Archive for the ‘Budapest – Hungary’ Category

World of Roma Culture – Duna Art Ensemble @ MÜPA Budapest

Photo: Danube Folk Ensemble

The Duna Art Ensemble  new performance places this very diversity at the center stage, primarily through archaic dance and music indicting their latest production, titled *Cigányok arca – Romengi faca* (Faces of the Roma), which evokes the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Roma people of the Carpathian Basin through a combination of dance, music, poetry, and spectacular stage design. The performance spotlights the unique world, passion, fest for life, and social dynamics of Roma communities on the stage of Müpa in October and again in December 2026.

Can the soul of an ethnic group be captured in a single stage performance? This is the question the Duna Art Ensemble seeks to answer with its new production, *Cigányok arca – Romengi faca*. The show presents the many facets of diverse Roma artistry—primarily through archaic dance and music. Alongside dance and music, Roma poetry and visual arts also serve as important sources of inspiration for the creators.

This joint production by the Danube Folk Ensemble and the Göncöl Band is directed by Zsolt Juhász, with choreography by Tamás Farkas, Kristóf Fundák, and Zsolt Juhász. The performance also features actress Franciska Farkas, alongside István Szilvási, Pákó Horváth, and Dominik Balogh.

*The Face of the Roma* (Romengi faca) is presented as part of the Liszt Fest, organized by Müpa, on October 15 and 16, 2026, and subsequently on December 15 and 16.

Update by Aggie Reiter

 

The 10th Slovenian Film Days – Toldi Cinema @ Budapest

Thursday, October, 8.  7 p.m. and  Friday, October, 10. 7 p.m.
District, V., 36–38 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road Budapest

Lea Cok, the lead actress of the award-winning film *Whites Washed at Ninety Degrees* (*A fehéret kilencven fokon mossuk*), will accompany her film to the 10th Slovenian Film Days—kicking off on the 8th of October. 2026 at Budapest’s Toldi Cinema. The actress won the Golden Mimosa Award for Best Actress for her performance in the role. Also screened at CineFest, this coming-of-age story, based on Bronja Žakelj’s autobiographical novel. It is a tale of perseverance and the hope that lingers even in the shadow of loss.

The event, jointly organized by the Slovenian Film Center, BudapestFilm Ltd., and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Budapest.

Three award-winning contemporary Slovenian films: “Wash Whites at 90 Degrees” (directed by Marko Naberšnik).

“Hidden Ones” (a Slovenian-Icelandic-Serbian co-production by Miha Hočevar) – Playful dramedy

“Land-Grabber” (a film by Žiga Virc) – bitingly humorous .

Update by Aggie Reiter

 

“Dolce Vita” Lifestyle – Lights, Colors, Scents – Castle Garden Baazar (Várkert Bazár) Budapest

District, I.  2-6 Ybl Miklós Square – Budapest

The latest joint exhibition by the Museum of Fine Arts, Hungarian National Gallery and the Castle Headquarters, hosted in the heart of Budapest at the Várkert Bazár, evokes the essence of sun-drenched Italy and the “dolce vita” lifestyle. Italy has drawn travelers for centuries; its magical allure stems from a combination of factors: the proximity of the sea, brilliant sunshine, exquisite food and drink, sites of antiquity and Christianity, iconic Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and the art treasures housed in its museums and churches.

This free open-air exhibition is on view until mid-October on the ramp leading to the Gloriette.

Through the works of Hungarian artists, the exhibition brings the Mediterranean summer, the Italian spirit, and the travel experiences that shaped artistic perspectives to the banks of the Danube. Italy is not merely a travel destination but a recurring source of inspiration and a constant motif in Hungarian art—one that can even be detected in the depiction of domestic themes.

Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka painted “Coastal Town” during one of his trips to Sicily; the work depicts the colorful, tightly clustered houses of Scilla and the Castello Ruffo—a strategic fortress overlooking the Strait of Messina, towering atop a rocky crag. Gazing at the painting, one can almost hear the incomparable murmur of the waves and smell the salty sea air. The seaside also inspired Vilmos Aba-Novák to create art; his work “Harbour” features a lineup of colorful sailboats. Antal Ligeti’s “Isle of Capri” captured the beauty of the blue sky and the dazzling azure sea, as did Pál Szinyei Merse’s painting *Mare Azzurro*.

Iconic Italian destinations inspired numerous Hungarian artists: for instance, Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka and János Vaszary both immortalized the Sicilian town of Taormina on canvas, while Mátyás Triznya and Pál Molnár-C. painted the columns of the Roman Forum. István Csók captured a symbol of Amalfi—one of Italy’s most picturesque towns—in the form of its distinctive lemon variety: the elongated, rough-skinned “Amalfitano.”

The exhibition also features paintings by Béla Kontuly, István Pekáry, Gyula Kosztolányi Kann, and Károly Patkó, as well as a photograph by Frigyes Géza Haller, a prominent figure in Hungarian photography.

The open-air exhibition was curated by Adrienn Prágai, an art historian at the Hungarian National Gallery (MNG). The displayed posters are housed in ten illuminated frames, offering a magical experience—even during an evening stroll, within the rose-scented Neo-Renaissance Garden of the Várkert Bazár.

Descriptions accompanying the artworks are available In Hungarian AND in English as well.

More programs to visit will be coming up soon.

Update by Aggie Reiter

Herald News: “The Fifth Step” Centrál Theater @ Budapest

How can the most difficult topics be approached with humor? An excellent example of this is David Ireland‘s new hit play, “The Fifth Step”,  featuring two main characters … James and Mike who meet at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.  James, an alcoholics anonymous veteran, sponsors newcomer Luka. Their friendship faces a test when Luka’s fifth-step confession creates tension between them. Their conversations reveal far more than just a depiction of addiction. Addresses shame, friendship, and intergenerational relationships with sharp humor and deep human sensitivity.  Seeing two men, two generations, and two individuals whose fates have intertwined.  They navigate between lighthearted subjects and the most painful issues, the boundaries between helper and addict, and between father and son, begin to blur. Beyond the characters’ vulnerability and uncertainty, it is their razor-sharp humor that captivates the audience almost without them realizing it. “The Fifth Step” premieres on the 2nd of October starring Miklós H. Vecsei and Róbert Marton

The theater dedicates and performs this production in memory of the late Péter Scherer (“Pepe”), who had originally initiated the rehearsal process.

Mind the viewers to the fact that the text of the performance contains obscene language. The performance is not for viewing by those under the age of 16. The location of the creative photography was provided by the Hungarian National Gallery. Author David Ireland  – Translator Dávid Puskás  – Director Dávid Puskás.

Recommended by Aggie Reiter

A story of a new beginning – Linkin Park: Unshatter @ Budapest Cinemas.

Linkin Park: Unshatter, an intimate music documentary directed by band member Joe Hahn, opens in theaters worldwide on the 30th of  September, 2026. Following the band’s triumphant global comeback, the film chronicles Linkin Park’s journey of loss, perseverance and creative renewal, culminating in their explosive “From Zero” era and unforgettable concerts in São Paulo, Brazil.

Linkin Park is one of the most influential, successful and innovative bands of the last few decades. They have won the most prestigious awards since their debut in 1996. Their success lies in their meticulously crafted yet accessible lyrics and experimental nu-metal sound, which they have presented with the highest level of stage productions worldwide to fans who have followed them faithfully throughout their career. This relationship was abruptly cut short by the death of frontman Chester Bennington in 2017.

“The hardest part of ending a band is starting over,” goes the film’s motto. After a seven-year hiatus, the remaining members of Linkin Park found their own way forward. It’s an honest and detailed account that doesn’t hide the band members’ doubts, tensions, and reservations about change. New members Emily Armstrong and Colin Brittain, both with significant musical backgrounds, had to confront their own fears and the sky-high expectations of their fans.

