Huszár Zoltán (szerk.): Kereszténység és államiság Baranyában (Pécs, 2000)
Bevezető
"Ch^ISfiANiJY AND SJAJEkOOD ÍN BA^ANjfA COUNTY" MILLENNIUM Ц|ИВф(Ш pÉCSVÁÍ^AD 2000-2001 The second millennium of Christianity and the first millennium of the Hungarian State seems a good time to come to terms with one's past, to look back in order to provide evidence of the responsibilities of later eras, to be proud of achievements and to learn from mistakes; and all this, if possible, as expressed through the power of objects, pictures and words. The unique form of transmission practiced by the museum world, that of exhibition and accompanying catalogue, is especially appropriate for this purpose. The aim of our exhibitions and catalogue is to introduce the appearance, spread and part played in the state machinery through those material and spiritual memorials held particularly important from the point of view of Christianity and Statehood, showing their position and role. The inhabitants of this region had already came into contact with Christianity at the time of the Roman Empire, in the 4th and 5th centuries AD, a fact borne out by the wealth of Early Christian archaeological finds unearthed in Baranya and Pécs alike. Christianity outlived the Roman Empire in Southern Transdanubia, and not only in the Latin rituals of its western form; the eastern form of Christianity is also represented through the observances of the Greek Church. One of the finest proofs of this is the 1 Oth- 11th century fresco of the Pécsvárad crypt, which displays a strong relationship to Byzantium. Later, as a result of the religious and state organizational activities of Stephen I, the bishopric of Pécs was one of the first to be founded. The situation was similar with the royal organization of counties. The Benedictine Order had a very important role in the area which extended beyond conversion to the spread of Christian culture, literacy and a modem economy. The choice of Pécsvárad to host our millennium exhibition is by no means a random one. The millennium exhibition Christianity and Statehood in Baranya County has three sections. The basic aim of “Baranya and Christianity (4—14th c. A. D.)” it to show the main trends of that period through the aid of archaeological artifacts discovered in the past decades. The photographic exhibition, “Architectural Remains of the Hungarian Christian State in Southern Transdanubia”, is primarily an exhibition of the Romanesque and early gothic examples of church architecture in the counties of Baranya, Somogy, Tolna and Zala, spread before us with the help of the perspective of the photographic artist’s lens. “The Culture of Vine-growing and Wine-making in Baranya” introduces the visitor to the characteristic world of vinegrowing and wine-making in Mediterranean Pannonia along with the all its accompanying special implements and equipment. Wine-making has been an economic activity in Europe for centuries and is now given deserved respect all over the world. Our catalogue, which publishes the material exhibits of the exhibition according to museological principals, has also provided space for related academic essays. In this way not only the visual spectacle but the academic background is also brought to light. In the name of all of my colleagues - museologists, restorers, photographers, graphics artists, collection handlers, exhibition directors -1 wish that you the visitor will enjoy your visit to our millennium program „Christianity and Statehood in Baranya County” and that it will leave you with a lasting memory that you can strengthen by taking this copy of the catalogue with you. Pécs-Pécsvárad, 24th April, 2000, St. George's Day Introduction "In the royal palace, the Church is second only to belief. (Admonitions of King Saint István I) Zoltán Huszár Director of the County Museums Directorate of the Museums of the County of Baranya
