The 70th annual Hungarian Festival in Parma, Ohio, celebrated the rich Hungarian culture that has developed in the Cleveland area over several decades. With roots tracing back to the 1870s, the Cleveland metro is now home to around 64,000 Hungarians, which accounts for one in every eight Hungarian residents in the U.S.
Hungarian immigrant Tamas Csajka, who moved to the U.S. in 2007, emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural heritage through community involvement, particularly as a member of the Hungarian Scouts. The scouting tradition, which began in Hungary around 1910, was brought to Cleveland by immigrants after scouting was banned there due to political changes.
Paul Szentkiralyi, a scoutmaster, noted that the festival allows both Hungarians and non-Hungarians to engage with their heritage. He believes that sharing culture and language is crucial for passing traditions to future generations. The Hungarian Scouts are marking their 75th anniversary in Cleveland, continuing to foster a Hungarian identity while embracing American culture.
