Europeanisation, National Identities and Migration ... - europeanization

Integration of Hungary or the Hungarians? 229
Ethnic Hungarians from abroad living in Hungary as a
Diaspora?
The opinion of those involved in the Hungarian Diaspora politics is contradictory:
Hungarians having immigrated from Rumania form a real Diaspora. They
are characterised by strong networking and group formation, they are efficient
lobbyists, and they are tied together by a powerful sense of mutual help and
group solidarity. Further, they are regarded – as are Jews – with prejudices by
the ‘outside world’ (the shiftless native citizens of Hungary).
I do not regard as Diaspora even the Hungarians immigrating from Sub-
Carpathia, although they do form a peculiar group compared to native citizens
of Hungary in that they can organise themselves. I do not think that these
immigrants are driven to Hungary by a yearning to return to some mythical
homeland. They come here because the material conditions of life are better
and also because they stand a better chance to make good in the long run, too.
People in my environment have in any case come over on such considerations,
which is why I do not regard them Diaspora. These immigrants have no
nostalgic reasons for coming here, and if they form a group and have their own
organisations is due to the fact that the society of Hungary does not welcome
those who arrive from elsewhere. And it does not matter much whether the
arrivals come from just across the border or Africa.
Sociological and anthropological data prove the existence of Diasporic mentality
among ethnic Hungarians migrating to Hungary from across the borders. For
example:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Their strong sense of being Hungarian, reinforced by their Transylvanian
identity, results in a disdainful attitude to the sense of Hungarian nationhood
they encounter in the host country on the one hand, and in an increasing,
identity-shaping appreciation for the culture and community that they left
behind in the country of origin on the other.
The above-mentioned Transylvanian identity is made up of such elements as
pride felt over the historical success of the Transylvanian principality, religious
tolerance, a cultural supremacy over the native Hungarian population of
Hungary, the dignity of resisting Romanian oppression, and a sense of
superiority to Romanians.
There are opinions in which the perception of ‘Transylvanianhood’ as a general
element of identity only exists among those living in Hungary, while ‘back
home’ identity is a function of smaller units instead. 4 What is meant by this is
not simply the fact that each historically distinct region, town and village has
its own, more or less distinct, identity, but also that constantly emerging
old–new local identities can exist side by side.