Not long ago, I had the opportunity to talk with Hungarian students from a town in northern Serbia. I was fascinated by their concepts of personal identity but before I explain what I learned, first a quick history lesson:
As punishment for World War 1, the Treaty of Trianon was imposed upon Hungary. It was a peace treaty dealing specifically with only Hungary and it stipulated the loss of 2/3 of her land including valuable resources, ocean access, and over three million ethnic Hungarians (magyars). It is fair to say no country in the world’s history has had to cope with such a harsh and uncompromising punishment. The two hungarian-serbian students I talked to were born into the large hungarian minority which reside in many of Hungary’s neighbors.
So I asked them, how do you view yourself, as a Serb or Hungarian first? They shrugged and both gave similar answers that when it comes down to it Serbia is where they grew up, it is their home, they love it there. But if antagonized in Serbia, they lay fervent claim to their Hungarian identity. However, in Budapest they are disenchanted by the people’s glum demeanor and if their Serbian heritage is being put down, it is the Serbian identity to which they cling. Thus I found it fascinating that identities can shift so fluidly based on upon surroundings and that their concept of heritage and identity is complex yet not absolute. However, their home will always be in Serbia.   

Location: budapest