-The First Steps.

In 1956-57, thousands of refugees of the Hungarian Revolution were settling into Montreal. Committees were set up to welcome them, to house them and to provide them financial assistance. In 1957, a refugee fund raising ball was held in the basement hall of the Ukrainian Center. The hall was overcrowded with refugees and students, as well as many Hungarians who had already settled here. Hungarians then were sharply divided along religious and socio-political lines and at this fund -raiser, conflicts erupted into out of control chaos that left a person stabbed. The police arrived and the event was shut down.

That night the”Hungarian Community Ball “was born. After this “shameful” event, Joseph Tekker, and his colleague Janos Horvath, agitated and upset, paced up and down all night, from Dalou Street where we lived, to Decarie Boulevard where Janos and Margit lived. My father nostalgically recalled the great Hungarian balls that had been part of our traditions and how humiliating it was that here in Montreal, Hungarians and their children had no event where they could reach outside of their ethnic community to those in corporate and government circles, to those in power within the Anglophone and Francophone hosting communities.  An elegant ball was needed, he said, where Hungarians could host their company presidents, their bank managers, and their colleagues to win them over as allies and share with them their pride in their ancestral traditions and heritage. He felt that such an event would raise our self esteem and create employment opportunities for the many refugees.

“Could you organize such a ball for us?”  Janos asked my father. At that moment, they formed an alliance that would last decades. The Hungarian community in Montreal would be challenged to lay aside their religious and socio-political differences and collaborate in creating a gala event that would elevate the status of Hungarians in Montreal and raise money for University Scholarships. (There were 3 categories of need; the many University students who had escaped before completing their degrees, the many professional who needed to gain accreditation to practice their professions by taking courses and or doing internships and those who needed to begin new careers.)

That Sunday, Joseph Tekker drafted the outline of the ball’s mission statement, its organization, its committees and its format. He based these on his experience organizing Balls in Hungary, in particular modeling the draft on the successful “Emerikana Egyesulet Ball”.

He then asked Vino Harisay to host a meeting for acceptance of this draft. Present at this meeting were, Tekker Joska, Horvath Janos, Domonkos Gyallay Pap, Harisay Vino, Pap Gabor, Wanke Lorand, Yausz Laszlo and Vagi Marcel This group formed the first core group. At subsequent meetings Thurner Ferri, Janos de Keresztes, Akos de Muszka, Nicholas Mattyasovsky Zsolnay and Lengvari George Sr. gave their support.

The first Step- Seeking a Charter, HCEA: Tekker’s condition of acceptance was the creation of a legal entity that would oversee the ball organization and be financially accountable when raising funds. Thus, in 1957, Joseph Tekker, Horvath Janos and Pap Gabor went to Ottawa to get a charter for the Hungarian Ball. At that meeting in, they were informed that a ball could not have a charter, but that as Engineers, they could immediately get a preliminary professional corporations number, that would within the year be followed by the issuing of a professional charter. Thus the twins, the Hungarian Canadian Engineers Association, HCEA (eventually to become the Montreal Branch HCEA), and the Hungarian Community Ball,” The Engineers Ball”, were born at the same time.

The HCEA Charter arrived in 1958, and Vino Harisay was asked to be the HCEA’s first President.  For decades, “the Hungarian Community Ball”, (the” Engineers Ball”) and the HCEA, (Montreal Branch), would closely collaborate, members taking turns running either the Ball or the HCEA. The two shared manpower and social agendas. In 1965 Kristoffy Odon’s year, the Ball’s name changed to the “Hungarian St Stephens Ball”, and 2 years ago at the request of the HCEA, a new corporation “Hungarian St Stephens Ball”(HSSB) was legally established to oversee the Ball.

Because of the important collaborations of Gyallay Pap and Janos Horvath, the Ball in 1961 was also placed “under the auspices of the NagyBizotsag”. (This would later lead to the conflicts that created the Senate of the Hungarian Ball –the “Szenatus”- the guardians of the Ball).

The start up group:

Tekker Joska, (wife Peci) engineer, because of his background, had the natural ability to blend into all social strata. He was a powerful leader, never self-serving during his lifetime of volunteerism. This led others to respect and trust his mission.  Outspoken and direct, he gathered and attracted people of the same caliber, energy level and altruistic stance.

Horvath Janos, (wife Margit), engineer, was already successful as a professional and was head of the Nagybizotsag. He was a cheerful highly energetic popular optimist, a tireless organizer, very active in all Hungarian matters in Montreal.

