Bányai Balázs - Kovács Eleonóra (szer.): A"Zichy-expedíció"- Szent István Király Múzeum közleményei. A. sorozat 48. (Székesfehérvár, 2013)
The "Zichy Expedition"
208 THE “ZICHY EXPEDITION and increase the Hungarian industrial production by fuelling inner consumption.120 On 17th February 1878, a commission of 70 people including artisans and merchants from Székesfehérvár and all over County Fejér assembled to discuss the exhibition. A committee of organization was elected, with Jenő Zichy as its president and Archduke Josef as its main patron.121 The president himself took a major role in the organization and started a national tour to promote the exhibition.122 Of course the success of the exhibition depended on the work of the secretary Antal Manhold, the assistant secretary Izidor Braun, mayor József Havranek as well as the work of the leaders and members of the well-organized committees as well.123 The ceremonial opening of the “National Exhibition of Arts, Industry, Agriculture and Cattle in Székesfehérvár” took place on the territory of the riflerange and horse breeding grounds on 10th May 1879 'n the presence of the representatives of the government, the churches, the capital, the counties and towns. Jenő Zichy said in its opening speech: with our exhibition “we had to show to the nation and to the world that we are able to live. ... while maintaining and developing our national existence, we will be able to fulfill our duty amidst the European culture-states.”'2* This was the first major national exhibition of Székesfehérvár in the age of dualism. It was held on a site of more than 80 000 square meters. Its participants were separated into 17 categories. Most of them were from the light and heavy industry but the representatives of the various fields of agriculture and arts were present as well. Among the participants and the awarded ones were many important entreprises and artisans of Hungary as well as the most developed estates. The exhibition offered a chance also for local businesses.125 Thanks to the exceptional organization, the series of events held at the time of the exhibition - for example: the assembly of municipalities, the meeting of industrial and commercial institutions for discussing the forms of industrial protection, the assembly of young artisans, the national congress of farmers, the general assembly of the Association of Foresters etc - directed the attention towards the exhibition and Székesfehérvár.126 The exhibition was closed on 1st July. It achieved its primary goal: it reflected the state of the Hungarian industry and agriculture, created opportunity for artisans to share their knowledge and learn about the newest technologies. It was a financial success as well thanks to the entrance fee paid by the 158 000 visitors127 and the space-rental fee of the participants.128 It was mentioned above, that part of this financial success was diverted to benefit the theatre. The visitors enjoyed themselves for the organizers ensured their amusement.129 The invigorated journalistic life remained vivid even later. There were pouters of course who argued that the development of the industry shown was very small and the participants themselves hoped for more purchase orders on the spot
