Finno-Ugric relationship – a kinship or a possibility for internationality?

Since all the informants were students in Finno-Ugric department in ELTE, it is especially rel-evant to examine what significance does the Finno-Ugric kinship have in their identity con-structing process. The informant’s motives for studying Finnish language varied, but neverthe-less, all of them were studying Finnish and Finno-Ugric culture to some extent. Some of them studied Finnish as their major, some as their minor. Some informants even described their Finn-ish more fluent than EnglFinn-ish and felt more comfortable conducting the interview in FinnFinn-ish.

The fact that Hungarian language belongs into a same ethnolinguistic group with Finland and other Finno-Ugric peoples, can create a feeling of kinship. Some of the informants were also studying other Finno-Ugric languages in addition, but it was mainly Finnish language that they brought up in their interviews. This might also have been a result of my position as a researcher.

Since I am a Finnish, the interviewees might have stressed the meaning of Finnish language in their speech, or they might have felt, that is natural to talk about the connection between Finland and Hungary, since they were talking to a Finnish person.

Belonging into a same ethnolinguistic group, and feeling a kinship as a result, was not always the reason the informants had chosen to study Finnish. Sometimes the reason was simply prac-tical. As an example, couple of informants were hoping to move to Finland in the future in order to find better job opportunities and improve the quality of their life. However, it is valid to question, if the kinship effects on the background of their choices, whether or not they brought it up in their interviews. The fact, that they are offered and opportunity to study Finnish, and other Finno-Ugric languages in their University, reveals, that this kinship has at least somewhat meaning. When discussing with the informants, Finland was often seen superior to Hungary.

This conception was often based for example on the feeling, that Finland has a better social security system and highly valued education system.

Although kinship with Finland was not the only reason for the informant’s interest towards Finland, it played a big role in it. Some informants did emphasize the importance if kinship, and even felt that it is not appreciated enough in Hungary. As an example, Gergő was highly interested in Finno-Ugric kinship, and was unhappy, that it is not recognized in Hungary more.

...and I think Hungarians should more, should more, should respect Hungarian culture, but also respect other cultures and learn how to find other cultures beautiful and important, and I think many Hungarians recognize the Finno Ugric family thing as a lie, or a false thing, and I would like to do something for to

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really accept this theory, or a fact, that we are Finno Ugric speaking people, and we should pay more attention to our kinship. (Interview 5: Gergő)

Gergő underlines the importance of Hungarian culture, but also connects it strongly in other Finno-Ugric cultures. He considers Hungarian culture as a part of Finno-Ugric culture and cul-tural heritage. To him, being part of Finno-Ugric peoples, is a significant part of his identity.

Most of the time the informants considered the connection between Hungary and other Finno-Ugric cultures mainly through language and linguistic terms. However, some of them noted, that there might also be a cultural connection, especially when thinking about ancient culture and for example shamanism. It is notable, that due to their studies, most of the informants al-ready had some conceptions of this connection, and due to that, their conceptions were also based on facts, not only on their own feelings. One informant, Flóra, explains, that during her studies, she has learned that there are some cultural similarities Finno-Ugric peoples share if the question is examined in historical terms. She also points out, that there was an attempt in Hungary to imitate Finnish folklore, in the form of their “own Kalevala”.

Joo, voi olla siis, niin kun perinteisessä kulttuurissa, jos siis mennään takaisin shamaaniuskoon, tai niin kuin kansanuskoon asti, siis voi olla kyllä. Ja siis niin kuin mytologiassa. No, vaikka niin kuin Kalevala on ihan erilaista, kuin esimerkiksi unkarilainen. Ja siis mä opiskelin unkarin kirjallisuutta, ja puhuttiinkin ehkä siitä, että ei ole sellaista unkarilaista, niin kuin Kalevala, ja sitten niin kuin yritettiin keinotekoisesti tehdä, että ois, mutta siis ei ollut niin kuin, joku niin kuin kirjoittaja, mutta ei folkloristi, yritti tehdä, että sellaista. (Interview 10: Flóra.)

(Well, yes there can be, in mean in traditional culture, if we go back to shamanism, I mean all the way to folk religion, yes, there can be. And in mythology. Well, Kalevala is a whole different thing than for example Hungarian…Well I studied Hungarian Literature, and we were maybe talking about it that there is no Hungarian… similar to Kalevala, and then they tried to artificially create, so we would have, but it was not like, some writer, but not folklorist, tried to make…so like that.)

Partly due to the fact, that the informants had already studied Finno-Ugric languages and cul-tures, they found it difficult to give an objective comment, if they felt like there is a connection between Hungary and other Finno-Ugric cultures. They already knew that the connection exists, at least through language.

