Newsflash – Night of Museums – Zwack Museum – June, 25-26. 2016.

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 Zwack Museum and Visitor Center
District, IX., . 1. Dandár Street – Budapest

As in previous years, once again a rich program awaits this year at the Night of Museums in the Zwack Unicum Museum & Visitor Center for the pleasure of ears, eyes and tasting to fulfill the unconventional programs to the local and foreigner visitors visiting or living in Budapest to step over to this unique museum. In addition to the permanent exhibition at the site can be viewed an awesome exhibition of Hungary’s icon footplayer – Puskás. These relics will be out on display for the first time in Hungary. Also a fine time to listen to the beverage experts who are there to provide a study courses for those interested.

The evening will not end without a wide scale of  entertainment the visitors by the Momentán Company, Zséda and the Belau band.

The snaps showing the venue at  the last year’s gathering  on the  Night of Museums.

Update by Aggie Reiter

Visit „Night of the Museum” – Budapest and throughout Hungary – 2016.

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Whether you are a thrifty culture vulture  or you are just planning an awesome stay, looking for cool things to do this upcoming „Museum Nights” in Budapest or at  any other cities in Hungary … catch up the art and at the great museums which feed your curious mind for only the price of one wrist strap. For adults 1500HUF, children 600HUF, under 6 years free of charge. The wrist strap can be purchased at the Budapest’s and regions museums participating in the event. For adults 1500HUF, children 600HUF, under 6 years free of charge. So with the bracelet  pay-what-you-wish hours handy! The wrist strap can be purchased at the Budapest’s and regions museums participating in the event.

This year in Budapest 60, at the city of Kecskemét 11 and at other regions cities 129 museums joined the program. The organisers announced there will be a call for applications for this year’s Night of the Museums in Kecskemét. These will motivate those public collections and galleries participating in the Night of the Museums to provide the richest offer of programs. The most innovative initiatives program will also be receiving the “public choice award”. The “Museum Night” starting off at noontime on June, 25. 2016 and ends 2.30 a.m. Some highlight places sure to be visited are: Bozsó collection, the International Ceramics Studio, the Photographic Museum and Leskowsky Instrument Collection  and other 47 locations await visitors this night. The venues can be reached back-and-forth on the local popular retro buses.

The theme of this year’s Night of the Museums is namely  “Heros, explorers, innovators” and its “Capital” is at the City of Kecskemét. It was the home town of József Katona, the writer of Bánk Bán – the message of patriotism. This year Hero Training – Hősképző will operate whist playing detective, and a number of other challenges and adventures await visitors to the museum that night. At the Deri Museum in Debrecen throughout the day the play’s heroes will encounter while remembering József Katona – Bank Ban and Melinda figure  when-and-where all over the city  the sharp-eyed visitors can catch a hold  of the pops up figures.

This year will be running in  Budapest as usually  BKK Museum Bus, which can make use of the  wristband holders. The buses take the visitors to seven different routes between  6 p.m. – 2.30 a.m. Visitors arriving to the Budapest’s museum may travel by the use of MÁV-START Zrt. or the GYSEV trains with 50% of casual round off the country from any domestic station of Budapest, Debrecen, Nagykanizsa, Szeged, Szombathely and Kecskemét trains arriving on June 25 evening until early the next morning. The discount ticketing options and usage conditions of the detailed information found at the MÁV group’s website  www.mavcsoport.hu. In Budapest for the first time, namely environmental consciousness – electric cars will run between the smaller museums in the flagship event sponsor by E.ON.

The wristbands can be purchased at the Budapest museums participating in the program and locations, or co-operating partners of the event  also at the station’s ticket booth of  the BKK – Budapest Transport  Center. With the valid  wrist strap all the affiliated institutions in Budapest and outside the capital participating museums  can ride  to inspect the permanent and temporary exhibitions.  Better to keep in mind to the fact that some institutions are bound by the pre-registration entry due to limited spaces. Region admission tickets to local museums can be bought at the cities museums box office.

Wherever your footsteps take you … beside easing the hunger to cultural alternatives, … the local gastronomy places going around the clock is noteworthy to stop by as perfect way to start the Nights of the Museum!

