Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
VÁC IN THE 20TH CENTURY 183 was elected.The change of regime in 1990 set new tasks and offered new opportunities to the town. The change of regime brought about a multi-party democracy while in the economic field the socialist system based on state-owned properties was replaced by private property-based market economy. Traditional civil values regained their position as opposed to socialist ideology. Companies, which had formerly been organized on the basis of the old socialist system of centralization, were transformed or closed down. Due to privatization the private sector started to play an increasingly significant role in the economic life of the town. The transformation of DCM is shown even by the change of its name: instead of Danube Cement and Lime Works (DCM) now it is called DDC (Danube- Dráva Cement Ltd). The chimneys that used to be the symbols ofthetown have been pulled down. The once famous Forte Factory was unable to cope with competition and its premises are empty now. The premises of the former shipyard are shared by several smaller businesses. The heaviest losses were met by the textile industry. The old socialist companies have been replaced by new ones that produce more competitive products satisfying contemporary economic demands. These factories are situated in the new industrial park on the outskirts of town. A multinational company employing highly qualified workers produces computer accessories and provides considerable financial support to the town. The privatization of agriculture resulted in the re-appearance ofsmall farms.The once homogeneous agricultural cooperatives have been replaced by individual farmers who adapt more flexibly to market conditions. The countryside looks different as well: there are smaller parcels of land and newly planted orchards all around. The buildings of the former big department stores have been occupied by several smaller shops. Széchenyi Street has become a shopping area with a wide range of shops and goods. After the change of regime the church was also returned its properties. The Provost's Palace houses the Museum of the Diocese where visitors can see the most beautiful items from the treasury of the bishopric. The Piarist Secondary Grammar School has reopened its gates on Konstantin Square in its former building. On the premises of the former army barracks a new"schooltown" has been built. Vác has an institution of higher education as well: Vilmos Apor Catholic College trains kindergarten and primary school teachers. People interested in the past of the town are welcomed by the Vác City Archives ina new modern building. International connections of the town have also developed since the 1990s. At present Vác has seven sister towns: Järvenpää in Finland, Donaueschingen in Germany, Deuilla-Barre in France, Székelyudvarhely (Odorheiu Secuiesc, Oderhellen) in Transylvania, Givatayim in Israel, Vágtölgyes (Dubnica nad Váhom) and Ipolyság (Sahy) in Slovakia, and also cultural cooperation with Yurihonjo in Japan. Keeping contact has become easier since Hungary joined the EU in 2004. The change of regime has established new traditions in the cultural life of the town. The three-day series of programmes at the annual summer festival (Váci Világi Vigalom), which take place on the Danube bank and the renewed Main Square, attract not only the town's citizens but many visitors as well. The old coat of arms of Vác, renewed in 1989
