Celebration

On 28th November the early Christian late Roman cemetery of Sopianae celebrated the 10th anniversary of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visitors were welcomed by Roman soldiers at the entrance door. Then girls - also dressed in authentic Roman costumes - guided the  guests around the cemetery. During the tour, they could also dress in tunics and togas or try Roman board games. The archaeological corner - that illustrates the complex work of archaeologists - was presented to the public for the first time on this special day. At 3 o'clock interactive presentations started in different topics with the aim of giving an idea  to the audience of the Roman way of life. Such topics included architecture, holidays, games, foods and clothing. The participants were given a taste of cheese, fruits, salads, squash and desserts made according to contemporary recipes. A fashion parade was also part of the program which was ended by a flame show. Little candles were put in the form of the Christogram - the monogram of Jesus Christ and the symbol of the World Heritage Site of Pécs.

Guiding with head lamps

I felt always nervous and excited while I was guiding the first couple of groups in the Cella Septichora Visitor Centre. After a while I started to get used to the situation and guiding became a routine. But before the first evening guiding I felt the same excitement as before. We - me and my colleagues - started to prepare 30 minutes before the actual program. At first we placed about one hundred little candles into the seven apses of the Cella Septichora. Secondly, we went around to light the candles. After that we cut off the main lights completely. That was the time for a brief rehearsal. We had one more surprise for our guests: we decided to dress in authentic Roman clothes - typical tunics - that we borrowed from the International Limes Camp of Dunaszekcső. By the time we finished clothing the visitors arrived - my mother, father and some friends among them. Not only my acquaintances but also the size of the group - we have only 15 head lamps - made the atmosphere familiar to me. The informal nature of the program made the participants more willing to ask questions and that made us more enthusiastic. I think I can say that the night-guide program was successful and we hope that we can make a tradition of it. The next guided tour with head lamps will be organized this week on Friday (26th November) starting at 6 o'clock. You still have the opportunity to come. (Note that previous registration is needed either personally or by telephone.)

A special evening

November 12 was a special day in the calendar of the Cella Septichora Visitor Centre. After the usual closing time (6 o'clock) all the lights were turned off. Darkness fell upon the cemetery. A special view offered itself: nothing but little candles lit the remaining walls of the seven-apsidal Cella Septichora. For the first time a guided tour was organized in the unlighted visitor centre. Entering the cemetery everybody was given a head lamp and could look at the place in a new light.  It was an exceptional opportunity to discover the hidden secrets of the mysterious place and feel the spirit of it. Furthermore, the participants were given a taste of the antique clothing since the guide was wearing an authentic Roman tunic.

Funny

Many friends and acquaintances of mine are interested in the question: what is it like to work in a cemetery? My answer is: funny. It is not what people expect to hear. And then I start telling the wittiest stories and the most remarkable incidents as evidences. There have been so many that we decided to dedicated a booklet to record the best moments. Here is my top 10 list. Enjoy!

No.10: Visitor: Will the concert of the Dome Museum be held here? Receptionist: No, it will be held in the Dome Museum.  

No.9: Tourist: How much is the entrance ticket to the basement?

No.8: We have a model of the cemetery. It is white and it posed the following question in a visitor: Is it in wintertime?

No.7: The same model depicts the Dome square and its buildings. When visitors push a button the model lifts and shows the underground structure of the cemetery. And once it raised the question: Does everything move up and down in real life?

No.6: Tourist: We are looking for the Cella Septicóla. Are we in the right place? Receptionist: Not really. It is the Cella Septichora.

No.5: Guest: Have the guided tour of 5 o'clock already started? Guide: Madam, it is half past 7. Guest: Really? So late?

No.4: Guide: This early Christian late Roman cemetery was used from the 3rd century until the beginning of the 5th century. Tourist: Before or after Christ?

No.3: Visitor: Can I go back to the visitor centre to take some photos? Receptionist: We're closing in a minute or two. Visitor: It's not a problem. I need only five minutes.

No.2: Guide: Here you can see the Wine pitcher burial chamber (Korsós sírkamra). Gypsy tourist: Orsós? 

And the winner is: Tourist: How much is it? Receptionist: 1200 Ft for adults and 600 Ft for students, seniors and teachers. Tourist: I won't pay so much for using the toilet. Receptionist: It is not a public toilet it is a visitor centre. Tourist: Really

All Saints' Day

          On 1st November I'm usually filled with ambivalent feelings. It is really nice to dedicate one day in a year to the dead. This time people aim at the cemeteries with huge bunches of flowers and wreaths. They light candles and commemorate their dead relatives and friends. This holiday has a peculiar unworldly atmosphere. To be honest I don't really like all these shallow things. In the last few years All Saints' Day has been commercialized. It is not about the dead any more. Sadly this is more about money. Traders sell their products at extremely high prices but consumers still buy flowers because it is a tradition. Some even compete whose wreath is bigger or more expensive. Others stand in front of the graves and indulge in self-pity: "why did you leave me alone?", asking the dead.

         

           My dead relatives are not in the cemetery; they are always with me in my heart and memories. I don't need to go out to the cemetery to remember them. I don't need a special day to recall their faces and smiles. I really miss the shared moments, their advices and stories about the past. At the same time, I'm grateful that I knew them and they were parts of my life. For instance I was only three years old when my great-grandfather died but I didn't forget when he sang the song starting with "Kecskebéka felmászott a fűzfára". I still remember the taste of the poppy-seed strudel made by my great-grandmother. I have to laugh when I recall one of my grandfathers swearing heartily and the other telling stories about his juvenile pranks and seductions.