6 Dec

Tangerine Movie – Xmas Eve – Premier – Hungary – 2015

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Entertainments, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!. Tagged: , , , , , , .

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Tangerine – December, 24. arrives to be screened in Hungary!

American film with Hungarian subtitles – directed by Sean Baker

Tangerine … drama … sharp style of comedy …  pop art movie … indie film shot solely on three iPhones cameras.

By the praises of the critics surrounded at the Sundance debut, was spread that they were blown away by Sean Baker’s vibrant and original transgender movie, romp through the back streets of L.A.  Also collected a fair number of nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards as Best Director, Best Feature Film, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress categories … as it was recently published. In addition to the international film competitions, within the domestic CineFest jury and the audience, the film was very much appreciated.

The basic story of Tangerine, a transgender comedy in extreme close-up, unfolds on Xmas Eve, sources of firsthand insight by Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor, the two trans women of color who star as Sin-Dee and Alexandra, a pair of transgender working girls and best friends. They both are sex workers in the informal red light district of Los Angeles. The character’s emotions are strikes of colors as electricity.

Tangerine is pithy as hell and hugely entertaining from beginning to the end, but it’s also moving, partly because of what it shows of the daily struggle of its characters. Just released from prison in time for Xmas day, and the two meet up in a diner and Alexandra accidentally lets slip that Sin-Dee’s pimp boyfriend has been cheating on her … the rest is to be seen what follows on the tenacious romp through the back streets of Tinseltown.

Baker’s film takes us on a journey through the struggles and joys of marginalised trans people in American society. Crime, prostitution and drug abuse are touched on in a candid snapshot of life on the streets of Los Angeles. Baker is preoccupied with showing all the challenges of impoverished life on the streets, whilst presenting a warm portrait of female friendship.  Also taking the audience on a journey through the struggles and joys of marginalised trans people.

It is the most unconventional Xmas film to be seen this year, there’s not much tinsel here in Tinseltown, but Tangerine does leave its viewers feeling its warmth and humor long after the credits roll.

Tangerine should  … and no doubt will  … trigger a wider cultural conversation about the marginalisation of trans culture in modern cinema. Here is a teaser… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALSwWTb88ZU

 So if you think Tangerine isn’t for you, think again … this rip-roaring ride through Sunset Boulevard is surprisingly accessible..

Tangerine, comes from the colour of the L.A. sunset and is as juicy and tangy as the movie name itself.

Update by Aggie Reiter

5 Dec

Herald News …The Real Gospel Spirit is Back in Budapest – 2015.

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Entertainments, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

2012 The Golden Voices Of Gospel @ Stadthalle Speyer Mehr Fotos

The GOLDEN VOICES OF GOSPEL!

Hear, see, experience the real gospel spirit and be prepared to have often goosebumps!

Budapest Congress Center – 7 p.m. – Monday, December, 28. 2015.

District, XII., 1-3 Jagelló Road – Budapest

Even though the concert will be held after Xmas, never-the-less, at the GOLDEN VOICES OF GOSPEL concert will bring real loving messages and songs to enjoy by the audience. Beside God’s praise will bring superb feeling of the African-American feast of joy. Higher”  … “Walk in the Light”.

The GOLDEN VOICES OF GOSPEL, conceived, conducted and directed by Reverend DWIGHT ROBSON, is from St. Louis, USA, and is known European-wide for his acclaimed tours of „Golden Gospel Pearls” and „Golden Gospel Singers”.  Music style has no boarders … As a successful singer and musician, he has worked with among others … Michael Jackson ( awesome joint production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqRzXh6-KKc) …  also with Mariah Carey, Joan Orleans and the Weather Girls.

Further, he has had music chart hits of his own excellently received cover interpretations of “I Want To Know What Love Is” – Foreigner or  Shakles  –   Praise You  – Mary Mary.

Since March, 2001, he as well as other members of The GOLDEN VOICES OF GOSPEL have been performing in association with Walt Disney Inc. for a very special presentation of “The Lion King”. He was the star guest at the „Gospel Award 2005” – live TV Show in Berlin and is the musical director of annual “New Orleans Jazz Festivals” – Luxemburg and Austria.

Coming back to the evening show … the performers will take you along not only through the uplifting and powerful world of southern spirituals and traditionals, but also through more familiar ever-loved gospel songs. This unification of honest sensibility and inspiration giving their very personal and unique out reach to the audience, with the riveting insight into the authentic  joy-of-life … truly lived faith and religion.

