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

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THE PREMIER  OF THE  GYPSY LOVE – “CIGÁNYSZERELEM”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER, 20.  and  THURSDAY, OCTOBER,  21.  7 P.M.

BUDAPEST’S  OPERETTA  THEATER IN THE COMING DAYS WILL OPEN IT’S DOORS TO THE UPCOMING SEASON OF 2011-2012.

THIS SEASON WILL BE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE

CELEBRITY AUTHORS.

Mr. Miklós Gábor KERÉNYI, aks: KERO, the Director of the  Budapest’s Operetta Theater opened the press conference to  the forthcoming premier of  Gypsy Love  ” Cigányszerelem”  by sharing his following thoughts:  Seasons come and go. Now, the fall is just right outside our door’s, the weather will be getting cooler and colder, but inside the walls of the Operetta Theater  the  temperature is always high before a premier.

The musical’s director: Attila BÉRES, Conductor and Musical Director: László MAKLÁRY.

On October, 2o and 21  the stage’s curtain will lift up at 7 p.m.  at the Budapest’s Operetta Theater, as the  “Gypsy Love” steps on  the stage.

It will have  subtitle in German language.

The plot isn’t easy to summarize within a few thoughts. The scene and story go on  in a small rural land out in the land field of  Transylvania.  At this rural area Hungarians, Romanians and  Gypsies are living altogther. (For 500 yrs., the Gypsies have had been living in that rural area,  in tents and  moving around on caravans).

Anyway, just  in a nutshell the story goes on with Zorika, a rich boyar’s daughter, is supposed to be engaged to Gábor, a boy from her own class. On the day of her engagement she accidentally  meets with Józsi, the wild gypsy with the magical violin. Zorika’s heart gets into a mess, shall she choose him or  Gábor? She has lived with Józsi for two years and their love has turned into a nightmare. Józsi in the meantime has an affair with Ilona, but in the end she turns him down and they separate.

The Gypsy musicians on stage provide an excellent sound. Within their music they ensure a strong  part in the emotion zone.  On the stage  tapping  feet  lifts and shapes the figures and brings close to vision how they danced when they were down and when they were high.

Love always has many deep dimensions and as in every operetta,   “come rain – come shine”  it cannot end without pulling the curtain down seeing that everything  finally worked out.  The Gypsy Love “Cigányszerelem”   as mainly in every operetta has a happy-end.  You have to see the last couple of minutes to find out the Gypsy’s Love  Happy-End!

The lesson is simple:  three different cultures can build the hate and angers, but can also unite and have no boundaries, because love has it all.  No matter of the colour of skin, philosophy nor religion. Love has the same feeling in every culture.  It has the power that is stronger than the hardest stone and can connect two individuals like bread and butter.

Those that reserve their place at the Operetta Theater will be in also for several pleasing surprises.

LEHAR’S lovers should rush to get their tickets. This is a good performance of a work that should be seen and also to lend your ears.

The snaps were taken during  the press conference, as  a slice shown from what’s to come, to see  and to hear.

Update and snap by: Aggie Reiter

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   THE SECOND PART OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE

  WAS  HELD BY  ÉVA KARÁDI AND  PÉTER RÁCZ. 

THE ANNOUNCEMENT  WAS TO SPREAD THE NEWS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING  LITERATURE IN FLUX  JOURNEY’S STOP IN BUDAPEST AT THE NEAR  PORT OF THE

  A38.

THE RIVER DANUBE IS EUROPE’S LONGEST RIVER. THE STEAMY TWURLING WATER MAKES IT’S WAY THROUGHOUT NINE COUNTRIES.

STARTS ITS WAY AT THE BLACK FORREST/GERMANY, AS A SPRING WATER AND ROLLS DOWN IN IT’S LONG JOURNEY TO THE BLACK SEA/BULGARIA.

The time has come on the River Danube not to just carry loads and loads onwards and upwards, but  as to fulfill the need to share  and connect the nods between different nations culture.  The literary tour is planned as a journey, that takes you along on the waves of different cultures and stirs the waves  along the countries without borders.

The Literature in Flux along the River Danube is a project that stands for providing contemporary literature from the Balkans up along other countries. Hopefully this  literature in Flux will merge a long-lasting  personal partnerships in exchanging views and experiences.

