Pricey Reader!
This text was printed within the Could 2, 2024 subject of Magyar Narancs. We are actually making this text broadly obtainable, freed from cost, from this subject of our journal.
Partly as a result of we think about it essential that as many individuals as attainable turn into conversant in its content material, and partly to point out that it’s price shopping for Narancs, since all subject, you will discover equally fascinating articles – and the journal can now even be subscribed digitally, its articles will be learn on a pc, smartphone and pill.
On magyarnarancs.hu, you’ll not solely discover content material behind a paywall, so it’s at all times price visiting us.
We’ll be again!
The ed.
Hungarian Orange: What do you do in America?
Gyöngyvér Bognár: I’m a kindergarten trainer, formally a pedagogical assistant. My little son’s head of kindergarten in Budapest linked right here with a retired acquaintance who was additionally a kindergarten trainer in Washington. He helped me submit my utility to the kindergartens within the space. I initially signed as much as clear and assist in the kitchen, nevertheless it by no means occurred to me that I may get a full-time job as a kindergarten trainer, since I haven’t got a specialised diploma and I do not communicate English properly. I’m grateful to the youngsters, they do not thoughts in any respect if I do not know or do not perceive one thing, they’re comfortable to elucidate, and they’re extraordinarily receptive. At first, many individuals tried to substantiate in me that I used to be an actress, that I had a superb profession of thirty years behind me as an actor, that I may tackle small roles, however I did not need to power it.
This contains the truth that variety is a particularly robust and essential worth on this nation, they aren’t bothered by the accent in any respect, I may even play with my language expertise.
Our household has labored properly right here because the starting as a result of we spent a whole lot of time collectively, we talked so much, I cooked Hungarian meals, we went for walks, hiked, and fished. We caught collectively in difficulties. It is onerous to uproot your youngsters and your self out of your traditional atmosphere, after which immediately six time zones separate you from those you like. That is why I put emphasis on the time we spent collectively, which might be harder to convey collectively as an actor. As a kindergarten trainer, nonetheless, I’m residence each night, each weekend and each break, I will be with my youngsters and my husband. So I put all my artistic power into creating characters as a kindergarten trainer, studying aloud, role-playing, and half the kindergarten is chasing me down the road due to a jail sport we play frequently.
MN: You have not even began searching for theater work?
BGY: In no way, however completely coincidentally Tony Kushner Acceptablelok in America at his present, directed by János, I met Susan Galbraith, who gathers immigrant artists; creates actors, musicians, choreographers and project-based productions. I took half in one of many tasks, after which he provided me one other piece, however I could not settle for it due to the kindergarten.
MN: Why did you are feeling the necessity to begin working anyway?
BGY: Primarily for monetary causes. We got here with sufficient cash for a 12 months. I advised my husband that we must always have the funds for for one 12 months, however not sufficient for 2. Let’s begin residing properly, in a superb place, and do the whole lot we will to remain right here. Let’s give an opportunity to like this nation. If we reside in a nasty place and I do not dare to exit with my youngsters, then I’ll need to go residence to Hungary, however there is no such thing as a means again after what occurred to us.
MN: What occurred precisely?
BGY: On the request of our lawyer, I can not discuss individuals, motives, perceived or actual causes in the meanwhile. What will be stated: on February 5, 2021, at six within the morning, the police got here to us attributable to an nameless report. It was surprising to appreciate that we have been innocently uncovered to false accusations and lies. Our lawyer stated this course of may take as much as two years. I received sick, misplaced 5 kilos that week. I felt that I am unable to reside like this, we have not dedicated something and but we have now to defend ourselves. János formulated,
if this will occur to us right here, then we aren’t in a superb place.
A month earlier than the police motion, János resigned from the Theater Academy as a result of SZFE scandal. Within the meantime, the movie subsidy was taken away Traveler and moonlightfrom, after which the 2 theaters, the place he was invited to direct, refused the work, saying that he mustn’t come in spite of everything. We stood there and not using a job, with two youngsters, doubtful. We stated that our youngsters are our best worth, let’s save them and exit into the world, as a result of we have now no future at residence.
MN: It was then that you simply left the Katona József Theater in Kecskemét after practically twenty years there. Did you search for a chance in one other theater?
BGY: No, however fortunately I received a job: Barbara Hámori selected the Resort Margaret for one of many predominant roles within the collection, and Adél Kováts additionally invited me to the Radnót Theater for 2 roles. I advised him that I’ve been ready for this cellphone name for thirty years, but when the whole lot goes properly, we are going to wind up our lives and go overseas. The following day, he known as me again to say that they nonetheless needed me anyway, and that if we actually did go, the theater would care for that. It was an enormous gesture on his half, and a stark distinction to the truth that I’ve had shut pals withdraw their belief from me.
MN: Do you imply professionally in addition to within the circle of pals?
BGY: Sure, there have been those that believed that we have been responsible. It does not matter what number of years or a long time of acquaintance you’ve, for those who hear that the police have gone to somebody’s home, then they’re undoubtedly criminals. The system of inciting hatred and whispering, in Hungary, the land of janitors, the place they tipped off the Gestapo, the Arrows, and the ÁVO, now appears to be working once more. Hungarian society is deeply poisoned.