Combining rare archival footage, candid behind-the-scenes moments, and stunning live performances, Unshatter follows Linkin Park’s journey from their early recordings in 2022, through the birth of the album “From Zero,” to their return to the world stage. The band members narrate the events continuously, bringing us closer to the band as they recover from the grief process. Brad Delson likened their story to the Japanese kintsugi: a bowl that once fell apart, but was put back together with love, friendship, and creativity, shining brighter than ever.

This documentary can be a lasting film experience not only for fans, but for anyone looking for an answer to how to start their life over again.

Tickts on the spot at the LURDY CINEMA – CINEMA MOM – GOBUDA CINEMA – POLUS CINEMA.

Update by Aggie Reiter

Another Goody Film Coming Your Way … The Last Pickpocket in New York

Color American drama – 2026 – 88 minutes
Original language with Hungarian subtitles

Director: Noah Segan, Screenplay: Noah Segan, Cinematography: Sam Levy, Editor: Hilda Rassula.

Casting: John Turturro (Harry) –  Giancarlo Esposito (Detective Warren) – Will Price (Dylan) -Tatiana Maslany (Kelly).

Synopsis
Harry (John Turturro) works as a veteran pickpocket on the streets of New York. Business is going well enough; he offloads his loot to his pawnbroker friend, Ben (Steve Buscemi). However, he meets his match one day when he steals a flash drive from the mysterious, newly wealthy Dylan (Will Price). Dylan, a cybercriminal, goes after the older man, forcing the pickpocket to flee before harm comes to not only himself but his family as well.

“The Last Pickpocket in New York” s a melancholic heist movie about aging and generational divides, as well as a symphony dedicated to the city that never sleeps. Alongside John Turturro – who is in top form – Steve Buscemi, Tatiana Maslany, and Giancarlo Esposito also deliver outstanding performances.

Noah Segan and New York – Director Noah Segan is a native New Yorker himself and has long wanted to pay tribute to his hometown. In “The Last Pickpocket in New York”, he not only tells a story full of twists and turns but also paints an affectionate portrait of the metropolis—one in which, he hopes, every true New Yorker will recognize their own city. “This film gives me the chance to talk about how much the world has changed just within my own lifetime,” says Segan. “We show the aspects of technological progress that we love, as well as those we’re less fond of.”

The director added: “I loved watching Harry traverse all five boroughs and reveal places most people have never seen. I don’t know if there’s another place on earth photographed as often or in as many ways as New York, yet we try to show the city’s lesser-known sides from our own unique perspective.” Elaborating on that unique perspective, Segan explains: “Other great films show just how romantic New York can be, and that’s certainly part of it. But the city isn’t simply dirty, violent, or romantic. It’s all of those things at once. And that’s exactly what makes it so special. Because it contains everything, it can ultimately become whatever you make of it.”

The first pre-premiere screening in Budapest will take place on Sunday, 27. September 6.30 p.m. at the Művész Cinema- Budapest.  Tickets for the event are already available on the spot.

“The Last New York Pickpocket” opens in nationwide movie theaters on the 22nd of October, distributed by bubbling_under.

 

Update by Aggie Reiter

Neil Simon’s comedy “The Odd Couple” Central Theater – Budapest

The Central Theater presented the biggest theatrical explosion of the year.

The Neil Simon’s comedy “The Odd Couple” is the performance of the two main characters: Róbert Alföldi and András Stohl on the same stage. Director Tamás Puskás .

Unambiguous, that the audience went ongoing crazy full of laugthers not to mention prehaphs many at the audience felt the scenes as reminder somewhere about their own behavior.

This  marvious performance will ensure a continuous full house for years to come. The two main characters truly deserve the trust they have been given in the performance. However, the acting of the other actors, the direction, the set design, the translation all deserve recognition and a special award in their own right. The director Tamás Puskás deserves all the praise and congratulations for this performance.  Even  beside the auditorium the star-roofed stage of the Central Summer was completely full.  And this miracle is the result of very serious and coordinated teamwork. From autumn, the miracle will continue at the Central Theater, in a stone theater setting. The ticket sales available are running out even though weeks ahead. earliest.

