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Japanese Film Week in Budapest … June, 8 – 13. 2015.

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Toldi Cinema – District, V., 36-38 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road

All the films start at 7 p.m.  … the entry ticket is 500HUF

The six films are all Hungarian premiers.

The Japanese Film Week is here again showcasing a selection of interesting films in-and-around the theme of Japanese cuisine. The films are in the native language, having English subtitles and interpretation by Hungarian voice-over. For those who wish to hear only the Japanese version better take some earplugs along.

Monday, June, 8. 2015. – Rinco’s Restaurant

Director: Mai Tominaga

So devastated is Rinco (Kou Shibasaki) by a broken relationship that she loses the ability to speak, and returns to the bosom of her native home and free-spirited mother, Ruriko.

Tuesday, June, 9. 2015. – A Tale of Samurai Cooking: A True Love Story

Haru has an excellent sense of taste and surpassing skill in the kitchen, but she has been divorced from her first husband after only a year of marriage because of her impetuous character

Wednesday, June 10, 2015. – Mourning Recipe

Director: Yuki Tanada

Heartbroken Yuriko comes back to her parents’ house after deciding to divorce from her husband, only to find a recipe book for life, left by her late mother Otomi who just passed away.

Thursday, June, 11. 2015. – The God of Ramen – Documentary

A ramen shop named “Taishoken” and has 50 years history and is known for its endless lines.

Friday, June, 12. 2015. – Ramen Samurai

Director: Naoki Segi

Hikaru is working as a designer at a mid-level Tokyo ad agency. Years ago he left home hoping to make a career as a designer in far-off Tokyo.

Saturday, June, 13, 2015. – Kamome Diner  

Director: Naoko Ogigami

Sachie is a Japanese woman living alone in Helsinki, who is trying single-handedly to establish a new cafe serving Japanese-style food.

Update by Aggie Reiter

“ÓBUDA” … Summer in the City … Summer in Budensis – Hungary – 2015.

 

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June, 15 – August 15. 2015.

This year for the 15th time Óbuda will be holding its festival series namely „Óbuda Summer” at District,III. in Budapest.

Today’s Budapest was created on November, 17. 1873. On the left bank of the River Danube Pest and on the right bank of the city was Buda and lying North  situated „Óbuda” the Old Buda.

Óbuda is keeping its „Óbuda Summer cultural festival since 2001. During the three-month at many sites of Óbuda a stream of varies programs can be visited, whereas number concerts, theatrical performances, literary events and classical music await all those who feel their personal proximity to art. Also will be under the stars shooting films of Hungarian musical.

The territory has reached to be known nationwide. The festival brings to all the visitors programs to fulfill much enjoyment, such as outdoor concerts, exhibitions theater performances, children’s shows, alsort of cultural events, films on screens. The festival venues are free of charge, only the theater productions need to purchase tickets in advance.

The events are organized by the Cultural Center of Óbuda and each year the district of Óbuda within the support of the Aquimcum Museum, the Óbuda Museum place the scale higher in bringing more-and-more series of high-quality events to young and elder folks.

The music and theater programs will take place at the main square in the Zichy courtyard, the Kobuci Garden, the Fellini and Roman Culture Bistro, also at several other locations.

One of the biggest surprise will occur on July, 4. with the Symphonic music performance at the Zichy courtyard. Two members János Karácsony and Tamás Somló from the Locomotiv GT the significant national ensemble will bring on stage their well-known greatest hits and play some of their never heard song as well.

The festival programs open on June, 14. with Folk Dance Ensembles and the Bohem Regtime Band Jazz Band. Between June, 27-28. … Day1 continuous concerts will take place … Day2 more-and-more traditional programs  such as folk dance program, street party, fair stands, national choir awaits the visitors to the Buda Main Square. Bálint Gajer … the prince of the Hungarian swing  and Kati Kovács  famous Hungarian performer will step on stage along with the  Budapest Regtime Band. The evening hold for operetta lovers a fine time with the performance of Marika Osward member of the Hungary National Operetta House.

The organizers thought of holding superb programs for the little ones and children with daily entertainment provided by the Kaláka, the Szélkiáltó and the Kolompos group. Beside the music programs the so-called baby-mother club kindergarten will be provided from July; 14 -. August, 11. where the children age of kindergarten and their mothers  will be awaited to participate at the „Aquincum advantures” where mythological storytellers and Roman age games will be introduced.

For theater lovers many performances will be on stage, but sorry to say they will be only in Hungarian language, but for the opera fans no language knowledge is needed at the Carmen-fillet Bizet.  Two-time plays will be on July, 31 and August, 1. 2015.

