Torsello, Davide - Pappová, Melinda: Social Networks in Movement. Time, interaction and interethnic spaces in Central Eastern Europe - Nostra Tempora 8. (Somorja-Dunaszerdahely, 2003)
Time and social networks
76 Davide Torsello combines the formal assembly of the Csemadok with leisure activities such as a banquet, a lottery, a concert, a theatre performance and the final discotheque. The first part of the event is reserved for members, even though the security guards would not object to anyone who wanted to enter. The second part is open to anyone who purchases a ticket. The following is an extract from my field notes. 27/12/2000. The atmosphere is warm and vivacious outside the Culture House. Cars and bikes are parked everywhere; it is chilly but there are so many young people around that one wonders where they come from. A band made up by high school students has come from Galanta to play and sing. There are three boys and five girls. They are all dressed quite elegantly. They are cheaper than a professional band, says Laci, and they are quite good. The hall is adorned with great care, with Christmas tree branches and coloured balls on the walls, coloured lamps and candles on the tables, even nice tablecloths! Everyone is elegantly dressed. Most of the attendants are young people, but there is a certain rigidity at the tables. They also admit it. Laci is busy with his large family table and he has no time for me. Gábor arrives only later with his girlfriend. They have no family table and they sit with me: “the table of the lonelies“, one jokes. Two friends of Nóra are invited from the village of Deáki. They swear they have never seen such a big event. [Deáki (Diakovce) is three times as big as Királyfa]. After the formal opening speech by the old Csemadok president, the new one is appointed. A simple cold meal (peppers, bread, ham and sausage) follows. Then the lottery. Everybody seems more relaxed now that the alcohol has started circulating. I have to leave the table and join the other men for a drink. “This is where the real fun starts“, they say. On the second floor there is a small kiosk. They all drink rum or pálinka. “Wine is for the family time“. They seem more relaxed and ready to joke. “You will see", says Laci, “the real buli [party] starts now".
