The Hungarian Diaspora in Sydney

Identity Consciousness and the Role of the Scout Movement

Authors

  • Kinga Constantinovits Pázmány Péter Catholic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ahea.2023.491

Keywords:

scouting, identity, oral history, Hungarian diaspora, Sydney (Australia), Hungarian language, exile, emigration, World War II, Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Hungarian schools

Abstract

Focusing on the Hungarian diaspora in Sydney, Australia, this paper finds that the key to preserving the Hungarian identity of emigrants and their descendants is maintaining and cultivating Hungarian traditions. Some institutions and organizations, such as Hungarian schools and the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris, can help in this regard. To examine this topic, I conducted a pilot study asking the following questions: (1) What are the main elements of Hungarian identity in the diaspora? and (2) What is the main role that Hungarian scouts and other organizations play in preserving Hungarian identity? In the first part of the research, the most prominent people of the Hungarian diaspora in Sydney, Australia were interviewed. The interviews showed that Hungarian scouting plays a crucial role in the survival of Hungarian culture and community, which was reflected linguistically too. Subsequently, I conducted a questionnaire survey, whose results also confirmed that scouting is both an element of and a tool for Hungarian identity construction. Some key elements of identity, according to the respondents—language, culture, holidays, and community—are clearly included in scouting. The results also suggest that support for Hungarian emigrant organizations can be an effective way to maintain national identity. constantinovits.kinga.katalin@hallgato.ppke.hu

Author Biography

Kinga Constantinovits, Pázmány Péter Catholic University

Kinga Constantinovits is a PhD student of history at Pázmány Péter Catholic University, where she previously earned an MA in history and Central European studies. Her BA in history is from Eötvös Loránd University. In 2019 she spent half a year in Sydney researching the Hungarian community. Her research interests include the Hungarian community and identity in Australia, bi- and multilingualism, community identity and identity construction, language use, language attitudes, language attrition, emigration from Hungary in 1956, and communism in Hungary.  

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https://www.sketchengine.eu/

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Published

2023-09-06

Issue

Vol. 16 (2023)

Section

General Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 Kinga Constantinovits

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