THE FESTETICS HERITAGE

THE GEORGIKON
After long preparation, György I Festetics founded Hungary’s and Europe’s first agricultural college, the Georgikon, in 1797. The name referred both to the count’s first name and to Virgil’s poem Georgica. The institution’s primary goal was to train specialists for the Festetics estate. Students of the Georgikon acquired the most advanced knowledge of the time, both in theory and in practice. György I Festetics supported students with scholarships regardless of religion, nationality, or origin, and classes could be attended free of charge. The professors were highly qualified, having studied in Western Europe and at universities, and they could also participate in study trips funded by the count’s family.

The Scientific Agricultural School was established first in 1797, followed a year later by the Farmers’ School. The Pristaldeum, founded in 1804, trained estate lawyers and legal advisors. This was followed by the Forestry and Hunting School in 1806, the Gardening School and the Stud Master and Groom School in 1807, and the Engineering and Architecture School in 1808. Experimentally, from 1808, a short-lived School for Housewives taught domestic skills to girls from poorer families. Despite financial difficulties, László Festetics, György’s son, kept the Georgikon operating and introduced Hungarian-language education. In the summer of 1848, the students joined the Hungarian Honvéd Army, forming, among others, the 47th Honvéd Battalion of Keszthely. As a result, the Georgikon closed on June 1, 1848.

Its successor, the Agricultural and Forestry Institute established in 1865, was maintained by the Hungarian state rather than the Festetics family. It gained academy status in 1906. Education ceased in 1949 but resumed in 1954. Over the following decades, the institution underwent several transformations and today operates as the Georgikon Campus of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

THE HELIKON FESTIVITIES
The Helikon Festivities were held five times during the lifetime of György I Festetics, between 1817 and 1819. The events took place twice a year: first in February, on the birthday of King Francis I, and then in May, after the Georgikon examinations. The name derived partly from Mount Helicon in Greek mythology and possibly from György Festetics’s Masonic name, Bruder Heliconus. The Helikon Festivities became the most significant cultural event series of the Hungarian Enlightenment.

The founder invited the most prominent literary figures of the era to his palace in Keszthely, including Dániel Berzsenyi, Ádám Pálóczi Horváth, Sándor Kisfaludy, and Judit Dukai Takách. Music, theatre, and science also played important roles. Professors of the Georgikon presented papers on economic and agricultural topics and demonstrated related materials. Contemporary Hungarian-language newspapers such as Magyar Kurir and Hazai és Külföldi Tudósítások published detailed reports on the events.

In July 1921, Tasziló II Festetics organized a literary and musical celebration in Keszthely to commemorate the Helikon Festivities. Among the attendees were Governor Miklós Horthy and Count Albert Apponyi. On this occasion, an eight-columned domed memorial was erected in the park along Lake Balaton. In September 1932, the Economic Association of Writers held a “Writers’ Week” in Keszthely, also recalling the historic Helikon events.

In 1957, the 140th anniversary of the original festivities was commemorated. This inspired Elemér Merényi, director of the Keszthely cultural center, Dr. Károly Sági, director of the Balaton Museum, and economist Dr. András Szabolcs to revive the tradition. The first Modern Helikon Festivities were held in May 1958. Since then, the biennial cultural festival has provided an opportunity for secondary school students from Transdanubia to showcase their talents.

THE FESTETICS STUD FARM
Members of the Festetics family contributed significantly to Hungarian horse breeding. In 1797, György I Festetics relocated the family’s stud farm from Szenta to Fenékpuszta. From 1807, the Georgikon also offered training for stud masters and grooms, laying the foundation for the stud farm’s reputation.

His son, László Festetics, introduced the first Arabian horse to the Fenék stud and, on June 9, 1827, donated 100 gold coins as a prize for thoroughbred races at the first Pest horse race.

László’s elder son, Tasziló I Festetics, achieved a distinguished military career as a lieutenant general of cavalry and was the first to introduce English thoroughbreds into the family stud.

His nephew, Tasziló II Festetics, was a passionate horse breeder and a member of Hungarian and European equestrian associations. The stud farm reached its golden age during his time. His golden-yellow and blue racing thoroughbreds achieved major successes across the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and Europe. His most famous horse, Patience, won all nine of its races in 1904–1905, ranking second only to Kincsem on the all-time list. His son, György III Festetics, continued the family’s work in horse breeding and racing.

THE HÉVÍZ MEDICINAL SPA
In October 1740, Kristóf Festetics took the Hévíz mill as a pledge from the Bakács family. The first scientific study of Lake Hévíz appeared in 1769, highlighting its use in treating rheumatic diseases. György I Festetics improved the surroundings by draining marshes, building bathhouses, and bringing in surgeons and physicians.

During the time of his grandson, Tasziló I Festetics, facilities for guests were developed, including accommodation buildings, bathhouses, bathing chambers, changing cabins, and a mirror bath. The nearby village of Szentandrás (today Hévíz) also became increasingly important in tourism related to the lake.

In 1905, Tasziló II Festetics leased the spa to the Reischl family of Keszthely for 35 years to support its development. The spa’s physician at the time, Dr. Vilmos Schulhof, initiated the construction of the first sanatorium.

In 1940, the Festetics family regained control of the lake and its facilities and developed ambitious plans for further expansion. However, the death of György III Festetics in 1941 and World War II prevented their realization. In September 1944, the last member of the princely family, György IV Festetics, left Hungary with his mother. In 1948, the new state authority nationalized the Hévíz spa as part of the Festetics estate. Today, the Hévíz Medicinal Spa and the associated Saint Andrew Rheumatology Hospital are among Hungary’s most significant healthcare institutions.