Our achievements / Outcomes

We found out that, unfortunately, we do not have enough sources to make an appropriate research. Actually, we discovered that the Slovenes and the Romanians have no common history; but we can presume that we probably met at least three times. Vlad Drakul can be interesting for Slovenes and Mathias Korvin for the Romanians.
Our findings are:
- the Slovenes and the Transilvanians had a common enemy: the Transilvanian noble army and the counts of Celje fought against the Turks in the battle at Nikopolje in 1396,
- the counts of Celje (Herman II and his son Frederik II as well as Herman s daughter Barbara as Sigismund s wife) and Vlad Dracul II from Transilvania were members of the Knighthood of dragon, which was formed by Sigismund of Luxemburg,
- the third encounter between the counts of Celje and the Transilvanian counts was fatal for the counts of Celje, for prince Ulrik, the last count of Celje, was victim of the Belgrade conspiracy,
- the Slovene king Matjaž comes from Transilvania and that both the Slovenes and the Romanians know folk songs about Mathias Korvin.

Visit in Romania

Obisk smo vrnili v času od 9. do 12. oktobra. Obiskali smo Brasov, pripravili smo skupno razstavo in spoznali mesto, šolo in Transilvanijo. Spoznali smo njihovo kulturo, sožitje med več narodi – Madžari, Moldavci, Sasi in Romuni in način življenja.

We were in Brasov between 9th and 15th of October. We visited Brasov, prepared common exhibition and we got to know the city, their school, and Transylvania. We have learned about their culture, coexistence of many nations - Hungarians, Germans, and Romanians and their way of life.

And here are some photos.

Visit in Slovenia

Med 11. in 15. septembrom so bili pri nas na obisku dijaki iz Colegiul National "Áprily Lajos" iz Brasova.

Raziskovali smo skupno zgodovino, pripravili razstavo na Poslovno-komercialni šoli v Celju in si ogledali mesto, Ljubljano in Primorsko.

Between 11th and 15th of September Colegiul National "Áprily Lajos" students from Brasov visited us.

We were researching history, prepared an exhibition in the School of Business and Commerce Celje, and have a tour around the Celje, Ljubljana and Primorska.

And here are some photos!

Áprily Lajos High School – A Short History

Áprily Lajos High School – A Short History

Our institution regards as its predecessor the Roman Catholic Gymnasium founded by abbot Felfalusi Kovács Antal in 1837. The language of instruction in the establishment was Latin. The first class started its activities in the former parochial refectory but the development of the school and the increasing number of students and teachers required adequate measures to be taken. Thus, in 1845, abbot-headmaster Felfalusi Kovács Antal was granted approval by Ferdinand V of a new building of five classrooms and accordingly, building operations started in the spring of 1848. On November 1 1848 education started in the new building (Block B at present).

By an Austrian decree, the institution was reduced to a lower status and instead of Latin, German was introduced as language of instruction. This lower status was maintained until academic year 1872-73. At the time, the institution headed by Marosan Jakab (Iacob Muresianu) had 149 students.

Economic and social growth meant new requirements as well. Headmasters Rozslosni Elek and Vargyasi Ferenc urged on reorganization, reform and further extension.

The approaching Millennium conveyed the idea of building a new edifice. The Catholic Status of Transylvania and the Ministry of Religion and Education sanctioned the construction of a new building which was started on June 1 1900, based on the designs of famous Budapest architect Alpar Ignac. As a result, in September 1901 education started in a new stately edifice (present Block A).

History has frequently interfered with school life. For example, in 1948, by state authority decree, the institution ceased to be a denominational school, losing its name as well. From that time onward, it bore the name of Hungarian Mixed School Nr.4.

The year 1960 marked yet another major change. Secondary-school classes were moved to “Unirea” High School as a Hungarian section and the former Gymnasium became Grammar School nr.6, incorporating two sections.

At the beginning of 1990, re-establishment of the former Hungarian school became possible. After fiery debates, arguments and compromises the new Hungarian school was founded in 1990/1991.

Áprily Lajos High School is an independent institution incorporating primary, secondary and high school levels.

We are convinced that the above-mentioned historical facts rightfully qualify our institution as the successor of the Roman Catholic Gymnasium.

