Jaszbereny, Hungary. Yazd, Iran

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Jaszbereny, Hungary and Yazd, Iran

May 26th 2002 Update

Link to an excerpt to Gábor Turóczi's thesis:

"City image development model in Hungary on the basis of the example set by the city of Jászberény. Analysis and strategy."

May 12th 2002

The city of Jászberény is located one hundred kilometers east of Budapest, Hungary. Jászberény is the Hungarian sister city of Yazd. Recently a Hungarian researcher by the name of Gábor Turóczi e-mailed Yazd.com ( read e-mail here) in regards to his thesis titled: "City image development model in Hungary on the basis of the example set by the city of Jászberény. Analysis and strategy." In his email he requests information about the historic and current links between the City of Yazd and Jászberény. In January of 1996 an article was published on Iranian.com by the name of "Searching for Us" which also deals with Jászberény and Yazd. Below you will find a brief description and some photos of Jászberény sent by Gábor Turóczi:

The History of Jászberény
The 'Jász' people are of Iranian descent and settled near the rivers Zagyva and Tarna together with the 'Kun' people during the course of the thirteenth century.The Hungarian rulers granted the Jász special privileges.
Thus, the Jász were able to be more or less self-governing in an area in which Jászberény developed into the regional, cultural and administrative centre. After the end of the Ottoman Empire,Emperor Lipot I sold the area to the Knights of the Teutonic Order. This saw the end of the privileged position of Jászberény. However, the Jász did not want to accept this situation and started to collect money with which they could buy their freedom. By 1745, they had collected half a million Rhinish gold florins, a considerable sum for those days. However, then the famous 'Act of Salvation' took place: the Empress Maria Theresa restored their land and their hereditary privileges to the Jász. From this point onwards, Jaszberény flourished.

In the 1950s, various industrial firms chose to settle in Jászberény which had been very much an agricultural community up to this point. This development resulted in an increase in the number and type of jobs available and brought increased prosperity to the inhabitants of Jászberény. Despite the economic difficulties of recent
years, Jászberény has continued to grow and has been able to invest in the necessary infrastructure. At the same time, more and more firms have chosen Jászberény as a centre for their operations. However, Jászberény not only values economic growth but has also developed into a cultural centre of national renown. In 1995, the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the Act of Salvation was celebrated in Jászberény with the President of Hungary as guest of honour as well as numerous foreign dignitaries.

Famous Sights in Jászberény
Jászberény has numerous historic monuments. One of the most famous is the Nagyboldogaszony Church (Church of the Virgin Mary) which is situated in Lehel Vezer Square, the vibrant main square in Jászberény. The church was originally Gothic but the present building is pure baroque in style. The actual date when the church was built is unknown but it was already mentioned in 1332.

Other famous buildings in Lehel Vezer Square include the Town Hall which was built in the style of continental classicism popular around 1839, the Regional Hall which was originally baroque but which betrays the influence of classicism, the House of Culture built in 1894, and the Courts of Justice. Finally, the Jász Museum is also to be found in the Lehel Vezer Square. The museum itself is of architectural interest and houses one of the most famous national treasures, the Horn of Lehel.

Economy and Infrastructure
Jászberény today is not only a centre of agriculture but also of trade and industry. After the reform of the agricultural co-operatives, privately-owned agricultural initiatives have come to play an increasingly important role. Cereal crops, maize and sugar beet are very important but tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and melons are also grown . There is also substantial poultry, cattle and pig farming in the region.

The most important industrial concerns in the area are Lehel-Hütögépgyár (part of the Electrolux group) and Apritógépgyár which produces products required in heavy engineering. Both companies are major employers in the area and also order many of the component parts they require from local firms.

Jászberény can boast a flourishing wholesale and retail trade. One hundred per cent of Jászberény's households have electricity, ninety-six per cent are connected to the town's sewage network, and eighty-three per cent of households have a direct connection to the waterboard for drinking water. All households have a telephone, and eighty-five per cent of the projected road network has been completed.

Education, Culture, Sport and Leisure
In Jászberény, approximately six thousand young people attend the numerous educational institutions. There are
thirteen nursery schools, six primary schools, three secondary schools and a university. The House of Culture, the Public Library, the museum and the local cinema provide a vibrant cultural life. There are also numerous clubs and associations, and the art clubs in particular have achieved international recognition. Jászberény can also boast several local newspapers, a local radio station and even a local television channel.

Sport is also very important in Jászberény. The ladies' volleyball team plays in the top division of the national league, and the ice-hockey team and the ladies' handball team play in the second division of their respective leagues. The importance of Jászberény as a major sports centre is further underlined by the number of important competitions which take place in the town. There are also attractive leisure time activities which can be undertaken in Jászberény with something to suit everyone's taste. There is a zoo, a botanical garden, two bathing beaches, public swimming baths, special therapeutic baths, and numerous parks and open spaces. The highlights of Jászberény's cultural year are two annual festivals. One is the Folk Dance Festival and the other is the annual Jászberény fair called 'Summer in Jászberény' which takes place in the first week in August.

For more information about his thesis or if you wish to contribute information to help with his thesis please contact Gábor Turóczi at headline@headline.hu