Rolling in Budapest Cultural information in English … Hear everything first hand

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In general, the use of our hands in preparing our first not always seen as arts was when we got to meet the plasticine. That was in our time at the kindergarten and we happily took  home our first ‘applied arts”!

Those are the days when girls and boys decide they wish to have these moments not forgotten throughout their life.

The Museum of Applied Arts gives a space for the designers four times a year.  Some of these artists came along  to-day and brought their object and items to the Museum of Applied Arts. To-day, was the first exhibition this year as to peak into their latest fantasy products, was worthwhile.  This is just a coincidence that the timing was during the Budapest Spring Festival. It is not just an ordinary exhibition but the items were available on the spot. Here are some artists work that took my attention:

Ms. Fanni Király, a designer and teacher who graduated at the Hungarian University of Craft and Design. Brought just samples of her collection to the open fair at the Museum of Applied Arts. Amazing collection of contemporary metalwork and other artistic handwork designs, jewellery with pergamen, water-lily pin, jewellery with stones. Beside producing jewellery she also has a large-scale of designs like objects for decoration.

Ms. Judit Lantos, an individual ceramic  artist with her own studio. She also displayed some objects, as a reminder of the colorful items in those 60’s and 70’s. Her main attention focus on preparing items for everyday use, as small gifts, kitchen accessories and a handful of decoration items. Many of her objects are present at shops and galleries in Budapest.

Ms. Ágnes Bartha, Goldsmith and Enamel Artist. An artist with many sides, who has in use in preparing masterfully planned plexiglass jewellery, metal, enamel, unique goldsmith jewelry. She opened more than two dozens of individual exhibitions with her superb silver jewellery   Her beautiful glass, acrylic material and her twisted silverware ring stone really aroused the interest of the eye. An awesome display of a classy designer.

Designer Ms. Zsuzsa Ujj, Ceramic Artist, at the exhibition a small land of pottery and porcelain really was rich in a spot to visit.elegant Her landmark was well seen in the objects with the elegantly tasteful style. The ceramic eggs, beside other items seen at the exhibition were a real masterpiece of art.

Mr. István Pataki is an organic fruit producer since 1994. He produce juices, nectar and jams. Mr. Pataki told me the following: “Remembering my childhood, all the spare time I had, I was engaged in farming.” “When did have free time?”  “It was my Mum’s decision of when to have my free time and as the berries began to  ripe and be mature, I was out to collect them at the Bend of the River Danube, where I still live and do the “harvest”  collect the fruits of season.” Mr. Pataki and his companion Ms. Anna Konczili  had a stand to ease the thirst of the visitors with the selection of 100% pure fruit juices and last but not least, displayed fruit nectar could have had been brought on the spot.

The first Romani Fashion Studio’s collection was introduced by Ms. Erika Varga, Romani designer at the 1st Romani Design Fashion Show in the summer of 2010. It was at the Museum of Fine Arts, here in Budapest. I had the privilege to be there at the exclusive fashion show. Well that was not yesterday and as the Hungarians say: „Since then a lot of water rolled down the River Danube”To-day at the Museum of Applied Arts, some early and newly design products were introduced and while visiting that spot over heard and saw some customers were not familiar with the Roma design cloths. But some sure were and done their shopping. Actually, both the fashion, nor the jewelry industry did not develop products specifically for the Roma people. The Romani Design has a touch of Roma culture in its unique designs. It is based on the culture of the Roma and wish to serve with its clothes, accessories, jewelry, handicraft items that were so far unknown on the catwalk in Hungary. The design of the Romani motives are products both for Roma and non Roma individuals. The RomaniDesign is using the XXI. century needs in designing their fashion products. Ms. Varga started designing clothes in 2007,  after having second thoughts with the idea of becoming a designer of cloths.

Ms. Erika Varga told me, she believes fashion is a communication tool and can do a lot to get to know each other better.

 Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

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Even little Red Riding Hood would have had been satisfied last Friday at the Millenium Park, while rolling through, collecting the Hungarian hand-made food.

On the last day of the Fair  at the Millenium Park was a full day full with visitors with huge bags collecting meat, honey, natural fruit juice, cheese, wine, palinka, all sorts of mixed ingredients, flavor spices, hand-made noodles, just to mention a few on the pallet that could have had been brought at this grand gathering. Below are some of the visited stands I would like to recommend for the future gatherings to the  foreigner visitors to  hover to the Festival or Fair of Hungarian gastronomic specialties.

