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

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August, 26-28. 2011.

Under the leadership of  Mr. Gábor Talmácsi, 

the Hungarian competitor, Hungarian servicemen and Hungarian  team are off to the

UEM  Alpe-Adria  Road Racing Championship at Rijeka.

Gábor Talmácsi (nickname: TALMA) was in  2007  the World Champion at Grand Prix Motorcycle racing 125cc.  This was the first occasion of motorcycle road racing World Champion of  Hungary and also in the Center and Eastern Europe. After winning his World Championship, the Hungarians renamed him as “Talmageddon“.  His achievements were highly honoured in 2007 as the Hungarian Sportsman of the Year.

The opening of to-day’s press and media conference was  at Budapest’s Budagyöngye’s Shopping Center, whereas Gábor Talmácsi  talked about  the decade ago times when he began his speed motorcycle career.  He had no one to guide him, nor get any advice. He had to learn step-by-step or should I say “wheel-by-wheel” the experiences, by on his own “wheels”. These times were surely hard for him, therefore he decided to give a helping hand to those youngsters who have the abilities and commitment  to be in the racing motorcycle world.

Gábor Talmácsi, started seeking for his posterior at the college for training speed motorcycle race technic and mechanic servicemen, whereas he found the  16years old Richard Bódis – RICSI (Richy) one of those motorcycle youngsters who brought the attention to Gábor Talmácsi.  Ricsi’s skills and faculties was visioned by Talma and from then and now on he was under the guarding wings of  Talma. Ever since the day they met, they carry out together body and mental trainings in the frame to be jointly in conscious of building Ricsi’s carrier to reach the top-level in the road motorcycle race.

Gábor Talmácsi gave a short overview of this coming week-end’s international race at Rijeka, whereas the previous load of work will be measured.  Talma said, it was a long time since he has been at Rijeka’s  racing ground. He will surely have that  nostalgic feeling  all over him to be there again.  On Friday they will hit the racing circuits together to observe  of what to be aware of, the laps  measured in time, and to share  all his previous experiences with Ricsi.  Talma said, “The main aim of Ricsi’s participation  at this international motorcycle race ground is to gather experiences.”

Now-a-days, Talma is busy and thrilled to be around to give professional, technical, mental support to the young kids who have placed aside their two-wheel  bicycle  to the wheels of the motorcycle. These youngsters listen carefully and take the advice of Talma’s notes. These young kids and young adults are very enthusiastically and that is what they need to be, if they chose to be in the  motorcycle „Raceland”. In the beginning most of them are a bit wary, but after their first lap their chill of fear is gone and by feeling the engine, the „propelling force” enchants them in the world of motorcycle.

Ricsi’s first words were: „This is my first press conference, whereas I am not here as a guest, but being here  as the  main protagonist. At the same time indeed, I am very happy and excited. Also know that the most important thing for me at the race in Rijeka is to reach the final line, but  at the same time I wish to gain my best result. I would like to prove to Gábor Talmácsi that his intuitions about me were good and  to show him I have a place in the international field and above all,  I will  live up to be worthy for him of supporting me into my motorcycle career”. Previously, Ricsi raced with a 125cc motorcycle. This time at Rijeka Ricsi will be in race on his 600cc motorcycle.

This week-end for Ricsi, will be  his first time race at the Rijeka’s Alps-Adria  international platform. This will be a good opportunity to see Ricsi’s  present level and the criteria for his assessment.

Of course a race is never a „one-man-band” show. There are background supporters without whom this  set out wouldn’t have came into existence:  the MAMI,  Hungarian College for training speed motorcycle race technic and mechanic servicemen. and Ádám Gabossy,  one of the  team’s sponsor, the manager of SZEGA, the Grand Store of Camembert Cheese and Ham Specialities at the Budagyöngye said, from his side there was no question in supporting this project. Also added: “Our store has the profile of  professional, dynamism what  embody’s Gábor Talmácsi’s group in the  field of the motor sport.”

