Hungarian organizations in Ontario
Arany János Hungarian School – Hamilton
The Arany János Hungarian School, named after one of our most famous and prolific literary icons, was established in 1980 as part of the International Languages program of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic district school board. This allows us to use classrooms in St. Joseph elementary school. our school is the continuation of the teaching of Hungarian, which started in the early 1950’s at St. Stephen of Hungary church hall. In the past years, we have had around 30 kindergarten to elementary students of various levels of language proficiency. Through a curriculum of poems, songs, folk games, crafts, history and geography, we strive to advance their ability to speak, read and write Hungarian and appreciate their cultural heritage. Classes are held for 2.5 hours every Tuesday evening during the school year with our dedicated and enthusiastic teachers Erika Kálmán, Izabella Bauer, Zsófia Szőke and volunteers, including former students and teachers, especially Cecilia Lamperth and Ilona Nagy. Some highlights of the year are the poem recitation contests, the visit from St. Nicholas (Mikulás) and the year-end ceremony and graduation. We also enjoy working together with the community at large, most recently, the Diaspora Council and are able to invite guest artists from Hungary almost annually.
HEPA Regional Office
HEPA Regional Office – Canada is based in Toronto, and works on drawing the attention of the potential Canadian investors and consumers to the Hungarian quality products, innovative technology and services. HEPA entered into partnership with Vinum Tokaj Canada Inc. in May, 2020. Vinum Tokaj was founded in 2012 to promote Hungarian wine and gastronomy in Canada. The company greatly contributed to the recognition and business achievement of fine Hungarian products. In 2014, Dry by Tokaj received the “Best Imported White Wine” award as a first step in obtaining recognition for the Hungarian wines on the Canadian market and opening new business opportunities for the Hungarian wineries.
The Hungarian Canadian Business Association (HCBA)
The Hungarian Canadian Business Association (HCBA) is a representative of Canadian-Hungarian companies. Its aim is to promote and enhance the relationship between Canadian-Hungarian companies, organizations and individuals, to promote trade and business relations between Hungary and Canada, by promoting European Union tariff concessions to channel potential Hungarian companies and businesses to Canadian market. Its mission is to raise the interest of Canadian investors for Hungarian products through conferences and product presentations, as well as informing partners about the current support possibilities and tendering opportunities in Hungary.
Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto
Toronto’s Hungarian House, incorporated as the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre, is the main social and cultural centre of Toronto’s Hungarian community. The Centre is located in the area of North York and is easily accessible by car or public transit for the Toronto and Area residents. The new building was bulit in 2015 and designed with more practical elements, replacing the previous Centre.
The cultural activities of the Hungarian House rest on several pillars. This is where we hold Hungarian public state affairs as well as national holidays and commemorations. We also organize and celebrate four festivals annually: March 15th (1848-1849 Revolution and War of Independence), June 4, (1921 Day of National Unity), August 20th (the celebration of the Founding of the State) and October 23rd (1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight).
From autumn to spring during the Ball Season, the Cultural Centre and the Hungarian partner associations organize balls and entertainment on various Saturday nights, where the children and adults of the Greater Toronto audience can have fun, have an ample Hungarian dinner, and dance to live Hungarian music.
In addition, other cultural events (such as Literature Day, Hungarian Day), clubs (Cooking Club, Film Club, Pensioners’ Club) and performances/lectures (such as Semmelweis Memorial Day) are organized in the Hungarian House in such a manner as to provide an audience, of the widest possible interests, with entertaining and valuable programs.
Hungarian Canadian Engineers’ Association
The Hungarian Canadian Engineers’ Association was formed in Toronto in 1953 when a few founding members gathered to exchange ideas on how to assimilate to their new professional environment in Canada. A similar group was formed in Montreal in 1956, followed by other branches across Canada.
A Federal Charter was granted in 1958 to the “Hungarian Canadian Engineers’ Association”.
The initial purpose of the Association was to assist immigrating engineers of Hungarian origin in adapting to Canadian practice and registration with Provincial Engineers Associations and thus promote their integration into Canadian society. The Association provides a social platform for Hungarian professionals through regularly held events in-person and online. The Association offers technical presentations and discussions of current interest and showcase the latest advancements in a broad range of engineering and natural sciences topics. The most prestigious among our numerous social events is the annual “Eötvös Loránd Ball”, where newly graduated university students of Hungarian descent are celebrated and introduced to the Association and Hungarian Canadian professionals.