Several of the informants had stayed in Finland for longer periods as a part of their studies, and some of them even saw their future in Finland. They felt that studying Finnish language would enable them to move to Finland to find better job opportunities. In addition, that some of the informants saw Finland as a good place to live in general, they emphasized the fact that Finland and Hungary are both Finno-Ugric countries, and therefore it felt easier to think about moving to Finland than somewhere else. As an example, Virág points out, how belonging to a same,

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Finno-Ugric group creates a feeling that Finland is a good place for a Hungarian person, since Finland also emphasizes the bond.

Yes, I heard, that to be a Hungarian one, that to be in Finland is the best, because they also keep this relation before their eyes, that yes, we are further, but we had history, and we lived near each other, and yes, language is similar to each other in some ways, intonation… (Interview 4: Virág.)

To some of the informants, Finland was the only option, when they thought about temporarily or permanently migrating abroad. It is evident, that language has a significant effect on this, since for some of the informants, Finnish was the only language they spoke fluently in addition to Hungarian. Therefore, it is natural that Finland would be their choice if moving abroad to work or study. There were also informants, who wanted to move to Finland permanently.

Joo, siis mä haluaisin, tai siis olisin iloinen, jos se onnistuisi, koska haluaisin asua, siis pidän suomen kielestä ja kulttuurista sit, se on lähempänä minua, kuin unkarilainen kulttuuri, joo sit, ja tietysti ne ovat stereotyyppejä, joka suomalaisista on, ne ovat niin kuin hiljaisempia ja rauhallisempia. Mutta mulle se on vielä tärkee, että annetaan niin kuin tilaa yksilölle, myös niin kuin yksilölle, joo tietysti unkarilaisessa kulttuurissa se on vähän erilainen, että halutaan niin kuin puuttua ehkä elämään ja… (Interview 10: Flóra)

(Yes, so I would like to, or I would be happy, if it would work out, because I would like to live, I mean I like Finnish language and culture, and then it is closer to me as Hungarian culture, and so, of course these are stereotypes that we have about Finnish people, they are like quieter and calmer. But for me it is also important that they give space for individuals, also for individuals, yes of course in Hungarian culture it is a little bit different that they want to sort of interfere your life and…)

To conclude, Finno-Ugric kinship had a significant meaning to the interviewees, and it was often emphasized as a part of one’s identity. However, as stated before, this kinship might have more meaning to these informants, since they were students in the Finno-Ugric department of the University. Some informants emphasized the ethno-linguistic kinship itself, and considered it as a valuable thing itself, that should be taken on account more. Some of the informants were hoping to migrate to Finland permanently or temporarily. For them, Finland, and ethno-linguis-tic kinship with Finland, was a possibility to be mobile and international. Thus, it can be said, that for some of the interviewees, Finland appeared as a gateway to the world.

46 4.2. Being global

4.2.1. “Not quite east, not quite west” – A country between the East and West?

The informants were asked, where they would place Hungary, if they had to choose between Eastern-Europe, Western-Europe and Middle-Europe. They were also given an option to invent a term of their own, if they did not feel that any of the above would describe Hungary. The informant’s answers were divided. Placing their home country had a lot to do with how they define themselves as Hungarians. Therefore, this issue is strongly linked to national identity, which is analyzed in chapter 4.1.1. As an example, as Bogáta was defining her national identity, she approached the question by thinking of her experiences abroad, where she had felt strongly as a Hungarian.

Yes, and I was quite far from home, most people did not even know about my home…and I think, and I realized that Hungarians have this very Middle-European mindset, I was always best friend with a Czech and a Slovak and Polish, because that was very typical of the area. I can’t really grab it was, but there were major basic differences on how we treated work for example or other people. So, like about what to ask from other person or how to make friends. (Interview 1: Bogáta.)

Here Bogáta defines Hungary as a part of Middle-Europe, and in addition, she places Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland as a part of it. Bogáta perceives, that these countries have a similar mindset, that is Middle-European, and therefore it is easier for her to bond with people from these countries.

For many informants, the question was complex, and they could not label Hungary clearly as a part of Eastern-Europe and Western-Europe. They felt that Hungary was somewhere in be-tween, and perhaps moving to one way or another. One informant, Zsófia, considered Hungary as a special case, that she could not place anywhere. This was due to Hungary’s complex his-tory, and uniqueness.

Hungary is, it might be a little subjective, but I think Hungary is a very special in its own way. Just like Israel or America, because America is a huge melting pot, or was that, and Hungary used to be something like that, because the Tatars came, and the Turkish people came, and the Germans came. (Interview 8:

Zsófia.)