NATURAL FRUIT JUICE: The VitaBox products are 100% proof natural fruit juice. Freshly squeezed, made of healthy fruits that you and your family will always have the best. Material does not contain any added! The VitaBox main goal is to go back to the natural world with their natural fruit juices that preserves the valuable vitamin groups, trace elements and mineral material. Beside the fruits the selection of veggies are becoming very popular, especially the beetroot. As I was told: “The juice picked from the tree”. The VitaBox products met the highest European standards as well as the customers expectation.The most important feature is that the fruit is raw material in addition to any added substances (eg sugar, artificial colors, flavors, stabilizers and preservatives, additives) are not included. They are packed in boxes, 5 liter fruit juice in each, or 2in1, two different fruit juice packaged separately in one box with a total of 5 liter and in bottled form – 0,2 liter. Especially wonderful to have a glass or two when the season doesn’t produce these mouth-watering delicious fruits from our huge regions of “fruitland”. Having tasting their full-scale of fruit juices, I personally would drink this day-and-night… yummy! Could not resist after the tasting to get a few “buckets in box” of these fine tasty fruit juices. I would highly recommend the gourmet lovers to purchase next time they will be out on fair or festival where Hungarian products can be found. They will absolutely feel like tasting the raw fruits.

CHEESE: Saw a headline saying: “Products starting from the grass and ending up on your table!”  What is the secret of the hand-made cheese, well a part of it is pretty much known, the hard two hand work and love added. Some facts are always missing, but at the Fair the manufacture spoked and shared their experiences about their “baby” that we mainly are not told when doing our week-end shopping. The Agria hand-made cheese-workroom are taken in hand from the natural conditions of the free-held Hungarian Simmental and Holstein-Friesian cows, whole milk. Along this hard work, the result: milk, cheese and dairy products and include herbs growing in the mountains of valuable active ingredients are all we so much enjoy of the end products.

BIO-WINE: The Gajdos winery also presented a grand variety of their Bio-wine products. At the fair the main attraction went out for the Bull’s Blood from the region of Eger. Most probably no one has to be introduced to the Hungarian Bull’s Blood, this wine is well know throughout the world. The rich flavor is blended from Gamay, which gives it a fruity and silky taste. All around the stand  were a massive crowd tasting the Gajdos wines. As was told they place a huge emphasis on the organic quality of grapes and in producing their wines. Their winery has opted with the latest solutions, and this can definitely be tasted, recognized on the quality of their wines.

HONEY: One of the outstanding Hungarian natural products was the huge variety of medicinal honey. This was introduced at the scene of the “Herbatea”. The Herbatea manufacture Ltd. aim is to distribute the selected herbs, which for ages are and have been proven efficiency for the better health. The honey names were given a fantasy call:  “sweet dreams” up to “fresh-up”. The herb active ingredients are in high-quality assured by the Hungarian honey producers. It concentrate to its beneficial effects on the body to further enhance their beneficial effects.

BEER:  Mr. András Szilágyi, the brewer of millet beer (5% alcohol) with the semi dark and lager beer was pretty popular at the fair. He also served hot spicy millet beer, similar to the hot spicy beer in Ireland, but with the Hungarian special ingredients to give the unique touch. Surely many visiting his stand had that smooth taste.

A total of 17 thousand visitors gathered during the 3 days and the income also helped tens of millions of HUF to the Hungarian producers and its Hungarian economy.

Last but not least, the Fair winner producer at the 3rd Hungarian hand-made flavor and crafts was Mr. Gergely Molnár by reaching the highest votes from the visitors who voted to his honey products brought from  the “Honeymuseum”

Hope my update will serve the better of information to the temporary foreigners staying in Budapest.

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

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Insight  from the opening day !

Genuine gastronomic experiences!

The opening ceremony started at Friday,  during the noontime with welcoming the nearly 120 exhibitors, from 7 regions of Hungary and  4 regions from the  cross-border regions: Transcarpathia, Transylvania, Southland and Highland. More than 5000, yes five thousand food to be available for tasting throughout the 3 days long Fair. For those individuals that were present on that Friday surely got into the grove of the tasting the fine appetizing snacks and liquid foods.

Rolling down my update you can stop by at any of the stands to see what was to come. Sorry for only giving the visual taste, but surely will be coming along soon another Fair or Festival where these crunchy-munchy food can be tasted and make sure to be there.

WINE: Real speciality made from red and white wine from the region of Villány, the winery landscape is just a wink from the Southern border line. This specially made mulled-wine jam is an excellent rich in taste and can be added as a sider to red meat, poultry, fish, cheese or sweet cakes. The red and white jams are made from the protected origin grapes from the vineyards of Villány. The basic origins are: Portugieser,Villány Italian Reisling with added spices and sugar.

SALAMI: The National Park at “Kiskunság” is the Hungarian area of grey cattle and buffalo. At the national park, beside salami and  other main meat products are produced at the manufacture. These animals all live out in the grazing fields. At the national park, the production of high quality meat is ensured by the non use of chemicals and fertilizer-free pastures. These sample of meat-tasting was really a new taste for many. Both products: spicy and non-spicy were very delicious and available to purchase at the scene, just like the rest of the products during the fair.