SKUPNE POTI CELJSKIH IN TRANSILVANSKIH KNEZOV

Dijaki in učitelji iz šole Colegiul National “Áprily Lajos” iz Brasova v Romuniji so bili na obisku v Celju od 11. do 15. 09.2007.
Skupaj smo pripravili razstavo o skupnih točkah med Celjskimi in transilvanskimi v poznem srednjem veku.
Ugotovili smo, da so se naše poti kar trikrat križale in sicer:


SKUPNE POTI CELJSKIH IN TRANSILVANSKIH KNEZOV

O stičnih točkah zgodovine Celjskih grofov in transilvanskih vojvod na evropskem piedestalu imamo malo podatkov. Morali bi obiskati arhive v Budimpešti, na Dunaju, v Bratislavi, Konstanci in še kje. Načrtno bi morali raziskati take ali drugačne stike med Celjskimi grofi in transilvanskimi vojvodami.

Stiki med narodi, ali vsaj med vladajočo strukturo, so verjetno bili, vendar se pojavi vprašanje, kakšni. Predvidevamo lahko, da so imeli vsaj nekaj stikov. Poti dveh tako različnih dežel, kot sta Transilvanija in Celjska grofija, njihovih kultur in načinov življenja, sta bili povezani nekajkrat v poznem srednjem veku, v obdobju vzpona celjske dinastične rodbine.

BITKA PRI NIKOPOLJU

Prvič sodelujeta predstavnika obeh pokrajin v znameniti bitki pri Nikopolju 25. septembra leta 1396.

Ogrski kralj Sigismund Luksemburški je na križarski pohod proti Turkom povabil skoraj vse takratne evropske države. Odzvali so se Francozi z okrog 10000 vojaki pod poveljstvom sina burgundskega vojvode Filipa. Pridružili so se jim nemški vitezi. Skupaj so se odpravili do Dunaja, kjer so se Avstrijcem pridružili še koroški, kranjski in štajerski Slovenci. Slednjim je poveljeval grof Herman II. Celjski. Zbrana vojska je odkorakala do Budima na Ogrskem, kjer so se pridružili Ogrom, s severa so prispeli vitezi Ivanovci s Poljske in Češke. Vsem se je pridružilo še 1000 angleških oklepnih konjenikov pod vodstvom vojvode Lancasterskega. Z zahoda je prikorakala še vojska Hrvatov, Bosancev in Ogrskih (panonskih) Slovencev. Nazadnje so se vojski pridružili še Vlahi vojvode Mirča in Transilvanci pod vojvodo Sedmograškim. Skupaj je bilo zbranih med 60000 in 100000 krščanskih vojakov. Skupaj s pratežjo so šteli okrog 120000 ljudi.

V začetku septembra 1396 je evropska vojska začela z obleganjem Nikopolja. Turški sultan Bajazid je prekinil obleganje Carigrada in se z okrog 200000 vojščakov odpravil preko Trnova proti Nikopolju. Pridružil se mu je srbski knez Štefan Lazarevič z okoli 5000 vojaki.

Evropski križarji so bili prepričani, da bodo Turke razbili in jih pregnali do Carigrada ter jih vrgli iz Evrope.

Na krščanski strani je pred bitko prišlo do resnega spora. Kralj Sigismund je hotel najprej udariti na Turke s svojo vojsko Ogrov, Slovencev, Vlahov vojvode Mirča in Sedmograjčani, ki so že poznali turški način vojskovanja. Temu so nasprotovali Francozi, ki so si želeli priboriti slavo pri razbitju in uničenju turške armade.

Kralj Sigismund je popustil Francozom, ki so prvi napadli turške čete. Francoski oklepni konjeniki so udarili na prvo bojno linijo Turkov in dobesedno pregazili janičarje. Nato so udarili in dodobra razmajali še drugo turško linijo, ki jo je sestavljala turška konjenica. Francozi so v bojni vnemi spregledali, da so napadli le del turških čet, ki je bil obrnjen proti njim. Po običaju srednjeveškega vojskovanja so razjahali in peš napadli ostanke turških čet.

Med tem se je v bitko zapletla tudi glavnina krščanskih čet. Francoze so s hrbta napadli janičarji. Francoski vitezi so njihove čete prebili, ne pa tudi uničili. S strani je napadla še turška konjenica, ki je bila skrita za gričem in je niso videli. Francozi so bili obkoljeni s turško vojsko.

