November 29, 2009

Árpád Academy Honors Ilona Bakó With Silver Medal

The Árpád Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Hungarian Association in Cleveland, OH honored Ilona Bakó with a silver medal for her work as the co-writer, completor and compiler of her late husband, Elemér Bakó’s memoirs titled 'A Life for Hungarians' (Egy élet a magyarságért). The silver medal was solemnly presented to her at the annual Hungarian Ball on November 28, 2009.

The Árpád Academy of Arts and Sciences is a professional organization founded to recognize and support scientists, authors, and artists of Hungarian descent, was founded in 1965 by John B. Nadas, a native of Hungary, who came to the U.S. in 1950 and soon became a leader in Hungarian-American affairs. He headed the Arpad Academy of Arts and Sciences for over 25 years, until his death in 1992 at the age of 89.

The Arpad Academy of Arts and Sciences was one of a number of organizations founded in the post-World War II era by recent Hungarian immigrants to preserve the traditions of their native land. Members of this Lakewood-based organization discuss world events and engage in cultural activities. There is an annual meeting with a symposium. The organization contributes to Kronika, a yearbook, in conjunction with the Hungarian Congress. In 1993 the organization had over 350 members in more than 50 countries.