November 1, 1996

Press Contact: Helen Dalrymple (202) 707-1940

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Symposium on 1,100 Years of Hungarian History To Be Held at Library of Congress November 15

An all-day symposium commemorating 1,100 years of Hungarian statehood will be held on Nov. 15 at the Library of Congress. The symposium, "Hungary on the Threshold of the 21st Century: 1,100 Years of Hungarian Culture," is sponsored by the European Division of the Library of Congress, the American Hungarian Educators' Association, and the Embassy of the Hungarian Republic.

The symposium commemorates the settlement of the Carpathian Basin in 896 by an alliance of Magyar tribes. Led by Arpad, whose descendants were the first to establish the Hungarian royal dynasty, the Hungarians were the only ones in a long line of conquerors to establish a lasting state in the area. By the end of the next century they relinquished their nomadic ways and, under King St. Stephen, embraced Christianity and entered the community of western European nations.

Distinguished scholars will present their views on Hungary at the end of the 20th century. Among the topics to be discussed are the reemergence of an independent Hungarian state, Hungarian- American connections, and Hungarian contributions to American civilization.

Gyorgy Banlaki, the ambassador to the United States from Hungary, and Deputy Librarian of Congress Donald L. Scott will open the conference. Scholars who will speak at the symposium are Denis Sinor, Distinguished Professor of Uralic and Altaic Studies, Indiana University; Janos Horvath, Distinguished Professor of Economics, Butler University; Ivan Sanders, professor of English, Suffolk Community College, State University of New York (SUNY); Balint Vazsonyi, Center for the American Funding; and Francis Miko, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

The symposium is part of a worldwide celebration of the anniversary of Hungarian statehood. Other events being held in Washington include a concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, art exhibitions at World Bank headquarters and the Corcoran Gallery, and a children's program at the Kennedy Center.

"Hungary on the Threshold of the 21st Century" will be held in the Mumford Room, sixth floor of the Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It was organized by Library staff member EnikÏ Molnar Basa, who is also executive director of the American Hungarian Educators' Association.

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PR 96-159
11/4/96
ISSN 0731-3527