The annual event in the Romanian city of Tusnad featured several book launches organised by the League of Transylvanian Hungarian Writers, among them an anthology of Szekler literature.
Perhaps the anthology provides an answer to the question of whether there exists a separate Hungarian literature within the country?s borders as well as outside of them. The collection, which contains work by Vince Fekete, Attila György, Sándor Muszka, János Dénes Orbán and Attila Sátha, shows that which makes Szekler culture distinctive.
László Zelei and Géza Szőcs
The writer and poet Géza Szőcs, who is Hungary?s state secretary for culture, said a renewal of the language, akin to the language reform of Ferenc Kazinczy some 200 years ago, could be seen especially in the work of Sátha. The author?s work is a useful guide to for those who do not know the Szekler dialect, he added.
And what makes a text Szekler? One might think the use of Szekler words and expressions, but Sátha said it is rather one?s demeanor or one?s way of thinking in this region that make the heart of the work. The unique language is just an addition to this, he added.
A reading of János Dénes Orbán?s well known tale Misimackó also showed less of the local dialect than it did the way of thinking and the mentality of the Szeklers.
Attila György told humorous stories and anecdotes about Szeklerland and its inhabitants, and Sándor Muszka brought a kind of literary stand-up comedy to the stage.
One of the highlights of the Tusványos Summer Free University was the launch of Zoltán Böszörményi?s new book Deadly Sins. As the title suggest, the novel is about death, fear, sin and suffering.
Magdi Rúzsa
Among the musical offerings on the programme were performances by Magdi Rúzsa, Ferenc Demjén, Csík Zenekar and Bikini.
