Living history
In more and more of of our exhibition units, you can now encounter historical figures in period costumes and gain a closer insight into the lives of those who once lived there. What is living history?
In the main square of a small town in Transylvania, a peasant woman hurries to the post office, where the postmistress helps her send a letter, while in the fashion store, the saleswoman flirts with female customers, and serious men argue, discuss politics, and gossip in the Korzó café...
Living History has become a vibrant feature of the Skanzen in recent years, and in 2022 it moved to the Transylvania building complex.
What is Living History about?
Walking around the square, visiting the courtyards, or peeking into the houses, many people had the opportunity to meet the "people who live here." If we strike up a conversation with them, we can learn many interesting things about how and where they live. But they also let us in on their everyday worries, sorrows, and joys. If we are open enough and willing to "play along," we can really feel like we are walking the streets of a small town from the last century.
Where does Living History come from?
The idea of Living History was conceived years ago when the Upland Market Town exhibition unit was built. Known as "living history" in Western European open-air museums, it is a popular form of museum education and knowledge transfer. Not only because it is entertaining, but also because it appeals to both adults and children alike. The aim of the open-air museum was to bring the life of a region to life for all visitors throughout the season. The architectural environment of the museum naturally provided the backdrop of the last century.
What was happening in the main square and ‘behind the walls’?
The many small scenes and dialogues that unfolded could be pieced together into a coherent story for the observant visitor.
How did we come up with the story?
The overarching framework and script for the scenes were written by a theatrical dramaturg, while the background of the town's life, the buildings, and the stories of former residents were provided by the Skanzen's museologists and ethnographers. At the Skanzen, we often research the family history associated with each house, and we also used this information when developing the storylines. Thus, the characters partly recounted the real history of the houses and flashed back to moments in the lives of their former inhabitants. We ultimately created their characters by combining many fictional elements, and the costumes were also made based on this.
Why did we choose to portray them?
When compiling the story, it was important that it reflect, in some form, the social stratification characteristic of small towns in Transylvania.
After all, the goal was to use the residents to convey as much knowledge and interesting facts as possible that we had uncovered during our ethnographic and museological work, whether it was about the interior of a house or the role of its residents in the town. Among others, Lajos Dávid, postmaster, Mór Hirsch, master printer, Gabriella Lengyel, the first female pharmacy assistant, and Károly Keresztes, a typical figure of the Hungarian intellectual society in Transylvania after the Treaty of Trianon, were included as important figures in the town.
Why did we choose this program to present the small Transylvanian town?
One of the aims of the Skanzen is to enable visitors to learn about the architecture, lifestyle, and culture of the villages and towns reconstructed in the museum in a playful, interactive, and entertaining way at more and more points throughout the museum. This allows us to unconsciously absorb information that is less accessible or less likely to capture our attention through traditional means. Beyond all this, Living History appeals to everyone, regardless of age, background, or interests. The production, which features both professional and amateur actors, is always a big hit with visitors to the Skanzen.
Will Living History continue at other locations?
Yes, from 2025, the Upland Market Town also joined the series of living history attractions.
A poignant dialogue brings to life the era of the phylloxera epidemic, when the destruction of the vineyards sealed the fate of entire communities.
The scene not only shows the desperate attempts at defense and the last glimmers of hope, but also how phylloxera drove people who had lost their livelihoods to America.
Discover this living moment in history, where the drama of 19th-century wine destruction is brought to life through personal stories.
TIP: Would you like to walk around wearing the clothes of the turn of the century? Find our Dressing-up site in the courtyard of the Fashion Store!