The vocal range and variety of the repertoire of The GOLDEN VOICES OF GOSPEL is matched by the equally impressive piano, bass, drum and percussion accompaniment which reveals and celebrates throughout each performance. GOLDEN VOICES OF GOSPEL present a combination of the form and content of the African-American church service and a Black Gospel sing-along. A fascinating and inspirational experience for family and friends to gather and feel the music in their veins. It will be a kinda as being at a real African-American church service, that for many only seen through TV, video or other media channels.  To know more about the roots of contemporary American music, from cool jazz to driving rock be quicky and book your seats because they may soon run out!

Here are two teaser to bring the mood …   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHN6jDAH5t8 …  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuUzKvKjYD8

Unfortunately,   the online tickets to be ordered are still having only the sites in Hungarian language … good luck! http://www.e-jegyiroda.hu/budapest/the-golden-voices-of-gospel-koncert#iframe-jegy

Never-the-less … can be purchased, even aready on the spot at Budapest Congress Center.

 

Update by Aggie Reiter

4 Dec

Basilica Advent Fair – Gastronomy-Tour – Budapest – 2015

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Bazilica – Street Food Boulevard.

To see a number of monuments and attractions in Budapest, it is really  an excellent place to visit, and a not to be missed city in addition to many other historical monuments in Europe. Beside among the values of the city, at the season of Advent in December with the twinkling lights bringing almost daylight, the Advent Fest arrives to the Basilica in Budapest. The Basilica venue is by itself, no mater what  time of the year is a fabulous place to visit. Also during the coming three weeks, locals and tourists visiting  the surroundings venue at the Basilica will not attend to an ordinary gastronomy-tour.  They will be rolling on a Food Boulevard of plenty! Anyone can see the fresh and unique food bites how they are prepared by their own two eyes.

Tasting of a number of Hungarian flavors, homemade delicious food to ease the hunger is the right place to be!

The first stop could be at the Finlandia, the first  time to bring to the fair steaming hot, exciting  variations of flavor cocktails. The Serbian food  can be tasted for the first time  during the Advent Fair at the “Yugoslavian Grill” stand, where veal, pljeskavica with cheese, bacon of mangalica, Tucana peppers are filled in the original receipt of flat bread. Their meals already well-known in Siófok at the Balaton Grill. Everyone knows that there is no longer a nation such as Yugoslavia.  The name Yugoslavian Grill now hold the several Member States different special meals of these  regional states. They say they collected a couple of regional food receipt and brought to taste them in Hungary. Stopping by the ZingBurger, taste the usual quality offers. Try the delicious homemade buns prepared with Angus beef or foie gras spiced with delicious crunchy onion rings. At the KOLBice wooden house, serving their own idea of handy food with mini-flavored sausages in a funnel-shaped bread. Already highly popular among locals and tourists. Tourists are already head-over-heals after tasting the mixture of mini-sausages in these „tunnel-shapped breads. May see it outside Hungarian boarders, because it is already patented throughout Europe. They have on the spot offering: GLUTEN-FREE KOLBice, FITNESS KOLBice, VEGA KOLBice, KOLB-dog. The Mexican food is closer than you think, need not have to travel miles-and-miles away to have an awesome taste. The MexKitchen offers the most popular Mexican food, burrito, quesadilla, chimichanga. Furthermore, they come with different hot cream Soups of the Day. Tried the creamy avocado – green peas soup was heavenly heavy soup. The Hungarian version of Buffalo Bill is Bill-Engorge … chicken, turkey and pork meat prepared in “offset smoker”… through simmer for hours-and-hours. So the  American Western hospitality is just at your fingertips. For the real gourmets familiar to Hungarian flavors will not  be missing, fried sausages and plenty of other Hungarian non-spicey and mild flavors to be caught up at the HunDog.

Beside easing the hunger, the sweet tooth folks will also find their taste.

Being out for a while and after becoming loaded in the street food dishes, turn your eyes over to the deserts. Visit   “The Box” – Donut wooden house. Stop  to grab a real taste of Hungarian donuts. Will surely make a real surprise for locals and foreigners use to the regular taste of donuts. Feel the difference, rich in flavors, all are handmade delicacy, dipped in Belgian  Callebaut chocolate, with premium quality ingredients and as they say … Made with love for you! Make your Day with the pálinka filled donut, look for the one with the black mustache.

