Honoring the Heroes of 1956 with a Charity Gala in Toronto
This past weekend, the HEPA Regional Office Canada, in collaboration with the Hungarian Canadian Business Association (HCBA), the National Charity Hunt, and the Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto, hosted a remarkable charity gala dinner at the Hungarian House. The event was held to commemorate the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight and raise funds for the Heim Pál National Institute of Pediatrics.
Our evening was filled with powerful speeches, heartfelt memories, and a shared commitment to supporting important causes. Sándor Balla, President of HCBA and Executive Director of HEPA Regional Office Canada, welcomed guests, followed by keynote speaker Miklós Lengyel, Deputy State Secretary from Hungary. Additional speeches were delivered by Ambassador Dr. Mária Vass-Salazar, Provincial Minister Michael Tibollo, and MPP Rudy Cuzzetto.
We were honored to have Dr. András Fecső, Director of Healthcare for HCBA and President of the Hungarian House, introduce the HCBA’s new scholarship program, which focuses on supporting Hungarian doctors in their further training in Canada. Balázs Csutora, HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency’s expert for Canadian relations, was also present at this significant event.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of state awards, recommended by the Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto. Pianist Attila Glatz, founder and chief producer of Attila Glatz Concert Productions, was honored for his decades-long efforts in promoting Hungarian culture, particularly music, in North America. Photographer Balázs Kralovanszky was recognized with the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit for his valuable artistic contributions and decades of volunteer work documenting notable events within the Hungarian community in Ontario.
The evening’s entertainment featured a moving performance by violin virtuoso Zoltán Mága and the Budapest Gypsy Virtuoso Band. Their music set the tone for the evening and allowed us to reflect on the legacy of the 1956 revolutionaries. Zoltán Mága has long been known for his dedication to social responsibility, raising millions for health and social causes.
In a poignant moment of the evening, we held a minute of silence in memory of the late State Secretary János Árpád Potápi, whose contributions to strengthening the ties between the Hungarian diaspora and the motherland will not be forgotten.
We are proud to have been part of this meaningful event, honoring the past and working towards a brighter future through charitable efforts and international collaboration.
Comments are closed.