Károly Lévai, Headmaster,  Hungarian College for training speed motorcycle race technic and mechanic servicemen. Mr. Lévai said, they were  extremely in favour and fully of support when they heard that Gábor Talmácsi, decided  to be  in guidance for the rising generation of motorcycle riders. They felt especially honoured to have a professional specialist in this field like Talma.  Mr. Lévai assured they all are motivated  and hoping for the mutual success.

For sure it is needed to have a talented mechanical and servicemen  on the road. Young adults of good parts is  as  important  as  the good parts of the motorcycle.

Gábor Talmácsi’s close friend Zsolt Erdei,  Hungarian boxer, 1997  World Champion in Budapest, both in 1998 and 2000 European Champion, 2000 Olympics middleweight bronze medalist  in Sydney, also joined and spent the last hours before they head to the Rijeka’s international  road racing championship with his Mate.

update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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Many things can be said in three words and the 60th Anniversary show of  Ecser Wedding Dance and Dreamtime by the Hungarian State Folk Orchestra’s surely deserves these three words.

Phenomenal breathtaking show!

This show had all the ingredients that needed to say this was an awesome Gala

Ecser Wedding Dance

The folk music,  dance performances well deserves to be along in the Hungarian Heritage.

The range of dancers were absolutely superb.

Excellent choreography that was made by the founder Miklós Rába.

The  Szolnok Symphony Orchestra and  the  Béla Bartók  Chamber Choir was an excellent combination to bring out the exquisite of the sound.

Dreamtime

Agnes Herczku, is the well-known ethno-singer in Hungary at the moment.

The music influenced into modern chamber-folk as it lifted higher and higher. Music can easily cross boarders.  Well recognized  the folk music to the influence of modern chamber-folk music:  Bulgarian, Macedon, Rumanian, Arabian and Turkish.

The dancers light and pliable performance was stunning.

Hope those who were there yesterday left the scene with happiness that they made it to this single evening show.

update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

 HUNGARIAN  STATE FOLK ORCHESTRA

ECSER WEDDING DANCE

AND

DREAMTIME

Festive Gala at 8 p.m. August 18.

Come and spend a lovely summer breezy evening to the Margaret Island by ship !

At the Margaret Island’s open-air stage will be holding  its  60th anniversary of the Hungarian State Folk Orchestra  with  the performance of the legendary and worldwide known Ecser Wedding Dance.

This show will be a single time only.

The  Hungarian  State  Folk Orchestra will be completed with  the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra and  the  Béla Bartók  Chamber Choir.  This  jubilation festive  gala  stands of  two parts. Will start off  with its first production drifting way back to  the early 50′s:  Ecser Wedding Dance. After the break, the second part will continue bringing on stage the company’s  latest production: Dreamtime. Throughout the six decades the music of the Hungarian  State  Folk Orchestra continuously kept the light on staying within the folklore musical genre.  These two shows will bring alive the past and present  of the  Hungarian  State  Folk Orchestra’s  60 years.

Ecser, is a name of a Hungarian village.  The town’s name  is an existing name since the 16th century and settlements started in the 19th century.  The tale says,  the name of the village was  in relation with an oak tree (in Hungarian “cserfa”).

Just a peak into the Ecser Wedding Dance. In the past and still  to-day in general, the young ones only have the oportunity to get acquainted with friends at/during these country folks  marriage-making  gatherings, national holidays or at  balls.

As to the Dreamtime, it’s the folk orchestra’s latest production. It unifies the postmodern pop with the traditional music. Within the dances you can recognize the association of emotions, thoughts, identities of  to-day’s modern personal and fellowship of man.

It will be a splendid production to be seen, but if you wish to higher the level for this evening then take a boat-ride to the Margaret Island and view the awesome evening lights on Budapest’s attractions.  Rolling on the River Danube to the port of the open-air theater is reachable in a short time.

Wishing you all an evening you will remember.

You bet I will,  I wouldn’t want to miss this grand production.