The voyage started  September, 23-24 port at Ruse (Bulgaria), September,29 until October,2 at Cetate (Romania), October, 6-8 port at Belgrad and October, 8-12 port at Novi Sad (Serbia), October, 12-15 port at  Vukovar (Croatia), October,19-22 port close to A38 (Hungary), October, 24-25 Bratislava (Slovakia)

Next year the project will continue with the move on from the River Danube towards the West Balkans along the cost area towards Turkey. Planned ports: Split (Croatia), Tirana (Albania) and Izmir (Turkey).

The whole project is supported by the European Commission.

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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THE RIVER IS SURELY ROLLING WHILE THE A38 STANDS STILL AT IT’S PORT!

Looking for something special in Budapest to get into the groove, well you have found your place right at/on the A38 boat!

Overlooking  Budapest’s  landscape, the city that is splited by the River Danube, you can enjoy the concerts in a tidy area and walk along the deck to the exhibition room, whereas contemporary  art shows can be captured.

First of all the A38, in UK stands for a major A-class trunk Rd. Also might be recognized in other country’s road signs.

Here in Budapest/Hungary,  it stands for the former Ukraine  barge that once carried heavy loads. After a brilliant idea and background it went through a huge re-construction and transformed to become a unique culture center that floats on the River Danube, a place by all means to – togetherness, as the one and only concert ship and a restaurant.

It held it’s opening at April, 30 of 2003, with the jam session of  Maceo Parker. From then on it became Budapest’s grand floating “pleasureland”.

The engine-bar was created for the gigs, but as the area became small for the amount of folks to join these concerts and the other venues, therefore a new platform had been planned and constructed as a  joint to the  barge.

The press conference was opened by Sándor KOZLOV, program and press manager and  continued by stuff speakers. The press conference took place in the newly designed, last year opened exhibition room at the joint barge’s lower deck.

As it was said at this press conference the “Circle of Life” changes every 7 yrs. Here at the A38 has also reached this period to change. A new 7 years of  change to come.   A new promenade deck was also constructed as the Telekom terrace.

Each year a selected country’s groups, entertainers arrive to Budapest’s A38 to show within their music a part of the trends of their music. Since it’s rolling, each-and-every concert had been filmed. They have over the recording of 500 concert films. There are ongoing technical reforms, that will give them a chance to convert their films to be views  through television HD forms.

Each year is devoted to a country’s musicians. This year was, still is the year for  ” Tours de France”, France’s artist, groups and still to come entertainers from over there, but also Hungarian groups are on stage  and from all parts of the world will be coming along.  For next year the entertainers from Scandinavia will be the hosted guests.

The fall has just entered and still the lower-deck will welcome groups, artists like: Jane Birkin(Fr), The Get Up Kids (US), The Magna Cum Laude (HUN) and  BalkanBeats-Foltin (MAC) and DJ Soko (DE) just to mention a few forthcoming shows.

As a gesture, a short boat-ride for the press and media was on the Panorama Deck, then after a welcoming sample of what’s to be present of the taste-of-tastes  made and produced locally, by the  new chef István HALÁSZ.  The menus will be constantly changing and updating to the food’s and  ingredients of the entertaining groups country’s dishes.

Reservations are not needed in advance, yet might be useful, if you wish to have a cosy site for your own  or company. For getting in to a concert,  drop by to make sure you purchase your entry ticket in advance. They are often sold out pretty quickly.

To be continued …

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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IT HAD JUST ENDED AND ALREADY MISS IT!

This historic environment at the Buda Castle is unique by itself. We will have to wait for the  re-opening until next year to continue the Pálinka and Sausage Festival in the springtime.

The festival has been running the fifth year with the aim of preserving traditions and had already grown into one of the most important Budapest’s tourist historic attractions in the field of booze and gastronomy offers.

Never-the-less, this Thursday, October, 6 was the last day of our Indian Summer.

Viktor Zubkov ALEXEYVICH, Vladimir Putin, First Deputy Prime Minister to Russia, also as the nation’s guest to the Festival gain some time during his official visit to Budapest to visit  the scene. He was welcomed by Robert MAROS, chief organizer of the event  who assorted him around the scene. He was the first to taste at the opening of the Pálinka and Sausage Festival   Hungary’s national spirit the Pálinka.

Mr Viktor Zubkov ALEXEYVICH, said surprisingly he believes the rich fruit flavour of the Pálinka is tastier and much stronger  than the vodka.

