Partner Institutions

Agóra is a municipal Cultural Centre in the heart of the Jutasi housing estate, accommodating cooking courses, dance or card clubs and professional groups, but the establishment also regularly hosts exhibitions. Weekend performances and concerts give locals a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There is always something on for all age groups.

Founded in 1916, the basic arts school took the name of violinist and composer Antal Csermák in 1955. The institution, located in Veszprém’s city centre has a 200-seat concert hall and a chamber hall that seats 50.

At present, 912 enrolled students are being instructed by experienced music teachers, who provide education in 27 subjects from the basics to advanced levels to music lovers ranging from age six to young adults. In addition to classical instruments, students can choose to study improvisation as well as synthesizer and computer music in the afternoon.

The county library offers a constantly updated selection of books to readers of all ages, with exhibitions and children's activities complementing regular lending library functions.

The Archdiocese of Veszprém is one of the oldest dioceses in the country; at the same time, it is also the youngest among our archdioceses, having been elevated to the status of metropolitan see as recently as 30th May 1993 by Pope John Paul II in his apostolic constitution Hungarorum Gens. It was also this decree that defined the present territory of the diocese, which is made up of Veszprém County, about a quarter of Zala County and a few settlements in Fejér, Győr-Moson-Sopron and Komárom-Esztergom Counties. The diocese is home to 460,000 people, of whom about 300,000 are Catholic. The diocese is made up of four archdeaconries, seven deaconries and 180 parishes, currently served by slightly over 100 priests. Dr. György Udvardy was appointed Archbishop of the archdiocese on 30th August 2019; dr. István Takáts is currently serving as vicar-general, János Szabó as financial vicar, and Sándor András Tóth as judicial vicar. Saint Anne is the patron saint of the archdiocese, and Blessed Gizella is its co- patron saint.

Hangvilla (the name being a pun on Tuning Fork/Villa of Voices and Sounds) is Veszprém’s newest multifunctional community space, where a wide range of events may be organized in a unique built environment: theatre performances, concerts, conferences, corporate events, business lunches/dinners, press conferences, standing receptions, gala dinners, wedding receptions, balls, and catering services.

Operating as a professional puppet theatre since 2001, the Kabóca Puppet Theatre performs puppet shows for babies, nursery school children, pupils and teenagers. Our repertoire includes classical and modern, Hungarian and foreign literary material, as well as musical productions. Performances take place at our headquarters in Hangvilla, Veszprém, and also at various cultural institutions, festivals and professional events in many towns and villages across the country. Under the Kabóca Házikó (Play Hut) programme, we welcome children under three and their parents to a special play area and puppet theatre performances. Every year, we organize the traditional Kabóciádé Family Festival in Veszprém, which has been awarded a Premium Festival Certificate by the Hungarian Festival Association. Over our almost fifteen years of existence, our performances have been presented at numerous festivals in Hungary and abroad. We have also collected a range of professional awards and prizes at various events.

The museum is perhaps the most exciting cultural institution, an authentic sharer of the knowledge and understanding accumulated through the research of the artefacts in its collection, via interactive channels of communication with the social groups that make up its audience.

As much as its resources allow, the museum strives to make the widest possible range of values we possess freely accessible to all in the most efficient way and form. An inclusive space - both physically and in spirit - where culture and visitor can meet. This will add to us all: visitors and the museum alike.

Veszprém County Archives - one of the county institutions of the Hungarian National Archives, the largest public collection of its kind in Hungary. The scope of the County Archives covers the territory of present Veszprém County. The basic tasks of the archives are diverse: supervising the management of the records of the various document-forming organisations, receiving public documents of permanent value from these, and also placing great emphasis on the collection of individual documents of private persons. The archives building, constructed in 1928 to house the Royal Hungarian "Kinizsi Pál" Military Institute for the Training and Education of NCOs, today houses more than 15,000 linear metres of documents in appropriate conditions. The organisation of the archives as well as the creation of guides and databases help facilitate consultation of the archives and a better interpretation of their contents. The archives' research service is open to both professional and amateur researchers. Our Helpdesk provides citizens and public administrations with information and copies of documents of legal status. The archives are also an academic institution. Staff carry out scientific research and publish their findings in books, publications or online, thus adding to historical scholarship. The archives also host conferences, book presentations, public cultural events and exhibitions, and aim to reach out to young people through extra-curricular activities such as archival lessons and activities.

