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“Do not forget that tomorrow, today’s tool is already history” /Franz
Dankovics
In Burgenland today there are several ethnic groups, among them Croatian and
Hungarian. But German-speaking Hianzen still live behind the Hungarian border. A
museum in Rábafüzes tells their story. The first Hianzenmuseum in
Raabfidisch/Rábafüzes was opened in Hungary.
The village (of approximately 400 inhabitants) is today a part of the town
Szentgotthárd. There are still about 50 people who speak "Hianzisch".
A museum was devoted to them and their forefathers in what was formerly the
village school.
Memorial to the farmer culture and the Hianzen
The ethnological collection's foundation stone was laid by the former principal
Ferenc Dankovics and his wife in the sixties. On 26th May 1986 the collection
was opened to the public in the school building. After Ferenc Dankovics' death,
the collection was also extended and, after years of hardship, it came under the
maintenance of the Local Government of the German Minority and the Branch
Library in Rábafüzes. The present exhibition room was provided by the local
government as a final place, and after being redesigned opened its gates to the
public.
In the meantime, 500 exhibits have been assembled with years of hard work. The
whole inventory is labeled in Hungarian, German, and Hianzisch.
Contacts in Burgenland
Until World War II, the population of Rábafüzes had close contact with their
neighbours in Burgenland. The place was pulsing, says the village eldest, 86
year old Paula Nagy Vincené. "There were 5 guesthouses in our village, 3
were outside in Bergen. Then there was another guest house next to the border
that already belonged to Burgenland - we also went there to dance", says
the 86 year old.
Female Choir of Rábafüzes
In 1976 the Female Choir in Rábafüzes was formed, which has faithfully
maintained the song lore of the village and the surrounding areas ever since
then. The songs are also presented in vernacular "Hianzisch". The
founder and leader of the choir is Magdolna Unger, and its harmonica accompanist
is her sister, Edit Unger. The choir has 2 albums so far.
Hianzenmuseum
Rábafüzes/Raabfidisch
Kodály Zoltán út 2
Opening hours:
Wednesday: 11 am - 4 pm
Friday: 12 noon - 6 pm
By previous agreement, another appointment is also possible.
Phone: +36-30-5686861
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