“The most important thing, I think, is that this is a living village (...) and there is a past, which is the essence of this village.”

The role of social images of Swabian villages in rural migration

Abstract

The value associated with the German minority in Hungary, the “Swabian minority”, the “Swabian village” (diligence, thrift, punctuality, appreciation of work) implies the orderliness and development of settlements. Based on our previous research Swabian villages are often the sites of middle-class urban immigration, or even of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, or of rural tourism, therefore they are well-functioning, attractive settlements in economic and social terms. In the present study, based on semi-structured interviews conducted in two Swabian settlements in Baranya County, Dombosnémeti and Püspöknémeti, we aim to identify the individuals who are drawn to these settlements and the motivations underlying their decision to move to them, and to analyse the role of images, ideas and values associated with the "Swabian village”. The results of the qualitative research demonstrate that Swabian identity remains a significant element in the daily lives of the population residing in the villages studied for multiple generations, and an essential factor in the decision-making process of individuals relocating to these villages. Beyond the conventional elements of the rural idyll, such as the beauty of nature, quiet, tranquillity and an aesthetic built environment, the Swabian village offers additional attributes that define an ideal rural settlement. These include security, an orderly and liveable environment, and stable local communities. Feedback from affluent newcomers and the growth of tourism clearly demonstrates to the native population that their heritage behaviours are not only accepted but also highly regarded by others.

The results demonstrate that the Swabian village serves as a meeting point between the German minority in Hungary, who perpetuate their identity through centuries-old roots, traditions, culture, and folklore, and the urban intellectuals and middle-class households who move to the village in search of a rural idyll and a rural community. Both parties seek to create or recreate an imagined, archaic image of the village and its community. Their cooperation is primarily focused on the preservation and development of the local natural and built environment.