Ogrski kralj Sigismund Luksemburški je videl, da se je francoska vojska znašla v obroču, zato je sam vodil protiudar. Nalet krščanskih bojevnikov je bil silovit in že se je kazala zmaga, ker je med turško vojsko prišlo do znakov razsula. Sultan Bajazid je posegel v bitko, da bi preprečil razsulo. Bajazid je povabil srbskega kneza Štefana Lazarevića in njegove vojake v napad na Sigismundov oddelek. Srbska vojska je štela okoli 5000 vojakov, od tega 1500 oklepnih konjenikov. Knez Lazarevič je z vso silo napadel vojsko kralja Sigismunda in uspel.

Vlahi vojvode Mirča in Transilvanci so pod vojvodo Sedmograškim zapustili krščansko vojsko in se pridružili Turkom. Bojišče so zapustili še Hrvati in Francozi, Nemci in Ogri ter se v neredu umikali proti Donavi.

Prisebnost je ohranil Herman II. Celjski s Slovenci. Slovenske čete Celjskega grofa so razbile Turke in jim odpeljale skoraj že zajetega ogrskega kralja Sigismunda Luksemburškega. Kralja Sigismunda Luksemburškega je rešil smrti grof Herman II. Celjski, zaradi česar je bil v zahvalo povišan v kneza.

ZMAJEV VITEŠKI RED

Drugič Celjski sodelujejo s Transilvanci leta 1408, ko je Sigismund Luksemburški začel ustvarjati Zmajev viteški red. Ustanovitelja viteškega reda sta Sigismund Luksemburški in žena Barbara Celjska. Red je imel 22 članov, ki so se delili v viteze I. in II. reda.

Z redom so odlikovali tiste, ki so bili zaslužni v obrambi vere. Med člani reda so bili: ustanovitelj Sigismund Luksemburški in žena Barbara, njena oče in brat Herman II. ter Friderik II. iz Celja, Srbski despot Štefan Lazarević, kralj Alfonz Aragonski in Neapeljski, Poljski kralj Ladislav II, veliki knez Vtautas Litvanski, vojvoda Ernest Avstrijski, Krištof III., vojvoda Bavarski, Pipo iz Ozore in Filip Buondelmonte (Ogrska), poljski kralj Vladislav II. Jagelovský, danski kralj Ferdinand, Albert III. Nemški, avstrijski vojvoda Ernest Habsburski, njegov naslednik Ernest Železni, vlaški vojvoda Vlad II. Dracul in njegov sin Vlad III., Eberhardt, ogrski plemič Nikolaj I. Gorjanski in njegov brat Jan Gorjanski, vojvoda Stibor Stiboric - bratislavski župan, Peter Brezovicki, Peter Čeh z Levic in še drugi.

13. decembra leta 1418 so na cerkvenem koncilu v Konstanci predstavili listino Zmajevega viteškega reda in njegovo delovanje. Bojevali so se proti turški vojski in husitom.

HUNJADI IN MATIJA KORVIN

Tretje, hkrati pa tudi zadnje srečanje med celjskimi in transilvanskimi plemiči, je bilo usodno za Celjske. Ulrik je skoval več mračnih načrtov zoper Ivana Hunjadija, ki je bil iz Transilvanije, sin plemiča Janosa Hunjadija. Ivan Hunjadij se je po smrti ogrskega kralja Albrehta II. Habsburškega zapletel z Ulrikom Celjskim v boj za skrbništvo nad mladoletnim kraljem Ladislavom Posmrtnikom.

Oger je s svojimi vojščaki pritisnil proti Celju, a je bil po hudih bitkah odbit, zato se je moral umakniti. Ivana Hunjadija je polom prisilil, da je pričel razmišljati o pomiritvi s Celjskimi. Tako je bila nazadnje sklenjena ženitna pogodba med Hunjadijevci in Brankovići, ki je zadevala tudi Celjske. Hčerka iz zakona med knezom Ulrikom in Katarino Branković, Elizabeta, bi morala vzeti za moža po prvem dogovoru starejšega sina ogrskega gubernatorja Ladislava, po drugem pa mlajšega Matijo.

