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Hungarian Cultural Institute in the U.S. |
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Proposal for a Hungarian Cultural Institute in a Satellite Structure
Dear Sir/Madam:
Enclosed please find a proposal for a Hungarian Cultural Institute in America envisioned as a cooperation of geographically dispersed, individually functioning satellite branches. We believe that the Kossuth House Social Club of the well-known Hungarian Reformed Federation of America in Washington, D.C., can serve as a model for other branches around the country.
The concept for a cultural institute in the U.S. has been around for a long time. However, the idea of a new physical location for the institute has always proved to be a blocking factor in its realization. Such a one-location physical center burdens the centralized high start-up costs, staffing, and resources, not to mention limited accessibility.
Instead of a central location, we propose the idea of a satellite system, thus, the institute would be based on the existing structure of Hungarian-American organizations, physically scattered in the country. The density of the locations would naturally mirror the concentrations of ethnic Hungarian communities because of the existing organizations. We understand, though, that organizations do not always match up with a physical place, such as an owned building, or a rented place. Therefore, local co-operation is inevitable. Each of the participating organizations at one particular location would have to coordinate their resources in order to come up with the best and most efficient solution to provide a branch, or a satellite of the Hungarian Cultural Institute. This call for local cooperations for our common Hungarian heritage is indeed a historical opportunity and necessity to bridge the many gaps that has separated the Hungarian-American community based on religion or political orientation. What should these branches provide?
On the following pages please find the original vision for the institute as it appeared in the Kossuth House Social Club’s newsletter, as well as a detailed account of what functions each satellite should provide, and what contacts are necessary for the establishment of the satellite system.
We encourage and appreciate any feedback regarding this proposal. Please contact us over e-mail, or in writing, or visit us on the Internet at www.kossuthhouse.org/khsc/
Sincerely,
Edit V. Velenyi & Sandor Vegh
FIRST STEP TO A SATELLITE?
Hungarian Cultural Institute, tagged: "Satellite Cultural Office"
What is the Satellite Office? What would be its function and relation to other institutions in the public or private sector, profit or non-profit organizations, in the vicinity or outside the Beltway, let alone beyond the USA.
The notion of a satellite cultural institute has been lingering in the air for long. It is not a novelty to the Hungarian-American community and its "culture vultures" - in a positive sense - who try to carve out the precious niche of culture. However, the questions of "who & how" keeps hovering for several reasons. Hungarian culture-fans are, of course, not doomed to stare the "temporarily out of order" sign on the house of tradition and culture. Instead of endless waiting let us examine those curves of supply and demand. Despite the relative small number of Hungarians in the D.C. zone the demand is notable - thanks not only to our community, but to Americans, as well as a great variety of international visitors interested in the old traditions, present culture, and the transition and its related changes. Incentives are badly needed to boost the supply. Action versus talk, stimulating initiatives, and finding a ground for constructive cooperation are not all but a good start. Next year is the 150th anniversary of Lajos Kossuth’s visit to America. This symbolic year should mark the launching of this satellite institute.
I. Market Analysis
A marketing survey and a feasibility study are the first steps in assessing the associated costs and drawing the outlines of the operation areas of the Satellite Office. Identifying and activating cooperation and contacts at locations strategic for Hungarian Americans, along with elaborating a functional network based on a well-designed organizational structure, are also prerequisites.
II. Data
A long-pampered idea, based on data from former and present surveys has aimed at the formation of a "Collegium Hungaricum Washington" - a chain in the well-know "Collegium Hungaricum" net. Plug-ins from credible and well-traveled information sources, such as the Embassy, Hungarian American associations, churches - to mention but a few - could grant invaluable assistance in shaping of a working blueprint. The database and information pooling cooperation is the framework for mapping cultural interest, to execute a viable reconnaissance, and ultimately to create a functional system. The lack of moral support and cooperative spirit has often created unfavorable milieu aborting valuable ideas. Have ill-fated initiatives not been recurring exclamation marks to remind us about the potential result of self-interested, short-sighted behavior? Once and for all, could the apparently genetically coded malign attitude of Hungarians toward the others’ success be jettisoned? Let’s put idealism to rest. Just work on Hungarian interests on a more rational, less self-centered base and demonstrate that we are capable of raising above our entrenched attitudes.
