Secession House project started in Szentes
The Municipality of Szentes, as the project promoter would like to implement its project initiative in cooperation with its project partner Koszta József Museum Szentes. The aim of the development is the partial reconstruction of the building of the former “Petőfi Hotel and Vigadó” located in the city centre, and the sustainable use of this deteriorated and long ago under-utilised cultural heritage as the Szentes Art Nouveau House providing diverse cultural and community services.
Due to the planned project, the imposing Art Nouveau building under national level protection (planned by the famous Hungarian architects Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső) could become again the centre of the cultural, art and community life of the city and its surroundings. The corner building to be developed is located in the main square of the city, along the Kossuth Lajos street. The renewal of the building is planned by the owner, the Municipality of Szentes in two stages:
- In the first stage, the Szentes Art Nouveau House, an open, interactive and multicultural community place will be developed (458 m2 area), ensuring access of the disadvantaged to art and cultural heritage as well: Art Nouveau public and literary café with revolving stage, multi-functional spaces: interactive gallery with multimedia equipments, creative house, workshops, exercise and concert hall.
In this stage the complete street facade will be renovated according to the regulation of the relevant authority. - In the later 2nd stage - depending on the available resources – the yard facade is aimed to be renovated and the theatre is planned to be reconstructed with the complementary services. (The 3rd stage including the renovation of the hotel and catering areas is planned to be realized with the involvement of a private investor.) Total cost of the planned project is 308 million HUF, the requested grant amount is 292,6 m HUF.
Target groups of the project: - Population of Szentes and surroundings, especially children of school-age (museum-pedagogic trainings, art workshops, etc.) - Local people (also disabled) interested in culture (local artists, theatre performances, literature nights) - Local citizens wishing to spend their free time in a pleasant place with friends or to attend programs of gastronomy - Teachers and students of Drama Faculty of Horváth Mihály High School (performances and rehearsals) - Members of civil organisations and companions in the city (meetings, programs) - Local contemporary artists (workshops, creative house, introduction possibilities) - Tourist visiting Szentes and its surroundings As a result of the development, the ongoing rehabilitation of the city centre will have been completed and one of the most important buildings will have been renovated plugging it into the cultural-community life of the city.
The planned project is in line with the currently offered programs of other cultural institutions of the city since it can fill the gap in missing functions, it will complete the existing services and intends to offer new cultural programs and opportunities. The House of Art Nouveau provides a venue for local artist to perform their art works, gives place for literature or music events and, as it is in the centre, it offers a pleasant and high-quality meeting point for the inhabitants and tourists. The project contributes to the improvement of the operating conditions of numerous civic organisations, companions, associations providing them a quality place, thus it strengthens community building, the identity of citizens, and widens the possibilities of valuable free-time activities.
An unhindered community venue will be established, significantly improving the accessibility of disadvantaged (mainly disabled) to cultural goods and services. The project offers unique and special opportunities for tourists as well (local artists and works, presentation of Art Nouveau architecture, café), prolonging the time spent in the city. Involving a well prepared and experienced partner, diverse cultural and community related functions will be elaborated based on the existing demand, thus the economic sustainability will be guaranteed.
The project has already had the building permit, it will be realized on a site with proper ownership conditions of the real estate. Koszta József Museum will be responsible for the professional operation of the centre supported by the maintaining municipality with an annual budget for the operation. All income realized due to the operation will be spent on the operation and further improvement of the centre. The planned project is elaborated and will be realized by active involvement of numerous local, regional institutions, professional and civic organisations. Project promoter and its partner have already realized more EU-financed projects thus they have relevant experiences and references. Publicity and dissemination is guaranteed during the whole project according to the communication plan.
