The renovation works of old Sekler gates is continued, thanked to the collaboration of the Kőlik Cultural Association from Satu Mare (Máréfalva) and Harghita County Council. Through the project submitted by the abovementioned association, the Hungarian Bethlen Gábor Fund contributes with 3 million forint to the implementation of these works. In March of this year, Mr. Csaba Borboly met with Ms. Zsuzsanna Répás, Deputy Secretary General for National Politics, asking the support of the Hungarian government for the gate-rescue activity of the Kőlik Association. As an answer provided, the representative of the Hungarian government expressed her openness to support this value and tradition preserving activity. Through the received grant, in all 5 Sekler gates are going to be rebuilt and renovated in different settlements of the county (as for instance, the one illustrated in the above picture).
Mr. Csaba Borboly declared that ‘I am constantly saying that there is need for acts, persistent work, like Ms. Piroska Kovács has done in Satu Maru, the founder of the Kölik Association. Her devoted work has been also recognized on European level: in 2012 she was among one of the 6 Grand Prix winners of the EU prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award. That is why there is need for work, responsibility and we have to find partners for this, within and beyond the borders as well.’ He also added that ‘the Sekler gates are part of our identity, the priceless treasure of the Hungarian and European culture, and it is a natural thing that the works on rescuing the traditional gates is supported by Hungary as well. We count on the help of Hungary in the future as well, since without the Sekler gates the universal Hungarian culture would be poorer, as well as Europe.’
Miercurea Ciuc, 24th of June 2014
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