Update by Aggie Reiter

„Tourism in Hungary 2015” – statistical overview published in 2016.

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Yes, now-a-days the UEFA fever is on not just in France, but for those who did not make to the football arena to France can easier follow int he evening hours the live broadcast of their favorite team whilst during the daytime can enjoying the Hungarian hospitality the sights-and-sound, the gastronomy in Hungary. It is absolutely endless variety ways to spend a memorable time in Hungary.

Over the past years the tourism in Hungary has increased. This is due to the number of regions considering it important to offer not only Hungarian profiles, but can also be available in English language publications.

In 1993, the Hungarian Tourism Ltd. published the „Tourism in Hungary” publication which contained summary data of the tourism performance in Hungary. It included detailed analysis about the inbound and domestic tourism, furthermore gave an overview of its structure of the Hungarian tourism decision-making bodies. Also an insight of the main marketing activities of the Hungarian Tourism Ltd. The released publication goal was helping decision-making of the stakeholders, supporting by guidelines the international and Hungarian tourism professionals.

The Hungarian Tourism Agency has launched its „Tourism in Hungary 2015” publication based on the final data of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office and the data of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank – Central Bank of Hungary.  The table of contents deal with the most important facts of the tourism and the inbound, domestic and outbound tourism of Hungary. Moreover, deals with the results of the most important tourism facts around the globe.

Last but not least the publication also summarizes the most fascinating features to visit the regions in Hungary.

Update and snap by Aggie Reiter

Robert Mapplethorpe documentary film – Budapest Rooftop Cinema – 2016.

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“Look at the Pictures” (2016)

Budapest Rooftop Cinema

9 p.m.  – Thursday, June, 9. 2016.

Runtime: 1H. 20 min.

A great kicked off to the summer season at the Budapest Rooftop Cinema will be pre-screening the  “Look at the Pictures” (2016) distributed by the Hungarian Ant Community of Mapplethorpe. The iconic and controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe is profiled in this documentary directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. The documentary film is not just for the photography enthusiasts, but for all those who are interested of a non everyday movie.

Countrywide cinemas  will be officially screening the documentary from June, 16. 2016. The fascinating portrait of one of the most controversial photographers of the twentieth century. It might be reckless to reduce an artist’s life and work to a single observation, the magic key that unlocks everything, but in the case of Robert Mapplethorpe there is a pronounced duality in the themes and subjects depicted, graphically stylized black-and-white photographs. Even the most shocking, blocked images are shown in the original, exactly as the artist wanted.

The young British actor Matt Smith playing the role as the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Matt Smith name is known from the Doctor Who movie as Doctor Who. Patti Smith‘s character, who had a stormy romantic relationship and later became a lifelong pal with the well-known gay Mapplethorpe. In the documentary film Zosia Mamet will portray her.

The Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures documentary was the first authentic, full-length portrait about Robert Mapplethorpe,  the American photo artist who died of AIDS in 1989.

Mapplethorpe’s  … “prophet or the devil himself” … pictures are shocking but not even close to his scandalous life.

Update Aggie Reiter

17th Harley-Davidson Open Road Festival – Alsóőrs – Hungary – 2016.

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Twenty years rolling the Harley Davidson Budapest’s chapter.

The 17th Open Road Festival  at Alsóőrs (Northern Lake Balaton) is warming up to welcome the Harley folks.

Wednesday, June 8. – Sunday, June, 12. 2016.

The past decades  Harley Davidson motorbike lovers from all over the world rolled over to Hungary to celebrate their love for their H.D. bike and as well to meet long non seen mates.

The 4Days long festival is coming up soon so fasten yourself to your motorbikes and hit the road to arrive to Alsóőrs – Hungary where Europe’s largest gathering of  motorbike  gather to enjoy in the heat of nights  filled with cool rock music and the brotherhood. When you hear the motorbike engines, ear shocking music and see happy folks with wide smiles on their face  you’re gonna be just at the right place  and time to be at the 17th Harley Davidson Festival. Each year one of the “oldie” favorite bands arrive to spoil your hearing … but that’s what it is all about, be in the in-crowd and enjoy your time here in Hungary. Other programs await for the rolling Harley  Davidson folks as the traditional motorbike parade guided  tour, visiting not just superb vineyard cellar, but taking a visit to the tiddy small villages along the Lake Balaton.

