Candace Barta-Bonk was recently named Saskatchewan鈥檚 Hungarian honorary consul, a role focused on protecting the interests of Hungarian citizens in Saskatchewan and promoting the culture.
Although born in Saskatchewan, Barta-Bonk has deep family ties to Hungary and has always had a connection to the rich Hungarian community in the province and even spent time living in Hungary. This led to her involvement with the consulate.
鈥淚 am a fourth-generation Canadian, but I have pure Hungarian roots,鈥� said Barta-Bonk. 鈥淎ll of my great-grandparents were born in Hungary. This has led me to be involved in the Canadian Hungarian community.
鈥淚 was approached by the Hungarian Ambassador to Canada and asked if I would be willing to take on this role. It is a great honour for me and of course, I accepted.
鈥淚 feel that it is a way to give back and serve two different countries that I have called home. I grew up in Moosomin but moved to Kipling while I was in high school. I have also lived in Hungary Kaposv谩r for a large portion of my working career. I believe that this will give important context when fulfilling my duties in this role.鈥�
The journey to becoming Saskatchewan鈥檚 honorary consul began a few years ago for Barta-Bonk when she hosted Balint Od贸r on his trip to Saskatchewan.
鈥淚n 2017 the Hungarian Ambassador to Canada at the time, Balint Od贸r, visited Saskatchewan,鈥� she said. 鈥淥n his trip he visited the Kaposv谩r Hungarian settlement near Esterhazy and the Bekev谩r Hungarian settlement near Kipling. I had the privilege of hosting the Ambassador at Bekev谩r.
鈥淚t was very special for me as it was my great-grandparents who were the settlers who helped to build the church. It was after this visit that the ambassador wanted to create an honorary consul position for Saskatchewan. Up until that point, the honorary consul in Calgary was also responsible for Saskatchewan.鈥�
In her role as honorary consul, Barta-Bonk鈥檚 priority is working with Hungarians in Saskatchewan and helping to foster the country鈥檚 culture in the province.
鈥淭he role of honorary consul is to help facilitate cultural, economic, and social relations between Hungary and Saskatchewan,鈥� she said.
鈥淭he responsibilities also include assisting Hungarian citizens living in Saskatchewan with notarizations, and authentications of documents as well as directing them to the consul general in Toronto or the Hungarian Embassy in Ottawa. A very important aspect of the role is to promote economic and scientific relations between Hungary and Saskatchewan.
鈥淭he Hungarian ambassador to Canada, Dr. M谩ria Vass Salazar, has a very keen interest in innovation and science, and I am working towards highlighting points of common interest. The honorary consul is also responsible for organizing and preparing a program when the Hungarian Ambassador visits Saskatchewan.鈥�
With a large Hungarian community in Saskatchewan and a strong history in the province, Barta-Bonk is excited to help continue the tradition and share the heritage.
鈥淗ungary and Saskatchewan have a long connection,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he very first Hungarian settlements in Canada were in Saskatchewan鈥攖hey were started in the late 1880s at Kaposv谩r near Esterhazy, Otthon near Yorkton, and Bekev谩r near Kipling. Many other Hungarian settlements in Saskatchewan followed. There was also a second wave of immigration from Hungary following the 1956 revolution. The Hungarian community is very proud of their shared heritage and traditions. There are very active Hungarian communities in Regina and Saskatoon, with festivals, celebrations, language schools and folk dance groups for all ages.鈥�
Barta-Bonk says it鈥檚 a privilege to be able to represent Hungary in Saskatchewan as an honorary consul, and she emphasizes the importance of keeping the cultural connection alive.
鈥淭his is something that is very important to me and the main reason why I took this role,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel that it is important for people to know where they come from and to understand their history. The Hungarians who came to Saskatchewan were tough, resourceful people, who integrated into Canadian society but were able to hold on to their culture and traditions, so the Hungarian culture was all around me when I grew up. There was always Hungarian singing, food and of course, the language. I know that this is a similar story for many people in Saskatchewan, and it is my hope that now we have an honorary consul, we can make a stronger connection between Hungary and Saskatchewan.
