A forrófalvi énekeskönyv (1909)

This Hungarian-language Catholic hymnal from Forrófalva, Moldavia, was published in 2021. The 145-page manuscript, dated 1909, was written by János Farkas, the village’s cantor at the time. Throughout the twentieth century, cantors and pre-singers primarily used the manuscript in paraliturgical services. Since most written records in the mother tongue of Moldavian Hungarians have been lost, the survival of this manuscript is both unique and materially valuable.

In the religious life of the Roman Catholics living in the Diocese of Jászvásár (founded in 1884), cantors still played a central role. The written legacy of this lay religious leader extends beyond the domains of folk tradition and literacy. In the secular sphere, religious folk songs served not only as a part of religious rituals but also shaped the content and character of faith and influenced the believers’ perception of God.