A Móra Ferenc Múzeum Évkönyve 2016., Új folyam 3. (Szeged, 2016)
NÉPRAJZ - Mód László: A Csongrádi Szőlősgazdák Egyesületének tevékenysége
László Mód The activities of the Association of Csongrád County Wine-Growers The activities of the Association of Csongrád County Wine-Growers László Mód Following the First World War the growing of grape and the production of wine were not among the prosperous fields of agriculture, which was mainly caused by difficulties in selling. The economic historical events of the 1920s’ and 30s’ had an especially negative impact on growing grape on sandy soil, because the wine could either be sold at a very low price or not sold at all, thus making the maintenance of vineyards an uneconomic endeavor. The vineyard owners of Csongrád who managed small-sized parcels found themselves in a difficult situation and even excavating could not provide a stable livelihood for the vast majority of them. The Association of Csongrád County Wine-Growers started its operation at the beginning of the 1920s’ in this milieu, expanding itself into the most important labor organization of vineyard owners in a short period of time. The association tried to find solutions to the problems plaguing the sector on a local- county or even national level. In the beginning of the 1920s’ they had over 500 members, signifying that the association had a relatively great number of supporters among vineyard owners. By supporting the partnerships of vineyard owners for the purpose of making consistent types of wine and by encouraging the conversion of the stock of vine-types the association hoped to achieve major changes in the field of growing grape on sandy soil. Their headquarters in the Jókai Street of Csongrád had a strong social function; balls were hosted here, and the members had a chance to study local newspapers, professional literature and to participate on professional gatherings. It operation - despite the less than favorable conditions - can be considered as successful, which is supported by the fact that it maintained its popularity even after the foundation of mountain villages and agricultural cooperatives, it functioned as the most important labor organization of the vineyard owners of Csongrád right until its closure. On March 17th, 1946 it was converted into the Association of Vineyard Owners and Fruit-Growers but in 1949, in the 25th year of its operation the association - among several similar professional organizations - was banned by the authorities. 279
