 Hungarians' celebration in Cluj rose up anger among Romanian nationalists. Photo: Clujeanul.ro Such young people were borne on the threshold of the 1989 Revolution and had no experience of the ethnic history of this city. Yet they were raised in an era when, until 2004, this city was led by a mayor of nationalist conviction who was strongly anti-Hungarian. Romanians, Szeklers and MagyarsA few weeks previously Kosovo's declaration of independence led to renewed calls for 'Szekler' autonomy within Translivania. The visitor arriving in Cluj is likely to hear Hungarian being spoken almost as frequently as Romanian. For those who venture deep into eastern Transylvania – the counties of Covasna and Harghita which, in the context of Romania as a whole are as central as you can get – it will be difficult to find any local who speaks Romanian as their first language if at all. The Szekely form approximately 45% of the Hungarian minority in Romania the remainder being Magyars. In Covasna and Harghita they comprise 74% and 84% of the populations respectively. Cluj, or Kolosvar as it is known to Hungarians, is the historic capital of Transylvania. The demographic trends of the city suggest a tide of migration over the last century. In 1850 the city had a population of a little under 20,000 just over 20% of whom were Romanian and 63% who were Hungarian. By 1910 the Hungarian majority had swelled to in excess of 80% peaking in 1941 at 86% by which time the city's total population stood at 114,984. Since that time the ethnic balance has reversed with Romanians now comprising an estimated 80% of current inhabitants. To understand… go back over timeTo understand this linguistic and ethnic anomaly it becomes necessary to appreciate a little Transylvanian history. It's unclear from where the Szekely came from but it is likely that they are descended from the Huns who settled in their land before the Magyars came to this country. It's simplest to consider them as a Hungarian speaking ethnic minority in their own right the language having been adopted over time. Originally a medieval warrior race the Szekely resisted servitude under the peasant/nobility relationships that existed during the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of which Transylvania was apart. To understand the relationship between Romanians and Hungarians in Transylvania you have to add some spice from centuries of the past: the role of the Turkish Ottoman Empire; the ascendancy of Romanian influence and power after both World Wars 1 and 2; the role of the communist regime, which, in 1952 created a Hungarian Autonomous Province before dissolving it in 1968; and lots more of Transylvanian, Romanian and Hungarian history. Accommodate diversity and share a multicultural futureIt's doubtful that those youths who engaged in aggression on the streets of Cluj a week ago knew anything of this city's ethnic history. It's rather sad that they were both young and ignorant. They and any others like them should ponder on what this city is and what future they want for themselves and their children. History has to be understood and respected… but also there are times when a line has to be drawn under it. In 1995 Hungary renounced all territorial claims to Transylvania and Romania confirmed acknowledgement of the rights of ethnic minorities. Some thirteen years later both countries are neighbours within the European Union. That provides a common future for young people regardless of ethnic origin or language. Cluj and Transylvania are multi-cultural entities; Transylvania has a historic identity of its own but within this country called Romania. The line under history has been drawn. |
