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General information
- Title of the good practice (main title and subtitle, if applicable): Preserving tradition as a community-building tool
- Name of the implementing organization/community: Kazun Association
- Organization address: 537235 Kászonaltíz 235, Harghita County, Romania
- Contact information (email, phone number): kazun@kazun.ro, 0040730959200
- Project and/or organization website: www.kazun.ro
- Social media contact:
- Name of the implementing organization/community: Kazun Association
https://www.facebook.com/KazunEgyesulet, https://www.instagram.com/kazun_egyesulet
- Contact details – contact person( s ), project manager, coordinator :
Mihály Emőke, 0040730959200
Presentation of good practice
The good practice mainly targets young people aged 8 to 25 who live in isolated, rural communities with few opportunities for cultural or community participation. The programme also involves parents and the local community through, for example, performances, fairs and joint events. The initiative can be a good example for other communities on how to build on traditions to engage and retain young people in the community.
The good practice is implemented in the Kászon Basin, a remote, rural area in Székelyföld, which includes five small villages. The settlements are typically rural in nature, with small populations, limited resources, and community life is mostly based on self-organizing initiatives. Due to the geographical isolation of the area, local programs that keep young people local, involve them in the community, and strengthen their identity are particularly important .
The good practice aims to strengthen the community ties and Hungarian identity of young people in Kászon in a region where there are few regular youth programs and many young people migrate. The initiative is a response to the problem that young people in isolated rural areas have few opportunities for meaningful, value-based leisure activities. The aim of the community programs based on preserving traditions is to strengthen the connection to the homeland in young people, while developing their self-awareness, creativity and sense of community.
As part of the good practice, we hold weekly folk dance classes for four children’s dance groups, with more than 140 participants. We organize summer dance camps every year, where new choreographies are created. In addition, we hold craft workshops (felting, clay making , wool processing), young people participate in performances, folk dance meetings, cultural events, and are also connected to community events (Christmas market, greetings to the elderly, village days). The programs are led by professional instructors and local organizers. Building opportunities: What additional opportunities does the good practice build on? For example, partnerships, resources, local characteristics, or previous experiences.
The basis of good practice is experiential, community-centered learning, where the identity, self-confidence and social skills of young people are developed through traditional means such as folk dance, crafts and folk music. The sessions are held in a playful, live format, and learning is linked to a community experience. The essence of the method is that young people are active participants in their own community life, while their relationship with local culture becomes personal and understandable.
The good practice is based on more than two decades of experience of the Kazun Association. The program is based on the rich folk heritage of the region and the community of already operating children’s dance groups. Additional opportunities include partnerships with sister organizations, local, regional and international dance meetings, and previous grants such as the Csoóri Sándor Program or the Bethlen Gábor Fund.
The good practice was brought to life by the local need for regular, value-based community programs for the young people of the Kászon basin, which would not only engage them but also strengthen their identity. Due to the isolation of the region, the lack of cultural opportunities and the risk of emigration, an initiative was needed that would keep young people local, involve them in the community and develop them in a meaningful way. The program also responded to the weakening of the connection between generations and the lack of tradition-based activities that would appeal to young people.
The good practice can be considered successful, as more than 140 children and young people are actively involved in community life every year through folk dance and tradition preservation. The weekly classes, summer camps, performances and fairs have developed a strong sense of community and identity. As a result of the program, not only the young people, but also their family members have become involved in the events. There has also been a positive outcome that was not included in the original goals, as the groups have later returned as organizers, educators and volunteers to help the association’s work, which is one of the most important indicators of sustainability.
The local community is informed mainly through the association’s social media pages. For the older generation, the priest explains the events at Sunday mass, and we address parents personally. The online presence is provided by the Kazun Association’s Facebook page, Instagram and YouTube channel, where we share photo and video reports, event invitations, and digitized materials. We also distribute photo and video materials taken at the events in local and regional media.
The effectiveness of good practice does not depend on every event being implemented with a large budget or professional technical background. For example, spectacular decorations, guest performers, or large-scale advertisements do not affect community building, experiential learning, and the transmission of traditions. It is also not necessary for every program to take place at an external location; in many cases, a local community space is sufficient. The success of a program lies in human presence and consistency.
One of the most important lessons learned during the implementation was that for young people to truly engage, it is not enough to offer programs, but they also need to be part of the decisions and organization. Joint planning, role-taking and feedback involve them and increase their sense of responsibility for the program. Another lesson is that preserving traditions really works when it is not just a remembrance of the past, but also an experience, a game, and a force for community formation. It is also important that in a small community, a personal presence that ensures continuity, a stable coordinator or instructor, is indispensable.
Adaptability
For good practice to work effectively , a committed and locally present organization that knows the needs of the community and thinks long-term is essential. The right human background is important, such as educators, organizers and volunteers who are credible in the eyes of young people and are consistently present in the processes. From a material point of view, a stable background, at least partly based on grant funds, is necessary. In addition, the trust of the community, the support of parents, and the active involvement and motivation of young people are essential. The success of the program is further enhanced if it is based on continuous feedback and flexible planning.
It is an important experience for our organization that a good practice works in the long term when it is based on the needs and real opportunities of the community. Young people must not only be involved, but also continuously motivated, and this requires flexible, experiential and value-oriented programs. It is worth considering that in small communities, personal relationships and accessible organizers are the main resources. It is also important that all results, even small successes, must be recognized and given feedback.