estimated two million Hungarians observed Christmas while listening to their own Christian radio network, monitored by BosNewsLife Thursday, December 26.
Since Christmas eve the Hungarian-language radio network, began broadcasting at the 88.3 FM frequency in Cluj, the main town of Romania’s Transylvania region, Hungarian Radio said.
Agnus Radio, owned by the Transylvanian Reformed Church diocese, broadcasts religious service, interviews, news and music, explained Attila Sebesi Karen the editor-in-chief of the network.
RELIGIOUS TOPICS
"One-third of the daily eight-hour programme will be about religious topics", and two-thirds of its broadcasting time it will transmit secular public service for everyone, he said about the regional station.
The religious programmes will include Reformed Church, Catholic, Unitarian and Evangelical programmes. In a major development, the Romanian Orthodox Church will also have several hours a week as this denomination has no radio station yet.
Most ethnic Hungarians are either Reformed or Catholic, research shows. Agnus Radio, is operated by only 15 staff members, including editors, reporters and technical staff, Hungarian Radio reported. The network was founded by pastor Laszlo Adorjani in an effort to address the cultural and spiritual needs of Hungarians.
ETHNIC TENSIONS
There has been concern that an increasing number of ethnic Hungarians will leave Transylvania, which was part of Hungary till the end of World War One, when Hungary lost two third of its territory.
Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase told BosNewsLife earlier this month that he wanted a new relationship with Hungary.
Both countries have been at odds about Hungary’s controversial Status Law launched by the previous centre right Government, which gives ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring states far reaching social and education rights.
