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Adding flavors to the world by the International bartenders.

The “Snowland” was the home at the 14^th occasion to hold the International Finlandia Vodka Cup in Helsinki.

The world’s best bartenders measured their knowledge in an extremely strong competition.

The bartenders had to show their skills in three classic categories: an aperitif, a long and a so-called Quick drink. The Competition Committee stood of a dozen jury members. The bartenders did their best to charm the jury members.

During the contest the Competition Committee watched carefully not only the harmony of  flavors, but the art, style and the compositions of the craft of  the three original Finlandia cocktails.

A bartender ain’t really a female profession, yet the Norwegian-born female bartender Ms. Monica Berg achieved a gold medal for her delicious and stylish creations in the Quick Mix category.

Mr. Neil Punwani, Executive Director expressed his delight and acknowledgment to the excellent “Finlandia Vodka Ambassadors” gathered from all around the world.

Mr. Krzysztof Rathnau from Poland was the one who could sit on the high stand of the imaginary Finlandia Vodka  throne. He, as the winner, who had not only acheived a reputation, but scored the highest in the overall competition  won the World Champion award of the amount of 25,000USD.

This year representing Hungary was Mr. Matthew Csatlós who also featured prominently in the Quick Mix and the long drink category and achived to be in both race and ended  in the 7^thplace. Now he is amongst the world’s top 10 bartenders.  This year already it was his second time to be the winner in the national championship.  The award was to lift the bottle of the Finlandia Vodka in Helsinki and  set loose his imagination by prepairing his cocktails at the Finnish capital,  as to participate at the XIV. International Finlandia Vodka Cup.

Update by Aggie Reiter

News sourse and photos from Ms. Ildikó Kelemen – Red Lemon Media

They say You need good dogs to find grouse, no… not this time, you can NOW find the blend of the Scottish Grouse Whisky here in Budapest. After 115 years of presence in Scotland, the well know famous blend of the Scotland’s Grouse  has  rolled over to Budapest to show why in Scotland it is considered as the No.1 whisky.

The Grouse whisky got its name from the famous Scotland’s national game bird.

The Grouse bottled whisky symbolize freedom and independence.

Scotland is also well know of the land of plenty when it comes to its Scottish sport venues! A real destination for outstanding sporty experiences, but maybe I am not to far when saying  for those who haven’t yet visited Scotland,  the Scot’s whisky is the most known treasure of  Scotland. That’s not so bad for a start, right?!? So for the Hungarians who may not have had heard previously of  the town called Crieff,  in the Highlands, will come more aware of this brand , the Grouse whisky. It comes from  one of the oldest distillery. Now rolling back from Scotland to Budapest,  this multiple gold medal whisky that has been surely known as the smoky and smooth  booze for the Scottish „professionals”, will be on the shelves at this part of the World as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnyXitpOFaM

Music had always a strong  bond  to a product. Here is just one to surely remind your of the Grouse Whisky the true reminder for every one of the tasty smooth Highlands of Scotland.

The Grouse whisky is Scotland’s favorite whisky. Loved by everyone, at least that’s what the Scot’s say … so and if a Scotsman says that, you ought to believe him,  he is at home with it.  The future will tell how the Hungarians will take part in the land of tasting and take it as something a bit special.

The Scots are pretty satisfied with their Grouse Whiskey and even though there are more than 200 different blends around in Scotland from which they can choose, they kept on sticking to their beloved taste for over 30 decades. The  blend are crafted from the finest malt whiskies, such as Macallan and married with exceptional grain whiskies for the smoothest possible taste.

Good news for the  Hungarian whisky lovers, ain’t have to fly over to Scotland, you can be your own pilot and go for the whisky in the jar here in Budapest.  Picked up a bottle of the original Grouse whisky at the drink shops here in Budapest and  choose from  one or more of the famous tastes and off you go with it under your arm.  

There are at least four blends of Grouse whiskies: the Famous, the Black, the Snow and the Naked.

 Having too much Naked Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky can easily make YOU Naked!

So be carefully and think twice!

Whether it rains or shines, Monday, Friday, Good Day, Bad Day … for many there’s always an excuse for a little drink, but please be responsible!!!

