Nation-Building and Contested Identities - MEK

The Idea of the “Nation” in Transylvanisminating in merely material interests, not having connotation to any value whatsoever.Thus, a world-view based on the thesis that class consciousness isshaping society is presented as ideological, while the Transylvanists’ own thesisthat emphasized national consciousness is presented as being the only trueone, based on the “existing” mystical set-up of the world.Reményik also argues that failing to “hear the message of history”inherent in national consciousness results in historical mistakes, thus makingdirect reference to Béla Kun’s communist revolution, understood asbeing responsible for the ill-fate of the country and for the dissolution ofhistoric Hungary. He regards this outcome as a direct result of placingclass consciousness in front of national consciousness:In the moment of the collapse of historic Hungary, the new Hungarianrevolutionary leaders subordinated the interest of the nation to theirclass consciousness. … In the decisive moment, in the most inappropriatemoment, the problem of “social transformation” was the most importantfor them. 202.6 WHATISTHEHUNGARIAN IN TRANSYLVANIA?When narrowing their concepts of nationhood to the actual situation ofthe Hungarian minority in Romania, Transylvanist authors tended tobecome full of pathos, as if it was impossible to speak about their own situationwithout using poetic devices, emphasizing the drama of their condition.In a public conference, organized by the journal Pásztortûz, LajosBíró used a hyperbole even when speaking about exact historical data (thethousand years of Hungarian presence in the Carpathian basin), statingthat: “It is for one thousand five hundred (sic!) years that the sonorousHungarian words ring among these wonderful, exotic mountain crests.” 21In describing their own situation, Transylvanist writers emphasizedits distinctness from other, more common historic experiences of otherpeoples. It is this distinctiveness that explains their separate treatment andthe special tone. It also makes certain solutions rightful, which would beotherwise unacceptable. When speaking about the aggressive character ofnational consciousness, Reményik presented “seclusion” and “racial isolation”as necessary means for safeguarding the Hungarians in Romania:The combativeness of the national consciousness does not necessarilymean “offensive” character. Can the consciousness of the Hungarians herein Transylvania be otherwise than defensive, apologetic? Even the mostextremist chauvinism can only move within the boundaries of rightful selfdefense.We do not expect, and we do not prepare for, “political convul-49