Then came Saturday, 8  and Sunday, 9  when had to be caution to dress accordingly to the suddenly drop of temp but the festival was high and reached for many awaited time for togetherness and enjoyments.

The 4 days festive was to give something for everyone. Different venues and famous groups gave concerts from early evening until  late night. Where ever you glanced away, your eyes met many small wooden booths that turned your feet to stroll along and reach those platforms where the huge selection of pure fruit pálinka awaited to be tasted. These traditional family made distillers brought their pálinka to these booths, where local Hungarians and many tourist couples and groups  enjoyed tasting these  shots.  “Pálinka  Fesztival” signed glasses were given to everyone with the purchase of their ticket at the entrance. This handy “carry-along” pálinka glass made it easy to go to the next booth for another challenge, another palinka test. The festival’s official currency was an  OTP Maestro PayPass card. By the use of these PayPass cards it made  payments simple  and the guest could upload them with the amount of  cash they wish to spend, buying their booze, sausages, vodka  or anything they felt their eyes caught a catch upon.

This year’s pálinka and sausage festival, like in the previous ones takes place every spring and fall with top-notch music on every corner from the entrance along the way to the inside courtyard of the Castle of King Mathew. Everybody could find “their taste of music”: beat, pop, gypsy, reggae, rhythm and blues and so forth.

Beside the pálinka, the booths of sausages were giving  the call by the sence floating around. Who wasn’t enough hungry yet could go for some crunchy-munchy’s.

The Russian Vodka booth wasn’t without anybody standing in the line even for one second.  Also the specialities on the Russian tables were here, i.e. the caviar, the champagne.

Probably,  most awaited artist,  as mentioned a couple of days ago was Igor PRESNYAKOV, the  guest from Russia who came to Budapest just to participate at this Pálinka  – Sausage Festival.  He arrived to Budapest on Thursday, October, 6. Played  two nights  7-8 and left Budapest on Sunday, October, 9. He surely left a great imprint  with his style and talent. A huge crowd gathered to hear, see him playing on his 7-string acoustic guitar. Even though he almost played for two hours, he could hardly leave the stage. The audience cheered him back and Igor satisfied the audience by playing an extra Pink Floyd, Bob Marley song. Excellent musician!   Asked Igor about his impression here at Budapes. Igor told me, this is his first time to visit Budapest. Let alone the short time of his stay, he was able to go and see some major historical places, like the Heroe Square, Margaret Island  and of course this spectacular scene here at the Buda hilly side the Castle of King Mathew and the surroundings.

Asked Igor about  his connection to the guitar. Igor  said “I started playing on a guitar at the age 7.  Always wished to carry on and the guitar to be present throughout my life.  Started with the world of classic music. Studied and graduated at the music conservatoire.” He loves the classic music but the modern pops aren’t too far from him either.  Well, that we all surely could have approved.  Asked Igor when will he return to Budapest? He said: „I would be pleased to come back. It only will take an invitation and I would be happy to be here again”.

Another highlight of the evening was a unique pair  on stage, Ferenc JÁVORI – Leader, organist player of Budapest’s Klezmer Band and  Tamás DUNAI – rated rewarded actor playing Russian pub songs. Their  music was fun to hear how the Russians enjoyed themselves in the old days with these songs sang in the pubs.

Indeed, this was one of the most welcomed festivals of the year.

Hoping you will be here in Budapest  in 2012, to enjoy, to see, to taste these yummies for yourself.

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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FESTIVES OF LIQUID BREAD, AS THE HUNGARIANS CALL IT!

Twenty new beers to be tasted.

October, 6-9. 2011.

Palace District – it is in the  inner part of the city’s VIII. District  – Budapest

Between October, 6-9 were the days for celebrating with dedication the various kind of  “strange” brews.

During the days of the „Főzdefest” the strong, clear, charcoal, chocolate flavor, stout, buffalo, the taste of autumn, black, fresh hops, lager, bucks were on the spot for tasting.  Most probably, left out a few, but surely all out that a man would desire! Beside the Hungarian brews were the most famous foreigner deers like the India Pale Ale, the numberless Belgian ales and for the beer lovers the festival couldn’t have had been without the great brands of the Scottish beers. Some brews worthwhile to mention: Buckwheat, Parson, Black Lamb, Tuck, Dracula. Millet bear and soforth…

Compared to the last year’s  beer festival, there were ten, this year eighteen Hungarian brewery delicious beers were tapped.

