“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
By examining a radical lifestyle experiment, I would like to reflect on two issues of our time becoming extremely urgent – the fragile relationship between humans and nature, and the importance of communities. Eco-communities are mainly created by intellectuals moving out of cities. The change of their lifestyle is not motivated by economic interests, it is rather a reaction to the negative processes around us. In an alienated world that is unhealthily over-consuming, and eviscerating both the environment and the human spirit, they envision their future in a cohesive community. Their concept is based on localism. They want to live, make a living, trade, and relax locally. They reject the consumer society’s perception of accelerated time and the view that growth always means development.
They are committed to a life that is small-scale, slower, striving for self-sufficiency, sustainable in the long term and community based. They see themselves as part of natural processes and cycles. They use chemical-free farming, use nature-friendly technologies in their architecture and waste management and save natural resources. They use farming practices that are adapted to the landscape, with local plant and animal species, and revive small crafts. They know the capabilities of their areas – as well as the physical environment and the cooperation and needs of the people living there. In their activities they plan for tens of years ahead.
The number of people living in ecovillages in Hungary is currently a few hundred. This is not a dominant part of the Hungarian society, but I think, it is still important to present them. Their difficulties are also barometers of the countryside’s difficulties (economic resources, local livelihood). It is also important to mention the proactivity of eco-communities: they not only formulate the social problems but are also able to realize their plans for improvement in practice, providing concrete examples. Their results can also benefit society as a whole. Many of those moving out are agricultural engineers, ecologists, biologists, botanists, IT specialists, economists, psychologists, and communities are strengthened by several artists too. With their reflexivity, social critique, and open-minded approach to alternative solutions, they are capable of constant renewal. These communities are also constantly changing, learning their new way of life through practice.
There are both newcomers and leavers.
In the last year or so I have visited three small communities in Transdanubia: Nagyszékely, Nyim and Krishna Valley. I have photographed at tree plantings, permaculture designer courses, stove-building workshops, meetings of people striving for an ecological lifestyle alternative. I captured volunteers coming from abroad, a day in the life of community members, or the stages of building a straw-bale house.
Besides everyday life, they also expect me as a friend for their holidays: I said goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one with the Nyim Eco Community.