Budapest, 1947. (3. évfolyam)

2.szám - BENEDEK ANDRÁS: Színházi esték

BUDAPEST GALL WITZ The oldest shop in Budapest for smoking articles IV., PÁRISI-UTCA 9 • IV., KÍGYÓ-UTCA 4 The best lighters, pipes, ivory carving8 and gifts ILLUSTRATED HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL REVIEW PUBLISHED BY THE CITY OF BUDAPEST THE GLAZIERS' GUILD OF THE TWIN TOWNS OF PEST AND BUDA The many highly interesting exhibits in the Municipal Historical Museum offer much invaluable information on the activities, a hundred and more years ago of the Glaziers' Guilds in the twin towns of Pest and Buda. The oldest of the exhibits date from around 1810 and reveal the influence of the Empire style. The only master whose signed works still exist, was J. Piesche, whose finest work, a glass of cut-glass on a stand represting a graceful Eros raising a torch is one of the prize exhibits. The nobility of the composition of this work, the fine sense of form make it a masterpiece of neoclassic art recalling the reliefs of Canova. The Museum also possesses two other signed works by this master of whom little is known except that he worked in Pest between 1821—1828. Another charming picture of by-gone days which comes to life is that presented on cut and enamel glasses showing the panorama of Buda and Pest in the first half of past century. While it is unquestionable that these glasses were made by Hungarian masters, there were also many similar, were manufactured in Vienna for export purposes. It seems a pity that private collectors are neglecting the fragile memories ot the past when one remembers that a rich collection could be assembled at little sacrifice and, in this way that light could then be thrown on several still disputed questions. ß

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s BUDAPEST AND THE HUNGARIAN COMMUNIST PARTY'S THREE YEAR PLAN The Hungarian Communist Party's Three Year Plan was recently published in book form. In the preface written by M. Rákosi, head of the Hungarian Communist Organisation, we find the following passage : »The focal point around which our three year plan revolves is the necessity to raise the standard of living of the working masses with the least delay. It is from this angle that all other problems must be studied.« In its broad outlines, the three year plan publicises the attitude and intentions of the Hungarian Communist Party in respect of the programme of work, of investments and the financing of the economic plan. Vast sums are allocated to the reconstruction and further development of Hungarian capital. Amongst the principal items, we find provision for the modernisation and reconstruction of the out-of-date railway stations in, the capital, the further development of the already existing network of tramways and sub-urban electric trains, the modernisation of the broadcasting system, the telephone and telegraph services, the contsruction of houses for the working classes and of homes for infant and juvenile populations, the extension of the aerodrome at Ferihegy, the reconstruction of the bridges that the Naziswantonly destroyed, and the transformation of the St. Margaret Island from a plav-ground for the rich, into a rcacreation and health center for the workers. Consequently, there is every reason to attach great importance to this plan, particularly so far as concerns the evolution of Budapest from a war-torn capital into an internationally admired metropolis. From the industrial point of view too, the plan is actively concerned with the further development of the capital, providing as it does for the introduction of a nation-wide scheme of planned economy, Budapest being the industrial heart of the country. According to this publication, the plan will not create only new lives but also new men and democracy — represented by the working classes and supported by the progressive »intelligentia«-—will find the strength necessary to sweep aside any obstacles that may be placed in the path of its successful conclusion. Finally, the plan puts forward the view that the programme of reconstruction and investment can be achieved without the necessity of Hungary having to contract, loans in foreign countries. S. Lestyán THE HISTORY OF THE SERVITE SQUARE Following the liberation of Buda, the »Szépmecset« or Mosque Beautiful and the land in its vicinity was restituted to the Servite Order that had founded a home for itself in Pest in 1688. It was there that the Order built itself a new monastery and, in 1725, laid the foundations of its new church. The land facing the church was acquired by the Order in 1716. Situated in the middle of the square, which was named after the Servite Order, there originally stood a fine memorial dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. At that period, the square was fringed with modest one-storey houses and was frequently filled to overflowing by oxdrawn carts awaiting their turn to cross the river on the near-by pontoon bridge. The »Szépmecset« was demolished at the time of the construction of the building, that now serves as the Town Hall. During the XVIII. Century, when a terrible pestilence broke out, the inhabitants of Pest flocked in hundreds to the square to pray for mercy and that the A szabadságlieyyi MAJESTIC a kényesigényű közönség pihenő- és szór akozóhelye * A művészien átalakított étterem és szalon fii ggőterrasza látványosság * Sso h a - és asstalrendelés: 361-935 84