Paper short abstract:

My paper aims to analyze the (neo)traditionalist design in contemporary Hungarian popular culture. The use of ‘traditional folk’ symbols and methods gains increasing popularity in architecture and home environments. Besides decoration this style implies political and religious-like content.

Paper long abstract:

Hungarian 'neo-traditionalism' has been gaining more and more importance and popularity since the 1989 political changes but the origin of traditional elements in contemporary Hungarian architecture rooted in the early 1980s when Imre Makovecz, the well-know master of organic architecture started to revitalize symbols and elements from Hungarian folk culture in architectural design. While Makovecz was disfavored by the socialist regime before 1989 his works became emblematic symbols of 'neo-traditionalism' after the change of the regime. However contemporary 'neo-traditionalist' design is not the same as it was in the 80s. An integral part of Makovecz's organic architecture was built for the Catholic Church however Contemporary 'neo-traditionalist' architecture is in close connection with certain ideologies such as 'neo-paganism' or eco-village movements. Contemporary 'neo-traditionalist' design is present not only in architectural design (churches, nomadic tents, eco-houses with 'traditional folk symbols'), but has rich variants in home-environments, or this provides a basis for 're-invented and re-interpreted' Hungarian 'folk-style' fashion. The use of 'neo-traditionalist' design clearly shows that this is not only a style for decoration but implies a deeper meaning on identity and is a counter-effect of globalization. My paper tries to introduce and analyze how 'neo-traditionalist' design is present in contemporary Hungarian popular culture and to explain the connection between the style and 'ethno-nationalism' or certain syncrethic NRMs?