Újhartyán – Location Having been promoted to the rank of town since 2013, Újhartyán is located in Pest county, in the heart of the country. From an economic point of view, the community of 2,780 residents is located in the middle of the highly powered innovation axis interconnecting the largest and newest economic power center of the country, the M5 motorway. It is situated 20 km from the M0 ringroad and Liszt Ferenc International Airport. Our modern-day slogan has been devised with a view to its geographical location: Újhartyán, on the artery of the country.
Tradition, Community The town, which is proud of its German ethnic roots, celebrated the 250th anniversary of its settlement in 2014. The values represented by the German settlers, such as preciseness, love of work and respect for the family, have determined the direction of his development. These helped the people who lived here coping with the difficult periods of their history, and these made the community in the 1980s, when it was a locality without a future according to the political intentions of the time, into a flourishing small town by 2013.
Economy The pillars of development are: preservation of tradition and openness to innovations. The social-economic indicators of Újhartyán exceed the country, county average. The municipality is extremely committed to developments. In 2013 we were granted the “Investor-friendly Community” award, and as a special prize, the “Best community strategy” award as well.
Concept, aim It is important for us to preserve the values that have made us successful so far, strengthened our identity and shaped the love for our town. In order to enhance the togetherness of the community, we must increase the strength of local communities, the civil activities of the people. A community with a strong identity and readiness to cooperate will recognize its challenges sooner, set the direction of joint action more easily and create the conditions for the accomplishment of the shared objectives. Our strategic aims are:In addition to increasing the recognition for our traditions, collection and conveyance to the young generation the traditional intellectual and practical knowledge, intellectual and material heritage. Establishment of community spaces, their safe operation, improvement of their material and personal conditions, implementation of authentic programs aimed at the preservation of traditions and attracting large scope of groups of residents. Innovation of products that present the local cultural values genuinely. Making fashionable the authentic contemporary objects of folk art, a culture of clothing that strengthens the local identity. Strengthening the non-governmental organizations dealing with local folk craft.
Accomplishment of the aims in practice – Creating public spaces, outdoor statues
The development of the cultural infrastructure related to this aim is fundamentally intended to create the foundations for social – cultural services, to provide the opportunity for social inclusion, to develop a physical environment that ensures access to the values. Cultural investments strengthening the identity and togetherness of the community constitute part of these. Saint Florian square – One of the most destructive disasters of the history of the community was the fire of 23 June 1910. The statue of Saint Florian commemorates this fire and the solidarity that developed after it. Layout of Grassalkovich square – The square is the historical center of the town, with the only monumental building of the locality, the Roman Catholic church built in 1776. A memorial park was developed in front of the church to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Újhartyán, with the active involvement of local young artists and architects in bringing the park to life. It was here that one of the symbols of the German community of Hungary, the Ulmer Schachtel was erected, in a proportion of 1 to 4. „Malenky Memorial” – This work of art has been created by joining forces and is a worthy reminder of the hushed-up past.
Owl’s nest, youth guest house and artisan house, Country House and cellar Owl’s nest was built on the order of the municipality of the town, while the country house was renewed by the ethnic German community and the local government. These two investments were the master’s dissertation of a local construction engineer. In the course of the investment the institution became the host for works of local artists, masters. Activities of these institutions: These host local tradition-cultivating programs, with the involvement of non-governmental organizations. This strengthens identity (nationality culture classes in the school, with the involvement of retired educators). Organization of clubs for the cultivation of folk craft, cooking schools for ethnic meals, for adults and children (e.g.: basket weaving, corn husk craft, crochet, sewing, embroidery) Cellar club The library is located in the part of the building maintained by the municipality, where literary and local history nights, art exhibitions are held.
Partners: German Ethnic Self-Government of Újhartyán There is a harmonic relation between the municipality and the German nationality self-government operating in the town. The two self-governments are committed to promote and support those processes that contribute to focusing on the values of a lifestyle and life approach that preserves its traditions. Currently it maintains the nationality school and the kindergarten. The Local Value Repository Committee has ceramic and communications professionals among its members. The number of local values has been expanding continuously, 3 of them have already been recognized as county level values.
Institutions- German Nationality Elementary School of Újhartyán It has been a German nationality school since 1998, where it is a major aim to ensure that the collection and conveyance to the young generation of the intellectual and material heritage should characterize all training and educational activities. Children have one class of nationality culture per week, during which they become familiar with the history of the town and also learn ethnic dances. They do project works with the involvement of parents and grandparents. Their tradition-cultivating programs actively involve almost the entire community. Several hundred persons attend these ethnic German days, which are focused on a different theme each year. These festive days revive the celebrations, customs related to the seasons of the old life of Újhartyán (e.g.: pulling of logs, weddings, religious festivals, carnival customs)
German Ethnic Kindergarten–Kitchen „ Children’s Fortress”–German nationality education has been offered in the kindergarten since 2005. We consider the cultivation of the culture, habits and traditions related to the language, the cultural treasures of the ethnic community a special priority. A week of tradition preservation is held, where the children are involved in folk dance, they regularly visit the country house and participate in its programmes.
Non-governmental organizations There are more than 20 different non-governmental organizations, foundations and associations. The municipality actively contributes to their operation, and supports their plans to obtain grants. They are involved in a broad range of activities. As an essential part of the cultivation of ethnic traditions they organize arts and crafts camps and enhanced training courses. Their art groups represent the town within and outside Hungary. In addition to the adult ethnic dance group, the preservation of musical traditions is also significant. Dynasties of musicians have grown up, where today the young musicians carry on the traditions with music instructor’s degree. The municipality and the non-governmental organizations live in symbiosis with each other. While the municipality maintains and supports their operation, the civil communities support the development of the town by their work.
Joint events – Owl’s nest, Country House – Exhibitions, presentations of the folk artisan craft values of the town, Night of Museums, Day of Country Houses, Country Houses from the Saddle of the Bicycle, Village Center – Ethnic German Ball, Town Day Hartyánfeszt Gastronomical and Cultural Festival, traditional meal tasting in the tents of 20 – 30 non-governmental organizations, artisan tents, folk music, folk dance presentations. Over the last 10 years the feast has grown into an international event. Guests and performers come from Serbia, Slovenia, Transylvania and Germany for the event.Church – Classical music concert – Christmas
Communication and marketing Electronic Media: What is happening in town is communicated by the municipality through Seed Television (a cable channel) to the general public, including the value creating work of the residents. Increasing the presence of the media strengthens conscious shopping, pride of our town and loyalty through the conveyance of intellectual values. Print Press – “Újhír” – This is the quarterly published periodical of the municipality Internet
Summary:
Although in terms of size we are far behind the large cities, we know for a fact that sustainability, the guarantee of development lies in the strength of local society, regardless of the number of residents. A community with a strong identity and readiness to cooperate will recognize its challenges sooner, set the direction of joint action more easily and create the conditions for the accomplishment of the shared objectives.