Hudi József (szerk.): Voyta Adolf visszaemlékezései (Pápa, 2012)
Angol rezümé
MEMOIRS OF ADOLF VOYTA The literature of memoirs in Hungary contains relatively few memoirs, diaries, and autobiographies written by architects. This publication is one of the few which contains the memoirs of architect Voyta Adolf (born in 1834, Pápa - died in 1923, Budapest) written at an old age. The publication was edited by C.Sc. József Hudi. Adolf Voyta was born on 25th October 1834 from the marriage of the catholic József Woita (1807-1896) who was an architect himself, and of the Lutheran Anna Vélsz. His grandfather, Ferenc Woita was an architect, too, who immigrated from Moldavia to Hungary at the end of the 18th century and settled in Körmend. Voyta finished his primary school education as well as the l-4th class of secondary school education in Pápa, and the 5th class in Győr. Between 1849 and 1853, he studied bricklaying in Szombathely following his father’s wish, then between 1853 and 1856, he studied architecture at the Polytechnics in Vienna. For a while he worked in the office of Carl Tietz a Vienna architect originated from Berlin, later he was employed as an engineer on the construction of the railway line between Linz and Amstetten. Some time later he improved his knowledge in London, where he possibly got involved in Masonry. In I860, he returned to Pápa where he worked as a builder until 1894 then he moved to Budapest with his family and continued his profession. During his lengthy career he designed and built houses, public buildings, castles, railway buildings and plants. In the history of the Hungarian theatrical art, he is considered as the architect of several rural theatres in neo-Renaissance style. The prototype of this kind of theatre was built in his hometown in 1881. He became an outstanding figure in the history of Pápa by acting as a local representative, an organizer of several cultural events, a founder of banks, and as the backer of liberal policy. From 1875 he actively took part in Kölcsey Ferenc Masonic lodge founded together with his friends. From his memoirs we get an insight in his nuclear and distant environs: his family, childhood, schoolyears, and the decades of his career as an architect. His memoirs describe the capitalist Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy from the point of view of a citizen from a small town. A successful entrepreneur living a harmonic family life is being presented to u sin the book. » 259 «
