For more than a year now, a legislative proposal submitted by the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) has stalled. The initiative would provide legal protection for the graves of historical figures, family crypts, and monuments erected to heroes in Romania. Its key objective is to grant these sites a protected status without requiring them to undergo the lengthy and complex procedure of being declared historical monuments. While the Romanian Senate already approved the bill in October 2024, the final decision rests with the Chamber of Deputies.

Cemeteries: essential spaces of collective memory and identity

The proposal was prompted by very real and pressing problems. In many Transylvanian cities, overcrowded cemeteries resort to burying new coffins in older graves. When this happens, not only is a gravestone removed, but the memory of where a historically significant individual was buried also fades away.

One of the most important elements of the proposal is the creation of a distinct legal category for graves of historical importance. This would allow local authorities and communities to act more quickly and effectively to preserve such burial sites. The bill also requires maintaining cemetery pathways and green areas, as well as providing security to deter vandalism and damage.

Cultural Patrimony Top Priority for RMDSZ

The bill [No. L443/2024 in the Senate, PLX591/2024 in the Chamber of Deputies]  was submitted by Ödön Szabó, an RMDSZ Member of Parliament, in June 2024. He emphasized that the initiative remains a top priority for the party and has even been incorporated into the government program. Despite this, the current political and economic climate is unfavorable to its adoption. The necessary support is lacking in the Chamber of Deputies’ cultural committee, which is why the debate and final vote have been postponed.

The consequences of this delay are already visible. Across Transylvania, there are numerous graves that do not meet the criteria for monument status yet are integral to Hungarian and local historical memory. Currently, their preservation often depends on civic initiatives or temporary arrangements rather than on a clear legal framework.

According to János Ujj, who spent decades researching the history of Arad’s cemeteries, the graves of many prominent Hungarian public figures, artists, and educators have disappeared over the past decades. The local community often only learns of a loss after the fact.

As long as there is no unified and easily applicable regulation, the risk remains that tangible reminders of Transylvania’s historical past will continue to disappear. 

Source: https://kronika.ro

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