Szadvar castle project and youth camp, Hungary

Dear Friends, it is time to look back at 2024 and summarize what happened in the last few months. Our association continued to work to save Szádvár, and with the help of volunteers and supporters, we managed to organize two of our main events and to launch a new project.

Unfortunately, we have to report that the traditional 'Save the Castle' days event in October has been cancelled due to the uncertain weather conditions. We were very sad to have to cancel the event, we had prepared a lot for it, but we would not have been able to work in the heavy rain. We hope that the weather in March 2025 will be more favorable during the chosen weekend.

The months October and November are usually quiet, we write applications, replace missing tools, collect ideas on how to develop further. One of our current main goals is to buy a property in the village that we could use as a constant base. This would make things much easier. 

The Community Archaeology Conference, held for the third time this year, provided an opportunity to raise exciting questions not only for professionals, but also for the large number of volunteers and outsider people who visited. Many aspects of community archaeology were brought to the surface, from the legal and institutional regulation of metal detecting to the digital find guide, the workload of archaeologists, and education. The role of all stakeholders was emphasized, from volunteers, archaeologists, museum management, and legislators. The difficulties and challenges we face were also discussed, up to the serious joint results achieved, which would not have been possible without community archaeological work. 

Viktor, an archaeologist, and Janos, our volunteer have also investigated this and collected what concrete results civil and professional cooperation has brought to both the Friends of Szadvar and the museum over the past 18 years. How did the initiative, which initially started only to clean the castle, expand to include valuable scientific results for archaeologists? We would like to thank everyone who supported, helped, or actively participated in any of our events. We are very grateful to you.

In October, we conducted an online survey among our followers on social media. We were curious about their opinions and suggestions regarding our activities. More than 50 people answered to the questions, for which we were very grateful. One of the main points of the survey was to identify the reasons why is the number of volunteers decreasing. Among those who do not plan to visit tha castle, most cited lack of free time and difficulties in taking vacations as reasons. Travel difficulties and problems with getting there came in second place, and financial reasons came in third place. There were surprises and suggestions as well, but surely we can use these in 2025.

The thesis being prepared by one of our members, in which she examines the Szádvár development project from a tourism perspective, will also be useful in the future.

There's nothing left for me to do but thank you for being here with us. In the name of the Friends of Szadvar, let me wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year for 2025! Let us hope to meet in the castle next year!