Also please keep in mind … too much drinks makes you short-sighted .. and you can be in trouble!

Update by Aggie Reiter

News source from Ms. Dorka Borsics (Red Lemon Media)

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MEED – Meeting of European and Central Eastern European Designers

March, 2-4 2012.

Welcome to the forthcoming visitors to the Millennium Park ‘B’ Hall

Price for daily entry ticket to both events,  the  Home Trend and to all the Essential Looks Trend programs:

2,000.-HUF

Open hours: Fri. Sun. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

Sat. 10 a.m. until midnight

Playground open to the kids throughout the 3 days:

10 a.m. until 7 p.m.  

A huge crowed joined the press and media conference at the Millennium’s Restaurant, whereas representatives of the Home Trend Exhibition gave details about the near future’s “Spring”  festival.  See below my update. 

The Made-in-Hungary introduce Hungarian designers and craftsmen works . The two events at the same time, same location. The bond between the “Home Trend and Design”  and “madeinhungary” has over 11 years “happiness” of participating together at these annual exhibitions. They show the finest works of local designers.

Some of the works will represent our country at the 100% Design London exhibition.

For those who are interested where the Hungarian “Home – Art – Design”, the culture, the associated arts with the use of a wide scale of materials like: glass painting, interior furniture, textile designers and goldsmiths stands in 2012.  visitors will surely get a huge overview  of the trend of to-day by visiting the exhibition.

Talking about the goldsmiths stand, the designers will present their latest products by performing a contemporary dance show. There will be an award of the “Jewelry of the year 2012“, by the support of  the Visegrád Fund. The Visegrád Fund, shorten: V4 stands for the  4 countries that are involved in this funding: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary.

Can be seen the actual contemporary furniture trends and international design and fashion by strolling through the paths at the Millennium.

The main purpose of these exhibition is to get-together these outstanding art works. Not to mention to provide excellent local designers and artists to represent our industry.

The year 2012 is 15th annually organized festival of the HOME TREND BUDAPEST Essential Looks. These 15 years gone by but didn’t pass without proving the need for this kind of art exhibition.

Within the frame of this exhibition it shows not just the present but the path to the forthcoming trend on the market. The previous years also showed the presence of buyers, but also the laymen visitors were able to gain significant information.

Accidentally or not, this year 2012 and  2,012 young Czech, Polish and Slovak designers will also present, join to be present along with their arts.

Without the need for full sky, here are some events to be a part in it.

Exhibition of the finest works of national and V4 designers debut series of events:

Live fashion show, on the top of the hour.

Photo Exhibition.

“Hair Days” throughout the 3 days  there will be a air-dresser corner, whereas personalized advice and professional quality products will be held introduced by Schwarzkopf professionals.

Designer Store Designer and Show-Room, see the Essential Looks latest collection of designers. During the exhibition, the Designer Store are holding a 20% discount!

“Spring-Summer 2012” shows the color trends of this year.

Many vocational programs.

Last but not least, this year will be for the first time  that Fiat joins the Home Trend Hungary Ltd.

Fiat  came up with a unique idea by placing a Fiat Panda  vehicle on the spot. Then just leave room for everyone to spread their flying imagination by a little change to its exterior look. Anybody can let loose their imagination by”artistic” change to its exterior look. It could be the newly „dressed” Fiat Panda by a yet unknown, later well know Hungarian or who knows, maybe a foreigner passing by that will make the difference to the Fiat Panda’s new look! Also the title should be followed by more specific than ever.

Before the day three ends and the curtain goes down, the jewel of the Year Award given out by the PannonArts will be handed over as the prestigious recognition of the year’s madeinhungary awesome artistic work.

Update by Aggie Reiter

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 Let’s dance! Let’s hear good music! Let’s help the needy! Let’s help Hungary!

To-day in the late afternoon hours, many well-known music performers came to the press conference organized by the Sunhill Media,  at the “Symbol” Entertainment and Cultural Center.   The aim of this gathering was to emphasize the importance to give a helping hand to Hungary.