A grand selection of tasty domestic freeze-dried fruits sealed in a jar of Acacia honey.Tthese are offered at the ÁMEI wooden house. This year’s new feature is the unmatchable combination of honey and fruit all in one. These handmade products go very well to spread on bread, or to give a heavenly taste in yogurt, or simply boost a cup of tea, cereal, oat-flakes or mixed with cake.

Do not expect to be on an ordinary gastronomy-tour. There is not by the foreigners well-known the goulash soup. A new chapter in street food now at the Basilica Advent Fair will be having the real Hungarian fish soup and also fresh fish will be available to support the housewives in doing their pre-shopping for Xmas meals … the Hungarians main dish at Xmas eve is eating fish in all forms.

From the opening to the closing hour at the gastronomy-tour visitors are welcomed from the nearby offices, office employees, business people to enjoy the variety of  splendid delicacies  they do not have in their everyday meals

 

Update, snaps Aggie Reiter

2 Dec

Advent Fair … “Bálna” – Whale Center – Budapest – 2015.

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Advent – 2015.

 Entertainment –  Leisure –  Mulled Wine, Food Street Fair, Theater productions,  Concerts,  Ice Rink!

District, IX., 11-12. Fővám Square – Budapest

The spirit of the Season Advent truly begins when for the first time hearing WHAM’s  hit  at the shopping malls … Last Christmas tune. This is also when the Spitzer, the beers time is over for a while, and  instead  the delicious, floating scent all around  the city tempt to catch up with the mulled wine.

Today at the “Bálna” – Whale Center was announced in the  “Esetleg” –  Maybe Restaurant and Bar the imminent programs to be held in the coming three weeks during the Advent  Fair.

There is not a better thing around Xmas time when it gets chilly and need to warm up or just enjoy the flavor, to have carefully a mixture of either red or white wine seasoning hot drink with added cinnamon, cloves and oranges.

In-and-outside the “Bálna” – Whale for the coming three weeks real specialties are to be this year in celebrating the Season of Advent. Be prepared for the bustle and hustle and enjoy as much as you can time out with family, friends at many of the programs they offer.

The sight by the River Danube is already  a specific venue to hang around and the concerts given by well-known Hungarian groups, bands you will not wish to miss, after all they are all free of charge. Already set up a skate rink just  right outside at the  entrance to the Whale Center. Those who wish to skate but has not skating shoes, there is a possibility to rent skates, so for families coming along with their children that’s a perfect treat.

The Whale building can be easily reached as seen  from far ahead, a huge whale formation on the Pest-side, just a few steps from the Liberty-Bridge.

If you have visited the ice rink, prehaps skated, visited the gift pavilions, have your mug of mulled wine  and in the meantime may wish to grab some food, then of course you do not need to leave the venue, because on the spot several previously known and popular Street Food  fine dining catering will be present.

On the opening day, December, 3., the evening’s concert goes off at 8 p.m. with the concert of Ákos Dobrády –  known from the ensemble TNT.

As already mentioned the Whale Advent Fair for the first time is organizing a series of  programs lasting for 3 weeks. Within these programs wish to underline during the Advent days theater production will be on stage by the Karinthy Theater, the “Újszinház”– New Theater  – „Micky and the Santa Claus” – a 40′ theater performance. The “Fészek Szinház” – Nest Theater. The Trampoline Puppet Theater – “Baby Jesus”, nativity scene tale. It will be a „gingerbread” theatrical performance. On  stage the set design will be a huge gingerbread house. The interactive musical tale ends with the tasting  down the gingerbread house . The kids can go up the stage and according to their taste  take part, eating up the model. The only request by Puppet Theater to that families to coming along with their children and bring some gingerbread items so they will be also spread around to all the other kids present aswell.

For the Harley-Davidson  lovers, will be out on display a couple of models  as well.

At the scene ticketspasses will be available to purchase to all a/m indoor theaters as well.

Considering the time of season … departing to the Whale Advent Fair,  nothing else need to keep in mind than to prepare yourselves to dress up nice and warm, scarves, hats, gloves and that’s all folks!

Update, snaps Aggie Reiter

1 Dec

Curry is Hot … So is the Indian Dance – Rákóczi Square Market Hall – Budapest – 2015.

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Curry is Hot and so was the improvised colorful indian dance show at the  Rákóczi Square’s Market Hall, at the 2nd oldest market hall in Budapest.