MN: Why America?
BGY: János directed in 2021 in Washington on the stage of Area Stage on the invitation of Molly Smith. Molly’s companion Susan – who met János twice in whole – known as János in February after twenty years and requested how he was doing. We already had the police then. Susan is an Indian, born in South Dakota, grew up on the reservation there, János appeared in her dream, and this meant to her Indian soul that she had one thing to do with him, she had to assist. It was a tremendous gesture and somewhat chilling. János spent three months in Washington in September 2021, and the Susans tried to construct a community of actual property brokers, legal professionals, theater folks, and college leaders round him. We now have been in day by day contact with Susan ever since.
MN: Regardless of that, you really went nowhere, you had no job.
BGY: Sure, and we realized how onerous it’s after we have been already on the market. Leaving your property, nation, mom, grandmother, pals, kinfolk, roles, faculties was a giant blow. To start with, I could not stand the dialog within the type of a video name with my mother and my finest pal. It was onerous to see what was behind them, their residence, the place I could not be, so we simply made cellphone calls. Then pals and kinfolk came over, and we at all times died somewhat once they left as a result of we did not know after we would see them subsequent. Later we realized that you do not have to die, we realized to handle time and we realized to just accept that we meet yearly, however then we spend significant time collectively. It takes a whole lot of humility and suppleness to deal with obstacles properly. This isn’t simple for anybody, not for these staying at residence, not for us. We fell in love with the place we reside, we made pals, each Hungarian and American. I used to assume that the time spent collectively decided the depth of a friendship, however emigration and shared destiny alone give depth to relationships.
MN: You talked about that you simply want a whole lot of flexibility to maneuver overseas and in addition to vary professions. Do you know you’re so versatile?
BGY: I did not know, however because it seems, I’m. In 2017, she was operated on for breast most cancers. When, two months after the mammogram and biopsy, it grew to become clear that there was a really significant issue, I actually skilled that nothing in life is for certain. One factor I used to be positive of was that I needed to reside. When the police case occurred, I knew precisely that I did not need to reside in that frame of mind, I did not need to wait, I did not need to beg and serve anybody. If so, let’s begin a brand new life and concentrate on staying alive.
MN: Can we are saying that you simply already began a brand new life when the illness was identified?
BGY: Truly, sure. I made a decision that so long as I reside, I’ll solely concentrate on the nice issues. That is why I did not keep in Kecskemét both, as a result of the standard of the brand new management did not match my ideas, my feelings, my psychological make-up, and I did not need to keep there and rage. I deeply reject vanity and superiority. Within the Hungarian political tradition, I see that everybody and the whole lot is bullied with shameless vanity, and vulgar phrases are used for severe folks and works. It was superb, for instance, that in reference to the accident of Júlia Szász and Ottó Lajos Horváth, Attila Vidnyánszky was capable of anoint himself as a saint and didn’t take duty both as a director, director or as an individual. Two of his actors virtually died, however he stayed put.
MN: In accordance with them, you’re watching what is going on in Hungary.
BGY: After all, Hungary is my nation.
MN: And America?
BGY: The USA is just not my nation, however it’s accepted. Hungary gave my sons roots, America gave them wings. This nation loves expertise, and it might sound unassuming, however my boys are exceptionally gifted. My youthful son did not communicate a phrase of English when he began faculty in Could 2022. He introduced residence a laptop computer in November, we did not perceive why. He stated the librarian gave it to him. Throughout reception, the category trainer introduced that my son has been going to the library since September and takes out books each time he’s seen. They gave him the laptop computer as a result of they needed to assist him, they uploaded one million issues that may curiosity him. The truth that he’s an immigrant little one does not curiosity them in any respect, they simply see that he’s curious and good, and that is why they assist him develop. My different son has already been accepted to a college with a full scholarship.
MN: I assumed the American dream did not exist.
BGY: That is additionally a structural subject. I as soon as begged an Indian at Dunkin Donuts for a very long time to rent me. There have to be many people who find themselves not prepared to do that, I’m. I knew that if I talked to my family and friends members in Hungarian day and evening, when the youngsters have been at college, I’d by no means study English. On the primary day of kindergarten, I felt like a sky jumper leaping off a tower with out realizing how you can swim. I needed to begin swimming as a result of nobody spoke to me in Hungarian for 9 hours. I could not even think about that I’d ultimately discover a vocation for myself. There was somewhat boy within the kindergarten who rejected everybody and every kind of cooperation for years. When he first noticed me, it was a really good assembly. He came to visit, took my hand and requested me to be by his aspect, to be his babysitter and play with him. Since then, every single day begins with us taking part in collectively. This job offers me a way of accomplishment every single day as a result of the youngsters instantly mirror what I put into it, so I am very grateful that I wasn’t employed at Dunkin Donuts.
There was additionally the case that my husband, an internationally acknowledged artist, earned his day by day allowance as a meals courier.
These are additionally a part of the American dream.
