László Kálmán's welcome speech,
Don Soker Gallery
The
Haraszthy200 Festival, a celebration of the Hungarian–American relations
commemorating the first outstanding American-Hungarian personality, the pioneer
of Californian wine-making, Ágoston Haraszthy, was organized as a civic
endeavour. 
The Haraszthy celebration was promoted as a joint civic venture
between Sonoma and its sister city in Hungary, Tokaj.
All the various
governmental resolutions and all the events were premised on the civic nature
of the celebration. Such people-to-people initiatives are very important and
exemplary nowadays and in the future as well. They can serve as a message to
people of an excellent way of connecting towns, continents and cultures. I wish
to congratulate for the great idea, the perfect timing, for keeping our common
traditions alive, for the excellent co-operation and organization.
Thank you,
the organizers of Haraszthy200 Festival, thank you, the Buena Vista Winery
owner Mr. Boisset, the great leaders of the cities of Tokaj and Sonoma, thanks
to all of you!
László Kálmán dr., Consul General of Hungary in Los Angeles, USA
Opening remarks at the exhibition, Red & White, organized under the auspices of the Haraszthy200 Festival; Don Soker Contemporary Art Gallery, San Francisco; 30 August 2012.
