Hungarian Studies Newsletter, 1975 (3. évfolyam, 6-8. szám)
1975 / 7. szám
ARTICLES (Continued from page 4) Following a brief introduction to Petoii as the creator of a new world of poetry, based on both the "graceful polished idiom" of Vörösmarty and the “tendency to bring poetic diction closer to the natural idiom,” CzigaViy launches into a study of the epic poem János Vitéz. Though recognized as one of the greatest among Hungarian poets, appreciation of Petőfi has suffered as a result of this popularity. Political manipulation has falsified and continues to falsify his oeuvre. Though widely translated, he has been singularly ill-served by these interpreters. The case of János Vitéz abroad, sketched by CzigaViy, is an example: the poor translation of Bowring, based on the well-meaning yet intentionally butchered version of Kertbeny led tosuch damming criticism in the Anthenaeum that Pulszky’s efforts were not even considered by this prestigious English journal. Yet, even if adequate translations had existed, it is questionable whether the English public would have responded: even the Hungarian public tended to take the poem at face value and miss its subtler beauties. At first, Hungarian critics were concerned with establishing its genre or analyzing its style and vocabulary. Occasionally, it was read as an attempt to create a “Hungarian universe.” Marxist interpretation makes Janos a symbol for the emergence of the Hungarian peasant and working class. Czigány argues that the poetic quality of the masterpiece lies in the strength of “loyalties that all ... changes and chances failed ... to break." Jancsi’s unfaltering devotion to lluska gives the poem both artisitic unity and epic dimensions. Furthermore, the author states that Petőfi succeeds in “fulfilling the desire of the ‘people’ for a better life... without leading them into a cheap escapist world” for he suggests, through the metaphor of Fairyland, that human happiness is available to all in love. Petőfi, in his népies work, contributed to that 19th century movement which soughttovitalizeculturebyseekingoutand preserving the Volksgeist. He was also a leader in the second, politically motivated phase: the incorporation of the people in the nation. János Vitéz belongs to the first phase; his life and death, as well as much of his later writing, to the second.□ Gilberg, Trond, “Ethnic Minorities in Romania under Socialism,” East European Quarterly VII (Jan.1974) 435-458. There has been increasing pressures for the eradication of national differences in Romania, including the closing of Hungarian language schools. Of late, the emphasis has shifted to “fraternal” relations among the nationalities rather than assimilation. Pressures such as urbanization, industrialization and education are the real forces working against the retention of national identities. For example, though the Hungarian and the German nationalities are overrepresented in secondary schools, they are underrepresented in institutes of higher education. The Romanian segment made the greatest advancements in all areas, mostly at the expense of the Hungarian and German sectors. Data on cultural assimilation is spotty, and thus no in-depth study is possible. The question is a sensitive one, yet the evidence of the use of the native language seems to suggest that socio-economic assimilation does not necessarily lead to a greater social assimilation. What seems to be a probable development is that large numbers of well-educated Hungarians and Germans become a local elite who may counteract assimilation tendencies. □ Rezler, Julius, “Industrial Relations Systems in Hungary after the Economic Reform,” Annuaire de l’URSS et des Pays Socialistes Europeens 1972-1973, 385-404. “The purpose of this study [is] to establish the relationship between the economic system and IRS in Hungary and ... to examine the legal and organizational framework of industrial relations which resulted from the recent economic reforms." Following a brief review of IRS in Hungary both before and after the war, Professor Rezler turns to examine the hybrid nature of the new system which has restored to management and to labor unions some of their traditional roles. The three factors in industrial relations - government, management and enterprise - are closely interwoven. The machinery for settling conflicts among the industrial relations organizations exists, but most of the serious disagreements are solved by the loyalty members of each group owe to the Party, since Party membership is a requisite for any leading position. Conflicts of interest may still come up, and the labor unions are needed to represent the workers’ point of view. The regulatory system is dependent on the labor code, governmental decrees, collective agreement, labor contracts, administrative rules, safety and health regulations and rules regulating welfare and cultural facilities. Industrial disputes are settled by a local tribunal and may be appealed to a regional one. The author concludes that though the IRS of the new industrial mechanism shows promise, its objectives have only partially been achieved. The authority of management over its work force has gained more in principle than in practice. Collective agreement has been restored to its original function, yet most of the important bargaining terms are outside its scope, and the participation of the workers in this area has been disappointing. The regulatory process is still too complicated, cumbersome and bureaucratic, and its decentralization and simplification has been achieved least by the new system. □ Rezler, Julius, “The Rebirth of Sociology in Hungary,” East European Quarterly VIII (June 1974) 223-229. This is an in-depth review of the thirteen papers published in Paul Halmos and Martin Albrow (eds.) HUNGARIAN SOCIOLOGICAL STUDIES (The SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW Monograph, No. 17) Keele, England: U. of Keele, February 1972. See HSN no. 2. □ UNESCO Features, a biweekly bulletin issued for the news media has a special number entitled Report from Hungary (no. 670/671, 1974) and contains articles and interviews on ten different subjects. Pierrette Posmowski, editor of UNESCO Features, and Bertha Gaster, an English journalist, interview experts in various subject areas and are writing about the Celtic heritage in Hungary; the role of women; the use of electronics in primary schools; water resources; the problem of salty soils; the Hortobágy National Park; French- Hungarian exchange of school children; music appreciation; the open air ethnographic museum; excavations at Buda castle; and announce the publication of Kodaly’s Principles in Practice by Erzse'bet Szónyi (Corvina Press, 1974). For a copy of the bulletin write to UNESCO, 7, place de Fontenoy, 75700 Paris, France □ NO. 7, 1975 HUNGARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER 5
