Magyar Hírek, 1984 (37. évfolyam, 2-26. szám)
1984-07-21 / 14-15. szám
A Concert in the Rotunda The medieval pictures and the baroque ceiling frescoes after restoration This is neither an ordinary concert, nor an ordinary rotunda. Members of the choir of the Szeged Bartók Béla Cultural Centre, and brass players of the Szeged section of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music went to Kiszombor to make the commemoration of World Historic Monuments Day more festive in County Csongrád. Neither is it mere chance that the people of the County commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Venice Charter — the international agreement on principles of restoration of historic monuments in Kiszombor a small village near Szeged. For this rotunda is one of the perhaps oldest, but certainly most beautifully restored circular churches of Hungary. Some of the experts think that the time of construction of the church was around 1380, when one of the frescoes of the church was painted; others, bearing in mind traces of certain alterations, and historical data, put the date of construction at around 953. The County Csongrád official of the supervising department of the National Supervisory Authority of Historic Monuments, Károly Bugár- Mészáros, an architect, responsible for excavations and restorations in two counties, holds that latter opinion. Right now he is explaining how names preserve the footprints of history even for a thousand years. Zombor, grandson of Árpád Tétény was the fifth son of Árpád. His son was Horka. Horka had two sons, one of them Zombor, and the other Prok. This Prok had a daughter, Sarolta, who married Géza. Vajk, later István was their son. As the name suggests, the grandson of Árpád, Zombor built the church of Kiszombor. He was the gyula, the supreme commander of the army, second to the prince, whose direct control extended from the regions East of the River Tisza and perhaps included Transylvania right to the line of the Carpathians. The place-name Zombor has preserved the memory of Árpád’s grandson in many districts, and his churches prove that Zombor was Christian. Zombor journeyed to Constantinople in 953, where he espoused Christianity, and renewed the alliance agreement with Constantine Romanus, who — as his godfather — showered gifts on the guest from the distant land. When Zombor returned the same year, bishop Hierotos came with him, and also an architect, so he could immediately start on building churches. Rotundas, churches of a circular groundplan, were built at Kiszombor, and in many other places along the boundaries of Zombor’s territory, for instance at Karcsa (near Sátoraljaújhely), Gerény (close to Ungvári and Kolozsmonostor. In the course of time, the relatively small rotundas were extended to bigger churches, and what had been complete churches became sanctuaries of churches added later. The ancient small church of Kiszombor came to be discovered by the historical monuments people in the course of repairs to the building. The preliminary work of restoration began in 1975, followed by the actual restoration in 1979. The rotunda was separated from the church and it gained back its original shape, its frescoes were cleaned and restored, and the building was furnished. The restoration also helped with trendy liturgical practices, permitting the mass to be said facing the congregation. „Let us rejoice" Work was finished last December, but the real opening, of the rotunda only took place on the date of World Historic Monuments Day, when Viadana’s Jubilant Psalm and Arcadelt’s Ave Maria were sung within the ancient walls. “Let us rejoice indeed that the number of our architectural treasures increased by yet another one.” What matters now is the future. “The historic monument church of Deszk will also have to be decently restored, — then there is a beautiful burgherhouse in Szentes, Petőfi utca 9. There is also an other at Gyula, which we may open in about a year’s time, complete with the original furniture and ornaments. Even the old clothes are there, and the whole of the family archives have been preserved.” Károly Bugár-Mészáros is never tired of listing the tasks awaiting him. I would not have believed there were still so many historic buildings in the County, and that besides the many restored ones so many are still in need of restoration. Dr. Miklós Horler, architect and scientific secretary explains: “The concept of historic monument continues to extend, in two senses. Today not only churches, castles and manor houses are considered as historic monuments, but also valuable and characteristic examples of folk, industrial and agricultural architecture. In addition, the concept also enlarged in time. Not only what was built before the 20th century is seen as a historic monument to be cared for, and if necessary restored, but any building, even if constructed in our century, if it merits it.” László Garami The restored votive frescoes are reminders of an 18th century plague A Hungarian pioneer of oriental studies Sándor Csorna was born in Kőrös, in the County Háromszék, Transylvania, and was educated at the famous old college of Nagyenyed. In the English speaking world he is known as Alexander Csorna de Kőrös, the name which appears on the title pages of his books. This was the place where the idea of exploring the country where the Hungarians originated first began to obsess him. Lectures he attended later, during his two years stay at the university of Gottingen, further fired his determination. There he learnt about historic sources in oriental languages, the data of which could, perhaps, guide him in his search. Csorna started out from Nagyenyed determined to find the ances tors of Hungarians in the Orient. He reached northern India by way of Beirut, Teheran, Buchara and Kabul. Chance gave his fate an unexpected direction there. British interest in Tibet, included also the language and culture of that country. A British agent responsible for Inner Asian affairs persuaded Csorna to immerse himself into the study of Tibetan. He boldly embarked on the venture, the realization of which was accompanied by many hardship and tribulations. He compiled the first dictionary of the Tibetan language, and contributed countless articles to Tibetan linguistics and culture. Csorna, who was proud of his Székely-Hungarian origins, looked on his scholarly achievements as only an episode in his life. The desire to find the ancient home of his people continued to obsess him. He set out on the journey to Inner Asia at the age of fifty eight, with unbroken enthusiasm. He felt sure he would find the place where his youthful dreams would come true. The vision of the ancient homeland 62