Update by: Aggie Reiter

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MISS SAIGON  is one of the most heartbreaking  legendary musical by Claude-Michal Schönberg, that will be brought alive as a joint production by the Operetta  Theater –  Budapest  with correspondence of  the NKB Musical Arena –Sopron.

During the evenings of  August, 19-20-21 at  Sopron, the city will be full of locals and tourists from home and abroad to  be present at this huge spectacular  show with its unique sights and sounds of the young casting stars of the Budapest’s Operetta  Theater.

During the decades  some  musicals come-and-go, but this musical is already a legend, wrote the Sunday Times and they were surely right.

Miss  Saigon is in the top 10 musicals played in Hungary.

Briefly, to this upcoming sensational open-air  super  production,  had a chance to be present at the press meeting at the  City’s Park (Városliget) on  April, 20 2011, whereas,   Mr. Miklós Gábor Kerényi   KERO®, general director of the Budapest’s Operetta Theater gave a  background preview of the 17 years ago and to-days grand musical  that has become a  cult. The casting stars arrival on an open awning truck  set the  scene in  time and age.  The casting stars sang parts of the musical.  Also witnessed one in a million idea, as a helicopter flew above the area of the  City’s Park (Városliget) and landed with the two stars,  the american soldier  – Attila Dolhai, as Chris  and his best friend  Pál Feke, as John. They were  wearing the outfits of the musical’s hero. Folks, spending their day out, walking by the City Park  stopped and gazed  the landing of he helicopter  probably interested what’s this all about,  what to come next. The show’s  breathtaking art design  has been achieved out by Kentaur, the mysterious planner and art designer.

Miss Saigon will be a gigantic blue-chip during the round-up  programs of the “Picnic of Sopron”

The range of interest is already by far the best.  Hotels, pensions, apartments are already fully booked. Yet, there could be one day stays available.

Previously, the audience  were  only able to watch a  spectacular show like this forthcoming  musical at the utmost European  open-air stages.

Miss Saigon goes to Sopron

9 p.m.  August, 19 – 20 – 21

This show will be only a one time occasion to be seen in an open-air enviroment  at  Sopron.

The snaps  taken at the press conference are just to give a taste of  what’s to come  at the NBA Musical Arena.

Miss Saigon comes to Budapest

Operetta Theater

7 p.m.  September, 17 – 18 – 20 – 21

3 and 7 p.m. October, 15.

update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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 SPECIAL DAY FOR THE ZOO – CELEBRATES ITS 145TH ANNIVERSARY

EVEN THE LIONS WON’T SLEEP TO-NIGHT

.

Beautiful bright day welcomed  the gathering individuals aged only weeks  and up to the age of  90 or above.

Such a huge crowd was interested  to be present  and join the fun and excitements in a symbolized reopening celebration on the Zoo’s 145th Birthday. What is a Birthday without the Birthday Cake!?!  The organizers thought of everything. The Birthday cake slowly came to the scene on four wheels managed by the confectioner. It was a 145 slice of  chocolate cake covered with marzipan. On the top was in miniature replica the old bird’s house. It really looked like a masterpiece of art.

Over the past 145 years, the zoo has continued making improvements to the facility to enhance the lives of the animals and to ensure an enjoyable guest experiences.

Continuous improvements to the zoo’s infrastructure and animal exhibits ensured that the Budapest Zoo will remain a treasured attraction in Budapest.

Why to-day? It was to symbolize the opening of  Budapest’s  Zoo in the month of August, 9. of 1866.

Honorable guests: István Tarlós, Major of  Budapest György Habsburg, President of the Red Cross, Géza Szöcs, Under-Secretary of Culture were invited by Dr. Miklós Pesányi, Director-General of the Zoo to join the celebration  of  the Zoos’s 145th Birthday.