Many came and many just couldn’t make it, but will be heard at the forthcoming concerts  at Budapest and Győr.

Far and  in the recent years many  benefit concerts were organized in the name of noble purposes: AIDS, Africa, Japan.

In Hungary this will be the first “AID” concert given by Hungarian artists.  At both concerts  there was no question in  the “musicland” business artists to be as one, giving their helping hand by joining voluntarily in performing at the concert  in the fight against the country’s debt. The income from the concert will be transferred to the Uniting Against the State Debt Fund’s account, established by Father Elemér Rédly.

Those who  purchase tickets to the concert will support the fund’s account.

Both  locations in more than a 100 artists will be on stage. These artists are well-known not just because of their age, but being on the road  that colored music lovers lives. Also a bunch of young ones will be present that have had became popular in the latest  years and well-known and loved by the teenies.

Mr. Ádám Neményi,  producer of numerous successful films like:  Made in Hungary and Puskás Hungary is the general manager at both concerts.

The concerts will be recorded and hopefully the public and commercial TV will insert them in their broadcasting schedule.

Don’t be confused, this time the 2012 doesn’t stand for the year, it stands for the ticket price to the concert  2012.-HUF.

Children under the age of 14 can get a free pass  – but if they bring along a modest gift  it will be welcomed  and be sent through the Maltese Charity Service  to the needy.

 See more background info at my previous update of  January, 31.

Once again:

Let’s dance!  Let’s hear good music!  Let’s help the needy!  Let’s help Hungary!

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

TWO SCENES:

Papp Laszlo Sports Arena -Budapest

and

University of Győr Town Hall – Győr

February, 19. 2012.

At both scenes  the concerts start at 3 p.m.

For the first time in Hungary will be held at the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sports Arena and the University of Győr Town Hall a “Concert” in the name of  UNITY. The event’s  general patronage is Mr Zsolt Borkai, Mayor of the city Győr,also president of the Hungarian Olympic Committee.

It’s a non-profit initiative concert. Main aim is to support important issues throughout the Hungarian society.

On February, 19 the concert starts during the early afternoon and goes on until late at night keeping the popular performers to keep to take the stage

Our past and the future of Hungary’s current situation is a common importance than ever The common sense of responsibility for our future also connects us.

For the results to overcome, you have to fight, can only step forward by co-operation.

For ages we know that music has a strong connection. The music is universal, it he language of the people’s attention to draw to the common responsibility to our future importance.

In  the recent years a number of benefits concerts were organized in various noble purposes, but the Unity Concert is the first step where all the participants, performers and audience work together by/for the means to prove for a social responsibility the collaboration is a must.

This Unity concert is for the am to reduce the Hungarian national debt: income. After the deduce of the concert’s costs of the technology, the fund will be accounted to the ‘Uniting Against the State Debt Fund”

Tickets are available on the spot:

BUDAPEST

Address: 14^th District – 5 Ifjúsági Rd.  Budapest

Call: + 36 1 422 26 82

Monday till Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
On the concert day the box will open an hour before the start 

GYŐR

Address: 1 Egyetem Square – Győr

Call: +36 30 458 9617

Updated by Aggie Reiter

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What’s mutual in Mexico – Budapest – Barcelona?

Mexico, well-known of its number one, El Jimador tequila

Budapest,  Mr. Ferenc Keresztes well know bar-mixer and gourmand at the Symbol Restaurant 

Barcelona, well know Bartender Cup at the Great European Tequila Challenge

Another international cup goes out to Mr. Ferenc Keresztes, the bar mixer at the Symbol Restaurant, Budapest as the latest molecular dish and drink mixers in 2012.  Symbol’s bar-mixer  deals with making cocktail since 2002.  From the year 2003 he has also participated in the race ground of  making distinguished drinks and dishes, and  accumulates professional accolades.

Did you know,  Mexico’s most popular tequila, the El Jimador is also divine  on the plates? 

