Paprika Jancsiból Nick Carter Budapesti tömegszórakozás az 1860-as évektől a 20. század elejéig
From Hanswurst to Nick Carter. Popular Entertainment in Budapest from the 1860s to the Early 20th Century

Summary/Abstract: In contrast to the general chronology of Hungarian social history research, the analysis and interpretation of urban culture – and specifically of mass culture as defined in opposition to elite culture – began surprisingly early. This study aims to explore the transformations of one of the most traditional and widely popular forms of mass entertainment among the urban lower classes: the Vurstli, a fair-ground-style amusement venue located in Budapest’s City Park. Focusing primarily on press sources that reflect contemporary experiences, the paper offers a content-based analysis of popular entertainments from the 1860s through the early 20th century. It traces the evolution of these amusements in the context of Budapest’s rapid transformation into a modern metropolis. Particular attention is given to the thematic shift in entertainments – from folkloric and rustic spectacles to narratives reflecting urban concerns and global cultural influences. This includes the emergence of Americanized content and the eventual rise of an entirely new form of mass entertainment: the cinema.

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