“Autumn in the Krúdy Quarter” – Óbudai Társaskör „The Budensis social circle” 2015.

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Reaching the Season of Autumn, the September’s programs closing the events at Óbuda (Budensis) was connected to the harvest and fine wines namely: “Autumn in the Krúdy Quarter” at the Óbudai Társaskör „The Budensis social circle”, District, III., 7. Kiskorona street – Budapest, on September, 26.2015. Was an evening of mingles with literature, music and wine tasting programs. Within the program was featuring, literary wine tasting with Tamás Dúzsi – winemaker of the year 2014, Csaba Zöld – actor, Attila Dóka – guitar and Donát Tépő – verse sound performance. The evening’s artistic director was Attila Zoltán Szabó – writer, poet – editor in chief of the Nyugat Plus (West Plus). This and other gatherings are in Hungarian language.

About the venue … the Óbudai Társaskör „The Budensis social circle”, is located in the old center of Óbuda near the neighborhood of the Royal Palace. The area’s  surrounding holds buildings dating back to the turn of the century and many have had been restored to its original appeal. The Óbudai Társaskör has partnered with the Museum of Hungarian Trade and Tourism, Kéhli and Mókus Restaurant. Mária Harsányi – director’s words: „Culture and gastronomy, our goal is to serve as an authentic venue for Krúdy programs since Gyula Krúdy (novelist Gyula Krúdy born 135 and died 80 years ago) lived in the building that is now the Museum and frequented Kéhli Restaurant and the coffee shop which was part of the building that is now the veneue of the Óbudai Társaskör „The Budensis social circle”.

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

Óbuda (Budensis) Cultural Center presents III. Fall’s Wine Festival – 2015.

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III. Fall’s Wine Festival – Óbuda (Budensis)  – District, III. Főtér – Main Square – Budapest.

September, 26 and 27. 2015

Participate at these programs during this week-end free of charge!

It is good thing that our country is not only  in winemaking successful, but having the input to the wine  consumption  culture!

During the week-end, the audience have an opportunity to get to know, taste some of the famous wine regions offers, while taking part, enjoying high-level shows and performances by music bands. In-and-around the Főtér – Main Square,  at the wooden houses excellent Wines and Jolly Good Rhythm awaits for a gathering of friends, offering also exciting culinary delicacies.

Hungary’s best wine makers on the spot, and their wines you might have not yet tasted, but by the end of the day your going to love it.

The Óbuda (Budensis) Wine Festival is awaiting everyone who are less in favor to the quantity, but rather choose the quality wines.

Here at the wine festival are introduce, a  couple of wines from different wine regions. Beside tasting throughout the two days on the main stage … Music programs will fill the air: Saturday, September 26,  2 p.m.  Bela Rák Jazz Band,  4p.m.  Bin Jip,  6 p.m. Blue Rabbit Hammond Trio, 8 p.m.  Hot Jazz Band. Sunday, September 27,  2 p.m. Group’n’Swing, 5 p.m. Myrtill and SWINGUISTIQUE  and  7p.m. Budapest Band.

Just to highlight two wine makers on the spot: The Tarjányi winery – Region of Eger. The winery is considered as the youngest producers, but already reaching step-by-step their high-quality wines. The proof of their good wines by the visitors was easy to see with busy hands in serving the curious visitors. Yes,  one of their specialities is the Sparkling wine the White and Red. These wines are kept in barrel aging, and are made in the traditional way, as it should be in the large walnut tree barrels. Their venue as they told lays at a perfect surrounding, and just to relax sipping the wines under the vine arbor,  or sitting out on their bench overlooking the sunset is something which you just cannot find everywhere.  Of course when the season come to do so. They also hold wine tasting for groups of minimum 10 person, serving two types of wine snacks and oven-baked hot food. The tasting cellar can receive up to 35 people and at the arbor maximum 25 people. Prior appointment required through tarjanyikft@gmail.com They also produce grape jams. Szentpéteri Wine Cellar – Kunsági Region need not have to be introduced, already at a previously update can be followed here  www.rollinginbudapest.com. The Szentpéteri family own wine cellar collect,  produces from the best located areas their own raw materials from Kiskőrös and Soltvadkert. Due to geographical attributes having youthful vigor, light, fresh and extremely fruity, high-quality wines their wines are known and popular by the locals and had also already having awarded wines at Grand Wine Festivals.  The varieties of grapes reflects on the palette of wines. They are using traditional manner in collecting the grapes by hand and in use of modern technologies to form the white, Rose-, reds wines, which are characteristic of the region hungaricums.

