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The Hungarian Helicon Society is a volunteer organization created by Hungarian Canadians to promote Hungarian culture, history and heritage in Toronto.
On the slopes of Mount Helicon in ancient Greece dwelt Apollo, the god of fine arts, music, poetry and eloquence. The word "Helicon" has thus become associated throughout the years with cultural activities that foster the arts. Many organizations, whose aim was to preserve and to promote the heritage of their country, have over the centuries borne the name Helicon.
In 1817, in the town of Keszthely, Hungary, such an organization was founded by Count George Festetics, a cultured, enlightened man and an ardent advocate of social reform. Among his many accomplishments were the founding of an agricultural college in Hungary called the "Georgikon" and the famous Helikon Library.
The Second World War brought a large number of Hungarians to Canada who felt that there was great value in preserving the culture, the arts and the language of their forefathers. In 1951, they formed the Hungarian Helicon Society. Today, second and third generation Hungarian-Canadians continue to support the Helicon Ball, the Helicon Society, the Helicon Foundation, and the Helicon Schools, as well as lectures and concerts.
The Hungarian Helicon Society was founded in 1951 in Toronto, Ontario by Hungarians who emigrated to Canada after World War II. The small organization grew when more Hungarians came to Canada after the revolution took place in Hungary in 1956.
The Hungarians who came to Canada were proud of the history of their forefathers, and wanted to ensure that their children would know their roots, their mother tongue, and the culture and history of their parents' homeland. Knowing one's heritage is an important aspect of life in Canada.
It was with those goals that these Hungarian Canadians founded the Helicon Society, under whose umbrella their organized many cultural and social events. These activities continue today.
The Hungarian Helicon Society organized such events as lectures, exhibitions, concerts, and gala balls. It created the Helicon School, which offers a high school level curriculum in language, literature and history. The school operates under the City of Toronto's Heritage Schools International Language program, and offers credit courses for high school students.
Today, second and third generation Hungarians participate in the events organized by the Helicon Society - demonstrating that the founders of the Society have achieved their goal of ensuring that their children value their heritage.
In 2001, the Hungarian Helicon Society celebrated its 50th anniversary.
To commemorate this milestone the society has compiled a history book on the first 50 years of existence.
The sections in the book outline the following in great detail:
* Origin and History of Helicon
* The Formation of the Hungarian Helicon Society of Toronto
* The Activities of the Hungarian Helicon Society
* The Helicon Youth Association
* The Helicon Ball
* The Helicon School
* The Hungarian Helicon Foundation (Ontario)
To order yours today, please contact us at Info@HeliconSociety.com or fill out and mail in your Order Form today.
To contact us, please send email to Info@HeliconSociety.com
