Makovecy Utak
“…childhood, the Zala region, a different world. A culture that dates back to thousands of years ago, life in order, buoyant streets, lots of animals, many people, great celebrations. Nature treated wisely, and the relationship of man and nature is undoubtedly in order…
…The processions on holidays, when thousands of people march singing, under flags, to somewhere and for a purpose. The flags are wonderful because they are colourful and shiny. The monstrance is made of gold and you must prostrate yourself before it, and a child like me, when he sees the priest carrying the monstrance before him wrapped in a shawl, thinks it is the Face. A child actually perceives the ancient Jewish prayer and blessing as reality: „May the LORD shine his face upon you” That is the point! That He shone His face upon you.
… In the immense forest, through which you march in this procession, trees form a huge cathedral in which the song resounds.”
The sixth route leads across the very land that lived so vividly in Imre Makovecz’s memory. Summers spent with the grandparents in Nagykapornak were recalled again and again in his memoirs as a golden period of childhood.
Yet it is not only the Zala connection that makes this sixth route special. It is also the span of the Makovecz oeuvre that it covers: The route includes some of the standout buildings of the late master’s early years as well as one if his last works. The Berhida Restaurant is one of the trademark buildings of his “Szövosz” period (1960s) and the two buildings in Szepezd are particularly exciting. Located only a few hundred metres of each other, these two structures were designed less than two years apart and show the incorporation of Wright’s and Steinerian ideas into Imre Makovecz’s thinking.
In addition, the route also includes two standout buildings of Imre Makovecz’s community builder period, the village halls of Bak and Bagod, along with several wonderful examples of his sacral architecture.
Therefore, it is fair to call the sixth route a comprehensive one that presents works from every creative period of Imre Makovecz’s career while also being strongly connected to Zala county.
