Prominent landowner: Serfs were not slaves

A prominent figure within the landowner community reflects on the changing definition of what it means to be a landowner today. The discussion moves beyond mere property ownership to encompass a sense of cultural identity, adherence to specific values, and a connection to family history and continuity.

The article highlights the historical rupture caused by communist land reforms enacted in 1944. Following the decree on agrarian reform, estates were nationalized without compensation, effectively dismantling the landowner class as an organized, economically independent social group. This policy stripped former owners not only of their land but also of their family homes.

Consequently, the term "landowner" no longer refers to the historical figure of the 19th or interwar periods. Instead, the contemporary context is described as a "post-landowner" environment. This refers to individuals who actively engage with and identify with the history and traditions of the former landowning class, embracing a value system that once characterized them.