The Preservation of Kalotaszeg Peasant Embroidery in Churches and the Current Display Dilemma (Accepted)

Type of Abstract (select):

Abstract (max. 250 words):
Of late there has been an important debate in the Hungarian Reformed churches regarding the display of the donated Kalotaszeg embroidery following the restoration work in two of the most iconic in the region Văleni/Magyarvalkó and the market town, centre of Kalotaszeg, Huedin/Bánffyhunyad. This issue of display/non display of peasant, national, traditional, hand sewn donations carries considerable emotional attachment and rather unlocks the issue of heritage today as a whole. Firstly the historical background to the embroidery donations, which commemorate life events in a religious context, will be outlined before focusing on the discussion which began before the renovations were finished and the decisions taken in 2021 not to display the peasant sewing donations when the churches reopened. The public response, virtually on Facebook, has spread to local and online newspaper articles. Conservators, ethnographers, ministers and local sewing culture researchers have all taken part. The debate touches women’s issues, identity, respect, tradition, religion, and heritage. The search for solutions is on. The hope is to turn the negative into a positive and further underline the importance of crafts specific to the region.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
I am Sara J. Meaker an independent scholar living in Kalotaszeg,Transylvania with a special interest in the arts and crafts movement in Kalotaszeg and  Kalotaszeg peasant embroidery in particular. Last year I co-authored a book with Újvári Dorottya about one of the great movers and shakers of the Kalotaszeg embroidery in the region between the two world wars, Kónya Gyuláné Schéfer Teréz and her Kalotaszeg pattern collection research and many creations. The significance of this Hungarian Reformed minister’s wife, active in Văleni/Magyarvalkó between the world wars, had generally gone unrecognised.