Elizabeta, ki je zaradi sporazuma med despotom Jurijem in Celjani morala pripadati pravoslavni veri, je bila prvotno obljubljena enemu goriških grofov, toda ti so medtem tako nazadovali, da utrjevanje povezav z njimi za knežjo dinastijo iz porečja Savinje ni bilo zanimivo. Tako je bila Celjanka še kot otrok poslana k Hunjadijevcem, vendar je kmalu umrla.

Ivan Hunjadi in Ivan Kapistran sta vodila predhodnico križarskega pohoda in pred Beogradom zavrnila Osmane. Oba sta umrla za kugo. Glavnina križarske vojske pod vodstvom Ulrika Celjskega in kralja Ladislava se je počasi premikala proti bojišču.

V začetku novembra 1456 je prispela v Fugot pri Petrovaradinu, kjer je zasedal ogrski državni zbor. Na njem je bil knez Ulrik imenovan za vrhovnega kapetana Ogrske. To je bil položaj, ki ga je pred smrtjo imel Ivan Hunjadi. Njegov starejši sin je bil prepričan, da to mesto pripada njemu, zato je skoval zaroto zoper kneza Ulrika.
8. novembra 1456 so križarji končno prispeli v Beograd, toda v mestno trdnjavo so Hunjadijevci spustili samo kralja Ladislava Posmrtnika in njegovo ožje spremstvo, v katerem je bil tudi vrhovni kapetan. Naslednje jutro je Hunjadi kneza Ulrika pozval k sebi in ga dal hladnokrvno umoriti, medtem ko je kralj Ladislav ostal pri življenju.

Hunjadijeva stran pa se ni dolgo veselila uspeha. Mladi kralj se je navidezno spravil z njo, po vrnitvi v Budim pa je ostro udaril po organizatorjih beograjskega komplota.

Ladislav Hunjadi je moral z glavo plačati sodelovanje in vodenje zarote, njegov mlajši brat Matija, nesojeni Ulrikov zet, pa je bil zaprt (bil je mladoleten). Toda že naslednje leto Ladislav Posmrtnik umre in za njim se na ogrski prestol povzpne prav Matija Hunjadi – kralj Matjaž, ki postane eden največjih ogrskih in srednjeevropskih vladarjev.

A kakor knez Ulrik tudi on zapusti zgodovinsko prizorišče brez naslednika. Obstajajo celo pričevanja, da je Celjan skušal posinoviti svojega bodočega morilca, Ladislava Hunjadija.

Celjani so poslednja pomembna srednjeveška dinastija, ki se je s slovenskih tal povzpela v kroge evropskega velikega plemstva. Ko so v Celju pokapali zadnjega kneza, se je razlegal presunljiv klic:»Danes grofje Celjski in nikdar več«.

Literatura:
Fugger, Germadnik Rolanda. K zvezdam in nazaj. Ob 550-letnici smrti poslednjega grofa Celjskega. Pokrajinski muzej Celje 2006

GRDINA. Igor. Celjski knezi v Evropi. Fit- Media, d. o. o. Celje 1994.

Katalog razstave Grofje celjski. Pokrajinski muzej Celje 1999.
Veliki splošni leksikon. Priročna izdaja. Knjiga 6, 7 in 11. DZS. Ljubljana 2006.

Zbornik mednarodnega simpozija. Grofje Celjski – stara – nova spoznanja. Celje, 27. – 29. maja 1998. Pokrajinski muzej Celje 1998.

Darjan Teržan

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ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE FROM ROMANIA

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(Microsoft PowerPoint file)

King Mathias Korvin and Brasov

1. From Mathias`s collection in Buda, a considerable amount of manuscripts were taken to the library of the school founded by Johannes Honterus in Brasov. The Corvinus manuscript tradition encouraged the development of libraries in Transylvania, as part of the cultural heritage of the Hungarian and Saxon population, and, starting from the 18^th century, also of the Romanian population here.
2. An account of Dracula`s deeds
3. The Black Church in Brasov – the coat-of-arms of Mathias and Beatrix
4. 28.09. 1468. Mathias confers on Brasov the right to impose duty. In 1468, King Mathias allows the use of Walachia coins together with Hungarian ones.
5. The Black Church was built with the support of King Mathias
6. In 1467, during the Moldavian campaign, King Mathias took a rest in Brasov
7. Mathias appears in Slovenian mythology

Romania – Transylvania – Szeklerland – Brasov

The city of Brasov lies in the South-Easter corner of Transylvania, at the foot of the Carpathian mountains. It is the second biggest city of Romania, after the capital city of Bucharest.

