The Orbán government’s drive to glorify World War II‐era fascists has reached the shores of North America. A small group of Hungarian immigrants have started to organize similar events here in the US which enjoy the quiet support of Hungarian diplomats.
Last year the Simon Wiesenthal Center requested the cancellation of programs honoring the Hungarian writer Albert Wass. Mark Weitzman, the Center’s Director protested when the Hungarian House in New York scheduled the event; he wrote that it is unacceptable to “celebrate Albert Wass, who has been described by prominent historian and Holocaust survivor Professor Randolph Braham, as a ‘notorious anti‐Semite’ who collaborated with the Hungarian fascist regime during World War II.” Wass murdered Jews and Romanian peasants. In 1946 he was tried and convicted in absentia for war crimes, and sentenced to death in Romania. His anti-Semitic writings are currently banned in Romania. (Wiesenthal Center protests Wass celebration)
The Hungarian House in New York ignored Wiesenthal Center’s call. This year another celebration is scheduled for February 26.
The New York Hungarian House once again celebrates World War II war criminal Albert Wass.
Hungarian diplomats regularly visit the Hungarian House and they also sponsor fundraising events there. To my surprise, last year they have not protested the event. On the contrary, Mr. Ferenc Kumin, Consul General in New York, issued the following statement on Facebook:
“In recent days we received emails and phone calls about an event related to the late Hungarian writer Albert Wass, which will actually take place at an independent US-based cultural institution of the Hungarian diaspora. It depended on the quality of our contacts’ information whether they asked why we, the Consulate General would host this event or why we would support it. A significant wave of disinformation manifests behind the questions of these misled people, concerned friends. It’s not the first time that we see this disinformation mechanism in action, and unfortunately for sure not the last. Our humble suggestion is that every time you get disturbing information regarding the activity of our mission, always double check its credibility. Although luckily we’re surrounded by friends here, in New York and in the US, there are minor exceptions.
As diplomats it is an important part of our jobs to observe the sensitivity of all relevant groups. We understand the feelings of those who have question marks related to the historic role and some activities in the US immigration of Albert Wass, that’s why we do not host or support any event related to him at our New York mission. At the same time we also observe the sensitivity of those who respect the literature and patriotism of Albert Wass, and who would reject to be associated with evil ideologies.”
According to Mr. Kumin it is important to observe “the sensitivity of those who respect the literature and patriotism of Albert Wass.” It might have escaped his attention that Wass portrays Jews in his patriotic literature as “rats” and his anti-Semitic writings are popular among American neo-Nazis. In Hungary, ruling party politicians, including PM Viktor Orbán has praised Mr. Wass and last August a new statue of Wass was installed in the middle of Budapest, at Margitsziget. In recent years about 50 statues, plaques and memorials were installed in Hungary to honor him.
The latest Wass statue was inaugurated in August 2015 at Margitsziget, Budapest
The director of the Hungarian House in New York is Ms. Ildikó Nagy. Her institution is supposed to be an independent organization yet she is a member of the Hungarian Government’s Diaspora Council that acts as a lobby organization for the Orbán government. It is worth to mention that the New York Consulate has contacts with Jobbik, Hungary’s neo-Nazi party; party officials even visited the Consulate. (More about Jobbik officials New York visit here.)
Last year Los Angeles-based Hungarian Cultural Alliance also organized a Wass event. This year they decided that it would be more appropriate to celebrate writers of Transylvania, and it seems that Albert Wass is not included. I applaud them for doing the right thing.
Obviously the Hungarian House in New York may stage any event they wish, but the Wass-cult does not represent the sentiments of Hungarian-Americans. This celebration is nothing but a fascist provocation by a handful of recent immigrants who share Mr. Orbán’s infatuation with Mr. Wass.
For years the Hungarian government is engaged in annoying doubletalk. On one hand they emphasize “zero tolerance” against any form of racism or anti-Semitism, on the other hand they quietly support far right groups even here in the United States. President Obama recently warned that whitewashing one-time Nazis and anti-Semites will damage US-Hungarian relations. It is time to stop the Wass celebrations; they give a bad name to all Hungarian-Americans.
It would be helpful if Mr. Wass’s fascist past would be publicized in Hungary; his Justice Department investigation and immigration records should be made public. Hungary should also make an effort to remove the numerous statues, plaques and memorials to him raised in recent years.
Please contact Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (212-860-0606) and Sen. Charles Schumer (212- 486-4430) in New York and let the legislators know that you oppose this fascist nostalgia event. Since the Hungarian government frequently talks about “zero tolerance,” you may also want to give a call to the Hungarian Consulate (212-752-0661) and suggest public condemnation of the Wass celebration.
György Lázár