This year from the UK, the powerful glam rock band SWEET will rock the folks  and from Germany the “metal”  HALLOWEEN group will sweep the dust under the audience feet.

Naturally the tough  Hungarian rocker groups will be present, as they will not
miss out not to be at such an awesome H.D.gathering!

Each year the  Open Road Fest organisers jointly with the Hungarian Baptist support the needy. This year  welcomes the  motorbike folks  to support  with price of a tank of patrol the needy small children aged between 3-6.

The donation is held on Friday, June, 10. at 5 p.m. at the Kids Race. The small children compete with each other rolling on little plastic motorbikes. Families with their kindergarten age children are most welcomed to participate in and at the mini-bike-race.

Tickets: http://www.openroadfest.hu/en/buy-tickets/

Update Aggie Reiter

9th Judafest Street Festival – Budapest – 2016.

Smúzoljjjjj velünk 

Sunday, June, 5. 2016.

District, VII., Kazinczy Street – Budapest, Hungary

Admission is free and so is parking around event area!

At this time of season, it has become a tradition to hold the biggest social event the Judafest Street Festival in Hungary. It  revives this exceptional heritage introducing the cultural life that vibrant downtown in Budapest.

Indeed a multicultural event, traditionally attractions both for locals and foreign visitors, giving them chance gathering together with old friends and to meet new acquaintances.

This year’s Judafest will host Germany as guest of honor at the festival, which will dedicate a series of cultural and culinary gigs to the country. Special guests from Germany include H. E. Dr. Heinz-Peter Behr, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Budapest and German Schmitts Katze Klezmer Band.

The past years more than ten thousand visitors spent their day at the street fair and the participation number each year are arising. Throughout the day: live performances, concerts, free gigs, collection of craft art, plus children are offered several activities. For the smaller kids various opportunity await them to enjoy themselves at “kids court” just as: to cook at the kitchen, be a gardener, or do washing at the laundry and party the earned money in the kibbutz bar’s drugstore, or go for a ride on the swing! As for the adults…  getting hungry no worry, the food and drink specialties just at their fingertips to explore flavorful authentic Jewish and German dishes.

The Kazinczy street is between the Király and Wesselényi Street based in the historic Jewish Quarter  has always been the heart of what is today considered one of Europe’s must see urban attractions with an unmatched atmosphere filled with living Jewish and multicultural tradition dated back to several hundred years.

During the day offering a guided special district walk tour, having a chance to discover the hidden corners of the old Jewish Quarter.

Last years’ Judafest’s extraordinary events were the evening getting together around a 50 meters long table installed in Kazinczy Street, where the organizers hosted a dinner for indigent families. This year a similar meal will be held in the spirit of solidarity and raising awareness.

Update Aggie Reiter

 

EDEN Days – “Best ecotourism destination” – Styrian houses – 2016.

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Need not have to get too far from the highway, when driving from North-West Europe i.e. Austria to Budapest or  heading to other cities in Hungary to visit Kőszeg and its surroundings. Indeed, should not to be missed by foreigners to take a break, stop, visit the historical sites, stay for a couple of days, taste the local gastronomic delights.

The European Commission in 2006 launched the project title: Great European Destinations, which stands for the European continent’s natural, cultural and heritage diversity intending to introduce for the tourists. EDEN is an English acronym (European Destinations of Excellence), but also a welcoming, friendly expression … state of harmony and inviting destination.

Visit to Írottkő Park … In May, 2009, the Írottkő Park won the tender by the European Commission’s EDEN competition titled: “Best ecotourism destination”. In connection with the award of obtaining anniversary Írottkő Nature Park Association this year also organized EDEN days, in the name of the fascinating spectacle Styrian houses which we also visited. The nature park is an awesome experience to see, learn at the open-air museum how the tiddy styrian house look like in the old days.