Even though many read,  previously saw on screen …  In a nutshell: The story about two completely different men forced to live together. The main character is Oscar Madison (Róbert Alföldi), a sloppy, messy, divorced sports journalist, who moves in with his boyfriend,, after Felix’s marriage is on the rocks. Felix, on the other hand, is Oscar’s polar opposite: maniacally clean, pedantic, systematic and a bit neurotic. Let’s put it bluntly: narcissistic . The conflict arises from the fact that while both are left alone and need the other’s company, they simply cannot tolerate each other’s lifestyle. Oscar’s laziness and disorder drive Felix crazy, while Felix’s rules and obsession with cleanliness drive Oscar crazy.

Their story colored by the other characters with whom they interact in the play, their circle of friends.  prehaphs , the temperamental Murray (András Mészáros), Roy (Róbert Marton), Vinnie (Bálint Rada) are a group of friends. They regularly get together to drink and play cards at Oscar’s apartment. They talk about life’s things, some as a prisoner of independence, some as a prisoner of constraints , but in all cases in love.  There are few of them, and they are the ones we can count on in real difficulties, ain’t that what they are made for many of us !?!  Friendships that accompany throughout the decades.

The basic situation is also painfully familiar at many points. Separation happens in everyone’s life sooner or later. Although not these times, I like to think back to those friends who were by my side, who pulled me out of sad, difficult times. They gave me a new perspective, helped me move away from my mantras that I repeated over and over again, from self-pity and self-destruction. At the same time, they started me on the path to recovery. Of course, I always made the decisions and actions, but it’s good that I had a supportive environment and help around me. That’s why friendship is a great treasure. And let’s be honest: friendships are tested hard in situations like this.

The story of Oscar and Felix also shows how difficult  was to deal in the past and still today ring the bell with people in these times. However, it is not just a “orderly versus disorderly” comedy: it is also about loneliness, starting over after divorce, and friendship. Behind the laughter lies the question of whether two people are able to accept each other even if they are fundamentally completely different.

The choice of the two main characters is a brilliant move not only because the country moves to their performances individually. Also because they have a lot in common with the characters they portray. Róbert Alföldi as Oscar is a calm, rational, managerial figure, whose calmness is accompanied by careless elegance. He considers what he devotes his time and energy to. And he does not deal with unnecessary things, futility. He does not chase vain dreams. He knows where his limits are, he is aware of his own abilities and how to get the best out of himself . He knows what the optimal temperature is for him, at which he lives his life. That is why he has a hard time putting up with Felix’s strange lifestyle. Because although Oscar is flexible and liberal, everything has a healthy limit, which Felix likes to push. What he pushes: he ruins.

In deed  for Felix  his character, in András Stohl’s portrayal, brought out a certain line from another former star role: “Zaza is the star!” And I felt this not only because of the similarity of the portrayed character, but also because of the burning and spinning at a thousand degrees, which is usual with Stohl. He performs at a thousand percent, he makes no mistakes. He takes on serious physical, mental and nervous demands every blessed evening. He exposes his soul to us, the audience, and we feel every bit of his struggle his everything. Very few actors are capable of this. But it is these two geniuses that are needed for the audience to arrive at the performance with insatiable curiosity. This is also the case with The Odd Couple, which is actually a lovable, situational comedy about two friends who need each other’s help, but in the meantime, living together almost drives each other crazy.

And there are also the Dove Girls: Gertrud (Mariann Hermányi) and Cecilia (Éva Lili Domokos) bring a lot life to the story. Of course, as soon as they come into the picture, everything starts to revolve around them. However, the truly surprising twists and turns come towards the end of the story, when Felix begins to change and Oscar also realizes something. The performance of the Central Theater will tell you what this change means in each of their lives, what the time spent together has brought to Oscar and what to Felix.