Other wineries on the spot: Vincze Winery (Eger), Takler Wine Estate (Szekszárd), Psenyeczky – Fruit wines (Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County), Laposa – Wine Estate (Badacsonyi), Gombai- Wine estate and champagne cellars (Etyek), Demeter – Winery (Eger), Csobánc – Wine Manufactory (Badacsonyi), Bernát – Winery (Tolna), Nyolcas és Fiai – Wine House (Eger)

Update and snaps  Aggie Reiter

Hungexpo – Exhibition of Agriculture – Budapest – 2015.

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This fall once again the Hungexpo – Budapest Fair Center is organizing the 77th OMÉK – National Agriculture and Food Exhibition between September, 23-27. 2015.

 

The main objective of the largest agricultural and food exhibition in Hungary is to demonstrate the achievements that have been made during the past year. Also upon traditional farming is to present the forms and the way to enviroment friendly and effective farming whereas at the same time beside the agriculture experts, farmers, nine touristic regions join the fair to introduce their sights-and-sound, special local food and traditions.

During the exhibition many demonstrations, stage programs, interactive attractions and intimate stalls can be visited, also offering traditional food – home-made cheese, jams, sausages, folk items, a wide scale of Hungarian wines from the wine regions, meat and fish food. Talking about fish food …  two celebrity stars, singer Zséda and Peti Puskás had prepared at the OMÉK’s kitchen walleye fish dishes. The two stars intention was to raise attention and popularize the “Get it!”  fish consumption campaign booth.

 

Chef Róbert Bede gave instruction for the celebrities behind the kitchen desk. At the “Get It!”  stand  leading chefs will be holding cooking shows throughout the exhibition where the visitors can learn how to prepare quickly dishes, the unusual way from different kind of fish as: walleye, trout, carp or catfish.

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

The 9th. National Restaurant Week – October, 12-18. 2015. Budapest and Countrywide

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At the 101 year history tarnished Café Astoria Restaurant was held the 9th National Restaurant Week  press announcement and later luncheon when the event’s  full menu was presented. Levente Szőcs – restaurant manager introduced one-by-one the fantastic flavors the guest to visit the restaurant can taste at the Danubius Hotel Astoria restaurant.  Miklós Lizsicsár – manager St Andrea Wine & Gourmet bar and restaurant also invited guests to the venue. László Mészáros – Disznókő Vineyards and Winery Director introduced the lovely aperitif wine kiss by the sun from Tokaj.  Zoltán Kiss – organizer of the National Restaurant Week –  Dining Week, moderated the press gathering. As we learn, after the grand success arranged National Restaurant Week held in the spring, the coming fall once again will be serving lunch or dinner at the forthcoming 9th National Restaurant Week.  Guests have a chance to get acquainted with more than 50-50 mid-range and upper-class restaurants and their cuisines especially to be prepared for this occasion in Budapest and throughout the country.

In addition to the special food, just at a few restaurants the guest will have the opportunity to taste one of Hungary’s best wine region’s, wine from Disznókő Tokaj, made from late harvested grapes.

At the last Dining Week more than 23 thousand people visited one of the participating restaurants. In fact, many went back  to the website having reserved several other restaurant’s t dishes.

The prices have not change, same as previously during the National Restaurant Week. Those who book a table in advance, may reserve the high quality, three-course menu served for 3,300HUF. There will be also a list of restaurants serving so-called “Premium” menu for the price of 4900HUF, using the most expensive and highest quality ingredients.  The outstanding quality of the Premium menus is backed up by the Michelin-star restaurant partners. Both menus include the tax and service fee within the price.

The reservation can be made freely by choosing from among the participating restaurants only through  the website www.etteremhet.hu

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

 

New trams on the horizon for Budapest – Hungary

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In the coming months in Budapest can be seen the old tram not running anymore, because a significant number of trams will be replaced by  the Spanish made – type CAF Urbos3 trams.

