Open Courtyards - Whispering Houses

The Veszprém Stories is one in a series of programmes and books initiated and published by the Institute of Advanced Studies (iASK) in Kőszeg. Each Talking Cities - Talking Houses volume aims to present a city’s intercultural heritage and condensed history in a diverse manner. By exploring Veszprém's past on a microscopic scale, through biographies and life stories, the people who once lived there appear to the readers almost as their acquaintances, making it easier to connect with the city. Historians, archivists, musicians, writers, social and natural scientists, architects and built heritage experts are called on to help convey the message. A coherent chain of experiences will result by connecting the existing dots of cultural attractions and local history.

The research results and collected material will be presented to the public when, linked to the St. Michael's Day programmes in the autumn of 2023, the courtyards of downtown Veszprém will be opened to the public. The plan is to involve the community of Veszprém through art and make it an active part of the project. Open Courtyards will be accompanied by publishing the Veszprém volume of Talking Cities - Talking Houses series, the third after the volumes on Keszthely and Kőszeg.

The sites, stories and people were selected to offer the most comprehensive portrait of the history and cultural heritage of the city. Among other things, the controversial, pro-cultural, yet conservative role of the city's ecclesiastical landlords is described. The inner courtyard of the former dungeon is a fascinating venue for reminiscing and recounting the stories and personalities of 1956, including the tragically intertwined one of the infamous communist politician János Papp and the President of the 1956 Revolutionary Council, a Latin-Greek scholar and teacher, Árpád Brusznyai. The literary heritage of Veszprém will be revived at the house of Ferenc Cholnoky on Toborzó (Recruitment) Street. The project explores the personal past and stories of Veszprém, linked to specific individuals and families, with the active participation of the people currently living there.

Implemented by: Institute of Advanced Studies 

Date: September 2023 

Location: Veszprém