SZÉKELYS

Who are the Székelys really? What do we know about Székely Land? What ideas and beliefs do we have about the Székely people? What is the reality? How do the people of Székely Land see themselves? The SZÉKELYS - Patterns of Heritage temporary exhibition, organized by the Museum of Ethnography as part of the Liszt International Cultural Festival seeks to answer these questions through more than 300 objects preserved by Székely museums, and displayed in Hungary for the first time. The exhibition organised by 5 curators from Székely Land will be open to the public from 15.10.2024 until 31.08.2025, creating an extraordinary museum experience for visitors.

In the Middle Ages, Székely Land belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, and later to the Principality of Transylvania. Of its two distinct geographical territories, the larger one was located in the eastern corner of the Carpathian Mountains and included the regions of Marosszék, Udvarhelyszék, Csíkszék, and Háromszék (Scaunul Mureș, Odorhei, Ciuc and Trei Scaune), while the region of Aranyosszék (Scaunul Secuiesc al Arieșului) was an administrative unit located further to the west. The land of the Székely people was referred to as Ținutul Secuiesc by the Romanian neighbours, as Szeklerland by the Saxons, and as Siculia or Terra Siculorum in Latin historical works. After the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1867, the former internal division of the territory was abolished, and the Székely people lost their centuries-old right to self-determination. The geographically varied, hilly-mountainous region has a cold climate and, in most parts, a poor topsoil. For centuries, this environment has fundamentally shaped lifestyle, nutrition, clothing, construction, interior furnishing – and mindset as well. An energetic landscape, with many intellectual pathfinders and not infrequent outstanding achievements. The land of the Székely people has always been located on the outskirts of the Hungarian nation and considered to be a periphery. For the outsider, it may have looked backward; however, it has just been modernised in a different way. Its population still adheres to its inherited patterns more than others.

As a unique moment in the history of Hungarian museums, the multitude of objects preserved in various locations of Székely Land will be united in a single exhibition in Budapest to present the diversity of this historical region, from 19th century urbanisation to 21st century modern society. This large-scale, spectacular exhibition covering 700 square metres features objects and documents from the collections of almost every museum in Székely Land, providing access to a range of artefacts preserved in museums outside of Hungary. 7 large units, 77 stories, 14 documentary films, 100 photos, 10 museums - visitors can explore the past and the present of Székely Land in the capital city of Hungary.

The exhibition becomes a genuine networking hub, showcasing the region's cultural heritage: unique artefacts, as well collection practices, curatorial concepts and research come together, resulting in a new, creative product. This is made possible by an unusual bi-level access route, taking advantage of the height of the exhibition space. Visitors can walk around a platform from which they can explore the various themes and objects from different perspectives.

The Székelys - Patterns of Heritage exhibition showcases a variety of large objects rarely seen in exhibition spaces: a Fordson tractor, an 18th-century grain storage vessel carved from a single tree trunk, a Székely gate in the making, 6-8 metre long beams, and a wagon for transporting acidulous water. Alongside humorous objects such as a brandy warmer with a phallus-shaped handle, the heart-breaking stories of Székely Land are also told. A dowry from 1981 was made for a young bride who died in a gas explosion before she could move to Budapest to join her husband. The ballad of a girl from Csíkmadaras (Mădăraș) falling into a thresher has a happier ending. It turns out that the protagonist of this tragic folktale, which passed down orally through generations, miraculously recovered from an accident in the 1930s, married and had children. In addition to farming traditions, visitors can learn about regional gastronomy, religion and religious practices, handicrafts, and home industries being the cornerstones of survival, experiencing the past in an ongoing dialogue with the present.

As part of Romania, the 21st century Székely Land defines itself as a single region. The exhibition showcases three counties of Romania (Harghita, Covasna and Mureș) inhabited by Hungarians, while making the Székely culture’s constant state of transition and natural dynamics tangible for the visitors. Continuous change, progress, innovative thinking and the power of tradition are recurring themes. The exhibition also explores the strategic role of folk culture, customs, traditions and religion in preserving Hungarian identity - including Székely identity - to the present day.

Museums of Székely Land participating in the exhibition project:

Székely National Museum, Sfântu Gheorghe (SZNM)

Haszmann Pál Museum, Cernatul de Jos (HPM)

Incze László Guild History Museum, Târgu Secuiesc (ILCM)

Csángó Museum of Ethnography, Zăbala (CSNM)

Székely Museum of Ciuc, Miercurea Ciuc (CSSZM)

Haáz Rezső Museum, Odorheiu Secuiesc (HRM)

Museum of Ethnography, Viforoasa (HNM)

Mures County Museum, Târgu Mures (MMM)

Molnár István Museum, Cristuru Secuiesc (MIM)

Tarisznyás Márton Museum, Gheorgheni (TMM)

Chief curator of the exhibition: dr. István Kinda (SZNM)

Curators: Zsolt Gyarmati (Museum of Ethnography), dr. Zoltán Miklós (HRM), dr. Levente Szőcs (TMM)

Exhibition concept: Zsolt Gyarmati, dr. István Kinda, dr. Zoltán Miklós, dr. Levente Szőcs, dr. Ferenc Pozsony, dr. Tamás Sárándi, dr. András Vajda

Project Officer: Zsuzsanna Tasnádi

Visual design: Beatrix Kiss