Paper short abstract:

I investigate two denominational schools located in Szeged (Hungary). Both schools had to reorganize themselves after a 40 year-long "forced silence". I analyze the transforming symbolic language of school spaces during the reorganizing and "self-reinterpreting" process.

Paper long abstract:

In socialist Hungary most (6000) denominational institutions were closed in 1949 leaving only 8 Catholic high schools operating in the country. The communist regime had a significant effect on people's attitude towards religiosity, on the churches' self-image, "social language" and representation as well. Following the political changes in 1989 there was a possibility to reorganize denominational schools. In my paper I aim to analyze the symbolic process of reinventing and reorganizing two schools after a 40 year-long "forced silence" in Szeged.

The situation of the Karolina School of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (originally established in 1872) and the Szeged Piarist School (1720) greatly differs. Both had long traditions in Szeged but there is a great dissimilarity in their architecture and symbolic language. Karolina was reorganized in its original but enlarged building in the most traditional and conservative district of Szeged, while the Piarist School had their school built in the suburban area next to a hypermarket.

In my presentation I investigate how the schools reinterpret themselves through symbols. I mainly look at and analyze the visible material culture and the use of space. How the "profane" places or spaces gain sacred content during rituals? How traditional norms and values are continuously negotiated by the Sisters and Piarist fathers? How the school spaces, rooms, corridors and community places are shaped in order to convene these ideas? To what extent are the "modern" symbols considered to be the "new language" and strategies of the Catholic Church shaped to fit the needs and circumstances of our present day?