When it comes to the fusion of food with tequila the imagination of Mr. Ferenc Keresztes has no borders. Nothing is impossible in to-day’s world of special meals. Hungary’s World Champion mixer created a wonderful culinary specialty for the 2012 year.  Took off  the shelves a bottle of  El Jimador tequila, Mexico’s most like tequila to prepare his mouth-watering speciality.  With his creation he was able to prove, that El Jimador tequila,is  not only a booze for a perfect day, but is also perfect in food. Once again proved that creativity has no bounds.  His creativity has made the world more colorful in the streets of flavors.

Mr. Ference Jeresztes, the bartender won the  World Championship with his sparkling, long drink and  out-of-space formation of  crayfish tails adorned with cocktail shot,  hibiscus, lychee and the El Jimador tequila!

He once said: “I fell in love with the tequila staying in Mexico. The reposado satisfied me the most. It has a very distinctive and complex scent. Bringing the two flavors food and drink together was a great experience for me. Wished to bring the 2in1,  pleasure our scent and the taste at the same  time.”

In Hungary, the tequila is commonly consumed with salt, or lemon, or orange, occasional with cinnamon. But can’t recommend to do it with these ingredients when having snips of the El Jimador tequila. Why? Because these extras suppress the strong flavor that are not meant to take away the taste of  the  rich distilled spirit of the Mayahuel Goddness.

 We can top up our lives at important or less important events with sophisticated drinks and flavors as well.

News source and photos provided by: Ms. Regina Dancsók  – Red Lemon Media

Updated by Aggie Reiter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWAwRonlRAI&feature=related

Actor, Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy. Gogol - Diary of a Madman. Snap received from sajto@szabadter.hu

Unexpected interest and attention had been growing at the new playground at the scene of Városmajor. Lately, the Garden Restaurant  had opened  its floor to share series of  theater plays.

During the evening hours (7 p.m.) Wednesday, February the 1st, Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy, actor will present the play of the Diary of a Madman. One of best-known work of Nyikolaj Vasziljevics Gogol, (19 March 1809 – 21 February 1852), Ukrainian-born Russian writer. Gogol was truly a classic in the Russian literature. He was fond of writing about the satirised corrupt bureaucracy of the Russian Empire. He formed the scathing realism, ethical criticism.

Be aware, within  the play,  the actor will drift the audience on an emotionally roller coaster.

Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy, once talked about why he felt he would like to play this role. His thoughts were …  now-a-days he feels, sees it is even more actual than before. In our present days we are less interested in the crazy ones at the ”clinical care”. We are more interested on the side of the vulnerability, the relationship between the power and the human being. The scale of humiliation will surely make the audience impossible to focus on something else as Mr. Zsolt Körtvélyessy will be engaging their attention.

Whether your Hungarian is good enough, or not to understand the play, here is a link where you can update a bit of what the play is about. When you know the background then just watching the actor it will take you away.

Here’s a link to catch-up in English language:

http://szabadter.hu/gardenszinhaz/szinhaz.html

Update by Aggie Reiter

Photography for the eyes is just the same as music for the ears.

Maybe this is the place you were long time looking for!

HUNGARIAN HOUSE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

PART 1 – Monday, January, 30. 2012.

6 p.m.

 Those foreigners who are planing to come over and the temporary individuals staying in Budapest will be able to sence the beauty in the richness of historical and cultural background that this city offers. Do you have any idea, of what’s to come in the coming days? Here’s an overview of the latest grand program to be arranged at the Hungarian House of Photography.

VIth District – 20 Nagymező Street

A short  overview about this marvelous building:
(The eight-floored building was built in 1894 on the order of Mr. Manó Mai, the photographer.
In 1931, Mr. Sándor Rozsnyai, musical director bought this building from the family. They built another level of three-floors. In 1944, the owners were most probably killed by the Hungarian or the German Nazis. After the WW2, the building was in use of several purposes: a school and sometimes as a presentation hall. From the early ’60s it was the home for the Hungarian Automobile Club for over  30 years. At first as the Mai Mano Gallery opened in 1995 and during the months of spring in 1999  Mr. Peter Nadas, novelist/photographer launched, renovated the building back to its original style and opened the Hungarian House of Photography. If this building could talk, then it would probably tell many interesting tales.)

