A wonderful yearly event for the Hungarian community to come together and support the CLE chapters of the Hungarian Scouts. There’s something for everyone here: food, beer, music, folk dancing, and even some soccer matches. Regardless of ethnicity all are welcome.
Dick S.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Cleveland, OH
Countless trends have come and gone over the past century. Failure to recognize that there is no one homogenous group called white people tore apart cultural neighborhoods. New generations turn backs on the traditions that defined this city. No official recognition or PR efforts have been directed toward the Eastern European immigrant soul of Cleveland. But that soul survives. It is the churches and ethnic organizations that pass on the traditions of the muscle that created the wealth of art, industry, sports, parks and identity called Cleveland. For one day every year the Scouts recreate a neighborhood where Hungarian is spoken, bands play folk music and rhapsodies, and dancers entertain. Hungarian cuisine differentiates itself from all others in that much of it is prepared outside over open fires. After all goulash was beef cooked by cowboys in lard flavored by chilies. In Texas the same is called chili. On the grounds of the German Central Park volunteers prepare chimney cake, pork steak sandwiches, grilled kolbasz, palacsinta and the fried bread called langos. Most likely the beer garden is overflowing when the Irish or Germans hold their events but Hungary is a coffee society so the café is favored for pastry with strong coffee. In the restaurant the home cooked paprikas, stuffed cabbage, and sausage is endlessly served. A mass is held as well as a Protestant service. The parking lot is filled to the overflow lot across the street as Hungarians and guests come from all over the region. Like all Eastern Europeans, Hungarians are self sufficient, proud and loyal. We like life as Hungarian Americans living in the Great Lakes. Our culture endures thanks to organizations such as the Hungarian Scouts. Our influence remains whether at a stall in the West Side Market, a small restaurant in Avon, St. Emeric’s defying the bishop, or the haunting music of Cleveland’s Harmonia band. We are still around.
