THE PLACE OF IDF3rd WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND 2nd EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP OF MODERN DANCE SPORTS
Győr - THE TOWN OF MEETINGS
You are always welcome to visit Gyõr, the town having a great number of valuable features, that is the town usually called as „the Town of Meetings”. It is worth to visit this beautiful town located at halfway between Vienna and Budapest on a gentle landscape, having a long past and a wide range of local colour characters, where a variety of natural, cultural and architectural values may jointly be found in a precious alloy.
The radially arranged road network of the settlement connects Slovakia from the Northern, Austria from the Western, the Lake Balaton from the Southern and Budapest from the Eastern direction to the heart of the Kisalföld Plains. Having such central position, the town had a strategical role already in the Roman Ages. This centre, having market and staple rights in the ancient times, was gradually developing into the central point of the trading activities towards West. During the Turkish occupation, the town played an important role as the final fortress of Christian faith.
Relief, Climate
Győr is Iocated the at the North-Western corner of the Carpathian Basin, in the Centre of the Small Plains (Kisalföld). Here, eastwards from The Alps there is the borderIine of two greater geographic tracts.
Geographic position: Iongitude E 17 ° 38', Iatitude N 47 ° 41 '.
Győr and its direct vicinity, the Győr Basin are on almost perfect plains.
The altitude above sea Ievel is 118 m.
Győr and its direct surroundings are belonging to the climatic region of the Small Plains. Its climate is of continental characteristics, but the summer here is a Iittle bit cooler while the winter is a Iittle bit warmer here than at the Great Plains (Alföld) in Eastern Hungary. The basin has got more hours of sunshine and Iess rain than the western parts of the Small Plains.
The yearly average temperature of Győr. 1 0, 1 °C.
The winter average temperature of Győr: -0,5 °C.
The summer average temperature of Győr: 20,3 °C.
The number of the hours of sunshine: 2000 hours/year.
Average volume of rainfall per year: 541 mm.
The Small Plains are the most windy area of our country.
The North-Western wind is the dominant.
Other data
Population : 127 .275 people
Area: 174,78 sq. km
Number of independent housekeepings: 149.946
Traffic
The development of the settlement Győr is determined by the fact that it is a traffic junction. This settlement which has been established at the side of the marshland behind the Porta Hungarica between. The Alps and Carpathian Mountains, beside the crossing place of River Rába was already a junctíon of six roads even in the Roman Age. The East-Western Iines of no. IV. and VII. are still consisting one of the most important traffic pass of Europe.
When considering the highway connections, the highway no. M1 provides for accessibility within one hour for the directions of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest as well. (The highway construction is just going on in the section from Mosonmagyaróvár to Bratislava.) Győr is also the endpoint for seven national trunk roads.
(Main road no. 1 0. is the one towards Komárom, no. 14. is the one towards Slovakia, no. 19. is the one towards Mosonmagyaróvár and Hegyeshalom, no. 81. is the one towards Székesfehérvár, no. 82. is the one towards Veszprém and Lake Balaton, no. 83. is the one towards Pápa and Lake Balaton, while no. 85. is the one towards Sopron and Austria). The area of the town is crossed also by a number of smaller national roads.
Among the railway contacts, also the Iine from Vienna to Budapest is the most important one. This two-rails electrified Iine was reconstructed and developed for the travel speed of 160 km-s by foreign aid and support.
Water connections: Among the ports along River Danube, an outstanding role is given by the national traffic plans to the Port of Győr-Gönyű. Even the Town Győr is interested in the establishment of the International Port of Győr-Gönyű. Development of the port's Ro-Ro terminal was performed using PHARE-CBC resources. Having place for three boats and a truck parking place for 110 road trains, the trucks may be forwarded through water. The combined goods transportation and delivery solution to be estabIished at Gönyű will be completed by a railway contact to be built Iater on. The total value of this investment project exceeds 10 billion Ft-s.
The town is by now available also through air flights , since the development project of the Airfield at the nearby village Pér was supported by the European Union under the PHARE Program with an amount of 2.4 million EURO-s, while another great financial support was that coming from AUDI in a worth of one million EURO-s. The Airfield was opened for international air traffic in May, 2003.
Gyõr, being the town which has got almost the most of the monuments and architectural relics in Hungary, has won the European Prize in monuments protection as an appreciation of the reconstruction made in the Baroque downtown. The churches, palaces, museums reminding to the ancient ages as wells as the houses having the characteristic balconies on housecorners, the narrow passages are all inviting the visitor to take a walk in the downtown of Gyõr. The cafés, restaurants, small boarding houses hidden in the ancient streets are providing an attractive background and surroundings - together with the local hospitality and high-level catering deserved their fame - to take a roaming about them.
In the outstandingly rich and harmonic Baroque architectural environment, people being fond of the fine arts may find tempting programmes during the whole year as well as those wishing to have relaxation on a high niveau.
