FENYOENGLISH11

Melykut Years 1877-1887

1877        Born Maximillian Fleischmann in Melykut, Bacs-Bodrog Varmegyeben, Jankovac
(Bacs-Kiskun Megye, Janoshalma) on the 8th of December 1877, to Fulop (Philip)
Fleischmann and Melczer Louisa, quality Jewish tailors. He is the youngest son of a family
of seven children. Miksa writes in his autobiography how wonderful to be born in a place
called “Deep Well”, the small town of Melykut, a predominantly Catholic community, with a
significant minority of around 25 Jewish families, located today near the Hungarian border
with Serbia. Miksa recalls that his father was not a religious man and that he was not
influenced to follow his ancestor’s Jewish religious heritage. Miksa found himself attracted
to the colorful multi-layered dress of the Catholic girls going to church on Sundays.
However he mentions in diary his fondness for his mother’s interest in following tradition
during the Passove. Eventually Miksa would convert to Catholicism, albeit an agnostic at
that, more out of social advantage than any religious conviction. Nevertheless, it would do
him no good when the NAZIs were searching for him in the final months of the war.

1882        Miksa learns to read by the age of five.

1883        Miksa reads Sandor Petofi’s “Janos Vitez” to his grandma at six.

Budapest Years, 1887-1948.

1887        At age 10 Miksa is enrolled by his father to study at the Central Lutheran
Evangelical Gymnasium in Budapest (at Sütő utca in District 5). Half of the school’s pupils
are from well-to-do Jewish families. Miksa will excel in Hungarian and Geography. His
uncle Weil, his father’s brother, provides him room and board with his family in their two-
bedroom apartment at Kiraly utca 15. This building is called Splenyi House and belonged
to Baron Splenyi, who was the actress Lujza Blaha’s husband. And this building also
housed at its street level The Blue Cat nightclub, visited by rich businessmen and nobility
alike.


1891        Miksa is awarded by his teacher Albert Lehr the school’s famous Dobrentej Dij
for his mastery of the Hungarian language.

1892        The Magyar Geniusz is launched.

1894        Miksa’s last year at the Central Lutheran Evangelical Gymnasium.

1895        Miksa graduates from the Central Lutheran Evangelical Gymnasium and enters
ELTE Law School.

1896        Miksa witnesses the great Millenary events in Budapest.

1897        Miksa is now 20. Though he is relatively poor friends invite him to the theatres
and other cultural events where he gets his first impressions of the cultural scene. Has his
first writing published in Magyar Geniusz. Fenyo will have his articles, theatre play reviews,
and poems published in the Magyar Szalon, Magyar Geniusz and Budapest Szemle.

1899        Miksa earns his Masters Law Diploma from The University of Budapest’s Law
School.

1900        Miksa first meets with Ferenc Chorin, who will later on play a significant role in
Miksa’s life and career at the GYOSZ.

1901        Miksa earns his Doctors Law Diploma from ELTE Law School and is made a
Barrister at Law.

1902        The Hungarian Federation of Industrialists (GYOSZ) is established. Erno Osvat
becomes the editor of the Magyar Geniusz.

1903        Miksa, 26, gets married to his first wife Aurelia (Rella) Schoffer, and takes his
first trip abroad, to Vienna, Prague and Berlin, on their honeymoon. Miksa’s attempt to
make a living as a practicing lawyer fails and he is forced to close his small office and work
for other law firms. The Magyar Geniusz ends.

1904        Miksa’s first son, George Fenyo (Gyorgy), is born. Miksa takes on a job offer as
a secretary at The Hungarian Federation of Industrialists (GYOSZ).

1905        Miksa’s second son, Ivan Fenyo, is born. The Figyelo, precursor to the NYUGAT
(WEST), is launched. Miksa also gets involved in the formation of the Galilei Circle, a
group that works towards creating peaceful understanding and coexistence between
Christians and Jews.

1907        Miksa is now 30. During the next ten years he will travel many times to Italy,
especially Venice, and Rome and other cities in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and other
neighboring countries, almost all without any documents (passports). The Figyelo ends.

1908         Miksa Fenyo founds the NYUGAT literary and cultural periodical with Hugo
Ignotus, its Chief Editor till 1929, and Osvat Erno, co-Editor with Miksa till his untimely
suicide in 1929, at the Café Bristol. First edition of the NYUGAT is published on the 1st of
January. Most of the NYUGAT work is done at the Szabadsag Cafe and The New York
Café. Through the NYUGAT Miksa gets to know and befriend many of the greatest
intellectuals and writers of the time in Budapest, such as the feminist writer Margit Kaffka,
the poet Mihaly Babits (who will be the godfather of his last child Mario), and many other
greats. He also gets to know many of the great musicians (Bartok, Kodaly) and other
important social and political personalities of the times. He makes friendly
acquaintanceship with Thomas Mann and Freud.

1909        Miksa Fenyo has a key role in the founding of the NYUGAT Publishing firm that
will end up publishing some 412 books during its forty year history, all written by some of
the best Hungarian and foreign writers of the times.

1910        Miksa’s daughter Anna Fenyo (Panni) is born.

1911        Miksa is the progenitor of Magyar Gyaripar, the official journal of the GYOSZ.

1912        Miksa’s famous study on “Casanova” is published by the NYUGAT Publishing
firm, of which Miksa is a founder, major shareholder and editor.

1914         The archduke of Austria is assassinated in Sarajevo and World War 1 begins.
Miksa is nearly attacked by a large mob of pro-war demonstrators while riding a horse
carriage across Margit Island Bridge, some of them who take offence to Miksa’s
unwillingness to join them in their rage. Fortunately a distant acquaintance recognizes
Miksa and saves him from the danger.

1915        Miksa publishes a short book on Hungarian-German customs issues.

1917        Miksa is now 40. The Russian Revolution shakes the world. Endre Ady, already
in very bad health, requests that Miksa name his first grandson after him. Neither of his first
three children will ever have children of their own (only later on in 1964 will he be able to
oblige Ady’s request). In the spring of 1917 Miksa is appointed Secretary-General
(Director) of the GYOSZ. Miksa is now able to travel throughout Central-Europe,
sometimes out of his position with the GYOSZ and sometimes strictly as a private
individual on holiday.

1918         World War 1 ends. The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy has seized to exist and
much of historic Hungary is annexed to neighboring countries, some of this in a sincere but
ill-devised effort to prevent another world war. Ady is depressed by the annexation of his
native Transylvania from the rest of Hungary. Miksa is named Minister of Commerce in the
short-lived 24 hour Hadik government. The Chrysanthenum Revolution in Hungary breaks
out and is soon followed by a reign of terror. Admiral Horthy, a conservative nationalist who
applies certain fascist methods will end up ruling Hungary for the next 26 years, enters
Budapest and stops the WhiteTerror with the help of Romanian troops.

1919        Endre Ady dies, at age 41, of severe health complications that began with his
acquiring Syphilis many years earlier. The death of Ady deeply upsets Miksa and Miksa
who was not only an admirer and trusted friend to the poet, but like Baron Hatvany one of
the poet’s mentors.