 

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

Four-Star “LIGET” Parkland – Wellness and Conference Hotel – Szarvas

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The small town is located in the middle of the Southern Plain (Dél-Alföld) in Békés County. Waiting for domestic and foreign tourists … reason why stroll down to the report.

Upon invitation, visited the four-stars „Liget” (Parkland) Wellness and Conference Hotel at Szarvas. Whereas, were present Róbert Gajda – Government entrusted representative, József Dankó – Parliamentary representative,  Mihány Bobák, Zoltán Farkas – Director of regional development, Tamás Bogdán – Liget Hotel manager.

Róbert Gajda welcomed the invited guest and added, previously thought to what tourist attractions, opportunity can be installed in attracting not only the locals and from the surrounding area, but as well as the tourists from abroad … but seeing the expanded developments and the „Liget” Parkland Hotel finely decorated, it was not an issue anymore.

The Mayor of Szarvas presented a conceptual design of this place from 1975. The Hotel’s director was touched and said he will keep this precious map and will be placed in the lobby. The hotel’s manager spoke about a lot of statistics, but would emphasize at least one that says tell it all  … The Hotel operation started with 70 rooms, to-day there are 200 rooms awaiting for the relaxing visitors. Here is an example, without creative ideas not only for tourists but also residents of the city of Szarvas have many thrills in store … well said by Mihály Bubák – major of Szarvas.

After the presentation took place visited the existing interior space formed and led by Agnes Bálint – interior designer. Luxuriously appointed hotel rooms, exclusive design furniture from Bali Island. As Ms. Bálint said, thanks to the investment of a new medicinal pool to be added to the Park with a new type of Japanese spa service added number of balneo service. Among them, the recent of the salt grotto, inter alia and prevention treatments of upper respiratory tract diseases.

In addition to the outdoor sauna, guest may choose from the rituals from a new types of message, hydrotherapy and/or from aquatic and terrestrial exercises. The thermal water at the „Liget”  – Parkland Wellness Hotel is recommended for curing of gynecological complaints, dermatological problems and joint diseases. The temperature of its water is 41.8 Celsius. In the new wing the newly made accessable space for inaugurated handicapped connecting rooms and suites as well. The primary aim of the project was to expand the wellness experience that guests staying at the hotel may enjoy  several new services as the health-conscious spa seeking recreation. Also has a modern equiped dental treatment facility available to the guests.

In the Southern Plains away from the rush, toss and noisy city, at the Szarvas “Liget” Parkland Hotel is the only medical facility and wellness center which not only offers the so-called countryside recreation but for those visitors who plan to leave the world behind for a couple of days at the venue and the service will make their jaw fall off. Because when you speak of a land at the countryside you probably expect something to be in the wild-wild-west with cricket chirping and barns, cockcrowing … etc. Here don’t count on that!  What you see is what you get …luxuriously appointed hotel rooms, exclusive design furniture from Bali Island. Cannot miss the peaceful nature views from all the rooms to the River Körös, also kayaking is an option. The Elisabeth garden is full of ancient trees.

The four star hotel has a depth of 670 meters with thermal water provided in the rooms during the winter heating, summer cooling of the thermal utilization in a special way been resolved before the start of the project.

They produced an increasing part of electricity used in the hotel with energy from solar cells. The private thermal water fountain medical and wellness services, has expanded its services.

Families arriving with tiny kids, cots and bathtubs, pot, toilet narrowing, closed dumpster for napping. Also high chairs in the restaurant. Swimming pool for kids the depth is 0,33 meter and for young children in-outdoor playland is available. By request at the hotel there is a qualified kindergarten teacher where the tiniest can take part enjoying several activities. For adults, in-outdoor swimming pools are with depth of 1,25 – 1,8 meters and for those keeping in mind to stay fit, the fitness room is also on the spot.

After the tour in and around the hotel and mouth-watering lunch was served. Later-on met to ladies Hang and Nhung, who were from Vietman. They are on a European holiday tour. When their friend told them to be taken to Szarvas for a couple of days outside of Budapest on a countryside tour they were expecting to be going to a farm with animals in and around the wilderness. They were both amazed to see the eye-catching landscape and the facilities at the “Liget” Parkland Hotel.

As they said … the place has a real comfort, a  “paradise” environment and are glad to be here and they will keep in their mind the nice memories of their stay the hotel gave them.

In addition to the beautiful scenery the local delicious gastronomy specialties, such as fish delights from the River Körös and by many well-known the „Gulyás” soup, which meat is from local gray cattle from the Körös-Maros – National Park.