Even if there were non beer visitors at the festival, they surely got the option to get to know, taste what the beers lovers are singing about! They had a chance to choose from 60 different kinda brands and they surely left the festival scene with a little bit of more knowledge of the yummy tastes and will keep them in mind to be visitors in the coming years festival of beers in Budapest.

Just a few strolls away from the tapped beers is the „Ervin Szabó”  Library,whereas connected to the theme of the festival an exhibition at the hall-room was out on display to visit the History of  Hungarian Beers. Many restaurants around the scene were to offer their fresh, spiced, yummy dishes of the day.

Update and snap by Aggie Reiter

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BEFORE YOU FROWN – HERE  ARE THE  THREE  F’s  THAT WERE A/M.

FOOD – FASHION – FERRARI

HUNGARIANS AND THE ITALIANS HAVE SO MUCH IN COMMON!

JUST LOOK AT THEIR NATIONAL FLAGS … SAME COLOURS. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO OF THESE NATIONAL FLAGS ARE THE COLOURS IN ORDER. SOMETIMES THEY ARE MISTAKEN BY THE REST OF THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THAT.

NO OTHER COUNTRY’S NATIONAL FLAGS  HAVE SUCH A STRONG MATCH TO EACHOTHER

THE HUNGARIAN NATIONAL FLAG COLOURS IN ORDER:

RED – WHITE –  GREEN

THE ITALIAN NATIONAL FLAG COLOURS IN ORDER:  

GREEN – WHITE  – RED

During the late morning hours of September, 28,  the Italian Institution of Culture held it’s press conference at the center of Italian Institution of Culture here at Budapest. The press conference was to introduce the newly published booklet of the:  Toothsome Italy “Ízes Itália”

The Italian food is well know around the world. The manner, the enjoyment, the ingredience, led its way to the style of meeting,  brought individuals closer to gathering and to the togetherness. Many Italian and Hungarian cusines and behaviours are pretty similar. In our rushy days it is very much needed to spend some time to catch our breath or to blow out ourselves. Dining in Italy  as well in Hungary is seen not as consuming a meal, but as an opportunity to spend time with friends and family The taste of food at these social getaways are just as important as the flavours.

You need not have to have Italian background to help you out with the cooking.Whether you were looking for an Italian Cookbook or not, you will enjoy every page – in the meantime edited in Hungarian language.  It is a booklet that is entertaining, informative, and fun.

This softcover booklet: Toothsome Italy “Izes Italia” has been introduced by it’s first edition to show with what to expect  in the upcoming editions of giving an overview of the  region’s of Italy’s  specialities that lays throughout 20 region, from North to South – from East to West.

Also a great guide for eyes and taste to an upcoming  visit to Italy by introducing those region’s landscapes, traditional food and most historical scenes to be seen.

Interesting to read for any lover of Italian cuisine. The Toothsome Italy “Ízes Italia”  booklet is regardless of whether or not you plan to cook.

The welcoming writing and teaching style comes through and introduce the history about the gastronomic in details about various regions and specific foods. The Toothsome  Italy  “Izes Itália” is more than just a cook booklet. It can become a great selection to your culinary or on your shelves at your travel libraries.

The plans are set to go for a  twelve monthly edition. This  first edition takes you to the landscape and cuisine of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

The  aim  of these publications is  also to take you through time and regions to capture the joy of the cuisine, culture, travel. It opens the windows to an overview of different features in the past of  famous Italians in Hungary and Hungarians in Italy.

When just going through the pages of this illustrated cuisines, you will see the recipes are simple to prepare, the food sounds delicious and even though you may not be hungry, you will feel the need to get up and head for your kitchen to try, start cooking by the support of this newly published Toothsome  Italy “Ízes Itália” traditional Italian cuisine.

From right to left: Mr. Salvatore Ettore, Director to Hungary at the Italian Institution of Culture, Dott.ssa Rita Faragó, General Editor at the RadioInform Dr. Marta Haas, Editor of the Toothsome Italy “Ízes Itália”, Gianni Annoni, Famous Italy Chef and Program manager.

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

snap by: http://www.redlemon.hu

This year’s guest will be Russia. Mr. Vodka, as the nation’s representative has been invited by Mr. Pálinka and Mr. Sausage to join the site and sounds at the forthcoming Pálinka and Sausage Festival.

October, 6-9.  2011

King Mathew’s Castle

October, 6 Thursday: 2 p.m. – midnight

October, 7 Friday: 2 p.m. –  next day: 2 a.m.

