VAJDA ANDRÁS (Sáromberke 1979). Egyetemi tanulmányaimat 1999–2003 között a Babeş–Bolyai Tudományegyetem, Bölcsészkarának Magyar Néprajz és Antropológia Tanszékén végeztem, magyar–néprajz szakon. Ugyanitt szereztem mester fokozatot (2004), majd doktori címet (2011). 2008–2009 között a Maros Megyei Múzeum munkatársa, 2009–2010 a Hagyományos Kultúra Megőrzésének és Terjesztésének Maros Megyei Központjának igazgatója, majd az intézmény átszervezését követően, 2010–2016 között a Hagyományos Kultúra és Művészeti Oktatás Maros Megyei Központjának osztályvezetője és tudományos kutatója voltam. 2016-tól a Sapientia Erdélyi Magyar Tudományegyetem Marosvásárhelyi Karának Alkalmazott Társadalomtudományok Tanszékének vagyok az adjunktusa. Kutatásokat elsősorban a paraszti/populáris írásbeliség, a lokális történelmek, a biografikus szövegek, a kulturális örökség és turizmus, a média és mindennapi élet, illetve digitális etnográfia témakörében végzek.
Jakab Albert Zsolt – Vajda András (szerk.): Múzeum – örökség – kommunikáció. (Kriza Könyvek, 50.) Kriza János Néprajzi Társaság, Kolozsvár, 7–25, 2023
(Museum–Universe. Approaches)
Patrimony, museum and communication all play a determining role in... more (Museum–Universe. Approaches)
Patrimony, museum and communication all play a determining role in the everyday life of contemporary societies, on the international, national, regional or local level as well, starting with the creation and transmitting of social objects and meanings up to identity construction (production), economic and cultural resource production, experience production, leisure, and the list can go on forever. In the meantime – specifically because of their multiple level role in the process of society construction – these three have a common feature, which is they are all malleable notions, and regarding the different situations of application and interpretation, respectively the different levels of analysis, there can be divergent interpretations and even contradictions. And although all three notions are flexible enough to afford different interpretations, we cannot really talk about a consolidated approach on the international level regarding the concepts of patrimony and museum or the existence of communication (especially related to the fields of patrimony and museums). The present paper aims to draw attention to the fact that while the museum researches and exposes the difference of cultures, it does so in order to make us understand the other culture better, to assure a kind of interaction with it, and finally to make us consciously acquire the values of the “other”. So the museum has to educate and to transmit the culture of acceptance and equity.
A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarság... more A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarságának néprajzára vonatkozó szétszórt kutatásokat, valamint megállapítani azokat a tendenciákat (főbb kutatási területek és helyszínek), amelyek a kutatás elmúlt másfélszáz évét jellemezték. A tanulmány történeti perspektívát alkalmaz, és feltáró jellegű. Azt vizsgálja, hogy az elmúlt másfél évszázadban milyen törekvések voltak jellemzőek a térség népi kultúrájának feltárását és sajátosságainak meghatározását illetően, valamint azt is, hogy ezek az eredmények miként épültek be a helyi és a tudományos társadalomba.
Múltidéző. Írások a magyar népi kultúráról és örökségről, 2022
A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarság... more A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarságának néprajzára vonatkozó szétszórt kutatásokat, valamint megállapítani azokat a tendenciákat (főbb kutatási területek és helyszínek), amelyek a kutatás elmúlt másfélszáz évét jellemezték. A tanulmány történeti perspektívát alkalmaz, és feltáró jellegű. Azt vizsgálja, hogy az elmúlt másfél évszázadban milyen törekvések voltak jellemzőek a térség népi kultúrájának feltárását és sajátosságainak meghatározását illetően, valamint azt is, hogy ezek az eredmények miként épültek be a helyi és a tudományos társadalomba.
A falu – mint önálló identitással rendelkező társadalmi szervezet – eltűnése egyaránt hatással va... more A falu – mint önálló identitással rendelkező társadalmi szervezet – eltűnése egyaránt hatással van a mindennapok és a jeles napok szervezésére és megélésére, valamint a helyi hagyományok, ezen belül a jeles napi népszokások alakulására is. A jelen tanulmány azt próbálja felvázolni, hogy miként alakultak a XX. század folyamán Sáromberke magyarságának életében a karácsonyhoz kötődő néphagyományok, továbbá milyen hatásai voltak a különböző gazdasági, politikai és kulturális folyamatoknak a karácsonyhoz kapcsolódó népszokások alakulására. A karácsonyi időszakhoz kapcsolódó szokások alakulását elemezve azt láthatjuk, hogy a XX. század során legalább három olyan nagy fordulópont említhető, mely meghatározta a helyi népszokások alakulását. Az első világháborút követő hatalomváltás következtében megnőtt a néphagyományok szerepe a nemzeti identitás megőrzésében és ezzel egyidőben az egyház szerepe a jeles napokhoz kötődő népszokások őrzésében. A kommunista diktatúra berendezkedése a karácson...