Most probably, we will realize that the two of them are not so strangers after all for us.  We are are alittle bit odd in our own ways, but that’s alright – right?

Be aware tickets are shooting out as fast than you can imagen. Give it a try to reserve yours for the next available tickets, that will be going for November – on the spot of the theater’s ticket booth. Good Luck.

Riport by Aggie Reiter

Friends Series – The orange sofa moves to Budapest – Vates partnership Warner Bros. Discovery

The orange sofa moves to Budapest – Vates and Warner Bros. Discovery launch collaboration with Friends collection
Vates has entered into a long-term partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery. As part of this, the Hungarian brand will reimagine the studio’s iconic intellectual properties in the form of unique collections specifically for the domestic audience. The first stop of the partnership will be the Friends series, which also enjoys cult status in Hungary, and the related collection, which will be presented on the 18th of October @ the Muzikum.

Vates, known as an art-inspired clothing brand, has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to create new collections inspired by the series and films in WBD’s portfolio. The long-term partnership will see the Hungarian brand work on several well-known Warner Bros. Discovery franchises. The collaboration is an important milestone for Vates : it is the brand’s largest international collaboration to date. The agreement is supported by Elc Brands , the local agency of  Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.

One of the most important features of the partnership is that international IPs do not appear on the Hungarian market as mere licensed products. Vates reinterprets well-known franchises with domestic creators, taking into account the taste and visual world of its own community, so that globally known stories come to life in an independent creative approach tailored specifically for the Hungarian audience. The first release of the collaboration will be the Friends collection. The series, which ran from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, is still one of the most re-watched series: it is at the forefront of HBO Max’s offerings year after year, while its fan base is constantly renewed across generations.

“ Friends is not simply a series, but an independent pop cultural symbol system, meme dictionary and source of inspiration. Its fan base is huge, and it is constantly updated: those who followed the episodes while sitting in front of the TV at the time have their favorite characters as well as those who discover the series on streaming today.

In addition to Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey, countless gold diggers and hoteliers helped us during the design, and it shows the greatness of the series that even a piece of furniture in this universe can become an instantly recognizable symbol, ” earlier said by the Vates team. The collection includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, phone cases, bags, hats, key chains, aprons and mugs, reimagining the iconic motifs and atmosphere of Friends with Vates’s signature creative approach.

The official Vates & Friends collection will be accompanied by a public event and pop-up store on the 18th of  October at the Muzikum Club. – Budapest. The collection will open to early access subscribers on October 8th at the vates.hu webshop, and will be available to the general public from the 9th of October.

Quick Flashnews by Aggie Reiter

Legendary comedy “The Odd Couple” will be coming to the Central Theater @ Budapest

On September 18, the audience may witness a real event in theater history at the Central Theater in Budapest: at the premiere of The Odd Couple, the two main characters, Róbert Alföldi and András Stohl, will be on stage together for the first time.

Other roles are played by such great actors as Róbert Marton, Attila Magyar, András Mészáros, Bálint Rada, Éva Lili Domokos and Mariann Hermányi.

Neil Simon’s Tony Award-winning classic will be seen in a fresh translation, director Tamás Puskás

Neil Simon’s most performed play is The Odd Couple, which could be a relationship dram,  but the comedy duo of two good friends, Oscar and Felix, turns the story into an irresistible comedy. The couple, who truly live together in a strange way, like a married couple, who are different in almost everything. One is a perfectionist, the other is a slacker!  Worthwhile to see what happens when these two people move in together? Be ready to a most entertaining comedy situations.

“This play is so successful because while our tears flow from laughter, we also experience deep moments and can glean serious life truths for ourselves. In The Odd Couple, Neil Simon depicts the doomed experiment of relationships in its process, like a moving picture. In the end, we understand that the biggest problem is precisely our difference in sexual matters, that women came from Venus and men from Mars, and these two qualities are completely incompatible,” explains director Tamás Puskás.

