On October 19th, the members of Szentes Group 2 participated in a Family Day in Kecskemét, where they visited the Kecskemét Planetarium and Cifrapalota.
We gathered with the families in front of the KH early in the morning on what was the coldest day of this autumn. We set off by bus to the county seat of Bács-Kiskun County. The weather turned out to be perfect for the trip, as by the time we reached Kecskemét, the sun was shining warmly.
At the Planetarium, we learned more about the starry sky above us. Through a simulation of the Earth’s rotation, we followed the changes in the night sky, the phases of the moon, and the movement of the constellations. We became familiar with the main constellations and brightest stars in our sky. A 3D screening took us into space aboard the Atlantis space shuttle, where we visited the planets of our solar system and their moons. We saw stunning images of our solar system and learned fascinating facts about Pluto, now reclassified as a dwarf planet, the disappearing rings of Saturn, the soon-to-be-destroyed shoulder of the Orion constellation, and the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky—Antares, which is not Mars, despite some confusion. We even saw the celestial counterparts of our zodiac signs. The presentation concluded with an impressive laser show.
After our space adventure, everyone enjoyed lunch, followed by a relaxing walk around downtown Kecskemét. After viewing the main square, we arrived at Cifrapalota, famously mentioned in a Hungarian children’s song. And yes, the windows really are green.
With the help of a guide, we learned about the building’s history and current state. While admiring the peacocks in the ceremonial hall, we heard the story behind the construction of this more than 100-year-old Art Nouveau-style building. We also learned about the Zsolnay ceramics that adorn the building, which were transported from Pécs to Kecskemét by wagon—a significant feat at the time. Through the history of the building, we gained insights into the history of Kecskemét in the 20th century. We heard about early 20th-century construction, the difficulties caused by World War I, the lifestyle between the wars, the hardships of World War II, the tragedy of the Jewish community, the futility of post-war nationalization, and the ongoing restorations.
After the intriguing lecture, we viewed the museum’s Avar-age archaeological treasures. Everyone was amazed by the beautifully crafted Avar-era jewelry, decorative items, cups, and a solid gold horn.
We ended our visit with a tour of the museum’s art gallery, which featured an exhibition of paintings by 20th-century artists from Kecskemét.
By the end of the day, everyone was pleasantly tired but enriched with new knowledge as we headed back to Szentes. Thank you for this wonderful day!
— Mónika Balog, Parent
— Boróka Eszter Süle, Szentes Group 2