The evolution of folk traditions related to the Christmas holidays in Sáromberke along the river ... more The evolution of folk traditions related to the Christmas holidays in Sáromberke along the river Maros
The disappearance of the village as a social organisation with its own identity affects both the organisation and the living of everyday life and of special days, and the development of local traditions, including the folk customs associated with special days. The present study attempts to outline how the folk customs related to Christmas evolved in the life of the Hungarians of Sáromberke during the 20th century, and what impact the various economic, political and cultural processes had on the development of folk traditions related to Christmas. An analysis of the development of Christmas-related customs reveals that there were at least three major turning points in the 20th century which deter- mined the evolution of local folk customs. The change of power after the First World War increased the role of folk traditions in preserving national identity and, at the same time, the role of the Church in preserving folk customs linked to the feast days. The establishment of the communist dictatorship led to the decline of Christmas traditions and the fading of their communal character. The celebration of Christmas was relegated to the walls of the church and to the confines of the family. The change of regime in 1989 had a stimulating effect on the life of the local community, and the revival of Christmas traditions began. However, the evolution of Christmas customs was not only determined by the changes of regime and power that took place several times during the 20th century. The changing economic environment, the abandonment of the farm- ing and herding lifestyle, the emergence of mass media and globalisation have also left their mark on the way the festive season is celebrated. K E Y W O R D S: folklore, special days, Christmas, chanting, St. István’s Day greeting, St. János’ Day greeting, nativity
Járvány-Lét-Helyzetek. A Covid19-járvány hatása a mindennapokra és a társadalomkutatásra. Kriza János Néprajzi Társaság–Néprajzi Múzeum, Kolozsvár–Budapest, 2022
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Museum Practices and Digitalization in Szeklerland
In Marc... more The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Museum Practices and Digitalization in Szeklerland In March 2020, as the result of the Coronavirus pandemic, there was a total lockdown, a period of quarantine, followed by restrictions of different shapes and sizes, all these determining the everyday life of the museums of Szeklerland in the last two years. The research is first of all of a revealing nature, its aim is to present a preliminary image on how the museums of Szeklerland are able to make progress in the domain of the digitalization of different activities, what was the impact of all these on the handling of the situation caused by the pandemic, respectively what kind of relations can be observed between digitalization and pandemic. It analyzes the way how the museums of Szeklerland were able to fulfil their duties in this difficult period; how their communication strategies were based on the Internet or the different channels of social media; how the pandemic had an impact on the museums regarding the process of digitalization, which are the stages of this process; respectively what duties and what challenges do they face regarding their digital transformation?
The village today is only partially what we used to know of in the past, our previous image roote... more The village today is only partially what we used to know of in the past, our previous image rooted in a sinking world, nothing but memories. In the 21st century, even in rural communities, the daily routine, practices and strategies of economic life are determined by the processes of modernization and globalization, in conjunction with information and communication technologies along with the wide-ranging proliferation of digital devices. It can be said that life in the 21st century village also shows a simultaneous constraint of modernization (the constraint of evolution and change) and the presence of masses incapable of changing (even if their number is continuously decreasing). The coexistence and confrontation of these opposing forces and ideologies characterizes the Hungarian/Transylvanian rural space in Romania during the 21st century. All these have led to the degradation of previous community patterns, resulting in the faltering position of tradition as well as a major chan...
A tanulmany egy Maros menti telepulesről (Saromberke) szarmazo harom parasztirattar tartalmanak t... more A tanulmany egy Maros menti telepulesről (Saromberke) szarmazo harom parasztirattar tartalmanak teljes felmeresenek eredmenyeit mutatja be, mely reven egy lokalis kozosseg irott nepi/popularis kulturajat (irasbeli hagyomanyat) probalja bemutatni es megerteni. Azt vizsgalja, hogy az iras hogyan szervezi, alakitja egy lokalis tarsadalom kollektiv es individualis eletvilagat. Megkozelitesemben a parasztirattarak a hatalmi szerkezetek intezmenyesulesenek, valamint a lokalis es az egyeni gazdasagi-tarsadalmi, politikai valtozasok lenyomatai. Bepillantast engednek abba, ahogyan a tarsadalom legalapvetőbb funkcionalis egysege, a csalad es a csaladot kepviselő egyen megbirkozik a tarsadalommal es hogy ez milyen helyi es egyeni adaptaciokat eredmenyez. Ravilagit arra, hogy a valtozo gazdasagi-politikai helyzet hogyan alakit ki uj dokumentumtipusokat, melyek a maguk soran uj kozossegi magatartasformak es viszonyulasok, egyszoval ujabb irashagyomany kialakulasat eredmenyezik.