During the opening ceremony the general director said,  in 1866 the Budapest zoo was the first zoo in Hungary and the 25th in  the World. Also spoked about the beginning times saying the zoo opened  with 500 different animals, 9 monkies and  with multifarious birds (parrots, cockatoos)  and of course with native animals. In those days Christopher,  named bear was the most popular. Sisi – Queen Elizabeth, was our most famous visitor, she had great love for animals and often visited the Hungarian Zoo. By her intervention, Budapest’s  zoo received the first giraffe from the Schönnbrun Zoo. General director also stated “We are especially proud of our zoo, from its focus on animal welfare,  to its interactive capabilities.”  He was happy to say, “We are also a breeding zoo,  helping to ensure the survival of threatened and endangered species around the world.”

Throughout the decades there were many developments. As to the last year’s,  whereas major developments took place, as to build the House of Australia, also to rebuild the old Giraffe  House and the  Buffalo House within the original plans.

The general director took the time and care to bring up to the stage two elder persons who  have worked  almost 40 years at the Zoo. One of them was a retired gentleman, once the main gardener, the other was a lovely lady called Edit,  the ticket controller (see her with flowers in her hands). She still is fulfilling that mission. I bet she gave entrance to generations, many of  those little kids  who now-a-days  bring along their own kids.

Before  the public entered the zoo the general director’s words were: “Take your time, look at the animals, look at the Palm’s House, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and help us make the world a better place for animals and people.”

The zoo is celebrating it’s 145th Birthday, yet  it seems like getting younger and younger.

Yes, the zoo shares great hours with family friendly attractions.

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

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THIS WAS CERTAINLY THE DAY OF RECORDS!

The previous days before the competition it was raining and raining. Therefore, we all expected the rain to be present at the meeting, but the sky above gave us the „present” of the day – forgetting to rain. The sun was shinning, yet only 20 C and the powerful wind blew back-and-forth that pretty much disturb the athletes. This time the athletes fought against nature as well and brought their best and good results.

This athletics meeting commemorated to Mr. István Gyulai – a sprinter in his young adult age, winning 28 National Championships to Hungary. The Hungarian sport diplomat, the former General Secretary of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The opening ceremony was held by Mr. Pierre Weiss of France, the General Secretary of the IAAF. His first words were: „Mr. István Gyulai was a great boss, a colleague and a friend of mine for almost two decades.”

After many years one chapter of Mr. István Gyulai dream came true today.  The Hungarian Athletics Federation (MASZ) cherished and kept the light on that dream.  Unfortunately, within this chapter Mr. István Gyulai couldn’t be present, he has gone ahead before he would have been here to vision this superb athletics meeting. As his son, Mr. Marton Gyulai, General Secretary of  Hungarian Federation said during the opening ceremony: „Dad, I hope if you look down you’re happy to see your dream come true.”

The list of competitors  would be extremely long, therefore I’m  just mentioning a couple of outstanding athletes.

The top athletes expressed their thanks to the awesome cheering audience by showing their best of their personal records.

Krisztián Pars, the Hungarian hammer thrower, one of the stars of the “István Gyulai Memorial” opened the Athletics Meeting  by throwing his hammer two-time above 79m, marked of 79.37 – 79.04m.   He has represented Hungary at the Olympics  two occasions – won the men’s senior gold medal with a world junior record marked 84.47m. 

Asafa Powell, the American World leader sprinter, was happy to show us  twice his blast under 10s/100m. This was his 80th occasion he made his sprint under 10s.

Powell said before the shot: „I am not expecting to get the gold medal, but to bring out the best of me.”  When Powell ran 9.86s at 100m the crowd cheered up, the stadium was loud as they expressed their appreciation.

Veronica Campbell-Brown, the Jamaican sprinter, track and field World Champion. Five-time Olympic  medallist. Six- time World Championship medallist. This was her best run of the year  in the women’s 200m 22.26s. She can also say she won her sprint at Budapest with approaching this year her best time.

No one was fond with the  high windy weather, neither was Veronica, but   – as she said  “the audience was superb and fantastic in support  and hopes she will have the same uplifting audience at the IAAF World Championship/Korea.”