Its name first appears in a document in 1252.

Brasov used to be the most important city of the Transylvanian Saxon population. The Black Church and the high walls surrounding the city were built in the Middle Ages. After the Reformation, Brasov became an important cultural centre with Romanian schools and cultural establishments as well.

At present the city has 323 thousand inhabitants, 10% of which are Hungarian. The number of Saxons has constantly decreased, now being below 1000.

The Black Church

It is the largest church in Transylvania and the Easternmost Gothic church in Europe. It was built between 1385 and 1477. It received its name when the Habsburgs set the city on fire and the walls were blackened by smoke and soot. The reason for setting the city on fire was that the Saxons were against the Habsburgs putting up guards in their city.

The Gothic windows and the tall pillars inside are also impressive. The most outstanding of its possessions is a collection of Turkish rugs, which were offered to the city by tradesmen.

Over the entrance to the side chapel opening from the right aisle there is a fresco dating back to 1476. It shows Mary and the infant Jesus, Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara above the coat-of-arms of King Mathias and his wife, Beatrice.

The neo-gothic altar dates to 1866. Facing the painted pulpit the King’s coat-of-arms can be seen.

Another famous possession of the church is the 4000-pipe Buchholz organ, dating back to the mid-19^th century.

Other sites

Next to the entrance to the Black Church, there is the statue of Johannes Honterus, one of the greatest cultural personalities of Transylvania, a renaissance scholar.

The old Council House stands in the middle of the central square, it is now a museum. Another famous site of the centre is the Hirscher House built in 1554, in Renaissance style. At present it is a restaurant.

Not far from the centre there is a 960 meter-high hill, called the Cenk (Hungarian) or Tampa (Romanian).

The story of Mathias and the Slovenians

The Hunyadi family is present in all Eastern European nations’ folklore, always in the context of the struggle against Turkish expansion. King Mathias is not only one nation’s hero but many others recognize him as such.

In Slovenia, Mathias’ figure is somewhat similar to that of Orpheus and Frederick Barbarossa. The folklore of Transdanubian, Slovene and Slavonic nations developed in parallel, making it possible to link historical events to fantasy, to folk legends and tales. In a way, folklore illustrates history.

Both Slovenian and Hungarian research has been conducted on legendary and historical figures. In 1991, a volume was published in two languages, Hungarian and Slovenian, dealing with the results of this research. This marked the beginning of a series of publications on a similar topic, namely, the common points in Slovene and Hungarian folklore regarding the figure of Mathias the redeemer.

The historical background of Mathias’ time does not make it easy for us to understand how he could become both nations’ hero. On the one hand, there is Celje, with its specific landscape and its counts, especially Ulrik of Celje, who is present in both nations’ tales, many times as an enemy of the Hunyadi’s (true, he is especially Laszlo Hunyadi’s opponent, also a claimer of the throne), and on the other hand, Mathias, growing into a hero in Slovene folklore, sleeping in a cave, his beard constantly growing, waiting for the time when Slovenia is in great danger, and he can save it from its enemies. (This image also brings his figure closer to German legends, which is yet another link between nations.)

According to Slovene ethnographer Ivan Grafenauer, as a result of historical similarities, King Mathias may have stepped into the place of another, Slovene mythical hero in folklore, which is why he became an important figure in Slovenia, too.

His presence in other nations’ folklore suggests the fact that Mathias was an open-minded politician in Central Europe, who was capable of holding together many nations. In spite of his strict rule – or perhaps especially because of it – his figure lived on in public awareness.

This is yet another evidence to the fact that the history and life of nations in Central Europe is so closely linked to one another that it is impossible to separate them.

A Chronicle of Dracula’s deeds in an incunabulum

by W. SALGÓ Ágnes

The first newspaper-like printings were published around 1480. They spoke about current events like the Turkish wars and, starting from the nineties, about the discovery of the new world. At fairs and markets, creepy stories were also very popular, so they had to be published again and again.