Jakab Albert Zsolt – Vajda András (szerk.): Járvány-lét-helyzetek. A Covid19-világjárvány hatása a mindennapokra és a társadalomkutatásra. (Kriza Könyvek, 49.) Kriza János Néprajzi Társaság – Néprajzi Múzeum, Kolozsvár–Budapest, 7–23, 2022
(Quarantine Culture and Pandemic Existence. The Impact of the Pandemic on Everyday Life)
In order... more (Quarantine Culture and Pandemic Existence. The Impact of the Pandemic on Everyday Life) In order to understand, to narrate/describe the Covid-19 pandemic, to understand its functioning, to understand the world surrounding us, and to understand all those social practices, which have been transforming everyday life before our very eyes, we suggest the use – and the differentiation – of two notions: quarantine culture and pandemic existence. During their differentiation we start from the basic hypothesis that quarantine represents a transitory condition, which – even if it has brought significant changes on the level of everyday practices and created numerous patterns of cultural behaviour – regarding the social handling of the pandemic represents the level of quick decisions, taken in the rush of the given moment, but well defined in time. In the other hand pandemic existence represents a long-lasting condition, remaining continuously in the present, but being able to determine the future as well.
Jakab Albert Zsolt – Vajda András (szerk.): Múzeum – örökség – kommunikáció. (Kriza Könyvek, 50.) Kriza János Néprajzi Társaság, Kolozsvár, 7–25, 2023
(Museum–Universe. Approaches)
Patrimony, museum and communication all play a determining role in... more (Museum–Universe. Approaches)
Patrimony, museum and communication all play a determining role in the everyday life of contemporary societies, on the international, national, regional or local level as well, starting with the creation and transmitting of social objects and meanings up to identity construction (production), economic and cultural resource production, experience production, leisure, and the list can go on forever. In the meantime – specifically because of their multiple level role in the process of society construction – these three have a common feature, which is they are all malleable notions, and regarding the different situations of application and interpretation, respectively the different levels of analysis, there can be divergent interpretations and even contradictions. And although all three notions are flexible enough to afford different interpretations, we cannot really talk about a consolidated approach on the international level regarding the concepts of patrimony and museum or the existence of communication (especially related to the fields of patrimony and museums). The present paper aims to draw attention to the fact that while the museum researches and exposes the difference of cultures, it does so in order to make us understand the other culture better, to assure a kind of interaction with it, and finally to make us consciously acquire the values of the “other”. So the museum has to educate and to transmit the culture of acceptance and equity.
A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarság... more A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarságának néprajzára vonatkozó szétszórt kutatásokat, valamint megállapítani azokat a tendenciákat (főbb kutatási területek és helyszínek), amelyek a kutatás elmúlt másfélszáz évét jellemezték. A tanulmány történeti perspektívát alkalmaz, és feltáró jellegű. Azt vizsgálja, hogy az elmúlt másfél évszázadban milyen törekvések voltak jellemzőek a térség népi kultúrájának feltárását és sajátosságainak meghatározását illetően, valamint azt is, hogy ezek az eredmények miként épültek be a helyi és a tudományos társadalomba.
Múltidéző. Írások a magyar népi kultúráról és örökségről, 2022
A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarság... more A tanulmány célja feltárni a Maros megye (egykori Marosszék, majd Maros-Torda vármegye) magyarságának néprajzára vonatkozó szétszórt kutatásokat, valamint megállapítani azokat a tendenciákat (főbb kutatási területek és helyszínek), amelyek a kutatás elmúlt másfélszáz évét jellemezték. A tanulmány történeti perspektívát alkalmaz, és feltáró jellegű. Azt vizsgálja, hogy az elmúlt másfél évszázadban milyen törekvések voltak jellemzőek a térség népi kultúrájának feltárását és sajátosságainak meghatározását illetően, valamint azt is, hogy ezek az eredmények miként épültek be a helyi és a tudományos társadalomba.
A falu – mint önálló identitással rendelkező társadalmi szervezet – eltűnése egyaránt hatással va... more A falu – mint önálló identitással rendelkező társadalmi szervezet – eltűnése egyaránt hatással van a mindennapok és a jeles napok szervezésére és megélésére, valamint a helyi hagyományok, ezen belül a jeles napi népszokások alakulására is. A jelen tanulmány azt próbálja felvázolni, hogy miként alakultak a XX. század folyamán Sáromberke magyarságának életében a karácsonyhoz kötődő néphagyományok, továbbá milyen hatásai voltak a különböző gazdasági, politikai és kulturális folyamatoknak a karácsonyhoz kapcsolódó népszokások alakulására. A karácsonyi időszakhoz kapcsolódó szokások alakulását elemezve azt láthatjuk, hogy a XX. század során legalább három olyan nagy fordulópont említhető, mely meghatározta a helyi népszokások alakulását. Az első világháborút követő hatalomváltás következtében megnőtt a néphagyományok szerepe a nemzeti identitás megőrzésében és ezzel egyidőben az egyház szerepe a jeles napokhoz kötődő népszokások őrzésében. A kommunista diktatúra berendezkedése a karácson...
