It is a genuine honor to accept the invitation to serve as a Main Patron of the Inaugural Hungarian Ball. This public celebration caps an afternoon of business with festivities that celebrate the Hungarian Carnival, or Farsang. Georgia is home to a sizeable and very active Hungarian community, and that community (the Hungarian Community Church of Georgia and the Atlanta Hungarian Meetup Group) is starting a fresh Atlanta tradition with its most anticipated event of 2010. The new Ambassador of Hungary will be making his first-ever visit to Atlanta on February 11 and 12, and he will open the Ball as guest of honor. Guests will enjoy exciting Hungarian folk dance productions, live music, socializing, raffles, and “being Hungarian”. This special occasion also highlights Hungarian culture: the city of Pecs, Hungary is European City of Culture for 2010; but aside from that distinction, the highly-acclaimed Hungarian Chef from the Embassy in Washington is accompanying the Ambassador to Atlanta in order to prepare many of the foods that guests will experience at the Ball. Last, but not least, the State of Georgia is proclaiming February 12 its first ever “Hungary Day”. I am proud to be a participant in this event, and I extend to the local Hungarian community my deepest appreciation for its hard work in organizing this unique event.

I have been coming to Atlanta since 1988. Always in the Spring, for a number of years as a visiting professor, and since 1999 as a tenured Emory professor. I have been teaching international business transactions and international commercial arbitration. Speaking to colleagues, friends, and students, over the years, I always found sympathies for Hungary. I also learned here that one of the most famous persons in Atlanta’s (and not only Atlanta’s) history, Martin Luther King expressed several times his deep appreciation for the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
Since 1988 when I started teaching here, most consequential changes took place in the Hungarian legal and economic system. These changes yielded more opportunities, both for friendship, and for mutually advantageous business contacts. There is also a natural bridge here, which deserves to be noted – and this is the Hungarian community in Atlanta. I think that the February 12 Farsang Ball is a unique occasion to get acquainted with, and to get on friendly terms with new opportunities.

About Professor Varady on the Emory University website

Dr. John T. Galambos and Mayor Eva Galambos, Sandy Springs
 

Dr. Galambos and I are delighted to be part of this wonderful celebration. We join the Hungarian community in welcoming Ambassador Bela Szombati. As Mayor of Sandy Springs, I cherish the great diversity of our community and how that enriches all of us. The Hungarian culture, including the music and the ethnic menu to be enjoyed this evening, enrich our lives and those who get to know us. Congratulations to the organizers of this wonderful event.

City of Sandy Springs website

Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, President, Agnes Scott College
 

It is a true pleasure and great honor to serve as an Honorary Patron of the Inaugural Hungarian Ball. I look forward to welcoming Ambassador and Mrs. Szombati to Atlanta and to celebrating Hungarian music, culture, dance and cuisine with members of the Atlanta Hungarian American community. Atlanta is a thriving world center for business, higher education, and media, and played a vital role in the global movement for human and civil rights. The Hungarian people are renowned for their talent, enterprising spirit, and centuries-old passion for freedom. So it is especially exciting that this event will provide opportunities to forge new friendships and business contacts between Hungary and Atlanta. Congratulations to all of the organizers who made this event possible.

Agnes Scott College website