József Pusztai facts for kids

József Pusztai (born József Pozderecz, also known as Jožef Pustai) was a talented writer, poet, journalist, teacher, and church singer. He was from the Slovene community in Hungary. He also used the pen name Tibor Andorhegyi. József Pusztai was born on January 26, 1864, and passed away on February 13, 1934.

József Pusztai's Life Story

József Pusztai was born in a village called Bellatincz. This village is now known as Beltinci and is located in Prekmurje, Slovenia. At the time, it was part of Zala County in the Kingdom of Hungary. His parents were János Pozderecz and Franciska Nemecz.

József changed his family name from Pozderecz to Pusztai. He felt it was important for Slovenes living in Hungary to adopt Hungarian customs. He believed this would help them fit in better.

He studied to become a teacher. He went to school in Csáktornya (which is now Čakovec in Croatia) and Pécs. He finished his studies in 1883.

After graduating, he first worked in a place called Szőce. In 1889, he moved back to his home region of Muravidék (Prekmurje). From 1889 until 1919, he worked in Mártonhely. This village is now called Martjanci and is near Murska Sobota. While there, he wrote the very first hymnal (a book of church songs) in the Prekmurje Slovene language.

József Pusztai also wrote articles for several newspapers and magazines. These included Muraszombat és Vidéke, Értesítő in Szombathely, and Dober pajdás (which means "Good Friend") in Szentgotthárd. In 1919, he returned to his hometown of Beltinci.

József Pusztai's Writings

József Pusztai wrote several important books and publications. These works helped preserve the Prekmurje Slovene language and culture.

• Krcsánszko katholicsanszko pesmi z iz potrejbnimi molitvami i vnógimi vogrszkimi peszmami / Kersztény katholikus egyházi énekek a legszükségesebb imákkal és több magyar énekkel
  • This was a Christian Catholic Hymnal. It included important prayers and many Hungarian songs. It was written in both Prekmurje Slovene and Hungarian.
• Dober pajdás
  • This means "Good Friend." It was a publication from 1899, 1900, and 1901.
• Mála molitvena kniga z potrejbnimi molitvani i vnó gimi peszmami za katholicsanszko mladézen / Kis imakönyv a legszükségesebb imákkal és énekekkel a kath. ifjúság számára
  • This was a small prayer book. It contained essential prayers and songs for Catholic young people. It was also written in both Hungarian and Prekmurje Slovene.

See also

• List of Slovene writers and poets in Hungary
• Beltinci