Last but not least here is an instructions guide to the „Liget” Parkland Hotel by car … in Hungary accessible on the highway M5 to Kecskemet, exit South-Kecskemet (Kecskemét – Dél) and continue on Road 44 to Szarvas … easy as one-two-three!

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

Herald News … Still 108 days to come! II.BikeRunFest – International bicycle tour and Ultramarathon!

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II.BikeRunFest –  International bicycle tour and Ultramarathon!

Distance 188 km from Sopron – Hungary to Puchberg am Schneeberg  – Austria and back!

September, 19  – 20. 2015.

Yes, we still going to enjoy the summertime in the coming days, but never to early to spread the news for those folks who would like to register, attend at the BikeRunTour or  joining  the run at the Ultramarathon.

Upon a call to the  press conference held by Attila Vozár –  RunBikeFest – chief organizer and invited guests as: Márton Gyulai – HAA General Secretary, Krisztián Berki – TV presenter and Dezső Dobor – press officer of the competition,  heard by the organizer, when planning this  bike tour  popped through his mind to give a twist in this race as„cracking a hard nut”.  This will be a new performance tour at this year’s amateur cyclists race. For those individuals who wish to enter the competition, no need to have professional skills or expensive accessories bicycle to participate in this race.  Completely is enough the daily in use bicycle and the helmet.

Day1. To enter the bike tour anyone can be appointed, who has willingness and strength to paddle on their bike making the journey of 75.4 kms to reach from Sopron – Hungary to Scheeber – Austria.

Day2. Then comes  surmounting 112.6 kms. through the neat villages, small towns and of course as much as the rolling bikers can  have a wink at the wonderful landscape of Austria  whilst  back to the start point at Sopron – Hungary.

Several refreshment stalls and stations … well-reserved rest points… first aid will be present throughout the whole route.

Promising a superb great program and a real challenge for devoted folks, families, companies and to be not forgotten, the wonderful opportunity to overcome the impossible … in between having fun to hit the high mountains and deep valleys.

The RunBikeFest is just a perfect opportunity in opening to companies to hold team building gatherings.

Many starters such as famous persons will be on the way to exercise together, as: Márton Gyulai – HAA General Secretary and his family, Krisztián Berki – TV presenter, The Color Run team just to mention a couple to be rolling on the routes.

Ultramarathon will also take place on the same days simultaneously at both the event:

Day1. 8 a.m. MKB Aréna Hall – Sopron … Day2 .7 a.m. Sport Hall – Puchberg am Schneeberg

The length of the course: Day1. 75 km – Day2. 110 km … Global Length: 185 km

Bikers  and Ultramarathon folks save the data, place, time … worthwhile not to miss, to leave out this awesome tour!

Application, Price and other important information in English and German language switch to:

http://www.bikerunfest.com/

Getting closer to the day further information of interest will come through.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

 

Ari S Kupsus … Summer Cultural Season of Amadé-Bajzáth-Pappenheim Chateau – Iszkaszentgyörgy

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You are cordially invited to the opening of the Summer Cultural Season of Amadé-Bajzáth-Pappenheim Chateau  … starting at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, June, 3. 2015.

Amadé-Bajzáth-Pappenheim Chateau – Iszkaszentgyörgy

 

Ari Kupsus Gallery and Ari S Kupsus Salon Concert Society traditionally move from Budapest to countryside for the three summer months.

During this period the art exhibitions and the Salon Concerts will be held in the beautiful Amadé-Bajzáth-Pappenheim chateau situated in the picturesque village of Iszkaszentgyörgy.
The summer season 2015 will be opened on Wednesday, 3rd of June, starting at 5pm when the Representative of the Parliament, Gábor Törö and the State Secretary László L. Simon will have his opening speech followed by the unveiling of the statue of Baron László Amadé (1703-1764), the world-famous poet and one of the builders of our Stately Estate. The statue is made by sculptor Lajos Bíró.

This event will be followed by the exhibition opening of an Hungarian painter Ágnes Szabó. The opening speech will be held by Director of Finnish Cultural Center in Hungary, Finnagora, Mrs Cita Högnappa-Lumikero. After the opening ceremony there will be a concert by Laulu-Suzuki children choir from Helsinki.

After the opening ceremonies wine reception will follow.  All visitors are warmly welcomed to this festive Season Opening event.

 

 

Update by Aggie Reiter

Judafest Street Festival – Budapest – 2015.

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 Hungary’s biggest social event at the historic Jewish Quarter in Budapest – 2015.

Sunday, June, 7.

10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

District, VII., Kazinczy Street

 Free admission

Here we go again … the culinary and cultural life will vibrant downtown. Hungary’s almost all Jewish organizations will be present.