I think, it is a difficult question, I consider myself Hungarian, but Slovak, and also being part of the world, being part of the more Eastern cultures, it is funny, because we Hungarians sometimes feel the difference, or many times we feel the difference between West and East, and the Middle, Middle-European… we also feel it very much, because every time I go to Western countries, of every time I go more far East, I realize, that there is a difference, and I feel a connection… it is like an onion you know, you have layers, and in the middle I am Hungarian, then Slovak, then Middle-European, and Eastern… (Interview 5:

Gergő.)

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As Renáta stated earlier, when we were discussing about the local aspects of her identity, she perceives Hungary somewhere in between Eastern Europe and Western Europe. However, later, when discussing about Hungary´s position, she considers Hungary moving towards the Eastern Europe and Russia.

E: Yeah, it’s a bit empty. So, umm… where would you place Hungary like in the East… well, you said that you are not in the East, but you are not in the…

R: We are not yet, but we are close, very close, but we certain Western values still that we can cling on to…

E: Yeah, but it’s moving towards the Eastern…?

R: Moving towards Russia. (Interview 3: Renáta.)

She seems upset about this development, and as she exclaims, Hungary is trying to retain some Western values, but according to her, is moving towards Russia once again. This is particularly interesting point of view, when taking Hungary´s history on account. As I stated before, it has been suggested that Hungary is once again moving towards dictatorship that reminds of the socialist era. Thus, Renáta’s observation is intriguing.

Several informants placed Hungary as a part of Middle Europe. Nevertheless, they saw a clear difference between Hungary and Western-Europe. As Katalyn exclaims, in her mind, there is no way Hungary could be part of Western Europe. If she must choose between Eastern Europe and Western Europe, the answer is clear to her: Hungary is part of the Eastern Europe. However, when she was given the option to choose Central Europe, she placed Hungary there, but still leaned towards Eastern.

K: Definitely not Western. Hmm, if I had to choose only between Western and Eastern, then Eastern. If there is a third possibility like Central, maybe Central…

E: You can choose Central too, you can even invent your own one, if you want to.

K: Well, maybe Central.

E: Yeah, so it is not definitely like Eastern or Western…

K: It’s more like Eastern, or Central, not Western. (Interview 7, Katalyn.)

As well as Katalyn, Flóra perceives Hungary as a part of Central-Europe. For her, the defining element is that she does not feel that her home country is as developed as Western European countries.

F: No joo, siis ehkä Keski-Eurooppaan, mutta ei Länsi-Eurooppaan, koska se on ihan muunlainen niin kuin kehityksen ja muun tasolla, että… myös niin kuin näiden, ihmisoikeuksien kannalta muulla tasolla, kuin Länsi-Euroopan maat. Että niin kuin, ei se niin kuin Itä-Eurooppa, ehkä niin kuin Keski-Eurooppa, en tiedä…

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E: Sellainenkin käsite on kuin… Eastern-Central Europe, eli itäinen Keski-Eurooppa. Olisiko se kuvaava ehkä?

F: No, ehkä se olisi kuvaava.

(Well, so, maybe Middle Europe, but not Western Europe, because it is completely different, when it comes to development, so, that…also like these, human rights, in a completely different level, than West-ern European Countries. So, that, it is not like EastWest-ern Europe, maybe like Middle Europe, I do not know…

E: There is also this concept of… Eastern-Central Europe, so Eastern-Central Europe. Would that be descriptive, maybe?

F: Well, maybe that could be descriptive.

Flóra considers that for example human rights are not developed enough in Hungary, for it to belong into Western Europe. However, she is hesitant to classify Hungary as Eastern Europe, and when she is suggested a concept of eastern-Central Europe, she agrees, that it could be descriptive in Hungary’s case.

There were also informants that did see Hungary leaning more towards the West. As an exam-ple, Virág places Hungary in the middle of the Europe, and considers the situation complex.

For her, Hungary is neither Western Europe nor Eastern Europe.

V: Because, in the middle of Europe, not West, but not East…

E: So, you would say, that Hungary is not in the East or not in the West either?

V: Yes, it’s in the middle, and you can tell, not just geographically, but it was the Soviets, and the West, which came up, and umm…renovated everything and got up new “tapas” (ways.)

E: You can use any language you want. So, it is like umm, would you say now Hungary is more in the West?

V: Yes---. (Interview 4: Virág.)

However, she sees signs of Hungary leaning towards Western Europe, since she considers that after the Soviet era the Western influence has increased in Hungary. For Virág, also practical matters, such as renovations supported by Western Europe are a sign that Hungary is now mov-ing towards the west. These examples demonstrate the complex nature of this issue, and how difficult it was for the informants to place Hungary. Due to Hungary’s complex history, this is not a surprise, but nevertheless, it tells something about today’s Hungary and its politics.