Székelykapuk (Székely Gates): Artistic Treasures of Hungarian Folk Heritage 

Printed in Hungary 

Language of the book is Hungarian  

ISBN: 963692211X / 9789636922115 / 978-9636922115

Product Type: Photographic Art Book  

Szerző: Sarudi Sebestyén József
Fotózta: Olasz Ferenc

!!! condition of the book is used very good !!!

Overview

This stunning photographic collection by Olasz Ferenc presents the uniquely beautiful carved gates of the Székely people, an ethnic Hungarian group in Transylvania (Romania). These gates represent a remarkable branch of folk art that is unparalleled worldwide. Published in 1989 by Hunnia Filmstúdió Vállalat in Budapest, the book documents over a decade of the photographer's work capturing these ornate wooden structures. The Székely gates combine pre-Christian pagan symbols with later Christian motifs, creating a rich tapestry of Hungarian cultural expression. Beyond their artistic value, these gates stand as poignant symbols of cultural identity and resistance in the face of the Romanian communist regime's systematic destruction of villages during that era.

Product Features

• Format: Hardcover art book
• Pages 140
• Publication Date: 1989
• Publisher: Hunnia Filmstúdió Vállalat (Budapest)
• Editor: Steinert Ágota
• Design: Murányi Zsuzsa
• Content: Extensive photographic documentation of carved Székely gates from numerous Transylvanian villages
• Additional Content: Biblical quotes, literary excerpts, and scholarly commentary
• Price (Original): 590 Ft (Hungarian Forints, at time of publication)
• Special Features: Detailed index of locations featuring Hungarian place names with Romanian equivalents

Interesting Facts

This remarkable collection holds particular historical significance as it documents traditional Székely gates during a period when they were under threat by Nicolae Ceaușescu's "systematization" program, which aimed to destroy thousands of traditional villages in Romania. The photographer, Olasz Ferenc, spent over a decade meticulously documenting these masterpieces of folk art, capturing not just their physical beauty but preserving evidence of a cultural heritage that faced potential erasure.

The ornate decorative elements found on these gates reveal a fascinating cultural synthesis—they incorporate symbols from pre-Christian pagan traditions that have persisted for over a millennium, blended with Christian imagery adopted later. This visual language tells the story of a people who have maintained their cultural identity despite centuries of political changes and challenges.

The Székely people have a unique historical position as guardians of Hungary's eastern borders for nearly a thousand years. As a military frontier population, their history has been marked by continuous struggle and sacrifice. This context makes their elaborate gates all the more remarkable—these ornate structures, adorned with birds, flowers, and cosmic symbols, represent moments of peace and joy amid historical hardship, embodying the community's resilience and creativity.

The book includes contributions from major Hungarian literary and cultural figures, including the prominent Transylvanian writer András Sütő and quotes from Áron Tamási, adding important cultural context to the visual material. The timing of this publication in 1989—the same year as the Romanian Revolution and the fall of communist regimes across Eastern Europe—gives it additional historical significance as a cultural document from a pivotal moment in regional history.

Publishers

Published by Hunnia Filmstúdió Vállalat, Budapest, 1989. Printed by Népszava Kiadó Vállalat, Ságvári Printing House in Budapest, with binding work done by Kossuth Printing House's Gutenberg Workshop. The publication was supervised by Simó Sándor (publisher) and Szilágyi Tamás (print director).

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