The evolution of folk traditions related to the Christmas holidays in Sáromberke along the river ... more The evolution of folk traditions related to the Christmas holidays in Sáromberke along the river Maros
The disappearance of the village as a social organisation with its own identity affects both the organisation and the living of everyday life and of special days, and the development of local traditions, including the folk customs associated with special days. The present study attempts to outline how the folk customs related to Christmas evolved in the life of the Hungarians of Sáromberke during the 20th century, and what impact the various economic, political and cultural processes had on the development of folk traditions related to Christmas. An analysis of the development of Christmas-related customs reveals that there were at least three major turning points in the 20th century which deter- mined the evolution of local folk customs. The change of power after the First World War increased the role of folk traditions in preserving national identity and, at the same time, the role of the Church in preserving folk customs linked to the feast days. The establishment of the communist dictatorship led to the decline of Christmas traditions and the fading of their communal character. The celebration of Christmas was relegated to the walls of the church and to the confines of the family. The change of regime in 1989 had a stimulating effect on the life of the local community, and the revival of Christmas traditions began. However, the evolution of Christmas customs was not only determined by the changes of regime and power that took place several times during the 20th century. The changing economic environment, the abandonment of the farm- ing and herding lifestyle, the emergence of mass media and globalisation have also left their mark on the way the festive season is celebrated. K E Y W O R D S: folklore, special days, Christmas, chanting, St. István’s Day greeting, St. János’ Day greeting, nativity
Járvány-Lét-Helyzetek. A Covid19-járvány hatása a mindennapokra és a társadalomkutatásra. Kriza János Néprajzi Társaság–Néprajzi Múzeum, Kolozsvár–Budapest, 2022
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Museum Practices and Digitalization in Szeklerland
In Marc... more The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Museum Practices and Digitalization in Szeklerland In March 2020, as the result of the Coronavirus pandemic, there was a total lockdown, a period of quarantine, followed by restrictions of different shapes and sizes, all these determining the everyday life of the museums of Szeklerland in the last two years. The research is first of all of a revealing nature, its aim is to present a preliminary image on how the museums of Szeklerland are able to make progress in the domain of the digitalization of different activities, what was the impact of all these on the handling of the situation caused by the pandemic, respectively what kind of relations can be observed between digitalization and pandemic. It analyzes the way how the museums of Szeklerland were able to fulfil their duties in this difficult period; how their communication strategies were based on the Internet or the different channels of social media; how the pandemic had an impact on the museums regarding the process of digitalization, which are the stages of this process; respectively what duties and what challenges do they face regarding their digital transformation?
The village today is only partially what we used to know of in the past, our previous image roote... more The village today is only partially what we used to know of in the past, our previous image rooted in a sinking world, nothing but memories. In the 21st century, even in rural communities, the daily routine, practices and strategies of economic life are determined by the processes of modernization and globalization, in conjunction with information and communication technologies along with the wide-ranging proliferation of digital devices. It can be said that life in the 21st century village also shows a simultaneous constraint of modernization (the constraint of evolution and change) and the presence of masses incapable of changing (even if their number is continuously decreasing). The coexistence and confrontation of these opposing forces and ideologies characterizes the Hungarian/Transylvanian rural space in Romania during the 21st century. All these have led to the degradation of previous community patterns, resulting in the faltering position of tradition as well as a major chan...
A tanulmany egy Maros menti telepulesről (Saromberke) szarmazo harom parasztirattar tartalmanak t... more A tanulmany egy Maros menti telepulesről (Saromberke) szarmazo harom parasztirattar tartalmanak teljes felmeresenek eredmenyeit mutatja be, mely reven egy lokalis kozosseg irott nepi/popularis kulturajat (irasbeli hagyomanyat) probalja bemutatni es megerteni. Azt vizsgalja, hogy az iras hogyan szervezi, alakitja egy lokalis tarsadalom kollektiv es individualis eletvilagat. Megkozelitesemben a parasztirattarak a hatalmi szerkezetek intezmenyesulesenek, valamint a lokalis es az egyeni gazdasagi-tarsadalmi, politikai valtozasok lenyomatai. Bepillantast engednek abba, ahogyan a tarsadalom legalapvetőbb funkcionalis egysege, a csalad es a csaladot kepviselő egyen megbirkozik a tarsadalommal es hogy ez milyen helyi es egyeni adaptaciokat eredmenyez. Ravilagit arra, hogy a valtozo gazdasagi-politikai helyzet hogyan alakit ki uj dokumentumtipusokat, melyek a maguk soran uj kozossegi magatartasformak es viszonyulasok, egyszoval ujabb irashagyomany kialakulasat eredmenyezik.