The intention was in promoting the series of special cultural event within a Flash Mob style the traditional indian folk dancing. When the music began, it quite a bit surprised  the  sellers, traders and of course the shopping folks, and they stopped and walked closer to watch the colourful indian dancers.

As we know a country’s culture can be well introduced  through its food, so it is fair to say they cannot be divided … it goes hand-in-hand. So where else can it be a better place to go on with  the show than a foody place.

Below a peek into show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq77QZe-x-I

Update, snaps, video Aggie Reiter

 

30 Nov

Flashnews … Happy 80th Birthday Woody Allen!

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Entertainments, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , .

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Woody Allen Retrospective and Reloaded!

Classics in the Urania National Cinema
District, VIII. 21. Rákóczi Road – Budapest

One of the world’s best writers and directors on-screen and also known by many Woody Allen and His New Orleans Jazz Band who also performed here in Budapest in the past, but this time remembering or easily remembered movies, especially because of being special to those Woody Allen movie lovers can be see his most favorite ones.

On the 1st of December he will be celebrating his 80th birthday. He  was born in Brooklyn, on December 1, 1935.  He is the  director who has the ability to talk about the most important things in life with such irony and joyful spirit like no one else  … no matter if it’s identity, attraction, past, sins, gods and humans, creation or all the distress surrounding these.

Happy Birthday – Woody Allen!  How better can it be to celebrate his birthday in Hungary than to screen  some of his awesome films. Stating on the date of his birthday  7 p.m. December, 1. 2015, with the movie from ’77  –  Annie Hall. Not too much of a surprise, it has recently been voted by the Writers Guild of America, as the funniest screenplay of all time! In the following couple of weeks  the audience may see 4 other incredibly rich masterpieces to return again on the big screen.

The retrospective event will bring back the director’s favourite’s themes, like …  love and criminal complications, creative crisis, deep self-examination. The first two movies will be projected with the legendary dubbing of András Kern who was Woody Allen’s Hungarian voice, while the other three will be screened in original language with subtitles.

Screenings will take place at the Urania National Cinema: December, 1. –  7 p.m. Annie Hall  – dubbed version, December, 15. – 7 p.m. Manhattan  – dubbed version,  January, 12. 7.p.m. – Hannah and Her Sisters  –  original version, with Hungarian subtitles, January, 26.  7 p.m. – The Curse of the Jade Scorpion –  original version, with Hungarian subtitles, February, 9.  7 p.m. – Hollywood Ending  – original version, with Hungarian subtitles.

Have fun again and relive those pleasant  memories and  prehaps for those viewers who were born much later will find  their own piece of favorite movie …. not worth to miss it out. Tickets available on the spot.

Update by Aggie Reiter

30 Nov

Israeli Film Week – Budapest – Hungary – 2015.

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Entertainments, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!. Tagged: , , , , .

Israeli film week Budapest 2015.

Puskin Cinema

 District, V.,  18.  Kossuth Lajos Street – Budapest.

Budapest Jewish Film Festival is the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe.

Movie lovers are more than welcomed to watch films which are screened once-a-year  m Hungary during the
israeli film week festival in Budapest.

The festival will take place between the  December,  3. – 9. 2015., with a line-up of the latest movies depicting today’s Jewish culture and heritage.

The Israeli Film Week has reach it the 19th.  anniversary  to be screening in Budapest.   The audience can watch both older and new films at Puskin Cinema as well as  to take part in listening to lectures. The Israeli Film Week is cooperation between the Embassy of Israel in Budapest and the Israeli Cultural Institute.

The Puskin Cinema is right in the middle of the Downtown area  and can easily  can say it is one of the most spectacular cinemas in Budapest. The Puskin  Cinema has been screening moving pictures since 1926, and back this was the largest cinema in Europe. The cinema went through a couple of reconstructions. To-day it has 3-halls  equipped with excellent visuals and sound.  Worthwhile to look around before the screening to see its  superb architectural and interior design.

Films within the coming week:

Thursday,  December, 3. – 6.30 p.m. – Dancing Arabs,  8.30 p.m. –  Apples from the Desert,  6 p.m.  –  Te’alat Blaumilch, 7.30 p.m. –  The Dove Flyer.

Friday, December, 4.  –  6.30 p.m. –  Zaytoun, 8.30 p.m.  – Yael Perlov: Water Project (After the screening Yael Perlov will be answering questions), 6 p.m. –  Szallah Sabati, 7.30 p.m. – Before the Revolution

Saturday,  December, 5.  – 8.30 p.m. – Yael Perlov: Coffee Project (After the screening Yael Perlov will be answering questions), 8.30 p.m. –  Dancing Arabs, 6 p.m. –  Ervinka, 7.30 p.m. –  Hill start.