This year and in 2016, the total number 47, CAF Urbos3 type of trams  fully air-conditioned depending on the season’s need, also having low-floor assessable tram will arrive for the Budapest’s travelers said István Tarlós – Mayor of Budapest on the opening at the official ceremony. So, in the future the locals may see and have the experience rolling on the tracks in Budapest on the first CAF trams on several routes.

Also learn from the Mayor about the  number and size of the CAF fleet. A total of 47 trams will be  available to the travelers. These will be two types of trams in size. Thirty-five short and twelve in length  long trams.

There will be 35 short in length trams, allowing 200 people in use on the 34-meter long tram having 46 seats. The long tram in length can carry 345 individuals and having 81 seats. A longer version of this type barely beats the Combino trams, because of the length of 56 meters and within this figure it is the longest and highest capacity tram in the world.

The replacing CAF Urbos3 in Budapest belong to the same in type of family. These rolling trams are in use at many cities in Europe,  like in Debrecen, Freiburg, Zaragoza, Malaga, Besançon, Belgrade, Nantes and far away in Australia as well.

At the official ceremony was present the Ambassador of France to Budapest,Dr. Kálmán Dabóczi – Director of BKK and others representatives. After the ceremony boarded the CAF Urbos3 brand new tram and took a short ride.

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

XIII. Harvest time at Kiskőrös and Slovak National Days

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Celebrating the XIII. harvest of grapes a 3 days festival was held at Kiskőrös together with the Slovakian Days. Was fine time to get together and exchange the mutual commons and have a taste at  the  Kiskőrös – “Lowland” – plain area wines in Hungary. The invitation was upon by the Szentpéteri and the Vass winery.

The wine region of this territory is called the Danube lowland or the plain wine region. This region holds 109.760 hectares, namely the „Kunság wines”.  The wine culture here goes back in time recorded  of the wines of the „Golden Sand”. Also the records says the vineyard were already popular known during the Roman emperor in the III. century.  Mostly known from this area are the  wines named: „Kövidinka” – “Ezerjó” – “Gold Sárfehér” (Gold muddy white)” and the  “Kadarka”.

Upon arrival a short presentation was held at the Wine house of  Attila Szentpéter and Mária Pivárcsi Ms. Vass who both talked about their wine house.  Then after the invitation to a fine local lunch was introduced and  tasted the wines that goes perfectly well to the dishes.

Attila Szentpéteri, originally an agricultural engineer, became slowly in love with the thought of having a winery. His winery is  at the „Old grapes wine cellar carved into the sandy hill”. His number one wine the „Nero” – specially made as a rosé was promoted at national and international competitions. As he added, to have quality wine you need quality grapes. and here at Kiskőrös the unique circumstances bring special wines. Even though this area has been  for ages producing wines said Attila Szentpéteri,  they are still looking for to find their unique connection expressing their wines the „face of the region” … just like other wine regions have connected their wines to their area, culture or past history events.

Mária Pivárcsi Ms. Vass, the owners and producer of the Vass winery said, it  is a family run business since 1998. Their wines are made from their own harvest grapes and some grapes brought from  the surrounding area. The wine cellar provides 3500 hl. The storage space, handling and storage of wines takes place in 25 to 100 hl steel tanks. She added being happy to say the Vass winery’s wines has been in row standing  for the 5th year as the city’s white wine produced by her winery.

Even though this area has been  for ages producing wines said Attila Szentpéteri,  they are still looking for to find their unique connection expressing their wines the „face of the region” … just like other wine regions have connected their wines to their area, culture or past history events.

During the three days programs, beside tasting at the booth the rich in flavor wines, were also rich in urban traditional culture events and food. High number of  audience visited the traditional folklore programs. Even a large number of  Finnish tourists were waving their national flags to show the locals their present, enjoying their stay and awaiting to see on the main stage the local folklore singers and dancers.  There were the  series of  viticulture lectures whereas the  „Kiskőrösi Gondűző Wine Knight Order”, invited guests and professional wine makers were present.  The presentations where mainly about the Danube and Tisza area grape cultivation history. The wine makers of Kiskőrös back-and-forth were changing experiences on speaking of ideas how to stop, prevent the grapes attacked by phyiloxera  that mainly destroys, hits the „Bianca” grapes while making Bianca wines.

