In Memoriam

On March 7, 2009, my companion and husband, the author of this book, Georg Kövary, ended his life journey shortly after his 87th birthday after years of suffering. It was a long, extremely painful, and sorrowful farewell.

In a completely different manner, Fritz Muliar, the author of this foreword, left the stage of life a few weeks later, on May 4, at the age of 90. Just as he had always wished: suddenly and unexpectedly, a few hours after the performance of "Die Wirtin" based on Goldoni at the Theater in der Josefstadt.

What connected these two men was not only a decades-long friendship but also their love for their respective homelands, Hungary and Austria. My husband was fortunate enough to find a second home here in Austria nearly 53 years ago after his escape during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

Both artists expressed this love for their homeland in various ways, including in their books. With the smiling, loving gaze of a mother, with the critical eyes of a father, but always and above all with the wit and charm that were uniquely theirs.

It is said that as long as we love or admire a person, they do not die for us. Therefore, I hope that this new edition of "Ein Ungar kommt selten allein" on the occasion of my husband Georg Kövary's passing may contribute to that.

Brigitte Kövary
Vienna, Summer 2009.