Here is a web site where you can stroll down for more details about the Hungarian House of Photography in the Mai Manó House: http://www.maimano.hu/maimanohaz_en.html

In just a couple of days to come for all those interested in photography the doors will be opened to enter the  series of lectures to be held at the Budapest’s Hungarian House of Photography. The place is just a bloke away from one of Budapest’s oldest and famous avenues the Andrássy Avenue. Both ends of the Ave. connects two historical venues. One end connects to the inner city and the other leads to the Hero Square.
Can’t leave the intro before not saying a word about what’s under this avenue full of the beautiful buildings along the way. Europe’s oldest underground train on the continent (the yellow line). It was built on the company’s plans of Siemens and Halske (1894) The tracks were open to the public on May, 2. 1896. After so many decades it is still in use.
Budapest is fortunate enough to offer the space to the “outstanding photographers”

Following the success of the series of the Photography Free University, the Hungarian House of Photography will be the venue for the Photography Speaker.

 The presentations will be  in English language.

 The 1st  semester of the series features experts on various fields of photography with topics ranging from discussions on past and present  the Hungarian, as well as  international photography, historical and  institutional opportunities and perspectives and as well as artistic endeavors and possibilities.

Presentation Part 1.

“Daylight Studio”

Mr. Colin FORD, Founding Director, National Museum of Photography, Film & Television (now National Media Museum),Bradford, UK

Photography – Hungary’s Greatest Export?

 “We need photographs to communicate our particularities and our national character.” In 1914, when Hungarian photographer Rudolf Balogh wrote this, photography – like other forms of Hungarian art  –  was firmly under the influence of European practice. Balogh‟s words marked the beginning of the decades when Hungary‟s photographers were world-leaders; his call to arms was answered by a number of photographers working in Hungary. Some of them, such as Brassaï, Capa, Kertész, Moholy-Nagy and Munkácsi, went on to make their names in Germany, France, Britain and the USA, and are now universally known for the profound changes they brought about in photojournalism and art photography. Others, such as Károly Escher and Rudolf Balogh, remained in Hungary, producing equally high-quality and innovator photography. The worldwide legacy of these Hungarian photographers cannot be underestimated: Henri Cartier-Bresson said: “Whatever we have done, Kertész did first.” Colin Ford CBE was the first senior curator of photography in any British national museum or gallery (National Portrait Gallery, London, Colin Ford CBE was the first senior curator of photography in any British national museum or gallery (National Portrait Gallery, London, 1972-82). In 1982, he became the founding Head of the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television (now the National Media Museum), Bradford. After ten years there, he became Director of the ten National Museums & Galleries of Wales. He has written more than a dozen books on historic photographers – among them Julia Margaret Cameron, „Lewis Carroll‟, D. O. Hill & Robert Adamson and André Kertész – and has mounted many exhibitions.

(source: www.metro-print.co.uk/Photo-Competition/Judges) 

Entry fee for adults: 1000 HUF. Students and pensioners: 500 HUF Purchasing ticket through the  week at the office of the Hungarian House of Photography  –  6th District,  3rd floor at 20 Nagymező Str. from 11 a-m. to 5  p.m. During the week-end at the Mai Manó Book Shop, on the mezzanine level between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. On the lecture day  from 11 a.m. until the opening of the presentations.

The program series is sponsored by the Hungarian Ministry of National Resources 

 … to be continued with the  follow-ups of  February’s  Photography Speakers at the Hungarian House of Photography.

Updated by Aggie Reiter

You ain’t have to blush to have that tan! 

Make it to the  “Sunny Sun&Fun Holidays” Travel Agency to have that change to come!

VIth District,  46 Teréz Blvd. Budapest

Snap presented by the Sunny Sun&Fun Holidays Agency

NO SUN … NO FUN … IF YOU DON’T RUN!

 O.K. needn’t have to rush so much, yet it is pretty worthwhile to have a glance and chose from one of the best offers that are on the desk now with sales until the end of March. You’ll be able to choose a landscape full of nature’s sunshine that is most suitable for you. 

