Town of Koprivnica and Its People During the World’s Great Depression

Koprivnica je u vrijeme velike svjetske krize bila grad bez konflikata u kojoj je građanska uprava kojoj su na čelu bili dr. Vladimir Malančec kao gradonačelnik i dr. Branko Švarc kao podnačelnik vodili gradske poslove, komunalnu politiku i kontrolirali društveni život. Bili su oni domaći sinovi. Prvi kao odvjetak obitelji koja je simpatizirala s hrvatsko-srpsko koalicijom a drugi kao Židov vodili su grad dobrim putem i znali su voditi takvu politiku prema Beogradu da je Beograd Koprivnici više davao nego što je dobivao, iako je to kod nekih domaćih ljudi objašnjavano kao izdajom hrvatskih interesa i kompromis sa velikosrbima. No bio je to spas za Koprivnicu. Godinama se Koprivnica nalazila uvijek na krajnjem rubu neke administrativne cjeline (županije ili oblasti). Sada je po prvi put unutar Savske banovine imala položaj važnog mjesta na granici prema Mađarskoj, koje je trebalo osuvremeniti i osposobiti za njegove zadaće, zaustaviti negativne tendencije i ostvariti miran život. To je i uspjelo ostvariti uz pomoć stanovnika grada ali i dozvoljavanjem umjerenog rada opoziciji, tj. članovima Hrvatske stranke i pravaških krugova. Kvalitetnom politikom i dobrom diplomacijom Koprivnica je sačuvala sebe i bila je svoja.During the Great Depression, Koprivnica was a town without conflicts. It was led by Mayor Dr. Vladimir Malancec and Deputy Mayor Dr. Branko Svarc, who managed the town’s affairs, communal policies and had control over social life. Both were local sons, dr. Malancec, as a lawyer in a family that sympathized with Croat-Serbian coalition; the other one a Jew; they both steered the town and managed its affairs toward the capital Belgrade, so the town was receiving more than giving back; some local folks believed it was treachery and betrayal of Croatian interests, a compromise with Serbian nationalists. Yet, it was salvation for Koprivnica. For years, it was an outsider, either as border town in some administrative region (county or region). For the first time now within borders of Savska banovina province, Koprivnica was an important town on the Hungarian border; it only needed to modernize, be enabled for civic functions, stop the negative tendencies and provide a peaceful life. By the help of Koprivnica’s citizens, and through allowing some activities of the political opposition, i.e. members of Croatian party and Party of rights, - it eventually came through. Quality approach to politics and good diplomacy skills of the town administration, Koprivnica saved itself and remained its own

In memoriam. Narcisa Lengel-Krizman (1934-2008)

In memoria