Well, seems like only in one wink the year has passed since the 2014 year’s awesome:

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Some folks may not be happy for getting one year older, but anyway who have been awaiting for the date to come by will surely be there to get loose, to get into entertaining themselves in the Kazinczy Street and celebrate the diversity of Jewish culture together once again! There will be three stages, performing more than 30 artists with ongoing concerts and 50 alsort of programs.  No need to worry about food nor drinks … 40 stalls  will  be on the whole lane, drinks to plenty of  food will initiate by the scented delicacies for those passing by.

For being interested in the multitude of Jewish culture at the street festival mark the day which is less than a week ahead and  spend a full-day filled with programs will each will find themselves the one of interest. Courts for all age children will be almost on every corner.

This year’s festival guest of honor will be Poland.

During the day … The Rzeszow Klezmer Band (PL)

Only on Sunday, June, 7., in front of the Kazinczy Street Synagogue an exhibition can be seen of famous  Polish Jews.

The visitors to the Judafest also will get the opportunity to explore, taste the flavorful authentic Jewish and Polish dishes. On the spot there will be a huge collection of craft art items to see or simply falling in love and to purchase.

Just a sample from the programs … Guided walks in the hidden corners of the old Jewish quarter – Mazsike, Instant courses: Polish, Hungarian, Yiddish, Hebrew, Fair and Market, pancake counter, Chill-out Zone, Cinema Tent, Polish village, Civil kibitzer Street, People of Miracles adventure game for kids, Hebrew calligraphy, Jewish restaurants and cakes and cookies from the district’s confectionery.

 Update by Aggie Reiter

News Flash … 9th “Főzdefeszt” – Street Food Show – June, 5-7. 2015. – Budapest

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Venue … Városliget – City Park – Olof Palme promenade.

In just less than a week Hungary’s famous craft-beer festival is rolling along its way again between  at the Városliget – Budapest’s City Park,  which is the second largest public park in the District XIV. The total area is situated on 100 hectares. It has actually about 81 hectares of rich park  with approx. 6500 tree stands with shady canopies. The most elegant historical park where the open-air beer garden will take place.

More to it … probably not on my own by saying one of the biggest periodically arranged open-air beer-garden in the world.

Hungary’s craft-beer scene has seen an incredible growth in the last few years and even gaining more-and-more speed-up! The Főzdefeszt – Craft Beer Festival has grown from being an average festival of attracting 10.000 visitors to a mass-celebration with 40-50000 individuals twice a year. Főzdefeszt is the greatest gastronomical event of Hungary.

Despite the huge growth the Főzdefeszt is not an average beer festival, had managed to preserve its original peaceful and amiable character … no roaring music, nor second-hand pop stars, nor grunting pig gangs,  nor quantitative drinking,  nor short drinks, nor binge-drinking and most importantly neither crappy beer.

binge-drinking. Főzdefeszt is just becoming a professionally organized quality event. This is the first time to deploy the branded glasses ruling out the ugly, inappropriate and pollutant plastic-mugs.

A must-visit venue, … if wish to know where Hungarian beer is heading … if you want to taste several new breweries sprung up throughout the winter, or  … if  interested to check out how the old favors had improved and kept their qualities.

For the third time, they organize the festival together within their twin-festival, Street Food Show, the best and original street-food fare in Budapest. Also managed to pull the scenes together just like a few years ago the Főzdefeszt did it with the breweries.

On the spot there will be 50 beer-stands showcasing around 200 brews,  as well as 30 food-vendors, that will offer everything that will surely catch the eyes and taste.

Opening hours: Friday, June, 5.,   3 p.m.  June, 6. 2 a.m.
Saturday, June, 6. Noon  – June, 7., 2 a.m.
Sunday, June, 7., Noon  – Midnight

Free entry … just to buy a “Főzdefest” glass for beer drinking.

Update by Aggie Reiter

„Son of Saul” – Grand Prize – Cannes Film Festival- 2015.

 

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Hungary’s filmmaker received the Grand Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for his outstanding and astonishing set of a Holocaust drama the „Son of Saul”.  This was László Nemes Jeles  – Hungarian director-screenwriter’s  first debut film. The film’s script was prepared by the author in cooperation with the French script writer Clara Royer during his  five months scholarship  stay in Paris  in 2011. The film plan was previously awarded in Sarajevo at the Film Festival with the Living Pictures prize.   The film drama received  Four awards  in Cannes …  FIPRESCI Prize running in the main competition section …  the François Chalais Prize and  the Vulcan Award at the festival.

