Honoring the Heroes of 1956 with a Charity Gala in Toronto
We were proud to co-organize a memorable charity gala dinner this past weekend at the Hungarian House in Toronto, alongside the HEPA Regional Office Canada, the National Charity Hunt, and the Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto. The event commemorated the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight while raising funds for the Heim Pál National Institute of Pediatrics.
The evening was marked by inspiring speeches and heartfelt reflections, with Sándor Balla, President of the Hungarian Canadian Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) and Executive Director of HEPA Regional Office Canada, opening the event. Keynote speaker Miklós Lengyel, Deputy State Secretary, was followed by remarks from Ambassador Dr. Mária Vass-Salazar, Provincial Minister Michael Tibollo, and MPP Rudy Cuzzetto.
Dr. András Fecső, Director of Healthcare for HCCC and President of the Hungarian House, introduced a new scholarship program aimed at supporting Hungarian doctors pursuing further training in Canada. Balázs Csutora, HEPA’s expert on Canadian relations, also attended this significant event.
One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of state awards. Attila Glatz, founder of Attila Glatz Concert Productions, was honored for promoting Hungarian culture in North America, and photographer Balázs Kralovanszky received the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit for his artistic contributions and volunteer work in the Hungarian community in Ontario.
A moving performance by violin virtuoso Zoltán Mága and the Budapest Gypsy Virtuoso Band capped the evening, allowing guests to reflect on the legacy of the 1956 revolutionaries. Mága’s dedication to social responsibility has raised millions for health and social causes.
We also observed a minute of silence in memory of János Árpád Potápi, the late State Secretary, who was instrumental in strengthening ties between the Hungarian diaspora and the motherland.
We are grateful to have been part of this significant event, honoring the past while contributing to important causes through collaboration and charity.
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