PÁLINKA: Arpád Premium Pálinka cartridges pretty much looked like the cigar holders. They were packed in three and could be brought as a gift box on the spot. The varieties of fruit  are all from the land of Hungary. As soon as I had a glance on these small bottles, immediately flashed through my mind, these handy bottles made of glass can be also available in a plastic bottle from and can be widely used serving upon air-flights and so forth. Had a snip and it was heavenly, just like having a bite of a summer sun ripe fruit.

JAMS: Magic sealed in glass: Been at the right place  at the right time. At last, the time has come again when you discover the flavors of home, the importance of consumption of natural foods. This was brought all along from Transylvania to the Budapest’s 3rd Hungarian home-made Fair by the “SzekelyGyümölcs” In our era it was natural for children to canning, stored in a cool chamber preserves, jams, smoked, dried meats and plants that have had facilitated the design of the everyday housewife. In our present days, the changed urban life needs a different framework for the procurement of good sources. Not only the producers, but the also consumers’ are systematically searching to discover the products of reliable materials.There was a very good lineup of yummy jams and natural fruit jucie.

WINE VINEGAR: The Tokaj wine is worldwide famous abroad and the wine vinegar is only prepared  from the Tokaj hills superb wine. In the wine vinegar there is no any added substance. The wine vinegar is absolutely natural,only  bacteria and acetic acid-mediated components are included.They told me, they are pleased to be present, to introduce their worldwide one-and-only special wine vinegar from the Tokaj wine, by participating at this Hungarian home-made food and crafts festival of manufactures.

Be back to give an update of the last day at the Fair!

Update and snap by Aggie Reiter

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SOCIAL MEDIA IN ITS 21ST CENTURY STYLE!

THE REPUBLIC GROUP REACHED ITS 15 YEARS BEING NOT ONLY ON SURFACE BUT KICKING THE GOALS INTO THE NET!

Late evening on the 8th of March, the Republic Group held its 15 years. birthday anniversary with holding a huge celebration party. Only sophisticated guest were invited to this private  party.

Great entertainment and “tons” of healthy food, veggie drinks were presented throughout the whole evening. A huge “Xmas” tree-like was dressed up with orange-size of marzipan balls and was lighten up with fireworks as it was rolled in the hall. After the bangs, the guests were invited to help themselves  in grabbing, tasting these marzipan balls.  A grand selection of cocktails and mouth-watering tinny cakes were extremely tasty. The great palette of wines were mainly from the famous Hungarian vineyard regions, but also were rich in taste the wine from Slovakia and Argentina. Live music filled the air throughout the  whole evening.

During the evening the members of the team wished to share a shot of their flown away 15 years of activities.

A few thoughts about the company. The agency has reach the recognition, as one of the leading advertisement and communication companies with its new wave style in our 21st.century.The company started their activity in 1997 with its three developers: Mr. Gábor Fabricius, Mr. Tamás Barna and Áron Kollmannwith and almost three dozen employed individuals.

Their ongoing creativity had led them to win the Golden Medal Lion in Cannes,  being recognized as the excellent independent advertising agency.

Th Republic Group has mutual partnership and co-operation with Siegel+Gale, based in N.Y. who are the largest independent branding in the World.

During these 15 years, they had more than two dozen clients. Here’s a list of the clients, of course not a complete one, who were absolutely satisfied in obtaining their requests:

Ms. Katalin Halász, Marketing Director – COCA-COLA HUNGARY, Mr. László Szilágyi, Executive Director – RAUCH HUNGARY Ltd., Mr. Krisztian Büttl, Senior Brand Manager, RED BULL,  Mr. Zoltán Becze, Marketing and Communication Director – HELL ENERGY HUNGARY Ltd., Ms. Eszter Jákó, Marketing Manager E.ON HUNGARY Ltd., Mr. Gábor Borókai, Chief Editor WEEKLY RESPONSE.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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 JUST TOOK A BLINK AND THERE IT WAS, BUT ALSO IN BETWEEN THE BLINKS THERE WERE GREAT HAIR DRESSERS AND HOTTEST FASHION TRENDS OF THE YEAR 2012!

ESSENTIAL LOOKS SCHWARZKOPF  PROFESSIONAL – HAIRDRESSERS

 INSTYLE  – FASHION DISIGNERS

ALL ONE OF A KIND OF HUNGARIAN ARTISTS!

Last Sunday, the 4th March received a private invitation to the event of the ESSENTIAL LOOKS SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL and the INSTYLE new fashion show which took place at the Millenium Park, „E” Theater Hall. 