Jakab Albert Zsolt – Vajda András (szerk.): Járvány-lét-helyzetek. A Covid19-világjárvány hatása a mindennapokra és a társadalomkutatásra. (Kriza Könyvek, 49.) Kriza János Néprajzi Társaság – Néprajzi Múzeum, Kolozsvár–Budapest, 7–23, 2022
(Quarantine Culture and Pandemic Existence. The Impact of the Pandemic on Everyday Life)
In order... more (Quarantine Culture and Pandemic Existence. The Impact of the Pandemic on Everyday Life) In order to understand, to narrate/describe the Covid-19 pandemic, to understand its functioning, to understand the world surrounding us, and to understand all those social practices, which have been transforming everyday life before our very eyes, we suggest the use – and the differentiation – of two notions: quarantine culture and pandemic existence. During their differentiation we start from the basic hypothesis that quarantine represents a transitory condition, which – even if it has brought significant changes on the level of everyday practices and created numerous patterns of cultural behaviour – regarding the social handling of the pandemic represents the level of quick decisions, taken in the rush of the given moment, but well defined in time. In the other hand pandemic existence represents a long-lasting condition, remaining continuously in the present, but being able to determine the future as well.
The present volume analyzes the long process of transformation of the society and
economic struct... more The present volume analyzes the long process of transformation of the society and economic structure of Dumbrăvioara, a settlement situated on the southern margins of Szeklerland, on the border between the Transylvanian Plain and Mureș region, 14 km from Târgu-Mureș and 18 km from Reghin. In many aspects the village is developing dynamically and transforming rapidly, but otherwise is holding on to its traditions, to the economic and cultural practices which are characteristic to rural societies. The book aims to identify, to document and to interpret the changes that have occurred within the economic and cultural structure of the communities, having the impact of turning points in their life. The research follows the transformation of the rural economy and environment situated in the close vicinity of the urban agglomeration area, the external factors and internal motivations that influence these processes of change, respectively the impact of the latter on the social and occupational structure, on the structure of economy, on the economic strategy options, but also on the evolution of the plot, the dimensions, forms and materials of the buildings, of the size and composition of the livestock. The volume is divided into seven major chapters. The first three chapters present the subject of the book, the sources and the methodology in use. In the same time they sketch the theoretical framework used in the analysis, respectively the geographic, administrative and cultural contexts of the settlement. The following three chapters present the specific social, economic and cultural contexts. Among the factors influencing the evolution of the settlement’s economic structure the author presents the evolution of properties, lands, livestock, institutional structure, motorization and industrialization; the chapter on social changes includes the evolution of population, occupations, occupational structure, but also migration. The chapter on cultural changes deals with alphabetization, the appearance of educational and cultural institutions, respectively their impact on local culture and cultural life. Then follows the chapter concerning the presentation of the evolution of the buildings in the village, including the house and interiors, the outbuildings, the household and the larger environment. The last chapter of the volume presents the conclusions of the analysis, under the form of theses. The appendices include 6 maps, 80 contemporary or recent pictures, respectively the copy of 5 documents, all closely related to the content of the book.
(Existential Situations during the Pandemic. The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Everyday Life... more (Existential Situations during the Pandemic. The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Everyday Life and Social Sciences’ Research)
The Covid-19 pandemic is a social phenomenon, its existence depends on those individuals, communities and groups, which imagine it, describe it and create its rules. Social objects do not exist without the social acts creating them, fixing them in forms of inscriptions, neither without the mythology based on them, or the everyday practices related to them. In this context the pandemic is the result of social practice, a cultural formation. A specific situation of existence, which has a specific physiology and dynamic, which produces an experience, a sense of time different from the usual everyday life, respectively it is characterized by thematic, ideological, rhetorical, and communicational specificities. In one word: it produces a specific culture. The pandemic, as a phenomenon organizing life and producing its meanings, it infiltrates into individual and collective universes, becoming a part of local everyday routine, however it also starts the decomposing of the symbols and world concept of local communities. It revitalizes or on the contrary, changes the previous existential routines, generating specific conflicts (just think about mask wear or social distancing), resulting insecurity and the necessity of new interpretations.