Gyallay Pap Domonkos, “Dodo”, (wife Emmy), head of the “Hungarian Refugee Relief Fund”, was a charismatic Transylvanian man of great stature and with sophisticated diplomatic skills. This was an erudite man, who moved easily into all levels of government, His easy going witty humorous style helped to form bridges between the Christians and the Jewish Hungarian communities.

 Harisay Vino, (wife Marika) was a Renaissance man of great charm; a graduate engineer, who became an artist: He was a photographer, dress designer and professional concert violinist who had toured Europe with his pianist wife Marika who was also a painter, very active in the Westmount painters association. They were recruited for their social skills and contacts. They had for some time organized Sunday Cultural “Salons” in their home, at 4 Wood Avenue in Westmount. People dropped in and engaged in interesting cultural presentations and discussions.

Pap Gabor, (wife Kato) was a successful engineer, a colleague of my father and also god parent to my sister Barbara. He was best as a systems person, particularly interested in planning schedules, role definitions, time line drafts and creating operating manuals. He would eventually steer away from the Ball over into HCEA and became very active in its Toronto Branch.

Wanke Lorand, had organized balls in Hungary, was a creative action-oriented man of great style and socially well connected to what had been Hungary’s elite. He was frequently the humorous enforcer of good conduct & collaboration. (There was frequent conflict between the creative members and some whose rigidity- military style threatened the social agenda and the growth of the ball.)

De Keresztes Janos, (Lizzi) architect, more active in the second ball, often on the executive committees and eventually vice-chairman of the Ball.  Later he was also president of the HCEA. Always calm and measured, he was highly respected by all the organizations.

Vagi Marcel, ( ) He was a very close friend of Tekker, the first Ticket Chairman, a clever multitalented worker, who did a great deal on all committees, decorating and floor. His friendship-support, as well as Thurner Ferri’s sustained my father in the challenging times.

Lengvari George Sr (Trudi) , friend and high profile person in the “Hungarian Refugee Committee” who had been very actively involved in dealing with senior government officials. He personally welcomed many refugees at Pier 21 with Pickersgill and Marika Teakle.

This first sparse committee in place, the Windsor Hotel was reserved, the budget made Tickets costing $ 7.50. The task now was to localize further leaders in the community as committee members, to mobilize a coalition of community support, to get financial guarantees and table commitments from all Hungarians sectors.

Recruiting – Winning Concensus, a year’s work.

Home Visits:  My father and mother had almost daily appointments visiting people, asking for each person’s collaboration. Targeted were all the leaders of various factions: religious institutions and their congregations, clubs, business and professional circles, university and scientific circles. An all inclusive support base was created, that demanded collaboration and tolerance. People were asked to commit to coming to the ball with guests. As well, they to were asked to sign the mission statement.  It described the ball and its format and organizational structures. It stated that this was a non denominational organization; free of religious or political agenda and that they agreed to support the event and to collaborate with all the others who had signed the document. The goal was to create a non denominational agenda while trying to mobilize support from each religious sector.

Visiting people leads to several important break throughs.

1. One was the unequivocal support of the leaders of the United Church. Rev Feher Mihaly enthusiastically gave his support. Csaba,his son,  was the first dance teacher and for many years the practices were held in the Church basement on Graham Boul. Rev Feher’s daughter, Maria Feher-White was also on the first youth committee. Rev Feher recruited the leaders in his congregation. Each family was visited and all gave their signed commitment.

Most important, was the collaboration of Tony Balazsi and Helen (a Fabian girl), who joined the first ball committee. In fact Tony Balazi was immediately on the “Executive committee”. For many years Tony Balazsi held senior Ball posts and was often a member of the “executive committee” The Balazsi’s constantly organized grand scale parties in their TMR home, with its many entertainment centers. The Fabian clan, in particular Ferenc Fabian, the Bazso’s, the Bruck’s, all supported the plan and hosted parties. The Hoffner’s as well, owners of “Hoffner Delicatessen”, also joined ball committee, organizing large parties at which others were recruited. (This format of asking leaders in the community to organize parties to recruit more support, committee and ball guests became the successful promotional structure set up under the heading of “Ladies committee activities”. This format would eventually lead to the Mega Balls that attracted over 1,100 guests annually. Today we call this function “Promotions / Ladies/ Events Coordinators.”)