During the evening the line up of shows began: Wedding hair and fashion show trend of 2012. Spring / Summer hair color trends in light of fashion – hair show. The “Lancia” premiere “Be creative and not monotone” fashion designer competition with the finalist’s announcement was all packed and rolled up to see. 

First came the Schwarzkopf Professional, launched in 2012 with its spring/ summer hair color trends. The Theater Hall was completely crowded with the curious visitors. Hair model men and women took their seats and the master hair stylists began the show. All supplies were brought out in a bowl by the hair models and off it went to succeed. During the hairdresser’s were shaping, rolling their scissors , cutting, twisting the curls, spraying loads of hairspray and viewing heads as the combs flashed in the perfectly illuminated spot, the audience was able to follow every strand of hair on the giant screen as the hairdressers built their sculptors. Through speakers, you heard every step commented on their activities.

The highlight of the evening was when Mr. Ádám Szabó, the International master barber at the Trevor Sorbian International plc.Covent Garden came down the runway with his hair model. Adam is almost three years already living in London and was so pleased to have had been called home to participate at this show. Before moving out to London he won three times the “Hairdresser of the Year” award in Hungary. Adam is still playing with the thought of building his career, but he is much more into rather having a nice family before that. As the saying says: “The apple did not fall far from the tree”. His father and grandfather was a barber. Practically, he grew up in a barbershop, but as a teenager, only at the age of 17 he took “the scissors” seriously! Asking him: “What’s your secret?” He said: “ I believe “I only” try to do it well!”

The Trevor Sorbi’s philosophy has been always up to create something new, which then after can be integrated into the barbershop. Adam is responsible for the lineup of shows, inventing new techniques, as well as the handling the education part, but for example he holds inspirational evening sessions. (Why does this sound unfamiliar to me? Hmmm)

After the master hairdressers show, the spring wedding bun trends came alive on the runway.

Another awaited show after doing the hair came dressing the body.

The selection of Hungarian fashion designers rolled their sleeves up to show their best fashion ideas and hot fashion tips to the coming warmer season’s trends for the spring and summer!

Outside on this cold night the air was warmed up by catching the view on the catwalk, seeing the latest and the hot fashion trends go by.

There was a mixture of elegance and edgy style shown by the following fashion designers: Ms.Barbara Léber, Ms. Anikó Németh – Manier, Magneta, Sugarbird, Ms. Anita Benes – Dáálarna, Art’z Modell, Nubu, Ms. Dóri Tomchányi, Ms. Ágóta Nagy „White Salon”– Orlando Collection, just to mention a few.

Sitting, watching around the paths at the catwalk, everyone could find something in their taste. The classy designs for the woman who loves luxury, detailed tailoring and who rather prefer to dress in the 21st century’s style, a bit cheeky, who is not afraid to stand out of the crowd. Most of the models came out with especially selected dresses, made from delicate, fine fabrics making them very feminine and posh.

The designers competition ended with an exciting fashion show parade and the finalists premiere ceremony.

It was surely a trendy evening!

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

Here is a reminder to spend your next few days to come to the Hungarian hand-made flavors and craft wear Fair.

The doors will open again to welcome all those people who have had been previous visitors during the last year’s Fair and also to the new visitors.

This year just like in the previous years there will be a bunch of programs beside and along the tasting stand to fill all your week-end days. So if you are keen on getting to know more about the Hungarian hand-made tastes from meat, through cheese and the melting sweets and of course can’t be left out the grand selection of Hungarian wines and Pálinka, the hot spirit in various fruit tastes, so there’s your place to be. Take some home and layback and enjoy the beautiful flavors.

As already herald the news, this year goes the same as it was in the previous years, the day ticket price can be fully redeemed during your shopping at the Fair.

Just to mention a couple of programs during the three days Fair:

Friday, March 9.

Sausage-filling, making cheese, Hungarian kitchen talk show with  food tastes, preparing Choco bunnies and cookies for the coming Easter holiday

Evening’s event, getting into the mood: 7.30 p.m. – The Balkán Fanatik

Saturday, March, 10.

Another day for sausage-filling and making cheese and off you go for another adventure of Hungarian kitchen talk show, also honey in many forms you’ll be surprised.

Afternoon’s event: 3.30 p.m. – The Borra-Való Band gives the gig.

Sunday, March, 11.

11 a.m. the Alma band and at 3 p.m. –

The Bora-Való Band ensures the good mood.

The final day to be present at the sausage-filling, cheese-making and on top will be the to see how the famous, tasty marzipan is made.

You will surely calm your desire by tasting the mouth-watering Hungarian hand-made flavors.

As a reminder, here is my previous update to the Hungarian hand-made flavors and craft-wear:

https://rollinginbudapest.com/2012/02/22/the-3rd-fair-of-hungarian-hand-made-flavors-and-craft-wear/

Now the floor is yours. Good appetite!

Update by Aggie Reiter