Emese Varga

I have lived in the United States since 1991. I first settled in New Jersey, where I taught at a full-time Hungarian preschool and later became its director. Prior to that, I taught classical guitar at a music school in Budapest, which provided a strong foundation for my lifelong work in culture and the arts.

In 1995, my husband, Tamás Badics, and I moved to the Boston area, where we raised our three daughters—Dóra, Emese, and Júlia—and became deeply involved in the local Hungarian community. All three of our daughters completed the full Boskola program as well as Hungarian scouting. Beginning in 1997, we organized the “Kuckó” gatherings that brought together young Hungarian families, an initiative that later led to the founding of the Boskola weekend school.

For nearly three decades, our family has devoted significant time and heartfelt commitment to organizing and supporting Hungarian community programs. I served as kindergarten director, and between 2020 and 2023 as school director, while also teaching preschool-aged children with great joy for 23 years. Over the past thirty years, I have organized cultural and educational events, including children’s and adult concerts, theatrical performances, teacher conferences, Santa celebrations, and national holiday commemorations.

I am especially proud that in 2012, at my initiative, we organized the first Boston Hungarian Heritage Day. This year marks the 14th time I am serving as its lead organizer. The event now welcomes 400–500 guests annually and has become one of the defining events of the local Hungarian community.

Over the years, I have built professional and personal relationships with Hungarian community leaders and organizers in several other states. I believe that this experience and network could be valuable to the Wociety, particularly in strengthening collaboration, sharing best practices, and developing joint initiatives.

I previously served on the board of the Society for several years and would welcome the opportunity to contribute again to our shared work. My goal remains unchanged: to nurture, preserve, and pass on Hungarian culture and traditions to future generations, while helping to build a strong, collaborative, and value-driven Hungarian community.