In the title role of The Odd Couple, written in 1965, we can see Róbert Alföldi and András Stohl at the Central Theatre, who are playing on the same stage for the first time.

“I have to say that we have been working together for 30 years, but he still managed to surprise me, and it was great to rehearse with him, and he played wonderfully. He is an impressive actor – and he helped me a lot. I really like this man and I consider him a very great actor.”  said Róbert Alföldi about his first joint performance with András Stohl. “The Odd Couple is amazingly written. It is no coincidence that it has been popular for more than 60 years. And these two roles are great. Neil Simon put a lot into it, from a very deep place, from his own life. It is very important that there is no easy genre – there is truth. And it is important that the performance is contemporary, that it shows the painful, familiar feelings of today’s people, today’s men. Today it is no longer easy to simply tell a story. Today this is what is new. It feels good to play, it feels great to feel the attention that comes to us from the audience.” he added.

“We are both old bikers, Robert and I, we have been friends for decades, but until now he has always been my director, my manager. Now we are finally both on stage, there is no competition, equal playing fields, equal chances. After the reading test, we asked at the same time why Tamás didn’t have the roles reversed, it’s up to us! But of course, it’s better that way! This is how we can really do comedy! Félix and Oszkár: the odd couple.”  added András Stohl.

The other roles feature such great actors as Róbert Marton, Attila Magyar, András Mészáros, Bálint Rada, Éva Lili Domokos and Mariann Hermányi. The play will be staged in a brand new translation by Samu Puskás and Dávid Puskás. The set designer of the performance is Levente Bagossy, the costume designer is Andrea Kovács.

Neil Simon (1927-2018) was a Golden Globe- and three-time Tony Award-winning American playwright and screenwriter. He wrote more than thirty plays and almost as many screenplays, most of them adaptations of his own plays. He was nominated for more Academy Awards and Tony Awards than any other author. His childhood was mostly unhappy and uncertain. He often sought refuge in the cinema, enjoying the works of the first great entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin, which inspired him to become a comedy writer.

In 1966, four of his successful plays were simultaneously performed on Broadway.  In 1983, he became the first living playwright to have a theater named after him in New York.

No dout Neil Simon is one of the  confidently leads his audience towards a whirlwind of entertainment.

Tickets  can be purchase on the spot of the theater.

District, VI.,  18. Révay Str. Budapest.

 

Recommenation by Aggie Reiter

Invitation to the Independent Label Fair @ Budapest 2026

 

The Independent Label Fair (ILF) will be held for the tenth time on the 12th of  September and has become one of the most important annual meeting places for the Hungarian independent music scene over the past ten years. The anniversary fair will feature more than 60 labels presenting hundreds of new, limited and collector’s editions, as well as all-day music and professional programs, concerts and DJ sets. The ILF awards will be presented for the third time, and the event is free to attend at the Hungarian Music House.

Launched in 2017, ILF was born at a time when listening to music was increasingly moving to digital platforms, and physical audio carriers seemed like a technology of the past for many. Since then, the renaissance of vinyl and the rediscovery of physical music have reached new generations, and ILF has been building the community of the Hungarian independent music scene year after year. Today, many labels and artists are timing their new releases planned for the summer specifically for ILF, making the fair an important place to introduce the latest Hungarian physical releases.

This year’s anniversary also indicates that ILF has become a tradition: an annual event that is awaited by labels, performers, record stores, collectors and music listeners. The fair will be hosted by the Hungarian Music House for the third time, where visitors can choose from hundreds of releases from nearly 60 independent labels, including the most exciting new releases, primarily physical releases. The MZH Pop Culture Club Library expanded its collection with more than 100 records from the ILF selection this year, so the publications from the event will be included in the institution’s collection in the long term.

Musical programs will alternate on the open-air stage throughout the day. The day continues with an afterparty on the Pontoon in the evening.

Update by Aggie Reiter