A number of foreign actors took part in the film …  Germany, Poland, United States of America and Israel who were preceded  during the casting by tough sorting. The film  shots mainly took place at several Budapest locations and at the Mafilm studio. The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp buildings have had been demolished, therefore were reconstructed on the basis of photographs and historical research.

The drama in brief: the “Son of Saul” takes place in the venue the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in 1944.  A Hungarian Jewish prisoner named Saul  … played by Géza Röhrig … is a member of the Sonderkommando. It is a group of prisoners given humiliating and illusory privileges as trustees and minor amount in food ration to be able to carry the bodies from the gas chambers to pyres to be burned, then carting the ashes away to be dumped. At one of the occasions Saul recognize a body of his young son. Thereafter, in secret goes to search to find a rabbi among the prisoners to give the boy a proper burial. To achieve his plan Saul was using threats, blackmail and bribes and with so-called jewellery “shiny” stolen from the bodies.

The final cut was supported by financial and professional assistance from the Hungarian National Film Fund, which contributed a total of 310.6 million HUF.

The Son of Saul for the first time to be seen nationwide by the domestic audience after the Cannes International Film Festival will be from June, 11. 2015.

The American Sony Pictures Classics acquired the rights in distributing the film.

Update by Aggie Reiter

This is “Not the Messiah” … just a very naughty boy – May, 31. 2015. – Budapest.

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This is not to be missed!

8 p.m. Sunday, May, 31. 2015.

Papp László Budapest Sports Arena

District, XIV., 2. Stefania Rd. – Budapest

From the famous Monty Python – Mr. Eric Idle is coming for the first time to Budapest to take you away with his gags on the premiere night of the „Not the Messiah” in Budapest.  The Messiah is a baroque ‘n’ roll that captivated the world’s stages for over seven years and in a couple of days will be on stage in Budapest – Hungary.

The performance will be in Hungarian language, but never mind, because the acts will be jolly good and worthwhile to see also for the foreigners staying in Hungary.

The funniest member of the legendary group Monty Python – Eric Idle – songwriter of the melody well-known around the world … is going to be heard by Steve and Eric in Budapest.

Mr. Eric Idle is planning a kinda attack against the Hungarian actor – Steve Hajdú.  Earlier said … “My role is to sit and watch the show among the audience, but till then I hold the surprise the keep secret to myself . “The “Not the Messiah” music was co-written by Mr. Idle and John Du Prez.

According to gossip, at the comic oratorio entitled “Not the Messiah” Eric Idle will not be able to sit still and often will pop up in the auditorium to grab the microphone out of Steve’s hand. What’s more, he will pour those humorous gags on us, processing from the move Life of Brian. No way, to leave it out in Budapest! I will not be able to remain silent, when Steve Hajdú will be up on stage, singing alone the song.It is logical I am going to sing along with him at the end of the show.

Visiting Hungary and to be present at the show is really such a rare opportunity for him and of course for the Hungarian audience, but would not bet on the foreigners not to be going out to this unique show.

Update by Aggie Reiter

Herald News … “Red Army Choir” coming to Hungary – 2015.

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Even though we are ahead to Season of Summer in Hungary, a good news is never too early! In September a sensational performances will be coming up with the presentation of the “Red Army Choir” – Russian Federation Ministry of Interior to hold concerts and folk dance in several Hungarian cities. The Russian Federation Ministry of Interior ensemble is of professional artists.

There will be Kalinka, Katyusha, Moscow nights and Partisan song as well. At these series of concert the invited guest Vásáry André will perform, who was chosen from among several European singers to be in their production.

Here are the dates to mark at the Calendar:

On September, 17. 2015., – 7 p.m. in the Veszprém Arena at Veszprém.

On September, 18. 2015., – 7 p.m. in the Audi Arena at Győr.

On September, 19. 2015., – 7 p.m. in the Papp László Budapest Sport Arena at Budapest.

On September, 20. 2015., – 7 p.m. in the Miskolc Generali Arena at Miskolc.

The Red Army ensemble was founded in 1939 and at the time being,  the  Red Army was to raise the morale of the tired, exhausted army. Current director and conductor Viktor Eliseev co-directs professional work with the ensemble since 1985. The extremely powerful, classical dancers and an acrobatic technique show will be most probably admired by the audience. The roots of the Russian folk, army and navy dances will not be missing in their presentations. They already toured to all the continents. Held shows and concert over 7000 occasion in front of 20 million people. For many already known but those sitting in the audience for the time will be able to see the real world-renowned Cossack dances.

The Red Army Ensemble previously played together with a number of major international superstars among them with Celine Dion.  They were the guests performers in 1980 to open the Moscow Olympic Games and in 2014  the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

Update by Aggie Reiter