Membership in the Association is not limited to engineers; all post-secondary graduates from all disciplines are welcome. We feel that the Hungarian Canadian Engineers’ Association was successful in the past in bringing together the professional members of our society to build upon and carry forward our rich heritage and will do so with full engagement in the future.
Hungarian Chamber of Commerce in Canada
HCCC’s main goals is to stimulate the Hungarian export activity and help Hungarian businesses achieve success in Canada. As a response to the challenges of the global pandemic situation, we are equipped to create a safe and inspiring environment for professional events, online conferences, consultations, and incubate great business ideas.
Hungarian Helicon High School
Being a unique educational establishment, the Hungarian Helicon High School came into existence more than 60 years ago to teach the Hungarian language and promote cultural awareness to adolescents with Hungarian background. This high school program is administered by the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and offers credit courses at three levels in Gr. 9/10, Gr. 11 and Gr. 12. These credits are acknowledged in the Ontario High School Diploma. Starting the new school year of 2022 / 2023, the high school classes will be housed at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Toronto in the framework of in-person delivery.
All interested students attending high school in the GTA and surrounding areas are welcome to
register for the classes. Regarding registration, from September more information will be available on the TCDSB website: www.tcdsb.org
Continuing Education – Night / Summer School | Toronto Catholic District School Board
Réka Nicholas, Director of Education
Beáta Reitner, Helicon High School
Hungarian Helicon Society
The Hungarian Helicon Society (HHS) was founded in 1951 in Toronto. Over the decades the
Society has successfully carried on its initial goals which are preserving and promoting the
Hungarian heritage in the diaspora. HHS offers programs primarily in two areas, education and culture.
Programs in Education
High school Hungarian credit courses at three levels (free of charge).
Adult Hungarian language courses from beginner to advanced levels (fee applies).
Accredited Hungarian as a foreign language exam at different levels (exam fee applies).
Programs to Promote Culture
Helicon Ball, book launch, literature and music programs, presentations by guest speakers.
Hungarian Scouts
Toronto’s Saint Elizabeth Church has an active girl and boy scout troop. The girls’ scout troop is called the 42. St Kinga girl scout troop founded in 1959. The boys scout troop 20 Arpad Vezer boys scout troop just celebrated their 70th anniversary this year. These troops were formed within the larger framework of Hungarian Scouts in Exteris, a diaspora Hungarian group which grew out of the Hungarian resurgence of scouting and based on Baden Powell’s original philosophy and book, Scouting for Boys. Scouting makes it possible for young men and women to learn more about their Hungarian heritage, language and culture. The organization is dedicated to carrying out its obligations at four levels: God, their adopted countries, their fellow humans and the Hungarian nation. The Toronto troops are working closely to ensure that boys and girls, aged 5-16 respect and learn about nature, learn how to solve problems, and learn the value of teamwork.
#27 Kaszap István & #59 Erzsebet Királyne Scout Troops (boys and girls)- Hamilton
Our scout troops were founded in the fall of 1958. Weekly meetings are held on Friday evenings from 6:30 pm to 8:45 pm in the St. Stephen of Hungary Church halls at 130 Barton St. E., Hamilton, Ontario. We welcome all Hungarian-speaking individuals 5 years of age and older to come and join us. Parents are also welcome to assist with the parent council.
The main goal of scouting is character formation to develop good physical and mental health, with a moral outlook on life, based on Christian principles to serve God, country, local community and the Hungarian diaspora. In addition, we focus on developing an awareness of our Hungarian identity and roots. Our “Scout Laws” are clear and encouraging tenets. Our youth learn scouting skills, Hungarian culture, folk songs, crafts, and sports and develop leadership abilities through games and monthly outdoor activities and camps. We also reach out to the Hungarian community at large by organizing social events, such as dances (Mardi Gras in February, annual Scout Ball in May, Harvest dance in October), “campfire” and goulash lunch in March, and in December Saint Nick’s visit, the traditional Nativity play, and going carolling to a nursing home right before Christmas.
Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada (HUVAC)
Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada consists of a group of artists who joined together to promote their work, interest and participation in contemporary visual arts, encourage each other and to hold exhibitions in Canada and abroad. Among our members are painters, sculptors and photographers who work in various media.
Some are professionals who make their living from their art; others have occupations unrelated to art and for them, it is solely an activity of love. For all of them, the brush, the chisel or the camera are means to express their ideas, and feelings and to record their unique personal observations.
We believe that art builds bridges between people, generations and nationalities. It serves as a common denominator among all groups. Art opens people’s minds to new possibilities and provides a foundation for shared experiences.
Independent Hungarian Radio Toronto – Független Magyar Rádió Toronto
– news, local events, religion, literature, poetry, tradition, travel, community life, cultural event calendar …
– interesting interviews and reports from Hungary, Historical Hungary and Canada…
– music, recipes, current events, opinions…
Live show every Saturday 4pm-7pm: https://magyarradiotoronto.mixlr.com/
“Follow” us to get notifications about upcoming shows.
On our Mixlr page you can find: our previous shows (latest recordings), also you can see when our next show will air (next live event / upcoming events)
Kodály Ensemble
The Kodály Ensemble initially was established as a men’s choir by George Zadubán in 1960. The original membership mainly consisted of émigrés from the 1956 revolution. Eventually, a women’s choir, as well as the Folkdance Ensemble was created.
In the 60’s and 70’s the dance group performed folklore ballet works based on the choreography of Miklós Rábai. Under the artistic direction of Kálmán Dreisziger, the ensemble was guided to a new and exciting path – focusing the attention of young people on the traditional values of the Carpathian basin.
Starting from the 1990’s the ensemble continued its work based on the “dance house” movement under Gábor and Andrea Dobi’s artistic direction and has had the pleasure of working with renowned dance masters and instructors from Hungary, Transylvania and Slovakia.
Presently, the Kodály Ensemble’s enduring artistic legacy is led by Erika Hild, with the continued goal to study, present, and preserve the legacy of authentic Hungarian peasant dances, songs and traditions from the Carpathian basin. Through participation in the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor program, the Ensemble is able to work with various instructors from Hungary.
Orbán Balázs Society
Orban Balazs Society was established in 1990 and operates out of Toronto and area. We are a well know and large Transylvania charity organization in Canada.
Our primary mission includes the continuation of our Transylvanian heritage in Canada and support of Transylvanian Hungarians in need of financial and moral support. We provide support to orphanages such as the Böjte Csaba’s well known orphanage organization, and students in the way of scholarships. Our group also helps families in immediate needs, in the event of a catastrophe (such as fire, flood, death, etc.).
While we hold most of our meetings and fund raising events in the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Center, we also own a beatiful camp ground in the Hampton area where we host all summer events. Our group also supports local schools, dance groups and scouts in maintaing their hungarian cultur, as well provide them a place for outdoor activities.
Pannonia Bookstore
Pannonia Bookstore remains the only traditional bookstore in the diaspora, we offer:
– books: bestsellers, classics, poetry, children, educational…
* (we have new also antique and rare publications)
– boardgames and cards for all ages
– music and literature: on CDs, LPs, sheet music, audiobooks
– gifts: handcrafteditems, shirts, ornaments, small gift items
Parameter Club
Since 1996: by Zsolt Bede-Fazekas and Hortenzia Papp (with BMZ)
– Parameter Club is dedicated to bringing high-quality Hungarian culture and tradition to the community of the diaspora. Have organized more than 450 events over the years musical concerts, literature nights, poetry nights, theatre productions, folk and world music, movie nights, gastro events, exhibitions …
– our guests included famous musicians, poets, writers, actors, directors, pop-, rock-, folk-music stars, photo artists, painters, etc….
Rakoczi Foundation Inc. Canada
Founded in 1953, The Rákóczi Association was established as an organization dedicated to maintaining Hungarian cultural traditions in Canada and helping Hungarian-Canadians establish roots in their adopted homeland. In 1976, after an official name change, the Association became the Rákóczi Foundation. The Foundation turned its focus to education, first, by exposing Canadians to Hungarian culture and history and the impact of Hungarian immigrants on the development of Canada; and second, by helping students in their pursuit of Hungarian language, culture and history education.