From 1485 to the mid-16^th century the story of Dracula’s cruelties was common knowledge. At the time, the horrible deeds of Vald Tepes, Prince of Walachia, were notorious all over Europe. In all probability, the earliest of the booklets relating his horrific deeds was printed by Bartholomaeus Gothan in Lübeck around 1485. The only existing copy of the booklet relates in German language the atrocities of the prince who impaled every opponent in Transylvania and Walachia between 1456 and 1462.

However, there is an earlier manuscript in the university library of Heidelberg which contains Michael Becheim`s verses about Dracula. Beheim was a German wandering minstrel who, starting from 1456, was employed by Ulrich of Celje and later by Ladislas V of Hungary and Czechia up till the latter’s death in November 1457. Beheim arrived at the court of Friedrich III in 1462 and he also mentioned his source in writing about Dracula: he had heard the stories from a monk fleeing from the prince himself, seeking refuge in a monastery. His account is probably the source of many other manuscripts on a similar topic. There are other manuscripts dating back to the 15<sup>th</sup> century, but Beheim`s variant remains the most detailed, completed with later events like the fact that the prince was taken prisoner by King Mathias` order in 1462.

Dracula’s real personality and deeds are related in different ways by historians. Some of them – especially Romanian historians - emphasize his bravery in fighting against the Turks and they consider that all descriptions of his deeds of horror are pure slander. Although they recognize the atrocities they claim that the Transylvanian Saxons and King Mathias were responsible for the negative propaganda which inspired all written work.

Naturally, it would be very hard to answer all arising questions, but we can make an outline of the most important events in Dracula’s life.

Vlad Tepes (“Vlad the Impaler”) was probably born at some point between 1429 and 1437. His father, Vlad Dracul or “Vlad the Devil” (whose mother was, in all probability, of Hungarian descent) was brought up and gained knighthood in King Sigismund`s court, who made him Prince of Walachia in 1431 and also conferred on him the Order of the Dragon.. His son Vlad Tepes grew up in the court of Janos Hunyadi (King Mathias` father) and it was with his support that he became Prince of Walachia in 1456. That is when the atrocities started especially among the Transylvanian Saxons and in Walachia where there were constant attacks by Turkish troops and also internal contentions. Tens of thousands of people were impaled, almost entire villages were literally exterminated after horrible torture, even the special envoys sent by Mohammed II were exterminated. Historian ELEKES Lajos writes that Tepes was the only leader capable of putting an end, at least temporarily, to corruption and decay. He consolidated his position by a legendary cruelty. According to CHALKOKONDILAS, he had everyone executed whom he considered unreliable, together with all his family members. He had a lust for power but his position was not secure because of the many pretenders.

The Lubeck incunabulum is an account of his deeds of horror, committed especially in the Brasov area and in Walachia before 1462, when King Mathias had him captured and imprisoned in Buda for a long time. The last lines of the print relate that during his imprisonment the prince repented his deeds, was christened and later he became a good Christian ruler in his country.

Dracula’s figure appears in Bonfini`s writings as well, who mentions the fact that King Mathias supported him and even had plans of having him marry one of his relatives. Bonfini does not know the reason why King Mathias later had him imprisoned. Regarding Dracula’s character, Bonfini mentions his cruelty and strictness. There was such strict discipline in the country that even in the middle of a forest one could be safe.

Dracula was killed in the war against the Turks and his head was sent to Mohammed II.

There is much controversy regarding the reason why Dracula was imprisoned. Some historians speak about a secret letter, intended for the eyes of the Turkish Sultan, in which Dracula would have repented for earlier antagonism and offered alliance against the Hungarian King. A copy of the letter was sent to the Pope and Pope Pius II mentioned it in his historical work. Whether the letter was forged or not is still doubtful and, consequently, there is no hard evidence pointing to why the prince was imprisoned. The fight for power and political considerations may very well have interacted in this turn of events. Since he was related to Mathias` family, he was probably not imprisoned but taken into custody in Mathias` court. What is more, we cannot be sure about the place where Vlad was held as a prisoner, even if there are several suppositions.

The Lubeck incunabulum ends with the prince’s return to his home and the fact that he became a good Christian ruler, but it does not mention the fact of his death.