Hungary specifically target a lot to choose from among the green economy: 21% of the area of our woodland, close to a quarter of that number is high global level, and 10% of the country is under nature protection.

Visit to Őrség seen the village deservedly won a European rating agency, destinations, EDEN Award. Protect and discover the wonders of nature, get to know the local customs and clear-eyed hospitable folks. An exciting and unusual itineraries in the green economy  talking a walk in their footsteps. Őrség offers a thousand pure springs, dark giant pines, bell-feet villages which preserved its natural, cultural and rich in sacred values. Tradition gastronomic event held yearly in several local village in autumn during the Pumpkin Festival  at: Őriszentpéter, Szalafő, Pityerszer, Magyarszombatfa. It is worth to taste the local dishes of pumpkin seed oil, the “dödölle” – potato dumpling  and watch the world go by with a sip of wine and relax. During the Pumpkin Festival  chartered bus runs between Kőszeg and the Styrian houses on the spot buffet and wine tasting available.

Living in a crowed city with all the rush and noise around a perfect place to get loose by visiting, spending a couple of nights at Őrség where many neat  family houses are out for rent, where visitors can get close to nature, and for the active sports travelers  hiking, cycling take them around the different faces of the landscape. Those who want to learn about the typical local atmosphere may roam between the villages of romantic times.

Visiting the City of Kőszeg myriad of historical, natural and cultural treasures. Once the visitors are at Kőszeg, worthwhile to visit the tourist destinations which were featured in the internationally prized „EDEN program”. Worthwhile to stay several days because it is a city with buildings that has its own story. Kőszeg and the surrounding neighbourhood is unique by itself as the locals place in front of their gates a pot for the price to leave  buying their homemade products as jams, season’s fruits from their garden and collected local honey  therefore the city is basically called the “Honor Pot City”.  Also the relationship between Kőszeg and wine history has a centuries-old relationship. The history sources are from the past centuries about the vineyard and its role of the city. Recently established the Kőszeg Wines worthy guardian of the wine culture featuring the grape and wine history, the wine making traditions. wine. The Kőszeg winemakers community preserved in caring the history of the local wine shoots in the “Book of Grapes” from 1740.

Visit to the Jurisics Castle … After enjoying the picturesque small villages providing the peaceful atmosphere and harmony, we visited the main square, the Jurisics castle, which is now a museum and cultural centers.

Mentioning a couple of the so many programs that awaits tourist to enjoy whilst visiting Kőszeg and its surroundings: Museums, World Heritage Site, active recreation, mineral spa, Wine Tour and Wine – Wine House, Museum of grape and wine processing local history collection, ski jumping, Sport Fishing, boating on the Lake and so forth.

In August –  Turkish siege of days, and at the Castle Theater will hold several performances.

On the  last week-end in September each year on the main square is held the harvest festival. In the evening a parade from local and international brass bands … even arriving from Australia will entertain the visitors.

Nature and wildlife is definitely recommended for those interested families to visit the István Bechtold Nature Conservation Visitor Center, which presents the area’s wildlife, bird life and especially unique for children to take the adventure trail, also gain the experience in store for European Crested Tit.

Stayed at the Gotthard Thermal Hotel & Conference****, which is situated in Szentgotthárd at the most western  town in  Hungary and just a short distance from the Hungarian-Austrian-Slovenian borders.  The hotel got all what it takes to recharge yourself , enjoy the mediterranean feeling with its sunbathing terrace, thermal spas, roman baths, wellness treatments, outdoor sport facilities, good cuisine and for the  tourists to explore the surrounding area can take an easy excursion to Őrség.

Update Aggie Reiter

 

 

Beer Sheva Theater – Guest performance – Atrium-movie theater – Budapest – 2016.

Beer Sheva Theater Photo by : MaayanKaufman

Beer Sheva Theater Photo by : MaayanKaufman

Jewish Art Festival –  Saturday, May, 28. –  Tuesday, June, 14. 2016.

Slichot – Yom Kipur – Day of Atonement

Tuesday, June, 7. 2016.

7 p.m.

