Ambassador John William Shirley (ret.)
Post Office Box 369
Stonington, Connecticut, 06369
Telephone: (860) 535-9238
e-mail: jockshirley (at) aol.com

Stonington, August 20, 2005

In my report to you dated August 8, 2004, I noted that “fourteen years have passed since the collapse of Communism and life for a majority of Hungarians is slowly improving, even in northeastern Hungary that…has always lagged behind the rest of the country.” I drew the conclusion that “it was reasonable to assume that the number of youngsters needing our assistance will gradually decline as the lives of their parents become less harsh, and a good education for their children more affordable.” Finally, I said improved living standards coupled with reduced need would lead us to suggest to you “progressive decreases in the amount of your contribution with the ultimate goal of financing…this small program from the pockets of former scholarships winners.”

Since writing those words I have taken a close look at the needs of the school’s students. Indeed, last month I discussed the matter in detail with the new headmaster who agrees that we can sharply reduce the size of our program without having more than minimal impact on the school’s ability to absorb a reasonable number of talented students from the poorest families. So, we will bite the bullet and in the spring of 2006 pass the torch to the youngsters.

To you we say a deeply felt thank you for the years of support you have extended to our girls and boys. We ask that this year you make a final contribution to the Foundation so that we may pass to our heirs a modest nest egg, but after that we will turn to you, who have already done so much, no more.

But the youngsters whose lives you have deeply touched have charged me with a responsibility: They wish me to ask you to come to Sárospatak next April for a two-day visit. They ask you to come so that they may extend their thanks to you personally, so that they may speak to you of their lives, show you their school, and share with you their thoughts and their songs.

The program the students and the school propose is still being developed, but let me give you a general sense of what is involved and perhaps add a few personal thoughts about what a trip to Sárospatak and Hungary could mean to you.

Friday, April 7, 2006: Arrival in Sárospatak. (There are non-stop flights from New York to Budapest, and a number of daily flights to the Hungarian capital from major European airports served by American and international airlines.) Once in Budapest, the trip to Sárospatak is easy and fast. There is excellent train service from Budapest’s Eastern Railroad station (Keleti Pályaudvar) for the pleasant three-hour-long train trip. Alternatively you can rent a car at Budapest airport for the drive to Sárospatak along a modern superhighway -- except for the last thirty miles or so that is over an excellent secondary road. But be careful; Hungarians are competitive drivers. Accommodations in town are pleasant, although certainly not luxurious. I usually stay at the Hotel Bodrog (telephone: 011-36-47-311-744, e-mail: bodrog @ axelero.hu). It is clean and bright, the water in the showers is hot, and the breakfasts are generous. It is in the center of the little town and less than ten minutes walk from the school. Dinner that night will be in a nearby restaurant for all out-of-towners and a selected group of students and former students, all of them English speakers.

Saturday, April 8, 2006: After breakfast at the hotel we will walk to the school, visit the school museum – the Sárospatak Academy will celebrate its 475thth anniversary next year so there is good deal to see – as well as the spectacularly beautiful library that houses Hungary’s most important collection of Calvinist religious works, many dating to the Reformation. At around ten o’clock we will gather in the school’s assembly hall. You will be asked to listen to a speech or two that I promise will be short, my own included. We will then enjoy the program prepared for us by the students. In all likelihood, we will be luncheon guests in the school’s dining hall where we will be joined by students and some members of the faculty. The afternoon will be devoted to leisurely looking, strolling and sipping. There is much to see in town, although the Rákóczi Castle Museum is by far the most interesting attraction and the curator will give us a special tour. Having imbibed so much culture, instead of tea at the hotel we will descend to the cellars under the castle to taste the extraordinarily fine wines of the Tokaj region. It is usual to sample at least six varieties, so the visit to the mile-long sixteenth century cellar will be unhurried and the walk back to the hotel stately. You will have time to nap and recover before giving some of my classmates and myself the pleasure of joining us for dinner and an evening of gypsy music. No doubt, some of the guests will sing for you. I have promised my classmates that I won’t.

Sunday, April 9, 2006: After breakfast those so inclined will attend the 10 a.m. service at the Hungarian Reformed, which is to say Calvinist, church. Part of the service will be in English and you will hear a message of gratitude preached from the pulpit. After the service we will gather briefly over a cup of coffee and say farewell after what we very much hope will have been an agreeable experience spent in good company.

And let me offer a thought or two about how you might combine a trip to Sárospatak with visits to other parts of East Central Europe:

If you decide to have a look around, do so after your visit to Sárospatak in the warming spring weather amid blossoming trees, but still in low season before airlines, hotels and restaurants hike their prices and hordes of tourists overrun every corner of Europe. There are many itineraries to consider, but have in mind that once in Hungary you are only two hours from Vienna by train and slightly more by car. Prague and Krakow are not much farther. Budapest easily merits a three-day stay. There is no need to sing the praises of Vienna. And once in Vienna, glorious Prague, and newly and beautifully restored Krakow, would be a shame to miss. In less than two weeks you could sample the sights, sounds, foods and wines of four related but distinct cultures: Hungarian, Austrian, Czech and Polish, in effect a grand tour of a region with a two-thousand-year history and the cradle of so much that has become a part of our own American life.

Well, give it some thought. There is no rush, although I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you can join us in Sárospatak by, say, October 15th. You would have to make your own travel arrangements, of course, but I would be happy to ask the school to make reservations for you at the Bodrog, or wherever you decide to lodge. I don’t have the exact figures in front of me, but a double room at the Bodrog is under USD 50.00 per night, breakfast included. Your other expenses in Sárospatak would be nominal.

Thus for this last time we ask you to make your contribution as soon as you conveniently can.

As in the past, so now, please proceed as follows:
- Make out your check to The Hungarian Reformed Church, D.C.
- In the lower left-hand corner of your check after the word “for” write: The Sárospatak I/A Foundation.
- Send your check to: Mr. Martin Tornallyay, 1206 Bel Air Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

You may deduct the full amount of your contribution from the taxable income on your Federal tax return citing your contribution to the Hungarian Reformed Church, D.C. File # DNP 712252.

Try to join us next year. I think you would find it a happy experience and a memory to cherish. Besides, all the boys and girls you have helped over the years would like to say thank you; to you, personally.

With every good wish to you and to your families and let me hear from you, please.

Sincerely,

John W. Shirley