Sanya Richards-Ross, the US sprinter,  two-time Olympic gold medallist,  won a gold medal in 2009 at the World Championship  in the 400 meters race. Two-time track and field athlete of the year.

Sanya, gushed about the awesome supportive audience here at the Puskás Stadion, whereas she ran in the women’s 200m  22.63s. So far this was her best  sprint of the year.

Zoltán Kővágó, the Hungarian discus thrower, surely gained  his best by his biggest shot.  At the end he won the discus throw at 69.50m. He has taken the first place in leading the world season list.

Asafa Powell received the trophy prize for the best athlete at the „István Gyulai Memorial” from the Sports Director of the event, Mr. Attila Spiriev.

The “István Gyulai Memorial” of 2011 was a  major step  in gathering   international  athletes and a  double major step in the history of the  Hungarian Athleteics Federation  that made  Mr. István Gyulai’s dream come true.

The whole team of the organizers did a great job.  Congratulation!

I hope that it wasn’t a one time occasion for gathering  great athletes from all around the world  and the “István Gyulai Memorial” light will always shine from now on and lead in the future.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter.

A day before the grand athletics meeting,  the Press Conference continued by the host, Mr. Márton Gyulai,  General Secretary of the Hungarian Athletics Federation (MASZ) at the Federation Center.

TWO SPRINTER QUEENS AT ONE ATHLETICS MEETING

One of the two “Queens” in the field of sprinters.

Sanya Richards-Ross – United States of America  

“My main goal is to run as fast as I can and to entertain those that are watching   the game. When I’m running  ain’t giving any thoughts of who is ahead nor beside me,  just doing my best. Of course, I always know who will be also on the field, but what really counts is the time and to win. This is my first time here in  Budapest and hope to be able to see some parts before leaving.” She admitted, next time she will be coming along to another athletics meeting here at Budapest she will bring  her father, who was a great fan of Puskás.  Her father already envied her for  running in that Stadium named after Puskás.

Oscar Pistorius – South Africa

Pistorius is known as “the fastest man on no legs.”  He doesn’t feel different from those walking folks with their two legs.  He said: “When I get up in the morning, I buckle on my legs. My brother slips into his shoes and off we  go. Simple as that!” Ending  the interview, he quoted what  he often says: “They say in athletics you can be fit, but you also need to be competition fit.”  He also added: “Often individuals think and say the Olympic and Paralympic games are two different games. Many misunderstand the meaning of the word. So let me put it this way, paralympic word stand for parallel and not paralyzed.

Members of the Hungarian Paralympics  Association also joined the press conference and handed over a small  gift,  an album of photos of the  Hungarian Paralympics medal winners.

Two European sprinter champions

Kevin Borlée – Belgium   (to the left)

Deák Nagy Marcell – Hungary  (to the right)

Both said they are looking forward to a great competition and hope they will run before the wind.

National Athletics Olympic champions

(from left to right)

Zoltán Kővágó  – discus throw

Zoltán Kővágó  – discus throw

Kisztián Pars – hammer throw

Róbert Fazekas – discus throw

Daniel Kiss – hurdles

As they all  said, injuries were around them, but hopefully it won’t disturb their  results and in winning  tomorrow.

Krisztián Pars – Hungary

Was showing, talking about his previous finger injury.

Showing  his “new finger style” that he  had to  “invent” . He showed the press which finger will do  the job – to be able to hold/throw  the discus of tomorrow.  He hopes he will succeed.

The other “Queen” of  sprinter

Veronica Campbell-Brown – Jamaica

Seemed to be excited  and looking forward to her run of tomorrow.  She would have loved to go for that 400m, but this time  it hasn’t been brought into the schedule, therefore she will be in the 200m sprint. She reckons that  it’s going to be a great battle between Sanya Richards-Ross and her, here at  Budapest. This game will be her last one  before  attending to the IAAF World Championships at Daegu Stadion/Korea.  With a  lovely smile on her face  she spoke about her  love for the 400m run, although it hasn’t been adopted  in this program, she will be in the 200m sprint.  She also mentioned, she often runs 200m, but now-a-days it is a kind of field outwork for her.