Original Hebrew performances with Hungarian subtitles!

In the frame of this year’s Jewish Art Festival the Beer Sheva Theater as guest performance will be for one night on stage with the play Slichot – Yom Kipur – Day of Atonement.

 The story goes on as … one day Massouda Ohana return the keys of the house to the Amidar housing company, and disappeared. The four daughters … Malka – the homemaker,  Evelyn – very religious woman, Fanny – the  sexy business woman and Amira –  the student studying cinema arrive to their home to clear out the house. Their intention is spend together the holiday  season of Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement with their mother. While packing, packaging, memories come forth, family secrets come upon surface, and their relationship becoming increasingly intense. By the end of the day they realize that despite the fact they originate the same mother, actually they all in a way  perceive to have different personality and in a way hardly know each other. At the end of the day it is like as though someone else would be their mother.

The Slichot is a funny play, dynamic dialogues game in which family issues, such as child-parent relationships, women’s jealousy, the deep gap in generation. Painful secrets and deep emotions come upon the surface.

Update Aggie Reiter

Vietnamese Days are here again – Grand Market Hall – Budapest – 2016.

visiting Vietnam in Budapest

Tuesday, May, 31. –  Thursday, June, 2.2016. 

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

District, IX., 1-3.Vámház Blvd. – Budapest

Coming up reminder to the next National Days at the Grand Market Hall – Budapest. Another far away country will be introducing their culture with crafts and all sorts of programs.

What you will not find …

Grand market hall

BUT …You can admire and even buy the products made of bamboo, textile, silk, semi-precious stones and objects made of wood from this beautiful and far-away country.

Vietnam welcomes locals and foreigners to join at the 2 days exhibition to learn about its culture, Vietnamese cuisine, spices, soups, pastas, sauces, all sorts of hand-made crafts also available to buy on the spot.

During the 2 days program the visitors walking into the market hall may hear the original Vietnamese music, photography and get a hint of travelogues.

Update Aggie Reiter

 

Two new gastronomy members on the charts of Hungaricum – HUSZ – Budapest

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The best way to learn about the country is by its gastronomy !

József Birinyi – President  and Gábor Mathiász – Vice President of the Hungaricum Association … hereinafter: HUSZ welcomed by invitation the previously and lately added members to the Hungaricum Association. Also guests and press individuals were greeted by  attending the ceremony.  During the past  weeks  round 20 members have been added  to the “HUSZ”.  Lately these iconic were the Omega band’s musical heritage, the 100-member Gypsy Orchester –  the Hungarian Gypsy music and its songs as musical heritage. The ceremony took place at the  St. George Residence Budapest‘s first “All Suite” hotel. Europe recorded among the hundred best hotels, five-star hotel on the basis of written documents dating back  from 1311, it is actually a three medieval foundations Baroque corner building complex. The 700 year-old buildings and more than 200-year-old hotel rightly bears the oldest hotel in Budapest.

Among the special guest, the HUSZ invited actor Gabor Koncz. Many knowing him as an excellent horse rider as well, but only a few know him as a Fishman. As for the story of his love for the fish he spoke of his own little island  where  the carp are brought up by him at a hundred square meters pond. He spends a deal of time in fishing his special way.  In connection with the fish soup, he entered at the local cooking contest and by the evaluated expert jury his fish soup named as “Orvhalászlé” –  Poach soup won the first prize. Before giving over the floor to the new HUSZ members the actor read a poem by poet András Szabó – The fishermen Lord’s Prayer on which the fishermen, anglers around popping poach.

Before presenting  the two new members heard a short overview of the association’s  task, highlighting the importance to wider the list of Hungaricum, not just for the Hungarians to learn, but for especially to bring attention to the near-and-far individuals not to only ring the bell of Hungary to foreigners as they say  “Yes Puskás”. Also to learn for those living abroad that the so-called „Gulyás” – Goulash is a heavy soup and not a stew! The value philosophy is important because it show the different regional traditions at the gastronomy festivals.