Sunday, December, 6. –  6.30 p.m. –  The Green Prince, 8.30 p.m. –  Border Living, 6 p.m.  – Hashoter Azulay, 7.30 p.m. –  Only In New York/Peace After Marriage.

Monday, December, 7.  –  6.30 p.m.  – The Dove Flyer (After the screening an expert will be answering questions), 8.30 p.m.  –Before the Revolution, 6 p.m.  – Te’alat Blaumilch, 7.30 p.m. –  Big Bad Wolves.

Tuesday, December 8. –  6.30 p.m. –  Apples from the Desert, 8.30 p.m. – Hill start, 6 p.m. –  Szallah Sabati, 7.30 p.m. –  Border Living

Wednesday, December, 9. – 6.30 p.m. – Only In New York / Peace After Marriage,  8.30 p.m. –  Zaytoun, 6 p.m. – Ervinka, 7.30 p.m.  –  Big Bad Wolves.

Update by Aggie Reiter

 

29 Nov

Advent Feast at St. Stephen Bazilika – Budapest – 2015

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District, V., Szent István Square – Budapest

November, 29. 2015. – January, 2. 2016.

The Advent candle lighting at the St. Stephen Basilica took place at 3.30 p.m. The square holds floodlight, gorgeous lighting to bring the real spirit of Xmas.

Every half-an-hour will resound the Nutcracker fairy tale music with stunning pictures on the monumental facade of the St. Stephan Basilica. This animation is filled with exciting light bulbs brought by the Hungarian visual creative group, the Kiégő every day.
During the Advent Festival a series of Xmas-themed music will be broadcasted.

As a gift to Hungary a production by ExperiDance showed the world premiere productions of Angels Choir.

The event’s supporting partners beside others was the representative of Toyota Central Europe and József Kocsis – Xerox Hungary greeted the huge number of audience on this wetty and chilly evening.

György Snell –  bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, opened the Advent period and lit the first candle of the Advent wreath.

Locals, tourist who visit the venue along with family, friends will certainly enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy its fascinating activities, booth sales of the season each-and-every-evening.  In the middle of the square for the children is set a free ice rink with a huge Xmas tree in the middle. The organisers thought of the little ones as well and provided a free child care and play area.

The organizers also prepared to bring to the venue a series of cultural spectacular programs for the time being until  January, 2. 2016.

Insight into the stunner light show:

 

 

Update, snaps, video by Aggie Reiter

27 Nov

Original Finnish Santa Claus Joulupukki arrival to Budapest – Hungary

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Entertainments, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

joulupukki_fa_netti

The Original Finnish Santa Claus Joulupukki arriving for the 13th occasion to Hungary! Saturday, November, 28. 2015.

Joulupukki’s visit to Hungary is organized by Finnagora, and Finnish Institute in Budapest.

The Original Finnish Santa Claus arrives for the 13th time to Hungary in the end of November 2015. Santa Claus, or Joulupukki as the Finnish children call him, comes straight  from the Lappish town of Rovaniemi not on  his sledge, but with the support of  the Finnish Airline – Finnair.

Joulupukki has been visiting Hungary since 2002. Already, brought happiness and smiles to thousands-and-thousand of children. He has been visiting several towns and cities throughout Hungary.

During his nine-day stay in Hungary, spreading the Xmas spirit to everyone. In addition to the public events, Joulupukki is also going to visit schools and orphanages. On his schedule will be visiting several cities and towns as: Surd and Zalaszentbalázs, Nagykanizsa, Pécs, Komló, Geresdlak, Ajka and Veszprém.

In Budapest children with their families may meet him in the Shoebox Castle, the Hungarian Baptist Aid venue at the Deák Square and at the Christmas Market – Downtown – Vörösmarty Square.

