Consumption habits haven’t changed much in the past 30 years in Hódmezővásárhely either. Then, and now, people order the same thing at the counters: beer, wine, and shorts. Vidám Rizsőr is an emblematic place in the Tarján district of Hódmezővásárhely, which has been open for more than 30 years, the owner is known to everyone in the city, and the history and survival of the place is really special.
Many people told me that the people who live in Tarjan are not like those in other parts of the city, and wished me well on July 15, 1992, when we opened Vaidam Rizer
Marika Giapjasni’s story begins.
In the 1990s, many people in Hódmezővásárhhly thought opening and running a pub was a real goldmine, and at the time it really was. However, for a place like this to be able to survive the worst of times after the best of times, it must require the perseverance of the owner, a fair attitude and love of people, which was felt by the visitors of Vaidam Risor. Soon, a circle of regular guests formed to attract new guests. It is located on Zrínyi Street, almost on the outskirts of the city, and it cannot be said that it is in the center, but there was a period when many young people visited Vidám Rizsőr.
There was a table for the elderly and a table for the young. Drinks were cheaper at my place than in the city centre, so we used the guys as a base before evening parties. Old people always took their seats earlier than young people came and played cards. They often tried to get young people involved in the game, and there were times when big card parties were held
– says the owner and adds that it was great to see several generations together.
At this time, the young men specifically asked Aunt Marica to order a bottle of the newer types of drinks as well, and these desires were always fulfilled on condition that they ran out. They had several dinners with the elderly, and there was also a football tournament organized in the Száraz utca stadium, where married men played against unmarried men. Since the year 2000, the traffic began to deteriorate a little, and since then people have had less and less money, and preferred to buy two bottles of wine for the house, but of course the basic circuit remained.
Celebrities also came to drink at Vidám Rizsőr, which has always been known for its cleanliness and order. In the 30 years that have passed, there’s been a problem once or twice, but the owner always knew how to keep order in the pub.
Emre Antal visited Vaidam Reiser in 1996. The famous comedian and television actor was born in Hódmezővásárhely and later lived in Pest. He came for an opening ceremony in Vásárhely in 1996 and was looking for a secluded, smokey place where he could drop something before opening.
So he came to us. Everyone was very excited when it turned out that Emre Antal was going to be sitting at our table. He arrived and wanted to drink a homemade brandy, but we didn’t have it at the moment, so they asked for three halves of what we had. They also invited him to play cards, but he said that he did not have time for this, but that he would like to go, he just needs to open the event
– Marika Giapgasni remembers the visit.
In 1996, Emre Antal suddenly fell on a sheet of cardboard only in the pub, but in 1997, he was found in Fekete Sas and fell on an ordinary sheet, which has been on the wall of Vidám Rizsőr ever since.
Other records have been set at the pub.
As I recall, it was on a warm summer’s day that I sold 500 hectoliters of beer. Once upon a time, 500 liters of beer was considered a very large quantity in Hódmezővásárhely
– Adds the owner, who retired four years ago and the tenant now runs the bar.
It was Marika Giapjasni who stood at the counter for 12-13 hours, but always remained kind to people, although sometimes this was not easy in the evening hours. He also worked during the ban on alcoholic beverages, when breakfast guests asked for a “canteen” instead of a couple. Vaidam Rizr was only considered a “noble cedar keeper” in Hódmezővásárhely, so people wouldn’t confuse him with the building next to it, The Old Funny Rizsr. Even in her retirement years, the people of Tarjan miss her very much, but wherever she goes in town, they greet her by saying “I kiss you, Aunt Marica”.
Photographs: Orgovan Rudolf
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