House of Arts Veszprém is a contemporary art centre established in 1993. It currently welcomes visitors of all ages in eight historic buildings of the Baroque castle of Veszprém, serving as an artistic and intellectual centre as well as a tourist attraction.

House of Arts Veszprém is located next to the Castle Gate and the Fire Lookout Tower, where the spirit of the place and the Baroque environment inspire artists, visitors and staff alike.

The University of Pannonia, with its seat in Veszprém, is operating in the picturesque cities on the lands of the former Roman province, Pannonia. The five faculties of the university offer high quality education supported by cutting edge research activity and a student friendly environment. In order to meet the needs of the professional job market, our activities are carried out in close cooperation with the regional industrial partners and local governments. Based on the professional achievements of our faculty staff and the internationally recognized R&D results, the University of Pannonia is ranked among the best Hungarian universities. 

Pannon Várszínház Theatre Arts Development Non-profit Ltd was founded by the Self-Governments of Nagyvázsony Village and Várpalota Town, Internmed LP, and László Vándorfi on 16th February 2001. The theatre’s name (Pannon Castle/Showplace Theatre) was initially chosen to reflect on its connections with the castles and historical locations of Veszprém city, Veszprém county and the former Pannnonia region as well as the events, persons and values which are linked to them. Ever since, the theatre’s artistic aim has been to create a contemporary representation of these and at the same time provide a comprehensive arts response to the conflicts of our recent past and the present. The meaning of the word ’Showplace’ in the theatre’s name has by now come to refer to the designation of an institution which is open to receive a wide range of performances and audiences.

In the city of Veszprém, it was interest from the citizens and the cultural needs of the population which gave birth to the institution of the theatre. At the beginning of the 19th century, there was already a theatre-promoting nucleus of locals in Veszprém, mainly grouped around school actors. The earliest archaeological find of theatre life in Veszprém: the oldest theatre playbill in Veszprém dates back to 1814. Petőfi Theatre opened on 17th September 1908, built according to the plans of István Medgyaszay. The institution was attached to the existing Korona Hotel and Casino. Its style reflected the results of Medgyaszay's years spent researching into Hungarian folk art and the culture of our nation’s Eastern roots. It is of international architectural importance that he linked up the artistic shaping of reinforced concrete with the applicability of the ancient traditions of the Hungarian people. The building of the Theatre, decorated with stained glass by painter Sándor Nagy, became a manifestation of the new "Hungarian style": Hungarian Art Nouveau. The citizens, however, also kept demanding the establishment of their own theatre company, which was eventually founded in 1961 by the leaders of Veszprém County. The founding charter set out a mission still valid today:

"...a single-division prose theatre shall be established, with a programme policy that reflects contemporary life, our times, with a focus on Hungarian works and new Hungarian dramas, in order to create an urban theatre culture with performances of a consistent quality..."

The existence of the theatre began with this mission, and its professional course was long intertwined with that of Hungarian drama.

The recently renovated Biró-Giczey House was once known as the House of the Birds for the lovely bird murals in the Baroque halls. The house was formerly named after its builders, Canon Márton Padányi Biró, later Bishop of Veszprém, and Canon István Giczey. Our upstairs exhibitions are designed to commemorate these outstanding personalities. The visitor centre named after St. Francis de Sales is the tourist facility of the Archdiocese of Veszprém. The aim of the centre is to provide information about the ecclesiastical attractions of the area, and at the same time invite in visitors who wish to explore the house itself.

Located only 15km from Lake Balaton, our zoo is ready to welcome visitors to its picturesque grounds all year round, weekends and national holidays included. A full-day programme, the zoo walk provides pleasant relaxation time to all age groups who wish to explore the wonderful world of animals and meet our newest inhabitants. Information on our homepage will allow everyone to easily pre-plan their visit.

In line with its designated tasks, the Archives preserve and ensure the preservation of documents relating to the Episcopate and the Basilica Chapter, supervise the management of public institutions operated by the Archdiocese of Veszprém, provide data of public interest and research services, and carry out cultural education and scholarly work.

Veszprém Programme Office is responsible for organizing and implementing events in the city (e.g. Gizella Days).

ECoC VEB2023 works in close collaboration with the city's Tourist Information and Marketing Office. Veszprém Tourism Non-profit Ltd provides essential information and services both for locals and visít őrs from within Hungary and abroad to help enhance the experience of discovering our lovely city.