Kecskés Péter (szerk.): Upper Tisza region (Regional Units of Open Air Museum. Szentendre, Szabadtéri Néprajzi Múzeum, 1980)

INTRODUCTION

loying identical materials and technology, of using original materials and their replacement, of the manner and the proportion in which elements may be substituted or added to. Use was made of experience gained by open-air museums in Europe, and assistance was granted from many institutions at home: the Ethnographical Museum, the Council of Ethnographical Open Air Museums, the Supervision of Monuments Board, the Ethnographical Research Group of the Hungarian Scientific Academy and the University Teaching Boards of Ethnography. In introducing the first completed regional unit, thanks must be expressed mainly to the Ethnographical Museum for its assistance in the research project, and to the Supervision of Monuments Board for its work in erecting the buildings. Growing interest in popular tradition and culture has created conditions favourable for the foundation of an ethnographical openair museum. However it seems as if there would be a race to keep up with changing pace of life, which causes peasant architecture to be demolished and domestic implements destroyed. The region called „Erdőhát" in County Szatmár was no exception, and change occured rapidly. The ensemble of buildings and objects from this small region comprises about 5000 items. It is hoped that this catalogus, and similar ones to follow, will help visitors to become acquainted with the historical past of the Hungarian people, with old traditions some of which are still alive indispensable for comprehending the altered life of the present. Szentendre, Oct. 1979. Dr. Albert Kurucz Director General 4