III. Satellite Office with dual function: "Real-life & Virtual Info Center"
How is the dual function - a double advantage for the community - of the Satellite Office is envisaged?
Real-life profile:
Serves the interested target public with Hungarian-related information.
Provides insight into the cultural activities and life of the Hungarian community.
Extends the network system and furnishes wider operation zone for Hungarian communities from the East coast to the West.
Virtual profile:
Provides online information, expanding the cultural horizon by fast access and by bridging geographic distance.
Provides online forum for activities, event postings, and enabling interaction in the Virtual Hungarian Community.
Targets segment: the youth and professionals and the young-in-spirit active on the Internet. The existing Internet page dedicated to informing the public on Hungarian cultural events serves as a base in coordinating "Hungarian Events in the Washington Area."
<http://www.kossuthhouse.org/washington/>
IV. Aim
The aim is to coordinate cultural activities and provide information on events. The inputs come from an extended network of cultural and culture-supporting institutions which are the cogs of the mechanism. The borders of the operation are presently marked by existing cooperations. In the future they are to be expanded with new ones. The aim is to create liaison among cultural institutions both in Hungary and in the U.S., as well as to provide information on cultural events and to build contacts with organizations. A monthly newsletter, as the print forum, would not only be a list of past and future events, but a warehouse of what’s, how’s and when’s, providing an advertising spot for organizations supporting culture. The KHSC is not l’art pour l’art. First, it fosters what we Hungarians have; second, it does so in an informal club atmosphere, not competing but striving to bring in new other organizations and old and new audience. The KHSC envisages the satellite with a series of joint events, with one organization taking the role of forum provider - in every sense of the word: on stage, on-line, in print - for "content providers" matching the set criteria. Pro culture, constructive performers and organizations are wanted - advocates of various causes, representing a great array of present views, furnishing topical news. The satellite, as a spin-off, would assist visiting fellows, scholarship individuals, and exchange students to facilitate accommodation. The combination of boosting Hungarian tourism, furthering cooperation with the National Tourism Office in New York, and encouraging trips to the U.S. is everyone’s interest. To quench the first of the science and art connoisseurs, liaisons with art and scientific institutions is a top priority. The institute should also support the initiative of the "Young Scientists, Researchers & Humanities Conference" by providing forum for Hungarian, or Hungarian-origin scientists to present their latest achievements and trigger timely discussions. The topical "Generation Change" (Nemzedékváltás) dilemma, a fixed point on the agenda, should continually and consciously be planned and managed. The "Nemzedékváltás" entails tackling long-lasting questions of the Hungarian ethnic community: fostering language, traditions, and culture. Cooperation with advocates of the cause, like the American Hungarian Educators Association (AHEA), emphasizing the role of the scouts, profit or non-profit entities, contributing to fighting the generation change challenge - either by supplying tangible support, such as language and cultural material supply, or intangible such as moral support and network capital - is invaluable.
V. Liaison with Hungarian-American Organizations
Top priority
Fostering Hungarian culture-related issues, pursuing ad hoc matters, providing assistance in programs affecting the Hungarian ethnicity in the U.S., or Hungarians in general. Human rights, petitions, educational support, disaster relief and charitable events are also top priority. The satellite potential enables advanced means and intensifies cultural awareness. The KHSC would act as the HQ in serving, observing Hungarian events, and could not only comment on trends but lobby for particular events and targets. Distorted, yet everlasting the saying goes: We should not ask what the satellite can do for us, but what we can do for Hungarian matters, starting from the bottom carefully selecting each building block of individual event.
Collaboration
Starting from an already existing function marked with past joint events with the Embassy and the recently revitalized American Hungarian Federation of Metropolitan Washington D.C., the KHSC further promotes collaboration, and advocates the articulation of the distinct Hungarian flavor.
Liaison with Government Agencies both in Hungary and the U.S.