This town is justly proud of its artistic institutes and festivals recognized and appreciated both in Hungary and abroad. The famous companies of the Gyõr Ballet and the National Theatre of Gyõr, as well as the Orchestra of Gyõr Philharmonics are always presenting unforgettable artistic experiences to the audience in each season - or even each evening.
Among the number of historical and artistic museums, picture galleries and permanent exhibitions located in the downtown, the Town Picture Gallery seated in the Esterházy Palace became the centre of the everyday fine arts activities in Gyõr.
The permanent exhibitions of the ceramist Margit Kovács as well as that of the sculptor Miklós Borsos and the exhibition presenting the Patkó-collection are traditionally well established items of the programme consisted by people visiting to Gyõr, however the regular exhibitions made by the Arts Museum located in the building of the ancient Hungarian Hospital as well as those of the Rómer Hall are also providing long-lasting memories.
In the Treasury and Library of Gyõr Diocese, a collection of world fame is presented to the visitors.
Gyõr - The Festival Town
There are a number of festivals going on in the town which are offering their artistic and amusement events from early spring till late autumn every year.
The Gyõr Spring Festival invites people to visit the town in March, having the motto of getting into the spring, providing the wide scope of reviving arts and the variety of many arts branches. In the festival programmes, You can find instrumental and orchestral concerts, music and prosaic presentations of the Gyõr National Theatre, the presentations of the Gyõr Ballet, shows by dance companies, presentation evenings of various composers, exhibitions as well as events connected to the folk and national customs for the Easter Holidays.
The International Cultural Festival „The Gyõr Summer” has already a history of many decades. The scenery provided by the Gyõr downtown, the places, the gardens, the Music Pavilion, the island and the riversides in the downtown are all giving a unique atmosphere and an outstanding environment for the artistic events organized on the summer evenings. The presentations by Hungarian and foreign artists and companies are spreading to almost every branches of the arts. In the programme of the festival, You can find folk music and dance events, puppet-shows and street theatre pieces, jazz presentation evenings, open-air symphonic concerts, ballet presentations, exhibitions as well as various dance and other events. This period of Your staying here is the time of „The Gyõr Summer”International Cultural Festival. One of the most spectacular event of it is the Dance Magic – a full-night presentation and gala of the amateur dance companies and clubs of Gyõr, based on the long-lasting excellent idea and work of Mr. Barna, the President of the Hungarian Federation of Modern Dance Sports.The so-called „Baroque Wedding” used to be also a spectacular event. This event reminds us to the special atmosphere of the 17 th century with the realistic presentation of the baroque ceremony and pomp as well as the scenery and requisites belonging to it.
The artistic festival titled „The Baroque Nostalgies” is organized regularly in October, providing the presentations, exhibitions representing the art of Baroque Era, together with the specialities of the Baroque Banquet, in which the gastronomic attractions are offered from that era. The suitable environment and location for the presentations of world-famous artists and companies are provided by the Baroque palaces of Gyõr, as well as the Cathedral of Gyõr and the Evangelic Great Church of Gyõr.
The interests are continuously growing towards the Mediawave International Visual Arts Festival and the CHEF Gastronomic Exhibition, which events are also increasing the supply offered by the Festivals in Gyõr.
Nature
The town of Gyõr is also unique all over Europe in respect of the natural attractions, located among the beauties of the Natural Reserve of Szigetköz (the isles' world of River Danube), the Natural Reserve of Sokoró, and the Natural Park of Fertõ-Hanság. .
The visitor is often falling into temptation to spend time seeing the beautifully winding Moson Danube, the river Rába (being once the denominator of the town), the river Rábca and the river Marcal, which are all joining at Gyõr to continue their way together towards the Black Sea. People being fond of natural values and also those willing to have relaxation are attracted here by the fishing and water sports paradise, the thermal water spas and the special joining of the riverside plains with the hilly landscape of the Pannonhalma wine growing area at the town borderline.
Business life, economy
Gyõr, having a quickly developing economy and commerce, as well as a bustling business life, provides also for opportunities and possibilities of meeting to the businessmen. The needs of people willing to have entertainment and shopping possibilities are fulfilled by up-to-date shopping centres and holiday fairs.
We wish You to spend a couple of days at Gyõr, and feel Yourself to be at home here, in the Town of Meetings!
THE SPORTS LIFE OF GYÕR
Commencement of the organized sports life in the town is supposed to be as early as in the eighteenth century. Since the destroying of the bastions ordered by Napoleon made an end to the military importance of the town, the demolishing operations commenced by the French soldiers were continued by the inhabitants of Gyõr, giving space to the dynamically developing town. All these resulted in the political, social and cultural transformation of the town, and in parallel with urbanization the conditions for establishment of the modern sports life were also provided for.
