Hygieia’s Art (ὑγιεινή τέχνη) – the Art of Health
On November 2, members of Group Sz3 took part in a fascinating activity: soap-making! The creation of cleansing products ties into our Greek-themed project, as we even owe the word “hygiene” to the Greeks. Melinda Kulik, a returning guest, shared with us the strong tradition of soap-making in Szeged. Soap-making was once a popular trade here, with large, stamped soap blocks being widely transported. Szeged’s soap industry flourished due to its abundant supply of raw materials from the local Pick factory, as well as pig farming and slaughtering. We learned that while one can make soap from a pre-made base, true soap is made from scratch.
In the past, soap was cooked or mixed using either hot or cold processes, always with the use of lye. We opted for the cold process. After learning about the process, each group member took on a role, from measuring and preparing the ingredients to pouring them into molds. We made various types of soap: pumpkin, lemon-poppy seed, dark chocolate, mint, and pink clay with Himalayan salt decoration. We eagerly await the day we can use them, though we’ll have to wait a month for the chemical reactions to complete.
Following this, those group members involved in the society’s role-playing game continued their adventures, encountering surprising twists and thrilling moments. Along their journey, they faced a giant yeti-monster, a bloodthirsty elf king who slayed young dragon hatchlings, and a sly innkeeper. Some team members enjoyed drinking duels with dwarves, while their bard friend savored his crushing victory over his worldly bard rival.
A big thank you to game masters Marci Sebők and Gábor Berta, whose tireless efforts keep our story alive and thriving.
Márkó Felicián Laurinyecz, Sz3