 October, 8 Saturday  noon – midnight

October, 9  Sunday: noon – Monday 2 a.m.

The Hungarian Palinka has more than a thousand years old traditional  in Hungary. Ask any Hungarian, they will surely say they have tasted it at least once. So you can try a snip, then again a snip  or as much as you like and you will see how the Hungarians were able to “survive” with their booze and their sausages through the ages  🙂

Throughout the two decades there has been many annual festival events of  Hungarian Food, Booze, Deserts arranged up on the hilly side of  Buda, at King Mathew’s Castle surroundings.This time it will be the cream on the top.

This year the Pálinka and Sausage Festival is going to bring new opt. to all those that will like to get into the groove. For the first time, there will be around 1000 tables on service to the public. They can be reserved in advance. Individuals can previously make a  reminder in their diary to enjoy the taste of many kind of Pálinka and the traditional Hungarian food with their companies. Surely will be a  great  occasion to spend hours, tasting, testing these essences with friends.

This will be a grand festive for tourists, foreigners temporary staying/working in Budapest/Hungary to get acquainted with the Hungarian mood. Of course the doors are opened for the local citizens as well.  The Hungarians know exactly what they will find up there. Yet many will surely be there to taste those countryside locally prepared various range of Pálinka and the special taste of the Hungarian sausages.

More than a hundred of 100% pure fruit based “PÁLINKA” and S/M/L/XL size of  Hungarian mild/medium/hot and BB hot sausages. Great combination to have the spirits of Pálinka, then go for the sausages.

Also will  be a grand variety offers of the Russian large spectrum of food specialties. 

The Palinka’s makers and the sausages producers will arrive with their specialities from every corner of Hungary. This means they all bring their own local booze to welcome the guests at the Festival.

This  time  a new “princess” drink has been especially planed for the  festival. The Italian Caffé Cagliari  and the Hungarian Angel of Copper “Rézangyal” will introduce herself. This Italian-Hungarian based booze will be here as  a  premier. Also the first time to be introduced around the world, i.e. the mixture of coffee-and pálinka. Now your eyes are wide open, so go and see, taste it and enjoy it.

During the open hours there will be live music to also make your feet tap the rhythm and fully enjoy yourselves. So can you wish for more?!?

Another “VIP” guest from Russia, Mr. Igor Presnyakov, the acoustic guitar player will be playing oldies from the 80s, 90’s, metal  and to-day’s pop singer’s tunes on a 7 strings guitar which by itself  is unique.

Here’s a peek:

So ain’t have to make a wish, Igor will be here. Don’t have to wish either for the Vodka  and the food.  Only have to keep one thing in mind, as to go there and not having  to have said at the end of the festival: “WISH YOU WERE HERE”!

To reach this festival take the number 16 bus. It takes you exactly to the scene. How to reach it: jump on the bus (O.K. carefully) at the end-station, at the Elisabeth Square “Erzsébet tér”, then get off  the bus at the other end-station at the corner of the Castle’s entrance.

The weatherman says it’s going to be a dry, sunshine day, just like the season says: Indian summer. Only without the smoke-signs, but the “light” smoke floating  around the freshly cook sausages will surely bring the hunger to everyone  that strolls along the paths at these huge surroundings. Your spirit will surely get high and you won’t leave the King Mathew’s Castle without not buying some Pálinka for the rainy days.

Well, I think I’m not going to spread anymore secrets now, cause life ain’t interesting if you know all the secrets in advance.  Try hard to make yourself free on the days of

October, 6-9.

and visit as much stands as possible. You will always cherish the moments of this event.

…to be continued after the event.

Update by: Aggie Reiter

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Better to do something for your health than blame it on the washing machine, saying it shrunk in the rolling spin.

On a day called Sunday with the sun’s spreeding warmth opened platforms for all  those individuals who wished to spend time on their well-being and joined the FITBALANCE DAY  at the MILLENÁRIS PARK.  It was  the one and only utmost annual event of the year for all sizes of self sporty health exercise and lifestyle.

Approximately, 100H/programs, around 55 local and 4 international presenters and a gross of 80 „spinning” fulfilled the day’s event. At the Fitbalance LifeStlye Expo, your spending your leisure time as free as you wish. Can catch up to any class, or  outstanding group grounds.

