Hungarian Cultural History in the Second Half of the 19-th Century in Transylvania. Hungarian Periodicals and the Hungarian Cultural Heritage in Transylvania

Against the background of the capitalist economic structures and in the historical context of the second half of the 19-th century, Transylvania and the social-cultural activities of its population present a varied, very complex image. The studied material shows the special role the periodicals played in the second half of the 19-th century as they modelled people's view on the world and society, on culture and science, they changed mentalities, and also identified, made known and diffused the elements which constituted the cultural heritage of the different nationalities. Each nationality made efforts to collect, preserve, valorise and diffuse these values among the readers, considering that this cultural heritage, meaning national identity as well, was a national responsibility. The cultural-political role of the category of intellectuals was extremely important, as they became the motive power for the evolution and modernization of society, while the cultural institutions, the existing secondary schools and universities became the centres of scientific and cultural activities.

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