one another’s company and to absorb music from The Hungarians, a Cleveland-based band, as well as to take in plenty of dancing by local youngsters.
The 115-year-old cimbalom that Check played resembles a small xylophone with clusters of exposed piano strings, each of which represents a note. The instrument has a range of roughly two octaves above and below middle C, Check explained.
About 35 years ago, Check’s grandfather, Andrew Check, started “Souvenirs of Hungary,” a radio show that airs from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays on WKTL-FM 90.7. The elder Check was very knowledgeable about Hungarian music and culture, his grandson said.
“I took this up as a tribute to him,” Check said about playing the cimbalom.
It’s probably safe to say few people left the fest hungry, since they were able to select from a menu consisting of chicken paprika with dumplings, stuffed cabbage, cabbage with noodles, virsli (Hungarian for hot dog), palacsinta (crepes) and sutemenyt (pastries).
On the sweeter side of things, a variety of crepes filled with cheese, apricots and strawberries made by Elizabeth Kiss of Warren awaited attendees.
“I made about 200 yesterday for this event,” said Kiss, who came to the area roughly 55 years ago from her native Debrecen, Hungary. “My favorite is the cottage cheese.”
Kiss said she also makes the treats for picnics and added that she joined the Hungarian club more than 20 years ago.
A main thrust of the festival is to keep many Hungarian traditions alive for the next generation, noted Kathy Nodak, the Youngstown American Hungarian Federation’s vice president.
The federation was created to assist Hungarian refugees with finding jobs and housing. Now, the organization promotes Hungarian culture in the Mahoning Valley, she explained.
In addition, Nodak said, the federation celebrates and recognizes historical events related to Hungary such as the Revolution of 1848, in which Hungarians fought for their independence against the Austrian Empire that was ruled by the Habsburg Monarchy.
Another is the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Nodak continued.
That uprising was an 18-day spontaneous revolt that started as a student demonstration against the government of the People’s Republic of Hungary and spread across the country.
The festival also featured a 50/50 raffle and door prizes.
The Hungarian club’s next event is the annual Heritage Day, set for 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the club.