Here is how Hungarian communities in the USA celebrate August 20

Hungarian communities in the United States will celebrate the August 20 national holiday with lectures, cultural programmes, masses and picnics in several cities.

In the Kossuth House in Washington, DC, historian György Arató will give a talk about the legacy of St Stephen, Hungary’s first king, and the significance of the foundation of the Hungarian state.

In Cleveland, a holy mass will be celebrated in St Emeric Church in the morning, featuring also the blessing of new bread. Programmes afterwards include a picnic of families which will offer traditional Hungarian dishes, music, folk-dance shows, children events and a church tour.

In Los Angeles, programmes will be hosted in the garden of the United Hungarian House beginning with a prayer and blessing in partnership with the local chapter of the First Hungarian Reformed Church. It will be followed by speeches, a performance of the Kárpátok Hungarian Dance Ensemble and a community lunch.

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In Irving, Texas, celebrations will begin in the afternoon with a holy mass in the Abbey. It will be attended by András Doncsev, Hungary’s consul to Houston. Programmes to follow include talks about St Stephen and the foundation of the Hungarian state, Grand Prince Géza, the father of St Stephen and the celebration of the New Bread.

Celebrations will also be held in Chicago on Sunday including a holy mass in St Stephen’s Church to be attended by members of the local Hungarian association, students and scouts.

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