The Sunny Sun&Fun Holidays  recently held its last year’s annual report at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest.  Ms. Mariann Nemes talked about the recent year’s activity figures and Mr. Péter Kovács, Head Agency Service initiated the newcomers/partners of this year’s rollout and welcomed the parties to the ball of 2012. He was pleased to state that over the three years they were able to make it happen for more than  10000 passengers to travel abroad with their agency. The good price and product had made its expectation. They started to launch new sites: Thailand, Goa and Dubai. Last year the agency successfully made the test to reach the ISO certification. Same goes to the year 2012 just like last year they will be present at the Hungexpo Travel Expo during March, 1-4. 2012.  They will have their own three charter airplanes on the runways from the 6^th of June with the logo: “ Handle with care”.

The Orange Sun&Fun Holidays had made liable  programs at the new Orange Sunny Clubs  in Alanya at the 5*Jasmine Beach Resort Turkey and also 5*  Serenity Fun Club in Hurghada Egypt.

Both places will indulge the little chaps by holding them animations, while the bit older ones  can enjoy themselves in “relaxing hard”

Whether at the moment the time is not on your side, then give them a call to see where you haven’t had been yet, or if already visited that country, maybe there are still cosy and delightful parts you might be interested in hopping by. Here’s one office that I am aware of, where you will feel right away you’re in the prefect hands (SUNNY PARADISE TRAVEL KFT +36 30 234 2635 ). I have traveled with them and they very reliable.

Sun & Fun Holidays Agency had implemented its website also with the use of  iPhone and iPod, so the application are now available up there.  After downloading the application at any time, simply look for the promotions of, quote request or contact the staff by phone (+36 1 411 1515) or post an e-mail (info@sunfun.hu). The sales are only on early booking discount prices. Only available by contacting the office, non through the site  (www.sunfun.hu) web reservation.

Updated by Aggie Reiter

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DEVELOPING CREATIVE THINKING

The BKF (College of Communication Arts and Business) is holding its first public debut at the Design Terminal during the  4 day event of January 20-24.

The “ART KICKOFF” starts at 4.p.m. sharp

It’s free of charge to the public

5th district, 13.Erzsébet Square – Budapest

The Art Kickoff  was opened by Mr. András Kepes, Dean and Mr. Dr. László Vass, Rector from the BKF – Collage of Communication Art and  Business.  Two years ago the BKF had decided to move towards to the arts-oriented education in the business and communication courses.

It is winter time here and the full days programs are just a perfect time and place to meet, exchange thoughts, have a drink and enjoy the awesome performances at a warm cosy place in the downtown, at the Design Terminal. Anyone can join these discussion, interviews. Nothing better than to work under the umbrella term gathering experiences from the old-peers, professionals. The first day’s visitors reached the number of 250 “knowledge hungry individuls”!

The name „Kick-Off”, is figuratively just like the first shot on the ground on the football arena, but to be more serious, it is well discovered a long time ago that art cannot be separated from the society and the market. They mutually presuppose and effect each other. During the forthcoming four-days, there will be various performers. Expected to be interesting work-shop discussions and panel talks of what the young adults would be interested in how on, where to sharpen their eyes in the frame of their talent.

Actually the programs coming along during the four-day are not considered as range of showing an exhibition or two, instead it wish to introduce an exciting series of events.

It is not to be missed, due to the various recreated materials, reinterpreted applications, exhibition of various art works, panel talks.

Just a few themes that are on the schedule:animation, photo, media, video, graphics, craft, design, promotions, presentations, environmental culture, Masters and Disciples, sweeping changes within online and media culture and many more events, given by distinguished invited lecturers and daily known media professionals.

The students of the College will be giving bits-and-pieces of their performances to show of what they have had already gain in the field of art communication and in land of business. During the four-days there will be various musical performers as well.

The two ladies in front or should I say behind the window glasses are Ms. Leila Tóth and Ms. Dóra Béres, performers, both drawing by the use of light-pen.

It is not to be missed, due to see the various recreated materials, reinterpreted applications, exhibition of various art works, panel talks.

On the last day the 24th, there will be at 9 p.m. a closing party at the Anker club, whereas everyone can build their creative thinking in a relax tone.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter