Community Networks and Cultural Practices in Twentieth-Century Romania: Paper-Based Cultures in the Writings of a Catholic Priest

Paper-Based Cultures in the Writings of a Catholic Priest explores the pre-digital paper-based culture in Eastern Europe from the perspective of a Catholic priest living in a predominantly Orthodox country during the twentieth century. The author questions the world the protagonist and other people lived in, how they lived their daily lives, and how they made important decisions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 334 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Community Networks and Cultural Practices in Twentieth Century Romania: Paper-Based Cultures in the Writings of a Catholic Priest is a captivating anthropological exploration that delves into the rich tapestry of 2,400 documents left behind by a Hungarianized Swabian Catholic priest residing in Romania during one of the Eastern European dictatorships of the twentieth century. This profound work offers a unique perspective on the pre-digital paper-based culture prevalent in Eastern Europe, particularly from the viewpoint of the protagonist, a Catholic priest, who lived in a predominantly Orthodox country. The author affectionately refers to the twentieth century as the era of the typewriter, emphasizing the profound impact it had on the lives of the individuals portrayed in this book. Maria Szikszais' insightful questions delve into both the broader historical epoch and the intimate micro-universe of the protagonist and the other individuals he encountered. She seeks to understand the world in which they lived, the intricacies of their daily lives, the processes they employed to make significant decisions, the emotions they experienced, the silences they maintained, and the words they chose to express and the ones they held back. This volume serves as an anthropological immersion into the life of an Eastern European man who traversed nearly the entire twentieth century, driven by a profound desire to document the era he lived in. Through meticulous analysis and thoughtful interpretation, the author sheds light on the complexities, struggles, and triumphs of a generation shaped by historical events and cultural transformations. Community Networks and Cultural Practices in Twentieth Century Romania: Paper-Based Cultures in the Writings of a Catholic Priest is a testament to the power of anthropology in unraveling the hidden stories of ordinary individuals and illuminating the rich cultural heritage of a bygone era.

Weight: 599g
Dimension: 238 x 157 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666923247