H. Szilasi Ágota - Várkonyi Péter - Bujdosné Pap Györgyi - Császi Irén (szerk.): Agria 50. (Az egri Dobó István Vármúzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2017)

Zábrátzky Éva: Olvasókör és temetkezési egyesület az egri Cifra-hóstyán

FORRÁSOK

Eger Újság

Egri Katolikus Tudósító Egri Népújság Egér-Gyöngyösi újság

ENA 4156-2012.A Cifranegyedi Római Katolikus Földműves Olvasókör iratai (1905-1950)

RÖVIDÍTÉS

ENA - A Dobó István Vármúzeum Néprajzi Adattára

Éva Zábrátzky

THE READING CIRCLE AND BURIAL SOCIETY OF FARMERS IN EGER’S CIFRA HÓSTYA (1905-1948)

The establishment of the farmers’ reading circles and youth organisations at the end of the 19th century was an important step in the emergence of the middle classes in Eger. These circles were organised by the districts, called hóstya, with the aim of promoting the intellectual, financial and social interests of those working in agriculture. Funds collected from membership fees, donations and balls were used to set up libraries, hold educational lectures and subscribe to periodicals. The members of the reading circles organised a choir and a theatrical group, and livened up the lives of farmers by holding cultural events in the afternoons. Following the typical agricultural lifestyle and routines, these circles were active from late autumn to early spring, when works in the vineyards allowed some entertainment and education.

Apart from cultural education, the leaders of the reading circles, who were respected intellectuals, also helped the members in settling everyday issues and official matters. From the 1920s burial societies were also established, built on the principle of solidarity, where the families of members received aid towards funeral expenses.

Out of the reading circles and the related burial societies of Eger, this study presents the history of the Roman Catholic Reading Circle and Youth Organisation of the Cifra District.

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