Rozmaring Ensemble – Hamilton
Established in 2015, the Rozmaring Ensemble evolved from the Hungarian Scouts dance group of Hamilton created in 1973. We strive to learn, preserve and share Hungarian folk dance, song and traditions in Canada. Visit us at rozmaring.ca to learn more about our group and community.
“You cannot inherit culture. Ancestral traditions disappear rapidly unless each generation re-conquers them for itself.”
– Zoltán Kodály –
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary CHURCH
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is a Roman Catholic parish sponsored by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). The mission of the parish is to help parishioners of Hungarian heritage live the Gospel of Jesus, that is, to celebrate the Sacraments well and often, to engage in collaborative ministry with the laity and all people of good will, to foster individuals’ deepening relationship with Jesus.
In 1928, a few dedicated Catholics began to organize a community. After a long transition, our first church was consecrated in the spring of 1944, in downtown Toronto (Spadina and Dundas). Jesuits have been active in the parish since 1949. In response to the members moving out of the city center, Hungarians built the current, more modern, and accessible parish church in 1984-85.
Our community is proud to welcome – beyond our spiritual mission – for decades a strong youth program (Scouts, Hungarian School), cultural programs (Kodály Ensamble, Scola, concerts and exhibitions etc.) and many small groups.
St. Elizabeth Hungarian School
St. Elizabeth Hungarian School in Toronto was established in 1935 to help the children of post war Hungarian immigrants preserve their language and culture. The Saturday morning program grew with the influx of Hungarian immigration after 1956 and became a part of the International Languages Program of the Toronto Catholic District School Board in the mid-1980’s. In the 2019-2020 school year over 200 students took part in the full-immersion language program, from pre-kindergarten to the eighth grade, which focuses on Hungarian language, literature, culture, history, and geography. This fall, we are once again looking to offer a Hungarian as a second language class to those diasporic students who are not fluent in their ancestral tongue. The school program works closely with St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, and many of our students and their families are active in other Hungarian-Canadian cultural communities in the GTA.
St. Michael Hungarian Greek Catholic Church – Hamilton
St. Michael Hungarian Greek Catholic Church first gathered at 213 James Street North in Hamilton around 1939. The current location is 521 West 5th Street, Hamilton. Everyone is welcome. The Divine Liturgy led by Ft. Nicholas Deak starts at 11.45 am every Sunday and is held in English and Hungarian. The church has a medium sized hall, with kitchen, that is rented out for events all year round. The Hungarian Retirees Club meets here.
The Hungarian Greek Catholic church community celebrates 3 main events during the year:
In the summer we have a picnic with “gulyás”, fire-roasted bacon and “lángos” elephant ears.
In September we celebrate the consecration of our church with a luncheon open to all.
Every November, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, our patron saint, who is also the patron saint of police departments and law enforcement agencies around the world.
Our church works closely with the other two Hungarian Churches and Retirees Club to celebrate our Hungarian heritage and national holidays.
Stephen of Hungary Roman Catholic Parish – Hamilton
St. Stephen of Hungary Roman Catholic Parish was established as a parish in the Diocese of Hamilton in 1944. We are blessed to be an active parish for over 78 years.
We provide liturgies and religious services for the Hungarian Catholics in the Hamilton area in the Hungarian language. There is a Mass every Sunday at 10:30 AM. We also celebrate major Catholic feast days and holy days during the year. Specific to the Hungarian culture we remember the sacrifices of the 1848 Revolution, we celebrate the parish anniversary every April, in August the Feast of St. Stephen the first king of Hungary, in October we commemorate the 1956 Freedom Fighters and in November the Feast of St. Elizabeth. With our administrator pastor Fr. Joe Durkacz and our spiritual pastor Fr. Loius Angyal , the goal of these activities is to enable the local Catholics to worship God in Hungarian, hopefully bringing them into a more personal and closer relationship with our Creator. In addition, we provide social, memorial and cultural events for the Hungarian diaspora of the Hamilton area and serve as a home to two Hungarian scout troops and a Hungarian folkdance group.