Joulupukki’s visit to Hungary is organized by Finnagora, the Finnish Institute in Budapest. Date and times: November, 29.  3 p.m. Budapest – Deák Square – Hungarian Baptist Aid’s Shoebox castle, November, 30. 10 a.m. Kőbánya  – Szabó Ervin Library  Disrict, XI., 7-14. Szent László Square – Budapest, Gödölő – December, 1.  3.30 p.m. Christmas House  – 4. Szabadság Road,  Pécs –  December, 2.  5 p.m. Széchenyi Square – Christmas Fair , Komló December, 2. 12.30 p.m. , Surd  – December, 3. – 1 p.m. Integrated Community Service Square,  December, 3. 3.30 p.m. – Zalaszentbalázs – Culture Center –  92. Kossuth Street, December, 4.  9.30 a.m. 11. Kossuth Lajos Street – Sport Arena – Zalaszentgrót, December, 5. 9.00 a.m. Petőfi Theater, 2. Óvári Ferenc Street – Veszprém, December,5. 4 p.m. 12. Szabadság Square – Ajka, December, 6. 10 a.m. Christmas Market Fair – Vörösmarty Square – Budapest.

Update by Agge Reiter

25 Nov

“The Tale of Prince Genji”- Japan in Words and Images – Budapest 2015.

Posted by www.rollinginbudapest.com in Budapest - Hungary, Entertainments, Herald News for Hungarians who speaks English!.

Hopp Ferenc Asia Art Museum

“In Search of Prince Genji – Japan in Words and Images”

Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts – District, VI. 103. Andrássy Blvd. – Budapest

 November,  26. 2015 – April, 2016.

An exhibition definetely worthwhile to visit for art, culture and history lovers!

In Search of Prince Genji – Japan in Words and Images is the next show in a series of exhibitions presenting traditional Asian art from the collection of the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts alongside Hungarian contemporary artworks. Its focal point is the aesthetic ideal of traditional Japanese art and its reception in Europe.

Referred to as the world’s first novel, Genji monogatari (The Tale of Genji) is considered as one of the most important literary works of the world.

Written in the early eleventh century by Murasaki, a lady-in-waiting at the Japanese royal court in the Heian period, the book recounts the adventures of a fictional character, the shining Prince Genji, in 54 chapters. The attribute ‘shining’ or ‘radiant’ (in Japanese: “Hikaru”) is an allusion to the refined intellect, taste and demeanour of prince Genji as well as to his other-worldly beauty. Despite being a fictional piece, it records in detail the customs of the Japanese royal court as well as the culture and etiquette of the Heian period. Although Genji monogatari was written for the entertainment of the court circle of Lady Murasaki, the author’s sophisticated ability of observation and meticulous description made the novel one of the main chronicles of medieval Japan. Thanks to the repeated modernisation of the Japanese text, the tale of the shining prince remained alive in contemporary Japanese culture, in a way that can only be matched to the Bible or ancient Greek myths in Europe.

The perfect beauty of Prince Genji and that of his world represents traditional Japanese aesthetic ideals.

Ever since the novel’s appearance, its various scenes have been widely depicted in paintings, woodcuts, lacquer works, ceramics,, and other art forms (photography, theatre) have also used it as a precious source. The collection of the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts preserves many artefacts, ranging from the late seventeenth century until today, that retell the story of Genji in either a narrative or symbolical way. Creating a balance between image and text, the current exhibition aims to show the novel’s uninterrupted presence in Japanese culture, while also displaying Hungarian artworks in order to illustrate its inspirational role in world literature and fine arts.

The exhibition wishes to present The Tale of Genji on several levels. It provides information about Lady Murasaki, the novel’s author, as well as about the structure of the text, the main events and the characters of the story. The importance of Genji pictures in Japanese visual arts are illustrated by narrative (yamato-e), symbolic, and parodistic (mitate) depictions. Games linked to the Genji monogatari (and how they were payed) in early modern Japan are shown through various artefacts. By walking through the halls visitors will learn about the artist of the highly valuable Genji album in the museum’s collection, about the structure of Japanese poems, or waka, and an entire set of Genji karuta (a 108 piece card deck) from the early nineteenth-century can also be seen.

The closing section of the exhibition is a double homage: the atmosphere of the old imperial capital, Kyoto, will be conjured up in words by László Krasznahorkai and in photographic images by Zoltán Gaál. Image and text are linked as closely in the presentation of the Hungarian works as they were in the earliest Genji manuscripts.

The exhibition is accompanied by a Hungarian and English catalogue including essays by several authors and rich in reproductions. Besides the studies on literary, photographic and art history, the volume contains a summary of the monumental novel (some 1,500 pages) about prince Genji. Each chapter of the story is illustrated by the corresponding picture of the Genji album of the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts, thus publishing the work in its completeness.

Source: Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts

Update by Aggie Reiter

 

 

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