(Rurality and the Research of the Rural in the Carpathian Basin)
While in the traditional rural ... more (Rurality and the Research of the Rural in the Carpathian Basin)
While in the traditional rural society the life of the individual was lived under the supervision of the community, with its approval, today we cannot really speak about a real force of the tradition concerning the organization of personal life or the modelling of life course. In the 21st century even in the case of rural societies the routines of everyday life, the practices and strategies of (economic) life are determined by the processes of globalization and modernization, by informational and communication technologies, respectively the wide spreading of digital devices. What we consider the rural today is in fact a territorial unit with specific natural, landscape, economic and social conditions, with specific cultural characteristics, which have been formed during the centuries, but without any peasants any more, as there is only the memory of peasantry preserved within different shapes and institutions. The volume offers a selection of studies on this wide interpretation of rurality.
(Rurality and Economic Strategies in the 21st Century)
The major social and political changes re... more (Rurality and Economic Strategies in the 21st Century)
The major social and political changes resulted in the falter of the position of tradition and its drastic change in the 21st century. All these have started the degradation of the previous patterns of communities. Tradition and its sustaining social frame is in a constant change: in the 21st century even in rural communities everyday life is determined by the processes of modernization and globalization, respectively the wide spreading of the informational and communicational devices.
What happens to tradition in the classic meaning of the word, respectively what can be considered tradition in the era of existence built on translocal and transnational networks? What does tradition and everyday life mean in the times of accentuated trans-border migration and changing medial environment? Which are the social and economic consequences of the change of tradition on the level of local communities? How does it influence the conditions of ethnic cooperation?
(Rurality and Economic Strategies in the 21st Century)
The present volume presents a selection o... more (Rurality and Economic Strategies in the 21st Century)
The present volume presents a selection of the material of a conference on rurality in Transylvania organized in 2018. The conference desired to synthesize the research results on the Transylvanian rural area and rurality. The presentations aimed to understand how the communities of certain areas being on different stages of development have lived and interpreted the changes of the near past, what situations – similarities and divergences – were resulted by these changes on the level of everyday life, social relations and economic strategies.
Therefore the presentations of the conference desired to focus on three dimensions of changing ruralities: 1. the cultural dimension: identity, keeping tradition, loosing tradition, patrimonization, globalization; 2. the social dimension: modified systems of relations, mobility of the population, new relation strategies, respectively new – casually virtual – forms of community; 3. the economic dimension: transformation of rural agriculture, project-based developments, economical migration, other individual and communal strategies.
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Patrimony, museum and communication all play a determining role in the everyday life of contemporary societies, on the international, national, regional or local level as well, starting with the creation and transmitting of social objects and meanings up to identity construction (production), economic and cultural resource production, experience production, leisure, and the list can go on forever. In the meantime – specifically because of their multiple level role in the process of society construction – these three have a common feature, which is they are all malleable notions, and regarding the different situations of application and interpretation, respectively the different levels of analysis, there can be divergent interpretations and even contradictions. And although all three notions are flexible enough to afford different interpretations, we cannot really talk about a consolidated approach on the international level regarding the concepts of patrimony and museum or the existence of communication (especially related to the fields of patrimony and museums). The present paper aims to draw attention to the fact that while the museum researches and exposes the difference of cultures, it does so in order to make us understand the other culture better, to assure a kind of interaction with it, and finally to make us consciously acquire the values of the “other”. So the museum has to educate and to transmit the culture of acceptance and equity.
The disappearance of the village as a social organisation with its own identity affects both the organisation and the living of everyday life and of special days, and the development of local traditions, including the folk customs associated with special days. The present study attempts to outline how the folk customs related to Christmas evolved in the life of the Hungarians of Sáromberke during the 20th century, and what impact the various economic, political and cultural processes had on the development of folk traditions related to Christmas.
An analysis of the development of Christmas-related customs reveals that there were at least three major turning points in the 20th century which deter- mined the evolution of local folk customs. The change of power after the First World War increased the role of folk traditions in preserving national identity and, at the same time, the role of the Church in preserving folk customs linked to the feast days. The establishment of the communist dictatorship led to the decline of Christmas traditions and the fading of their communal character. The celebration of Christmas was relegated to the walls of the church and to the confines of the family. The change of regime in 1989 had a stimulating effect on the life of the local community, and the revival of Christmas traditions began.
However, the evolution of Christmas customs was not only determined by the changes of regime and power that took place several times during the 20th century. The changing economic environment, the abandonment of the farm- ing and herding lifestyle, the emergence of mass media and globalisation have also left their mark on the way the festive season is celebrated.
K E Y W O R D S: folklore, special days, Christmas, chanting, St. István’s Day greeting, St. János’ Day greeting, nativity
In March 2020, as the result of the Coronavirus pandemic, there was a total lockdown, a period of quarantine, followed by restrictions of different shapes and sizes, all these determining the everyday life of the museums of Szeklerland in the last two years. The research is first of all of a revealing nature, its aim is to present a preliminary image on how the museums of Szeklerland are able to make progress in the domain of the digitalization of different activities, what was the impact of all these on the handling of the situation caused by the pandemic, respectively what kind of relations can be observed between digitalization and pandemic. It analyzes the way how the museums of Szeklerland were able to fulfil their duties in this difficult period; how their communication strategies were based on the Internet or the different channels of social media; how the pandemic had an impact on the museums regarding the process of digitalization, which are the stages of this process; respectively what duties and what challenges do they face regarding their digital transformation?
In order to understand, to narrate/describe the Covid-19 pandemic, to understand its functioning, to understand the world surrounding us, and to understand all those social practices, which have been transforming everyday life before our very eyes, we suggest the use – and the differentiation – of two notions: quarantine culture and pandemic existence. During their differentiation we start from the basic hypothesis that quarantine represents a transitory condition, which – even if it has brought significant changes on the level of everyday practices and created numerous patterns of cultural behaviour – regarding the social handling of the pandemic represents the level of quick decisions, taken in the rush of the given moment, but well defined in time. In the other hand pandemic existence represents a long-lasting condition, remaining continuously in the present, but being able to determine the future as well.
Patrimony, museum and communication all play a determining role in the everyday life of contemporary societies, on the international, national, regional or local level as well, starting with the creation and transmitting of social objects and meanings up to identity construction (production), economic and cultural resource production, experience production, leisure, and the list can go on forever. In the meantime – specifically because of their multiple level role in the process of society construction – these three have a common feature, which is they are all malleable notions, and regarding the different situations of application and interpretation, respectively the different levels of analysis, there can be divergent interpretations and even contradictions. And although all three notions are flexible enough to afford different interpretations, we cannot really talk about a consolidated approach on the international level regarding the concepts of patrimony and museum or the existence of communication (especially related to the fields of patrimony and museums). The present paper aims to draw attention to the fact that while the museum researches and exposes the difference of cultures, it does so in order to make us understand the other culture better, to assure a kind of interaction with it, and finally to make us consciously acquire the values of the “other”. So the museum has to educate and to transmit the culture of acceptance and equity.
The disappearance of the village as a social organisation with its own identity affects both the organisation and the living of everyday life and of special days, and the development of local traditions, including the folk customs associated with special days. The present study attempts to outline how the folk customs related to Christmas evolved in the life of the Hungarians of Sáromberke during the 20th century, and what impact the various economic, political and cultural processes had on the development of folk traditions related to Christmas.
An analysis of the development of Christmas-related customs reveals that there were at least three major turning points in the 20th century which deter- mined the evolution of local folk customs. The change of power after the First World War increased the role of folk traditions in preserving national identity and, at the same time, the role of the Church in preserving folk customs linked to the feast days. The establishment of the communist dictatorship led to the decline of Christmas traditions and the fading of their communal character. The celebration of Christmas was relegated to the walls of the church and to the confines of the family. The change of regime in 1989 had a stimulating effect on the life of the local community, and the revival of Christmas traditions began.
However, the evolution of Christmas customs was not only determined by the changes of regime and power that took place several times during the 20th century. The changing economic environment, the abandonment of the farm- ing and herding lifestyle, the emergence of mass media and globalisation have also left their mark on the way the festive season is celebrated.
K E Y W O R D S: folklore, special days, Christmas, chanting, St. István’s Day greeting, St. János’ Day greeting, nativity
In March 2020, as the result of the Coronavirus pandemic, there was a total lockdown, a period of quarantine, followed by restrictions of different shapes and sizes, all these determining the everyday life of the museums of Szeklerland in the last two years. The research is first of all of a revealing nature, its aim is to present a preliminary image on how the museums of Szeklerland are able to make progress in the domain of the digitalization of different activities, what was the impact of all these on the handling of the situation caused by the pandemic, respectively what kind of relations can be observed between digitalization and pandemic. It analyzes the way how the museums of Szeklerland were able to fulfil their duties in this difficult period; how their communication strategies were based on the Internet or the different channels of social media; how the pandemic had an impact on the museums regarding the process of digitalization, which are the stages of this process; respectively what duties and what challenges do they face regarding their digital transformation?
In order to understand, to narrate/describe the Covid-19 pandemic, to understand its functioning, to understand the world surrounding us, and to understand all those social practices, which have been transforming everyday life before our very eyes, we suggest the use – and the differentiation – of two notions: quarantine culture and pandemic existence. During their differentiation we start from the basic hypothesis that quarantine represents a transitory condition, which – even if it has brought significant changes on the level of everyday practices and created numerous patterns of cultural behaviour – regarding the social handling of the pandemic represents the level of quick decisions, taken in the rush of the given moment, but well defined in time. In the other hand pandemic existence represents a long-lasting condition, remaining continuously in the present, but being able to determine the future as well.
economic structure of Dumbrăvioara, a settlement situated on the southern margins
of Szeklerland, on the border between the Transylvanian Plain and Mureș region,
14 km from Târgu-Mureș and 18 km from Reghin. In many aspects the village is
developing dynamically and transforming rapidly, but otherwise is holding on to
its traditions, to the economic and cultural practices which are characteristic to
rural societies. The book aims to identify, to document and to interpret the changes
that have occurred within the economic and cultural structure of the communities,
having the impact of turning points in their life.
