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Debutantes' dance among the highlights at Hungarian Magyar Gála Ball

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The pride and joy of the Hungarian community in Calgary is the Magyar Gála, previously known as the Hungária Gala Ball. It is an annual showcase of Hungarian culture and traditions that have been nurtured for more than 1,100 years in European history.

Local youth have proudly embraced their ancestral culture through countless hours of practice and volunteering to offer an evening of pomp, pageantry and ceremony in a wonderful Hungarian atmosphere. It is a truly unique event, as we are one of the only cultural organizations in North America to offer a gala of this calibre.

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Our 64th annual formal dinner and dance event will be held Feb. 29, 2020, at the Westin Hotel (320 4th Ave. S.W.), with presentations for the public, community members, local, provincial and federal dignitaries, and a distinguished evening of camaraderie and entertainment. This year will be the 50th year at the Westin Hotel.

Tickets may be ordered at hungariaball.com.

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Youth of all backgrounds, typically high school age or older, are welcome to learn the traditional Hungarian dances leading up to the gala. There are a few programs specially featured throughout the night:

  • The Palotás dance is a traditional court dance that was presented as an opening number at royal court gatherings. The lavish costumes, the ‘díszmagyar’, often handed down within families, are beautiful to behold, and the dance is stately and fabulous to watch.
  • The Debutantes’ dance is a traditionally choreographed waltz where young people, particularly the ladies, are ‘introduced’ to society. This is a stunning performance, and a much anticipated highlight of the evening.
  • The Vadrózsa folk dance ensemble was established by the Hungarian Veterans’ Association in 1974 (currently an independent organization) and they have since continued to capture the spirits, strengths and diversities of various regions of Hungary in their stunning and colourful performances at the gala.
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A highly anticipated part of the Magyar Gála each year is the Debutantes’ dance, where young couples are ‘introduced’ to society.
A highly anticipated part of the Magyar Gála each year is the Debutantes’ dance, where young couples are ‘introduced’ to society. Photo by Supplied /Robert Portrait Photography

Two scholarships are awarded annually to participating dancers. This year’s scholarship invites applicants to explore the rich world of Hungarian folk art. The applicants will select a piece of folk art and examine the history, uses and cultural importance of their selections. The topic will allow the writer to think of ways that folk art can be passed down to future generations, ensuring that they are not forgotten over time.

The Hungarian Veterans’ Association is a not-for-profit entity, and generously supports various local and/or Hungarian charities, including: the Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Calgary Firefighters Burn Unit and the Hungarian Language School in Calgary. Annually, about $25,000 is distributed to charities.

There will be representation from the Canadian Military, Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, Calgary city council and two levels of government.

The veterans’ association has been a cultural lifeline for Hungarian migrants for decades, allowing them to incorporate some of their most beautiful European traditions with the beauty of freedom in North America. After the Second World War, a large wave of Hungarians immigrated to Canada to start a new life. In Calgary, a group of former soldiers established the Calgary Chapter of the Hungarian Veterans’ Association.

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They organized their first veterans’ dinner in 1956.

The annual gatherings were popular, which ultimately necessitated a move from the Hungarian Cultural Centre to larger venues. The event officially became a ball in 1965 when 10 couples performed the Palotás dance in front of more than 300 guests. Canada’s centennial year, 1967, marked the first year of the presentation of the debutantes and the inclusion of dignitaries representing Canada and Hungary.

The veterans’ association also erected many commemorative monuments: the Magyar Centennial Gateway on the University of Calgary campus, which notes the 100th anniversary of the immigrant Hungarians who made Canada and Alberta their homeland; a monument for veterans in front of the local Hungarian Church; donated a bronze bust of composer Béla Bartók to Mount Royal University for its centennial in 2009; a seat was also purchased in the university’s new Bella Concert Hall. Most recently, The Canadian Fallen Heroes Foundation and Hungarian Veterans’ Association commissioned two commemorative plaques of soldiers fallen in the First World War, which will be sent to the Alberta Historical Society to be displayed at various Alberta Legions.

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Over the years, the Magyar Gála has evolved into the spectacular showcase of Hungarian culture it is today, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Hungarian Veterans’ Association. Many lasting relationships have been formed over the years by the young dancers whose children also end up participating in the gala. One of the greatest accomplishments in the ongoing success of the Magyar Gála is the sense of pride in being able to pass on cherished Hungarian traditions and culture through our youth to fellow Calgarians. The event adds to the multicultural fabric of the Canadian community, and it has become well known as one of the most elegant social occasions in Canada.

Learn more at hungariaball.com.

This story was provided by the Hungarian Veterans’ Association for commercial purposes.


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