In recognition of many years of work the two new representatives officially join into the line HUSZ … on one hand with the Golden Carp – Fisheries Ltd. – Hungarian Fish soup, …  on the other hand  the “Betyárgulyás” – Outlaw Goulash – the Hungarian Goulash Gastro-Tourism whom both gave a short overview of keeping up with the tradition,  their presence in the history of the values in the Hungarian traditional gastronomy. Ferenc Lévai –  owner  – CEO  Golden Carp Fishery Ltd spoke about the fish soup acutally revealed initially by the Hungarian people  who were simple fishermen. Fishing in the homeland and enjoy this science brought to Hungary from the Carpathian basin rivers. Even King Sigismund loved to go fishing as well and his favorite fish was the  ” Viza – Sturgeon”.  When he was elected as  the Holy Roman Emperor, closed down near Győr all dead branches –  sturgeon migrating upward from the army. During his era huge quantities of fish were taken to the Vienna market.  The river’s richness in fish lasted until the beginning to the river regulation. Thereafter,  the batches, swampy areas fish farms were established. Our country has become the second largest producer of fish in Europe! To 15 countries were delivered carp in special wagons.  Way back, the fish-eating people were much healthier than are to-day.  There is no religion that prohibits to the consumption of fish.  The fish could be prepared in dozens-and dozens ways but one of the most successful recipe was just the simple carp fish soup made in so many different ways – depending on the region’s tradition.

Perhaps there are only a few countries around the world where as saying the word goulash, would not immediately connect it to  Hungary. The  Hungarian Association of Gastro-tourism – President Sándor Csányi  mainly talked about the Szolnok Goulash Festival first organized in 1998. It became unexpectedly such a huge success, that since then this year will be organizing  the 18th  Goulash Festival at Szolnok. Also said: Q.:  “The goulash is like a football – everyone thinks they know …  it all.”  Same with the Hungarian goulash  which is not that simple, yet easy to cook. Originally shepherds cooked as a stew  and called it goulash meat. Today, the  housewives  prepare the goulash soup completely differently, as a heavy soup, but traveling to any region in Hungary you will not find the  same in taste named goulash soup, yet it is a real experience to gain the notably  difference in the rich flavors.

After the official presentations on behalf of the Association was handled over the Hungaricum membership Charts.

Szabolcs Szécsi – Mayor of Tarpa announced that they intend to move into the line of HUSZ partnership. Emphasized … One of the village’s greatest value is the “Golden Plum Pálinka” BUT there is much more to see and taste in the village more than that. Many folks know about Tarpa from the history time the name  Tamás Esze who was the bravest captain in the 18th century in the  war of independence, but beside that Tarpa is famous of its local plum  the “Penyige” and as the locals call it  ” Unknow Plum”.   The Gold Plum Pálinka is a real trademark of the region .This pálinka is developed on centuries-old tradition. When the ripe season entered, the whole village move out under the plum trees, stripped, cooked jam, prepared pálinka and by the end took them back home. The former traditional Szatmár-Bereg Plum Days, renamed as the “New Pálinka Festival”  is still on. The Szatmár-Bereg co-jury assess the pálinka together with the Order of Knighthood. In the beginning the festival was held only for domestic participants, thereafter, Romania, Transylvania and Ukraine joined the event. The plan is to hold the “New Pálinka Festival”  not  only as for a one-day festival, but to be able to create for the Hungarians and tourists arriving to Tarpa to spend time at the 4-5 days  festival filled with not only pálinka, but enjoying the gastronomy and the local traditional programs.

The next event is coming up this weekend with the XV. Kuruc Day –  this is a traditional event brought back from the past, with also Kuruc gastronomy combined with traditional  programs.

Further info: https://rollinginbudapest.com/2016/05/25/the-xv-kuruc-day-back-to-evoke-the-heroic-age-tarpa-hungary/

The ceremony continued by a guided tour inside the St. George Residence Hotel,  then after invited to taste the two new HUSZ members cook of the day … fish and goulash soup, taste the wines from Kecel, champagne from the cellar of Törlei and naturally the famous golden plum pálinka from Tarpa.

With the two new members the Hungarian gastronomy and  the Hungaricum Association “HUSZ” definitely became richer!

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter