For the first time, a series of events addressing Hungarians in the area is being organized in a city that is strongly considered a scattered village: the Hungarian Days on Máramarossziget awaits its audience at the end of the week. The organizers enrich the joy of community meetings not only with entertainment programs, but also with cultural, educational and other interesting community-building activities.
The Hungarian Days on Máramaros Island, taking place on July 14-16, are intended to help preserve and strengthen the identity of the local and historical scattered Hungarians living in Máramaros through cultural and entertainment programs. And he also wants to show that, despite the demographic losses, the Hungarians here are not discouraged
organizer Brigitta Zahoránszki explained to MTI.
"It is a fact that we have sad losses not only on Máramaros Island, but also in the entire Máramaros county. But we don't get discouraged and we don't lament, we continue the work"
Brigitta Zahoránszki declared. He emphasized that part of the work is also the Hungarian Days on Máramarossziget, when they can show
"a strong Hungarian community still lives in the city".
The idea of the event came up in 2021 to have a Hungarian festival in the other Hungarian-inhabited city of the region after Nagybánya, the county seat. The organization was undertaken by the local organization of the Romanian Hungarian Democratic Union (RMDSZ) in partnership with the churches, civil organizations and the Máramaros county organization.
"We tried to make the programs diverse, so that every age group can find something suitable for them"
said the organizer. There will be crafts, stilt walkers, archery, family and light music concerts, gastronomic demonstrations, lectures, and a women's café with invited experts.
An important aspect is the presentation of local values
, so the series of events debuts on Friday with a photo exhibition: old photos and postcards show what the Hungarian-inhabited settlements of the historic Máramaros were like, the former crown cities (Máramarossziget, Hosszúmező), the salt spa settlements (Aknasugatag, Rónaszék).
Rónaszék receives special attention in the program
, there will also be a presentation about the heyday and decline of the old salt bath. But Hosszúmező, the only settlement with a Hungarian majority in Máramaros, also presents its traditions and food. The village on the Ukrainian-Romanian border is the only one in the county where the number of Hungarians has increased in the last ten years.
On Friday, Simon Hollósy, a painter born in Máramarossziget and one of the founders of the Nagybánya Artists' Colony, will be commemorated at his public statue inaugurated two years ago.
A painting and graphics exhibition by a local student studying fine arts will be on display, and the students of the city's only Hungarian school, the Leöwey Klára Theoretical High School, will present their presentation for the Guardians of Our Heritage competition.
A panel discussion will be held with successful Hungarians from Máramarosziget living at home or elsewhere. What they have in common is that they all went to a Hungarian school and
with them, we are trying to break down the stereotype that those who attend Hungarian schools cannot prevail"
said Brigitta Zahoránszki.
The three-day program series takes place in the main square of the city, with the exception of the screening performances. According to the organizer, this is a symbolic place, the local Hungarians also send a message: they are proud of their Hungarianness.
The municipality is also a partner, the Romanian mayor of the city will also speak at the event.
"Interethnic conflicts are not typical in Máramaros County, the nations have lived side by side in peace here for centuries"
said Brigitta Zahoránszki. As an example, he mentioned that in 2021, both the Hungarian and Ukrainian names of the city were added to the name plates of the locality, although the proportion of neither community reaches 20 percent, after which the Romanian laws oblige the municipalities to do so.
In all respects, the Máramarossziget Hungarian Days, which will be organized for the first time and offer cultural, gastronomic, musical and children's programs, is filling in the gaps - said visual artist Zsolt Pintér, president of the RMDSZ's Máramaros county organization, when contacted by Krónika
"There has long been a need for a series of events that speak not only to the city, but also to the entire Hungarian community of the sub-region. The event addresses the entire Hungarian community here, regardless of age, through schools, churches and civil organizations," Zsolt Pintér pointed out.
On the eve of Hungarian Days on Máramarossziget, on Thursday, the audience can see the poetry and music performance of Cluj-Napoca theater artist Róbert Vass Vass and Norbert Székely Petőfi Live. From Friday, most of the programs take place on the main square, where Kacaj, Karaván and the Edda Tribute band will also perform during the weekend.
The detailed program can be viewed on the event's Facebook page.
MTI / Kronikaonline.ro
Photo: Visit Sighetu Marmatiei/Facebook