The day we are born, our body is continuously in moving. We hardly think of it and don’t all realize that our body is a real champion, but how long are we able to place more-and-more lays of loads and live healthy without doing any care for it.  We can achieve more out of it you’d ever know.  The Fitbalance Day was a puff to many, that they are capable if they want to be.

What is the Fitbalance about: It ain’t just a lifestyle! You can control your mind, body and soul. You can gain more closer connection between you body and soul by eulogistic words and also having to carry your mind to achieve what you really wish to reach. When your health is in good shape, your soul is healthy.

First you have to give up those negative thoughts that block your mind to successfully reach your well-being, it’s simple  as that! Food was always the route to survive of mankind, but to-day’s „mankind” should care more for their body and „feed” it with uplifting energy to make you feel your living in a wonderful world.

To-day celebrities from different paths (Anikó UNGÁR, famous, unique  magician, Brigitta ERDŐHEGYI, singer-dancer, LACI,resident at the „4th Real World”, VV4, Ica BIRÓ, metal-lady, Attila KATUS, lifestyle consultant, aerobic exercise specialist, personal trainer and many more  joined the 2011 year’s Fitbalance to show how important the fitness counts in the well-being.

The Ripple Brothers are having high hopes and wish to reach  to be printed form in the  Book of Guinness with the size and weight of the Hungarian sweet called Cube Bar “Kockás Rudi”. They both needed all their strength to be able to lift up this “huge table” of sweetie (See the snaps).

It may be bit confusing for the readers here to see cigarette at this platform for healthy way of living, but this wasn’t about smoking. It was about an e-cigarette called GreenSmoke.  So this product advertised beside a day of full health being at the FITBALANCE was  well planned.

Since the cigarettes have flown throughout the world, many are enabled to stop to be a slave to them! Maybe millions are fed up with their smoking habits, the tar, the bad breath, the odors  that comes along with the smoking, yet aren’t much into deciding anymore to quit quitting. Fitbalance was a good field to show there is life without the cigarettes. The scientifically designed plastic case cigarette is a smokeless device. Only propels air into your lungs giving the sensation of inhaling in place of smoking real tobacco. The GreenSmoke looks exactly like the real thing without any tar, no carcinogenic agent, no more ash-trays, no butts, no cigarette-ends.

No one  else but you, is responsible for your well-being than you. Yes, I can hear you… what about stress, eating too much, less sleeping  and  so forth. Anyone can add their opt. to this list, surely aware of these ups-and-downs.

The Celebrities are on 24H “duty”. No wonder they also in need of their own peace in time to recharge themselves. Many of them suffer in the lack of time.  These newly developed equipments, also shown  and tried at the FitBalance are welcomed by them, because a 20 minutes “easy”  exercise equals with one hour of heavy training. They said they absolutely feel the difference before and after their class or field-work out.

Many realized they don’t need their coffin-nails. More-and-more are going on “stage” talking about “dropping their bad habbits”  in changing regular smokes  by use of the GreenSmoke e-cigarettes.

The drawbacks of regular tobacco and paper cigarettes and having a GreenSmoke e-cigarettes instead  will be welcomed by more-and-more and come favourable also by the ones having to have been previously the passive smokers. No more puffing unpleasant odors, burning two-ends on both sides: http://greensmoke.hu

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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This year’s   National Galopp   “Nemzeti Vágta”   came back with a race and an endless parade  looking to mark a worldwide name for Hungary and an International  interest to having to join this one and only unique  scenario  of shows in the forthcoming  year.

Although  September, 18  was’t a National Holiday, the National Galopp’s „Nemzeti Vágta” race stopped locals and folks from abroad at Budapest, Nationwide  and the neighbouring countries to watch this outstanding show of the Hungarians as the horse-riders throughout the ages of their history periods.

It was a festive of horse-riders from each-and-every corner of Hungary.

A little bit on the side of numbers: There  were a diffusion of line-ups of 300 performers,  52  mayors, a number of ministers from  the Gov.  and  Secretaries of State, as the guest of honours.

Many that couldn’t make it home and abroad most probably found the nearest TV to watch parts of the parade and the final race. At the Heroes Square two big screens stood to follow the races. Even if folks were a bit far from the racing field standing in massive line ups to taste the Hungarian food and drinks could see what’s happening out on the race field.

On a day when fate, nature, the gods, and most of all the highly trained horse riders and their horses filled with the beauty of elegance  pulled to the scene to show their strength and the power of horse-riding

Was one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, with a huge, as in a crowd of 150.000 or even plus to a full-day entertainment was  ensured by the organizers. This year the number of a tendency’s were higher than in the previous 3 years. There wasn’t even a “square inch”, whereas there hasn’t been something to see, hear, eat, drink, listen… etc.

Also new performances were swaying “running” throughout the ground. The clown horseback riders gave some cheering  and laughter to all ages. For the first time  at  the National  Galopp’s, the chariots were  implemented to the grand show.

The horse-riders in a way or the another,  behind the horses mattered just as much, if not more than the condition of the animal itself. It is a two-way lane to success.

The pants where on fire, not only in connections with the horses but also in style.

A party of  “celeb’s  joined within  their presence at a new sport of horse racing by standing for the first time on a  specially made chariots just for this  National Galopp event.  Great reminder of the pictures of the 50s  Ben Hur, as the one of the most epic scenes. Ms. Ildikó KERESZTES, singer, actress won the race with her “supporting partner” Mr. Zoltán LÁZÁR, WorldChamp.

László HAJAS, famous hairdresser, won the charity star race, supported by Bank of OTP. It was the day he dreamt for so long and was happy his dream came true. His prize was 100.000 HUF, which he offered as  charity support to the Department of Pediatrics at the Tűzoltó street’s clinic.

This  year’s winner at the National Galopp “Nemzeti Vágta” was Ms. Gyöngyi MOLNÁR, representing  the sub-region of Baja who raised high above her head the “Hussar Saber” as the challenge –cup (the Hussar saber is to-day’s  symbol of Hungary’s 1948 war of independence). Along with the grand prize of  she gain 10 million HUF to her sub-region.  She was not riding … she was flying  3 feet above the ground  and could hardly hold back her tears of joy and happiness.  Last year she took the 2^nd place at this National Galopp and what’s more to it, at the time being she wasn’t aware of her pregnancy. This year she brought her 10 months old little baby along to this race.

Other background figures at this outstanding festive: 170 tents, 240 equerry, 380 horses, 3 trailer trucks of wast-wood, 62 trailer trucks of special horse-friendly sand.  At the end of the event a huge picture of 20 ton of “wasteland” was collected by the sweepers.

YA WOULDN’T WANT TO MISS THIS NEXT YEAR, SO NOTE IT… AND SEE YOU  IN 2012 AT THE 

NATIONAL  GALOPP “NEMZETI VÁGTA”

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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The Dog May Be Man’s Best Friend,
but was the Horse that built the civilization!

Hungary has a long and deeply entrenched history of horse riding. Briefly, it is through their great skill at horse riding that they were able to migrate to Hungary during the 10th century. Ever since then, there has been an appreciation for horse riding skills and archery among Hungarian people.

Horses  back in Hungary in an era  were considered as part of the  country’s national treasure. Also in the past as in the present is such an important part of our heritage.

In the year 896 AD the seven Hungarian nomadic tribes crossed the Carpathian mountain range from the east cca.890 AD. Theirs was the last move of the “great migration” which had begun in 400 AD. They arrived in the area, sitting on horseback by elected Arpad to be the leader of their tribal federation, and founded a dynasty, as well-considered as the founder of the Hungarian nation.

This short background is to understand the statues at the Heroes Square. The grand monument composition is a memorial to the warriors, princes. These statues show the heroes, warriors, princes, captains of the past history ages of Hungary. These heroes gave their lives for the freedom to our people and our national independence.

So can there a better venue to arrange this gigantic traditional parade with the Hungarians riding, wearing their uniforms to phrase their honour to the past horseback riders of our nation.

There are countries that whenever saying their names, certain things parallel goes with them, i.e. Italy – pizza, Swiss – ski, Holland – tulips and so forth. Now the time has come for the foreigners to think of Hungary (not just by placing an equal signal to Palinka, Gulyás soup) but as a nation with long-long history in breeding horses and horse-riders, horse world champions of the country.

Tomorrow will be 4^th day of the National Galopp.  This final day will share all the beauty for the eyes watching the parades and fastening heartbeats as the horse racing will take place.

Truly hope that those foreigners who by work stay in Hungary and those that are spending their holidays here in Budapest will surely go and watch this show. Hold the memories of the day’s at the National Galopp and the venues. Also their eyes will catch the beauty of these horses.

Updates and snaps by: Aggie Reiter