The research follows the transformation of the rural economy and environment
situated in the close vicinity of the urban agglomeration area, the external factors
and internal motivations that influence these processes of change, respectively the
impact of the latter on the social and occupational structure, on the structure of
economy, on the economic strategy options, but also on the evolution of the plot,
the dimensions, forms and materials of the buildings, of the size and composition
of the livestock.
The volume is divided into seven major chapters. The first three chapters present
the subject of the book, the sources and the methodology in use. In the same time they
sketch the theoretical framework used in the analysis, respectively the geographic,
administrative and cultural contexts of the settlement. The following three chapters
present the specific social, economic and cultural contexts. Among the factors
influencing the evolution of the settlement’s economic structure the author presents
the evolution of properties, lands, livestock, institutional structure, motorization
and industrialization; the chapter on social changes includes the evolution of
population, occupations, occupational structure, but also migration. The chapter
on cultural changes deals with alphabetization, the appearance of educational and
cultural institutions, respectively their impact on local culture and cultural life. Then
follows the chapter concerning the presentation of the evolution of the buildings in
the village, including the house and interiors, the outbuildings, the household and
the larger environment.
The last chapter of the volume presents the conclusions of the analysis, under
the form of theses.
The appendices include 6 maps, 80 contemporary or recent pictures, respectively
the copy of 5 documents, all closely related to the content of the book.
The Covid-19 pandemic is a social phenomenon, its existence depends on those individuals, communities and groups, which imagine it, describe it and create its rules. Social objects do not exist without the social acts creating them, fixing them in forms of inscriptions, neither without the mythology based on them, or the everyday practices related to them. In this context the pandemic is the result of social practice, a cultural formation. A specific situation of existence, which has a specific physiology and dynamic, which produces an experience, a sense of time different from the usual everyday life, respectively it is characterized by thematic, ideological, rhetorical, and communicational specificities. In one word: it produces a specific culture. The pandemic, as a phenomenon organizing life and producing its meanings, it infiltrates into individual and collective universes, becoming a part of local everyday routine, however it also starts the decomposing of the symbols and world concept of local communities. It revitalizes or on the contrary, changes the previous existential routines, generating specific conflicts (just think about mask wear or social distancing), resulting insecurity and the necessity of new interpretations.
While in the traditional rural society the life of the individual was lived under the supervision of the community, with its approval, today we cannot really speak about a real force of the tradition concerning the organization of personal life or the modelling of life course. In the 21st century even in the case of rural societies the routines of everyday life, the practices and strategies of (economic) life are determined by the processes of globalization and modernization, by informational and communication technologies, respectively the wide spreading of digital devices. What we consider the rural today is in fact a territorial unit with specific natural, landscape, economic and social conditions, with specific cultural characteristics, which have been formed during the centuries, but without any peasants any more, as there is only the memory of peasantry preserved within different shapes and institutions. The volume offers a selection of studies on this wide interpretation of rurality.
The major social and political changes resulted in the falter of the position of tradition and its drastic change in the 21st century. All these have started the degradation of the previous patterns of communities. Tradition and its sustaining social frame is in a constant change: in the 21st century even in rural communities everyday life is determined by the processes of modernization and globalization, respectively the wide spreading of the informational and communicational devices.
What happens to tradition in the classic meaning of the word, respectively what can be considered tradition in the era of existence built on translocal and transnational networks? What does tradition and everyday life mean in the times of accentuated trans-border migration and changing medial environment? Which are the social and economic consequences of the change of tradition on the level of local communities? How does it influence the conditions of ethnic cooperation?
The present volume presents a selection of the material of a conference on rurality in Transylvania organized in 2018. The conference desired to synthesize the research results on the Transylvanian rural area and rurality. The presentations aimed to understand how the communities of certain areas being on different stages of development have lived and interpreted the changes of the near past, what situations – similarities and divergences – were resulted by these changes on the level of everyday life, social relations and economic strategies.
Therefore the presentations of the conference desired to focus on three dimensions of changing ruralities: 1. the cultural dimension: identity, keeping tradition, loosing tradition, patrimonization, globalization; 2. the social dimension: modified systems of relations, mobility of the population, new relation strategies, respectively new – casually virtual – forms of community; 3. the economic dimension: transformation of rural agriculture, project-based developments, economical migration, other individual and communal strategies.