2. My mother reports that a turning point, was the recruitment of Elemer and Judit de Gosztonyi, who gave their full support. Judit became a vice-chairman of Ladies Committee. She and my mother would coordinate most of the Ball’s organizational and promotional details. She became my father’s right hand in all matters, setting up the Publicity, the Presentations (then called the Junior Committee). She also set up the Ladies Committee that provided the ball with manpower, and helped with all the social events for Patrons and table organizers.

Judit was regularly included in the male dominated meetings. (The following year Baroness Kubinsky was briefly invited to some meetings but only Judit survived)  In fact, during the first 10 years of the Ball, she and my mother were the only women to repeatedly assume the position of vice-president and to be on the “Executive Committee”. At these meetings, the men would gather in the living rooms while the women would meet in the dining rooms /kitchens doing the nitty-gritty of the ball. I was recruited to serve refreshments and “pogacsa”, and mostly to spy on the men and report verbatim every detail of the heated male discussions.

If my father is the founder of this Ball, then Judit de Gosztonyi became over the years the “heart and soul of the first decade”. She continued into the 80’s helping those who sought her advice. (Please see the attached document written as a eulogy for Judit de Gosztonyi)

3. What is astounding is that the Ball in its first year of existence was able to attract so many top quality individuals who would continue after Tekker’s 3 year tenure as ball chairmen.  Ferjervary Laszlo (Marietta) entered the ball in 1959 as Youth Committee. From a photograph taken at a rehearsal one can easily conclude that he and Lorand Wanke were in charge of that rehearsal. Fejervary Laszlo and Marietta, the following year both assumed more responsibility and by 1961 Laszlo Fejervary is a vice chairman, and by 1962 he is on the “executive committee” and eventually Ball President.. From that point on he consistently activated for the Ball. From 1959 on, he never missed attending a ball; he remained devoted to it until his death. It is thus, appropriate that his daughter Sophie Fejervary Maddon be chosen as the 50th Ball Committee President.

4. One notices in the 1959 program the long list of “Honorables” who gave their patronage to the Ball.  Nicholas Fodor is visited and gives his support to the Ball by organizing a table. (At this first Ball his daughter, Katalin would be with her future husband, Michel Pourcelet.) Fodor  Miklos remains a Patron of the Ball until his death. Katalin Pourcelet, his daughter, joined the committee in the 60’s, activated on numerous committees to become Patrons Chairman in Nick de Kovachich Year and President of the Ball in 1985. Nicholas Fodor’s support begins a series of future support from other successful Hungarians and the non Hungarian Business community. Nicholas and Bobe Mattyasovsky Zsolnay recruit Hartland de M Molson (his wife was Hungarian) Because of his wife, he supported all refugee fund raising and became a patron of the Ball  until his death. Good Relations continued with Molson O-Keefe.  During the many years that George Donath was at the center of the Ball Committee the Molson Foundation and Okeefe became major sponsors of the Ball.(Donath worked as promotions for Moson- Okeefe)

Further visits firmed up many more future committee members and supporters.

Gardony Pista and Agi
Mr and Mrs Laszlo Eggenhoffer( Kato was on committee as of 1960)
De Blomberg Lajos( became Vice-chairman)
Mr and Mrs E Bukfavi( Became Ball President)
Mr and Mrs Kalman Hajdo(Became Ball President)
Mr and Mrs Palos Gustav
Udvarhelyi K
Vajda J
Mr and Mrs George Saly
Falus Lajos and Panni
Bartok Andrew and Tekla
Mr and Mrs Pal de Gosztonyi
Varkony Imre ( became Ball photographer)
Hetcey Ivan ( Became dance teacher waltz)
Pattantyus couple (scouts and girl)
Szots Erno and wife
Gazdik Julian and his wife
Zay Professor Nicholas
Lukacs Alice( on numerous committees often on publicity)
Chirke Marianne(sewed all the palotas dresses)
Berend Aranka ( Became dance teacher Palotas)
Takacsy Nelly
Mr and mrs Gabor de Heinrich
Mr and Mrs Lippay Bandi
Dr and Mrs Somlo Ferri
Mr and Mrs( Hungarian)
Nandor Lowenheim, Consul General Austria
Mr and mrs Kardos Joska
Mr and Mrs Kristoffy Odon ( Became Ball President)
Mr and mrs F.E. von Muller- Hippman

The first Ball is successfully held at the Windsor Hotel, on January 17, 1959 with over 600 in attendance, 24 Debutantes are presented to the guests of Honor, The Postmaster General, Hon William Hamilton and Mrs Hamilton. $1,000 is raised for scholarships.