The already working tie with the Embassy is the first echelon for local operations. Ministerial and other decision-makers’ contacts are the future target. The Ministry of National Cultural Heritage is on the agenda of long-term cooperation plan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ International Department is to plug in political dimension, while retaining the apolitical nature of the operation. The Prime Minister’s Office is targeted for large scale events. The National Cultural Foundation, as primary distributor of cultural funds is also in the primary target zone.
Liaison with Trade Offices
Create liaison to trade centers, such as the Maryland Trade Office, the Hungarian Commercial Section in New York, the American Chamber of Commerce in Budapest to capitalize on good-relations with commercial entities.
Liaison with National & Trans-National Organizations
The World Organization of Hungarians (Magyarok Világszövetsége), European Center for Traditional Culture (ECTC), UNESCO, and the "Millennium Committee" (Milleneum Bizottság), to mention but a few of the proposed flagship relations.
Working Relationship with the Media
Hungarian, Hungarian-American and American news media access in tandem with PR releases, promotional spots are the vehicles of publicity. Generating interest on Hungarian events, traditions, the nation and the country undoubtedly pays off.
VI. Financial Analysis & Viability
Where does the income flow to finance a non-profit venture? The HRFA as a non-profit organization active in Hungarian cultural life for more than a century would grant its support in launching the headquarters for the satellite project. Joint efforts, however, are indispensable. This project is only feasible with right partners, balanced cooperation, greased network, unanimous agreements over the quasi-transcendency of culture. Building on existing organizations, the satellite institute project would eliminate high start-up and operating costs. Instead, it would use the host institution’s or organization’s human and network capital. In return, by participating in the satellite institute, the host organizations would gain visibility and could use the branch for their promotional purposes, while contributing to the construction of a positive country image. Membership fees, sponsors, donors, receiving favored state from the government, enjoying its moral support and perhaps more tangible tax credits would greatly contribute to a satellite mission.
Summary of the proposed tasks of the satellite institute:
- Coordinate Hungarian cultural activities locally
- Provide a forum for community activities, both physically and virtually
- Maintain a Bulletin Board System for the community’s various uses
- Issue a newsletter as a more traditional channel of communication to inform the public about events and issues
- Respond to inquiries about any Hungarian-related information
- Build out and maintain a network of contacts in the U.S. and Hungary to be able to redirect inquiries to the appropriate sources
- Maintain a local database of frequent questions and requests, such as accommodation, care services, language teaching, etc.
- Facilitate tourism to Hungary by offering information and other materials on the country
The Kossuth House Social Club is already executing all of these tasks successfully. Also, we have started to build up the network of potential satellite branches by inviting other Hungarian-American organizations to join us. We have dedicated a special section to this project on our Website on the Internet at http://www.kossuthhouse.org/khsc/
A sample of proposed contacts for the satellite institute:
In Hungary:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Külügyminisztérium)
International Department (Nemzetközi Osztály)
The Prime Minister’s Office (Miniszterelnöki Hivatal)
Foreign Relations Office (Külügyi Kapcsolatok Osztálya)
Government Office for Hungarian Minorities Abroad (Határontúli Magyarok
Hivatala)
The Ministry of National Cultural Heritage (Nemzeti Kultúrális Örökség Minisztériuma)
The Ministry of Education (Oktatási Minisztérium)
National Cultural Foundation (Nemzeti Kultúrális Alap)
Millennium Committee (Milleneumi Emlékbizottság)
The World Organization of Hungarians (Magyarok Világszövetsége)
European Center for Traditional Culture (Európai Folklór Központ)
National Tourism, Cultural and Educational Association (Nemzeti Idegenforgalmi, Kultúrális és Oktatási Szövetség)
Hungarian Cultural Association (Magyar Művelôdési Intézet)
International Society of Hungarian Language and Culture (Magyar Nyelv és Kultúra Nemzetközi Társasága)
The American Chamber of Commerce (Budapest)
In the United States:
The Embassy of the Republic of Hungary (Magyar Nagykövetség, Washington)
Hungarian Tourism Office (Magyar Túrisztikai Rt., New York)
American Hungarian Federation of Metropolitan Washington D.C.
American Hungarian Educators’ Association
National Federation of American Hungarians
Hungarian American Coalition
Maryland Trade Office
The Hungarian Commercial Section (New York)
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