Dracula’s deeds of horror were well known all over Europe. The incunabulum contains an illustration, which is a xylograph of Dracula, and several other portraits are known.

Up to the 16^th century, there are 13 different printed documents about Dracula’s deeds.

It is obvious that any account of any personality’s deeds must have been seriously affected by a series of factors like political trends, ideas, intentions or high interests. Therefore it is impossible to determine to what extent the related events belong to the realm of legends or to that of reality…

It is true that Dracula’s life has influenced many writers and artists. Probably the best known of these is Bram Stoker`s novel written in the 19^th century.

ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE

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Poslovno-komercialna šola Celje - The school of business and commerce

The school of business and commerce is constituted of two units: the vocational and technical school and vocational college. The students can study in the following programmes: shop assistant, administrator and economic technician. After obtaining the title economic technician the students can enter the work force or continue their studies at vocational college – having the possibility to choose between two programmes: commercialist and accountant - or at university .

Our students become kind and responsible shop assistants who master commercial transactions, are able to design sales areas and advice customers. Administrators and economic technicians can perform administrative and secretarial tasks, using two foreign languages; they are trained to work in production, undertaking services, institutions and public administration.

To teach effectively is the aim of every teacher and there are several possibilities to link theory with practice. Our school was among the first in Slovenia that adopted study firms as one of the subjects - this is the most contemporary method of teaching. Lessons are carried out in technologically well equipped classrooms where the study firms operate in a virtual business world under the supervision of mentors. Students can also join school clubs – they can choose among a video, dance, alpine, chess, journalist and library friends club to fulfill their interests. We are also proud of our research work, for our students achieve great results on the national level. The school also sucessfully takes part in the international projects, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius and ACES– students often visit foreign countries and some seven did their practical training abroad, so far in Northern Ireland, Finnland and Malta.

Mathias Korvin memorials in Romania

Birthplace of Mathias Korvin in
Cluj (Kolozsvár)--Romania


Mathias Korvin in Cluj(Kolozsvár)
made by sculptor János Fadrusz

We were in museum

Danes smo bili v Pokrajinskem muzeju celje in tukaj si lahko ogledate nekaj fotografij.

We were in Regional museum Celje today and you can take a look at few photos here.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Slovenia-Romania

Celje-Brasov

The students of Poslovno-komercialna šola Celje participate in the project for Eastern Europe ACES. ACES – The Academy of central European schools from Vienna invited in cooperation with the Ministy of education the schools from Slovenia to take part in the project; the invitation was accepted by 12 Slovenian schools. The ACES project includes secondary schools from Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Our partner school is the school from Brasov in Romania Colegiul National »Aprily Lajos«. With our partner school we are looking for common points in history and culture of both cities and nations. We are going to search for historical events which are relevant for both cities and nations.

At studying history, we have found out that the Transilvanian noble army, being part of the Christian army, fought against the Turks in the battle at Nikopolje in 1396. The Slovenes and the Romanians had a common enemy. We have also discovered that our Kralj Matjaž - King Mathias comes from Transilvania and that both nations know folk songs about Mathias Korvin.

These are the findings that unite us, but we hope that we will find some more.

Counts of Celje

In Savinja region, which was a part of Carniola from 1100 until 1311, von Sannegg were already mentioned in 1173, between years 1341 and 1436 Counts of Cilli, and in years 1436 and 56 Princes of state (with establishment of principality of Celje, they were exalted by emperor Sigismund of Luxemburg). They were reigning family with important European connections. They were controlling a big part of Slovenian region and had their headquarters in Celje. After the year of 1436 they became the most significant rivals of Counts of Habsburg. Since the 12th century they were spreading their estates and connections, especially by weddings (for example with the daughters of Bosnian Ban and Polish King), but at the same time they were sustaining their own culture and founding towns and cloisters. Interfering in European governmental affairs was fatal for them. In 14th century their sudden ascent began (annexation of Savinja region to Syria in 1311 was very important).