Arising from the town's advantageous location between Vienna and Budapest, the inhabitants of Gyõr could react to the changes in Europe. By the second half of 19 th century, the opportunities of the town were even increased due to the construction of railway traffic, the facilities of river shipping, the development of industries and the educational structure. After the clubs and societies were established, the social life of Gyõr was also taking place in the societies. In different cafés, restaurants, pubs and inns, there were the different meeting points of the different social circles. In 1860 there were only 10-12 registered clubs in Gyõr, but till the turning point of the century the number of the clubs increased to 29. By the sudden industrial development, even the industrial workers formed their own clubs. A pioneering role was played by the sports clubs in the establishment of societies' daily life. These were the Riflemen's Club, which was active even from the eighteenth century, the Skating Club established somewhen in the eighteen hundred sixties, and the Boating Club founded in 1877. In the latter one, there were so excellent sportsmen acting to establish the successes of the Gyõr water sports life lasting even till our days, like Tivadar Mihálkovics or Ernõ Némethy.
A new impulse was given to the development of the town's sports life by the Modern Olímpic Games. Having the leadership from the first teacher of gymnastic in the town, namely Mihály Magvassy, the inhabitants organized competitions in different sports branches. In 1899, the predecessor of the later gymnastic clubs, the Gymnastic Society of Gyõr was founded, then in 1901, the Gyõr Football Club was established, meaning the propagation of football till nowadays in the town.
The wars, the stormy events of history, the often arising conflicts between the capitol and the countryside were naturally causing declines to the sports life of the town many times, however, the Gyõr sports life could always renew itself.
We can state, that there was a repeatedly intensive development phase following the second World War, or even better beginning from 1964. Besides the traditional sports branches like kayak-canoe, football, gymnastics, fencing and wrestling, a quick propagation of the handball could also be observed, resulting to achieve the post of the long-time successful and popular sports branch of the town by now. The economic problems of the eighties as well as the difficulties of the regime changing had naturally also an effect in the sports of the town, but Gyõr was succesful also in keeping the basic values, the operative workshops and most of the professional experts of the town's sports life. In the last years, based on all these, perhaps the most intensive development stage of town Gyõr's sports history could start on.
This is even verified by the evaluation of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, by which Gyõr is leading the rank of the towns of County Rights on the basis of the results from the last three winter and summer Olympic Games.
In the last years, Gyõr was hosting and organizing so great international sports events, like the 7 th Marathon Kayak-Canoe World Championship, the Triathlon World Cup, the Power Lifting European Championship, the Wrestling Hungarian Grand Prix, the 1 st FIT-KID Europe Cup, the TUTTI Judo Cadet World Cup, the 4 th Marathon Kayak-Canoe European Championship, the 13 th Junior Women's Handball World Championship, the Youth Judo European Championships, the Triathlon European Championship, the Air Weapon European Championships, IDF 2 nd World Championship and 1 st European Championship of Modern Dance Sports and – as the last one – 6 th Women's Handball Europian Championship . These dignified sports events were proven to be successful ones in every respect, and provided for a long-lasting memory for the sports-fans of the town.
The standard of the organization and execution was deservedly gained the appreciation of the international federations and both the participating competitors and sports leaders.
The international and world competitions resulting in an increase of the town's fame were taking place on the basis of the straight cooperation among the General Assembly of Town Gyõr of county rights and the different national sports federations, respectively, as well as under the effective support and aid from sponsors. During the preparatory work performed to the above said dignified tournaments, there were such establishments constructed and renewed (the goal line tower, the bath head house, the Magvassy Mihály Sports Hall), and such operations made (river bed dredging, riverside construction, etc.), which were greatly increasing the conditions for the Gyõr sports life, and besides, contributing also to the active relaxation of the town's citizens.
Gyõr – The Dancing Town
Having the world-famous Gyõr National Ballet Ensemble operating here with the anniversary of 25 years last year, a real dance culture has been established in this town. In this quarter century, highly famous schools and clubs has been established in the town in almost all dance scopes and disciplines. The dancing sports events are regularly present on the menu of cultural events in the town every year. Besides the competitions in social dances, sports dances and rocky, there has been an outstandingly successful dance sports event in the town, namely IDF 2 nd Worl and 1 st European Championship. The town and its inhabitants are happy to welcome the participants of these events and are also curious attendants to the competitions.
Professional Partnerships
The Hungarian Federation of Modern Dance Sports (MTMSz) ( dancewch.com ) is also seated here at Gyõr. Cooperation of this young but well-established federation as well as the huge contribution of its leaders are considered as important factors resulting in the success of World Championship in 2004. The number of member clubs in MTMSz is continuously increasing, the volume of the competitors and competition dance pieces is approximately similar to that in the traditional great sports branches.
One of the oldest dance club in our Town is MARINA ( www.marina.gyor.hu ) which has been established one and a half decade ago. This successful club is operating in the form of sports club now for eight years. The club and its competitors are considered to be one of the most successful representatives in the field of modern dance sports. Acting also as co-organizers in the World Championship, the club has an enhanced and very important role in the execution of the competition as well as providing for the conditions.
Infrastructure and Safety
Gyõr is a well-established town, but not only in respect of sports, arts, culture and business life. The public safety is continuously increasing, there are continuously the same safety guards providing for high-level service in respect of the sports events. The health care, veterinary, hospital, paramedic services as well as the banking, tarding, touristic and other services of the town are achieveing the level of many much greater cities.