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

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Hello track and field fans come to Budapest –  Ferenc Puskás Stadion. The LEGENDS are coming to Budapest. More than 30 countries with 200 partcipants to join this meeting.

It is going to be a day for all parts of the World athlete lovers to remember.

You wouldn’t want to miss it. Why? Because, Budapest hasn’t shared the field with international awesome names of athletes  to participate under the umberella of championship organized here in Hungary for many years. This means World known athletes legends are going to be here in Budapest at the “ISTVÁN GYULAI MEMORIAL” organized by the Hungarian Athletics Federation(MASZ).

The aim of this sport event is in remembrance to  Mr. István Gyulai,  (gone ahead 2006) – IAAF General Secretary, athlete winner at the  Universiade, once well know sport reporter at the Hungarian Television.  He  surely deserves the gold medal in the field of  the ambassdor of athletics sport.

Hungarian Athletics Federation  has invited worldwide known athletes to participate at this meeting.

This Saturday will be the day for the Hungarians  at the grand-stands to see for the first time  Asafa Powell, the one and only outbreak sprinter to run  100m under 10s.

Another fantastic athlete, track and field world class sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, two time World Youth Champion, three time World Junior Championship, Gold at Doha 2010, Gold 3  times, one Silver, 1 Bronze at the Olyimpic Games.  She said she is looking forward to a great run and some sightseeing if time allows.

Another shinning star to be seen on Saturday,  Sanya Richards-Ross – track and field athlete – two-time Olympic and four-time World Champion, two-time World Athlete of the Year. She will also share  some breathtaking moments  running together with Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Great Olympic and World Champion Hungarian Athletes will be also attending the games.

Don’t miss out 30-July-2011

Saturday afternoon … that’s your place to be!

Highlights of the Program

2.30 p.m.   How fast do you run at 100m? Open run of  100 meters by the audience

4 p.m.          Men’s – Hammer throw

5.15 p.m.   Opening Ceremony

5.20 p.m.   Parade of Stars – with the participance of the event’s greatest stars

5.55 p.m.   Men’s – Nationwide  

6.05 p.m.   Women’s – Nationwide 100 m

6.05 p.m.   Women’s –  Long-jump

6.10 p.m.   How fast do you run on 100m?  – Final

6.20 p.m.   Men’s – Pole-vault

6.20 p.m.   Men’s – 5000m

6.25 p.m.   Men’s – Discus throw

6.40 p.m.   Women’s – 500m

6.52 p.m.   Men’s – 100m  –  1st. qualifying round

6.57 p.m.   Men’s – 100m  – 2nd. qualifying round

7.05 p.m.   Men’s –  Triple jump

7.10 p.m.   Women’s  100m  Hurdle-race

7.20 p.m.   Men’s – 110m   Hurdle

7.30 p.m    Women”S – 200 m  

7.40 p.m.   Men’s- 800m  

7.50 p.m.   Men’s – 400m

8 p.m.          Men’s Final – 100m

8.05p.m.   Dr.Bojidar Spiriev – Presenting the Trophy to the Best Athlete of the day!

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter

A sunny afternoon in the first week of June at the City of Budapest in the Hall of the Royal Orfeum, the famous operett artist Mr Károly Peller introduced his latest CD album, title „By Pairs” (This is Operett 2) infront of the representives of the press and medias.

He and thanks to the operett primadonnas, subretts and other legendary singers, they gave us with a short, yet rememberable franatic show with the taste of their spirit and talent.

This preformamce was held for the CD record preview of what’s to come by these sophisticated members of the Budapest’s Operett Theater.

Mr. Károly Peller upcoming „By Pairs” (This is Operett 2) concert will be on stage :
On the 27th of August, 2011 at 7p.m. at the City of Pécs – Center of Kodály Hall.

On the 26th of August 2011 at 7p.m. at City of Budapest – Operett Thearter

Update and snaps by: Aggie Reiter