2013-03-01

Hungarian poet Petőfi Sándor, born 190 years ago, was celebrated at the Dr. Szász Pál Hungarian Community House on Thursday, February 28th. Also present at the event organized by the association and the local organization of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania was DAHR MEP Csaba Sógor. The commemoration festivities were followed by an informal talk between Sógor and local intellectuals.

Thanks to the performances of students from the Roman-Catholic High School Gróf Majláth Gusztáv Károly of Alba Iulia, participants had the opportunity to learn about the poet’s life and listen to a selection of his works. In Csaba Sógorţs view, the conservation of the poet’s heritage is important for the Hungarian community of Romania – be they from diaspora or larger block-communities - as freedom, patriotism and knowledge are values we all still cherish. “It is always a pleasure to celebrate in the communities where Hungarians of Romania live in a minority, because these events bring people together and strengthen the community. This example should be followed by those of us, Hungarians who live in areas where we are in majority, because when we are many we are prone to dissension  and discord” – pointed out Csaba Sógor, saying that he feels that the spirit of the Bethlen Gábor College, the desire for knowledge and the spirit of sacrifice are still present in Transylvania today.
The MEP brought up EU related subjects, too and presented the European Union’s economic, social and employment plans, insisting on education related issues. Levente Bitay, Hungary’s consul at Cluj-Napoca and Krisztián Kováts, president of DAHR’s Alba county organization were also present at the discussion.
Sógor thinks knowledge means power and that the future of a country depends on it. Responsible states are aware of this fact and allocate significant amounts of funding to education. “We, Hungarians of Transylvania, are fortunate to speak an extra EU official language. Our children are at a competitive advantage if they learn and use their mother tongues properly”- stressed the MEP, pointing out the importance of DAHR’s Every Hungarian child counts campaign. “We have gathered here today to commemorate. So let us not forget the wisdom of our grandparents that says: “Let us be worthy people, let us love each other and let us praise God in our Hungarian tongue” – added Sógor. 
Ildikó Szőcs, head mistress of the Bethlen Gábor High School of Aiud pointed out the insufficiencies of the Romanian educational system: “We are currently preparing brains for export. We need to improve professional education and we should find a way to ensure young people will stay in our country and are able to thrive here” – she said. 
Csaba Sógor added: “Small and medium sized enterprises are the future of Europe. There are 23 million small companies in the EU employing 87 million people, the bulk of the labor market. Entrepreneurial studies should be part of the curriculum, because companies don’t only mean jobs and ensure a livelihood, but have other social advantages, too. Responsible corporations sponsor sports, culture, even schools.”- summed up Sógor.