By the end of June this year, the Creative House at Szigliget and Zsennye will end the construction works and the buildings will be as good as new. The two buildings renovation works are co-financed by the Human Resources Department and the National Cultural Fund – NKA – The Hungarian Creative Arts Nonprofit Ltd. The aim of the reconstruction works by the state is for the purpose to achieve, to operate with the support of contributing high-quality works, also to create the field of contemporary Hungarian art including certain forms of art related theoretical and critical creative activities, furthermore to support art in the Hungarian domestic and international awareness. The Creative House renovating cost for Szigliget is approximately four hundred million HUF. The Zennyei Creative House cost 150 million HUF – so we were told at the press invitation upon our arrival from Budapest to Szigliget by Secretary of State for Culture János Halász. Also was said, over the Creative House at Szigliget the Emmi exercise the rights of ownership and the Hungarian Creative Arts Public Limited Company – MANK will be operating it.
The Creative House st Szigliget is situated in the Veszprém county and located in the triangle of Tapolca – Keszthely – Badacsony, the upper area of Lake Balaton. The building was built-in neo-classical style in the 1700s and was owned by Géza Puttyáni. From 1916 it became the property of Count Pál Esterhazy, and to his widow in possession until the year of 1945. In 1952 became the property of the Literary Fund and in 1953 started to operate as a workshop. At first, only writers and poets visited in ’68 and since the merger of the Art Fund has been visitors of fine artists, craftsmen and musicians.
Within the Hungarian MANK Philanthropic Program, there are about 4,000 artists and 20 artistic organizations directly connected. Recreational opportunities provided by the creative house can make use of those creators who individually join the Hungarian Program Philanthropic or such organisations costing them 40% off the total price. During the high season … July, 1 to August, 31 the house can only be used by artists, and even in the low season, but at the same time the house will operate as a 4stars hotel for guests during the blank periods, whereas they pay the full price. So in order to increase the revenue potential for creative utilization housing in the off-season anyone can come and stay, said Tibor Hornyak – executive director of the MANK.
More about the Creative House itself … It will have 30 guest rooms and about 75 seats, including constituent institution opportunities for working, having a week-end relaxing holiday for couples and family as well. At the tower castle building is still going the construction works to reach its sophisticated form. The garden area is rich with nature’s gift with bedded Europe-famous botanical gardens having around 520 kind of plants on the 10-acre arboretum among the 250 years old trees. The venue has an artificial lake. Rolling through the park through the streams of statues makes the visitors to stop by, also worthwhile to enter the rose garden which is unique by itself.
Plans are out in having Summer concert events, also holding literary camps, and International Folk Architecture Conference. Arranging weddings can be an issue for the house as well. Easy way to relax here taking a view at the terrace, watching at a distance as the sun goes down at the Lake Balaton. A caffè shop will be open and invites those visitors who wish to taste pastries
preserved by the locals within their tradition over many generations. Cannot be missed in having a taste of their speciality: “szigligeti lángos” … “Scone from Szigliget”, salted – plan, with or without garlic, sour cream or sprinkled with grated cheese. We tried it and it was fabulous.
Update information will be on its way upon visiting, when the final construction works end … at the end of June, 2014.
Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 