V. Fodor Zsuzsa (szerk.): Veszprémi művészek és mecénások a századelőn (Veszprém, 1994)

Introduction Similar to other medium size towns of the country the social development of Veszprém becamfe more dynamic around the beginning of the century. The reform movement covered almost all areas of town life. Economic growth was indicated by the establishment of several small and larger factories, as well as the improvement of the railway network. The establishment of aqueducts, sewer systems and electric lighting helped to make living conditions more civilized. The townscape became more and more pretty. High quality public buildings and churches were built, landscaping was carried out, and the view of the downtown was adjusted to fit town standards by building paved roads and attractive shop-windows. Naturally, this dynamic activity extended to cultural life, as well. A longstanding wish came true when, in 1902, The Veszprém County Museum Society was established, which was followed by the organization of the Theatre Supporting Society. The help of its members and all culture supporting citizens of the town made it possible to open the theatre in 1908. It was designed by Istvan Medgyaszay, using the most modern technology of the era, in secessionist style. New societies and associations started their activities, the goal of which was to help the cause of general education and the organization of social life. The Veszprém Singers' Society, which was formed in 1903, comprised the best part of the music-loving public of the town. Even though we hadn't a society of a definitely literary nature in Veszprém at the beginning of the century, poems of Endrődi Sándor, a well-known native of our town, could be heard frequently in the programmes of the local student literary and debating societies and other cultural societies. Endrődi, who was a poet, a historian of literature, a journalist and editor - and who was considered as best Hungarian poet of the era after the death of János Arany and before the appearance of Endre Ady - wrote about the town and the natural beauty of the Balaton region. The tragically short course of the lives of two exceptional personalities of modern Hungarian prose also started in Veszprém. It was in this small town that the Cholnoky brothers, Viktor and László, who were journalists publishing literary-level works, acquired their allround education, which they could make use of later on in the capital. In 1910 two young man, Kálmán Ludvigh and László Proder started a social, literary, cultural and critical weekly journal in their home town, Veszprém, which was unique with its radical efforts in the history of provincial society and literature of the era. The short existence of the journal called „Modern Trans-Danubia" (which lasted only about four months) also served to prove the appearance and spreading of new ideas and tendencies in the provinces. Csikász Imre, the well-known sculptor, started out and temporarily worked here, and between 1900-1907 Sándor Nagy, an outstanding personality of Hungarian secessionist art at the beginning of the century (who later became an artisan working in Gödöllő) ripened his artistic beliefs in Veszprém. Exellent ecclesiastical and laymen helped the realization of the goals who, with constructive ideas, serious organization and materials support, gained long-standing distinction for the town. In almost all cases related to the town and its citizens, county bishop Baron Károly Hornig gave the greatest financial assistance. He provided education for talented ecclesiastical and wordly young people, supported Imre Csikász, the sculptor, by financing his 4