News
How are we Hungarians?
from the viewpoint of our Estonian volunteer
I have been a volunteer working in, and around, Cristuru Secuiesc for the past 5 months. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of meeting a fair share of Hungarians in the region. I would describe the Hungarians in this area as a friendly and welcoming people, with a distinct identity, rich history, and colorful culture.
However, before I delve further into these topics, I would first like to mention something I found surprising when I first arrived here in Cristuru Secuiesc.
I hadn’t done much research before traveling here, so I was initially caught off guard by the fact that Hungarian is an official language in Romania, which is widely spoken in Transylvania. In many areas, including Cristuru Secuiesc Hungarian is actually the dominant language. It seems to me that the Hungarian community in Transylvania is committed to preserve its language and promote its use in all aspects of their daily life.
The Hungarian community in Transylvania has a long and complex history, dating back to the medieval era when Hungarian settlers first arrived in the region. I have learned that over the centuries, Hungarians have played a great part in the cultural, economic, and political life of Transylvania.
I also believe that the Hungarian community in Transylvania has a rich cultural heritage, which includes folk music, dance, and traditional crafts. These cultural practices have been preserved and celebrated through generations, and are an important part of the community’s identity. There is also a museum in the center of Cristuru Secuiesc that has many objects that display the cultural and historic diversity of the surrounding area.
In a nutshell, I think that the Hungarian community in Transylvania consists of a great group of people with both deep and complex history. The community’s contributions to Transylvania’s culture, economy, and society are significant, and its continued presence is essential to maintain the region’s unique and vibrant identity. As a volunteer working in Cristuru Secuiesc, I feel privileged to learn about this fascinating community and to have been welcomed into its midst. I wish everyone a great “Nemzeti ünnep!”
