CLEVELAND — The Hungarian community in Cleveland is all about maintaining tradition and culture. That’s why one woman said she is doing everything she can to help newcomers find a home away from home.

What You Need To Know

  • The Hungarian community in Cleveland is getting ready for its 45th anniversary gala performance

  • Sari Peter said an internship program brought her to Cleveland from Hungary 

  • Eszti Pignicky said making a costume by hand helps people understand Hungarian folk culture 

Eszti Pignicky shuffled through a rack of brightly colored and handmade costumes.

"These costumes were all made by the Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble, their parents and their grandparents. Only recently have we been able to purchase those kinds of items from Hungary that we are not able to produce here in the sates," she said.

Pignicky is helping put together the 45th Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble gala performance, a two-and-a-half hour cultural celebration featuring dancers like Sari Peter.

Peter recently arrived here in Cleveland from Hungary to start her career, participating in an internship program through the Hungarian government.

"I’m going to stay here for nine months," she said.

Pignicky will make sure that while Peter is here, she still feels connected to the things she associates with home.  

"We got a little house for us, me and another intern here. Sometimes she feeds me and everything. She gave us everything we needed," Peter said.

And Pignicky and Peter will work together to preserve their Hungarian culture.

"In order for our scouts to really understand what Hungarian folk life was about, part of that is making your own folk costume," Pignicky said. "You learn how to sew, you get great technical skills. Secondly, you get a greater appreciation for these items you can't just walk into a store and buy it. You have to make it." 

Endre Szentkiralyi, the president of the United Hungarian Societies of Cleveland, said that connection is the bigger picture.

"New immigrants are welcome with open arms and they in turn become Americans who can continue celebrating their heritage, often maintaining their language into the second or third generation," he said.

As for Pignicky, she said being able to preserve the Hungarian culture and teach others the language is just one piece of the puzzle.

"It’s a joy, it’s joy, and my husband and I raised our four kids in learning and speaking Hungarian, and they were very involved in this community, Giving back what we also got as young people," she said.