In 1322 they gained some land of Count of Vovberg with headqurters in Celje, they bought land in Carniola and in year 1341 they became Counts. They fought under more rulers, but achieved the highest point with Herman II. Count of Celje (1392 – 1435). He saved emperor Sigismund's life in the battle with Turks. He became Slavonic and Dalmatian Ban and in this way extremely enlarged his estates; he assured his sons a title Prince, which equalized them wit Counts of Habsburg. Both Counts entangled themselves in land and strategic battles that ended with mutual hereditary contract for inner-Austrian estates. When Ulrick II. tried to intervene in European dynastic politics (he proclaimed himself king's regent in Hungary), they coined conspiracy against him. It ended with his homicide in 1456 in Belgrade. That is how estates and authority of Counts Of Celje were passed over to Counts of Habsburg; Hungary was than taken over by Matthias Corvinus, and from present Slovenian land vanished the last important centre of authority.

Grofje Celjski

V Savinjski krajini, ki je bila leta 1100 – 1311 del Krajnske, so že leta 1173 omenjeni Žovneški, od leta 1341 – 1436 Celjski grofje in v letih 1436 – 56 državni knezi (z ustanovitvijo Celjske kneževine jih je povzdignil cesar Sigismund Luksemburški). Celjani so bili vladarska družina s pomembnimi evropskimi zvezami. Obvladovali so znaten del slovenskega ozemlja in imeli svoj sedež v Celju, po letu 1436 so bili tudi najresnejši tekmec Habsburžanov. Od 12. stol. so zlasti s porokami (napr. s hčerama bosanskega bana in poljskega kralja) in vojaškimi službami širili svojo posest in zveze, hkrati pa so podpirali tudi kulturo ter ustanavljali mesta in samostane. Vpletanje v evropske vladarske zadeve je bilo za njih tudi usodno. Njihov skokovit vzpon se je začel v 14. stol. (pri tem je pomembna priključitev Savinjske krajine k Štajerski 1311). Leta 1322 so si pridobili posesti Vovberžanov s sedežem v Celju, kupovali so posesti na Kranjskem in leta 1341 postali grofje. Vojaško so služili več vladarjem, vrhunec so dosegli pod Hermanom II. Celjskim (1392 - 1435). Ta je v bitki s Turki pri Nikopolju leta 1396 cesarju Sigismundu Luksemburškemu rešil življenje. Postal slavonski in dalmatinski ban in silno je povečal posesti, sinovoma je zagotovil knežji naslov, s čimer so se Celjski izenačili s Habsburžani. Z njimi so se zapletli v posestne in strateške boje, ki so se končali z medsebojno dedno pogodbo za notranjeavstrijske posesti. Ko je Urlik II. poskušal še dejavneje poseči v evropsko dinastično politiko (oklical se je za kraljevega namestnika na Ogrskem), so proti njemu skovali zaroto, ki se je končala z njegovim ubojem leta 1456 v Beogradu. Tako so posesti in oblast Celjskih prišle v roke Habsburžanov, Ogrsko pa prevzame Matija Korvin, Z današnjega slovenskega ozemlja je izginilo zadnje pomembno središče oblasti.

Dobrodošli

Dijaki Poslovno-komercialne šole v Celju sodelujemo v Avstrijskem projektu za vzhodno Evropo ACES.

Ministrstvo za šolstvo je v sodelovanju z Akademijo srednjeevropskih šol povabil k sodelovanju srednje šole iz vse Slovenije. Povabilo je sprejelo dvanajst srednjih šol iz Slovenije. V ACES so se vključile srednje šole iz Češke Republike, Srbije, Hrvaške, Avstrije, Madžarske, Romunije, Slovaške in Slovenije.

Projekt organizira Akademija srednjeevropskih šol ACES. Sami smo si lahko izbrali partnerje izmed vseh sodelujočih šol. Naša partnerska šola je iz Brasova iz Romunije. Z partnersko šolo iz Brasova v Transilvaniji iščemo stične točke iz zgodovine in kulture obeh mest in narodov. Poiskali bomo zgodovinske dogodke, ki so pomembni za obe mesti in naroda.

Pri proučevanju zgodovine celjskih grofov smo ugotovili, da se je pri Nikopolju leta 1396 zoper Turke borila tudi transilvanska plemiška vojska na strani krščanske vojske. Imeli smo skupnega sovražnika.

Ugotovili smo, da je naš Kralj Matjaž – Matija Korvin doma iz Transilvanije in oboji poznamo ljudske pesmi o Kralju Matjažu. To je nekaj spoznanj, ki nas združuje, a upamo, da jih bo še več.