“Gem of the Bank of Lake Balaton” – 1.7 Billion HUF Priority Project Handed Over in Balatonfüred10 May 2010
The priority project called “Gem of the Bank of Lake Balaton II” has been completed, which Mr Béla Pál President of the Central Transdanubian Regional Development Council and Dr István Bóka Mayor of Balatonfüred handed over to mark the debut of the Jókai Days programme series. The local government of Balatonfüred was awarded non-reimbursable EU funding amounting to 1.5 billion HUF under one of the calls geared towards promoting tourism announced within the framework of the Central Transdanubian Operational Programme to implement this project.
The five streets leading to the district built during the Hungarian Reform Era (1825-1848) were renewed within the framework of this investment, as a part of which the local government demolished the former recreational area used by the Soviets and created a park in this spot; in addition, Vitorlás (Yacht) Square, Rózsa (Rose) Garden and Gyógy (Remedial) Square were also renewed as a part of this project. The reconstruction of the Vaszary Manor House cost more than 600 million HUF to complete, in which building a gallery where European standard exhibitions will be on display has been accommodated. This new gallery will open on 29 May 2010 with a Vaszary exhibition and the Szomolányi Collection.
The Jókai Memorial House and the Town Museum were also renewed within the framework of this project by investing a total of 275 million HUF, where, among others, a local history collection is on exhibit and a visitor centre has been opened. The ceremonious hand-over of these developments marked the debut of the 19th Jókai Days programme series in Balatonfüred.
Having renewed its historical and cultural values, created a diverse range of cultural tourism services and with its attractive buildings and economic environment, the most important achievement of the priority project called “Gem of the Bank of Lake Balaton II” is that Balatonfüred will function as a cultural and artistic hub even at a regional level in the long run.
The total cost of these series of developments launched in October 2008 exceeded 1.7 billion HUF. To complement the 1.5 billion HUF awarded to the town, the local government contributed own funds amounting to more than 400 million HUF towards the implementation of this entire project.