Collective bath and community building movement, Ars Topia Foundation

The foundation launched its operation in 2001 with the renovation of the traditional bath in Csíklázárfalva. Since then, a project by the Seklerland Bath and Community Building Collective has been organised every year with unabating success. The experience of these years confrms that there is great demand for collective, voluntary work as well as the promotion of and social awareness about the architect and landscape architect professions. The foundation regards the tradition of the so-called kaláka (collective) as part of Hungary’s cultural heritage and believes that the revival of collective work may effectively solve the problem of protecting and developing local architectural and cultural values. Ars Topia contributes to the sustainable nurturing of the landscape culture of the Carpathian Basin, to the healing of springs that help to keep the landscape alive and energetic, as well as to the nurturing of traditional curative baths.