To mark the 200th birthday of Mór Jókai (Jókai Mór), one of Hungary’s literary giants, nine cities are unveiling themed sightseeing trains that introduce his life and works to a new generation. These “storytelling trains” do more than just travel around town—they immerse passengers in the world of Jókai, highlighting the moments and friendships that shaped his legacy.
Literary Adventure by Rail
Hop on in Balatonfüred, Debrecen, Győr, Kecskemét, Pápa, Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár), Tata, Vác, or Berettyóújfalu, and you’ll embark on a curated journey tailored to each city’s unique connection with Jókai. In Debrecen, the focus is on his path to journalism; Győr’s route revisits stories related to his father; Pápa explores his legendary friendship with Sándor Petőfi; Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár) highlights his ties to Mihály Vörösmarty; and Berettyóújfalu takes you to his famous meeting with Endre Ady in Nagyvárad (now Oradea, Romania). Each journey offers passengers a blend of local lore and national pride.
Immersive Audio Storytelling
Passengers are treated to professionally recorded literary audio performances by Edit Bánffy and István Papp, crafted under the direction of literary historian Mihály Praznovszky. These narratives are not dry recitations but engaging stories woven with emotion and humor, drawing listeners into Jókai’s personal and creative life—especially his passionate relationship with his wife, Róza Laborfalvi. Anna Petrányi-Szöőr (Petrányi-Szöőr Anna), one of the organizers, revealed that the inspiration came from the cozy atmosphere of the Jókai villa in Balatonfüred—she wanted the aroma of Jókai’s kitchen and the warmth of his family life to linger on these adventures.
From Romantic Prose to Student Antics
The concept was developed in collaboration with Viktória Ráth (Ráth Viktória), president of the Cultural History Citizens Foundation, aiming to expand Debrecen’s poetic city tours with excerpts from Jókai’s prose. Ráth points out that Jókai’s wild student years in Kecskemét were both funny and poignant, making for an entertaining summer travel experience. The project doesn’t stick only to Jókai—writings from Károly Eötvös, Dezső Kosztolányi, Gyula Krúdy, and Mihály Praznovszky (Praznovszky Mihály) add variety and sparkle.
Tour Dates and Destinations
Mark your calendars—here’s where and when you can catch these literary rides:
Debrecen, July 26, 5:30 pm
Kecskemét, August 2, 6:00 pm
Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár), August 5, 6:00 pm
Győr, August 9, 6:00 pm
Vác, August 10, 6:00 pm
Tata, August 16, 6:00 pm
Pápa, August 17, 6:00 pm
Berettyóújfalu, August 22, 5:30 pm
Balatonfüred, September 20, 5:30 pm
Organizers reserve the right to make changes to the program and dates—so check before you board!