As the end of the lectures came the wine knights parade started. More than a dozen wine knights were present and as they rolled on the main street of Kiskőrös  the people welcomed them with cheers. Reaching the main stage awards were handed over for the-best-of-the best wine makers.

Just an extra thought … many things goes through the mind when it come to Kiskőrös,  for example … Hungary’s great poet „Sándor Petőfi’’ hometown, several museums, monuments and city events.

Mentioning also widely known in Europe, that Kiskőrös is the land of famous thermal spa. Not just the locals, but a couple of  foreigner countries citizens  who have already relaxed and recharge themselves come back to enjoy nature’s gift. Also at this area, a large number of Slovakian individuals live and they are keeping their national traditional within programs and delicious home-made kitchen.

Smaller and large wineries welcome their visitors for wine tasting, giving by professional and knowledgeable service. So it is worthy to visit this area in having a wine tour and enjoying the sights as well.

The citizens of  Kiskőrös have become more-and-more to know their lowland wine makers. Not yet,  a high number, but hopefully from around the nation and foreigners will get to know more about the Kiskőrös wines as being on wine map of Hungary.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

Final results of the Nation’s Cheese Competition – Budapest – 2015.

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 The SZEGA Foods this year organized its III. Cheese Nations competition, having  17 countries race.One Hungarian and 16 internationally acclaimed cheese manufacturing countries competed in the traditional specialties.  Namely the competition was to select, vote for “Hungary’s favorite cheese” .

The qualifying round was held between  August, 24. 2015 until September, 8. At the SZEGA  market, district II.,  121 Erzsébet Ave. – Budapest  those folks interested to taste  fine cheese  could have voted on the spot or  may have shown their favorite cheese by visiting the store’s internet site. Was kind of challenge to really choose and vote for their favorites  from the 17 countries cheese.

After the first round the voting continued between  September, 9 to 13. By then many local and foreigner individuals selected  their kind of cheese. So the competition kept on running to receive  the title of best, most tasteful cheese of 2015 in Hungary. Day-by-day at the SZEGA Market the climbing up votes appeared  at the local display screen and followed on the internet.  The winner(s) were announced at  the venue of the 24th Wine Festival – Royal Castle on September, 13. 2015., The competition ended with an award ceremony.

Here are the result of the competition receiving  awards: 1st Pater – Hungary, 2nd Sartori Merlo  – USA , 3rd Provolone – Italy,  4th Comté – France, 5th Dubliner – Ireland.  6th Belgium –  Hervé La Bière, 7th Switzerland  –  Appenzeller .

This year for the first time, the United States of America,  as a guest nation,  also entered the Nation’s Cheese competition and the voter showed  surely their appreciation of the fine „Sartori Merlot„ cheese.

Unfortunately, even though the nations cheese were very flavorful,  yet excluded from the award, but still the audience very much enjoyed their cheese … Spain – Idiazabal,  Netherlands  –  Edam Balls, Portugal  –  Sao Jorge, Estonia – Forte Classico, UK -Leicester Red, Denmark –  Danbo, Germany  – Limburger, Greece –  Kefalotiri,  Austria – Mölltaler Almkäse,  Czech Republic – Zlata Praha.

Well it seems like for a year to the completion 2016 had come to an end, but for those who missed to taste these delicious cheese during the period in time, may not have to be down, because all year around at the SZEGA Market these Nation’s Cheese can be purchased.

Update and snaps Aggie Reiter

Békéscsaba – Jókai Theater – Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors”

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Attended at a theater performance you just don’t find on every corner. Was Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” at the Jókai Theater at the City of Békéscsaba. This play was the first premiere of the new season. The play is still popular anywhere, anytime around the world since the Renaissance. Shakespeare’s masterpiece is filled with laughter and always in a way tragic, but surely provide some lessons to be heard! An unbridled comedy where complications, jealousy, vanity and human weaknesses show up. Even  though this  piece of Shakespeare was written in 1592, we may feel familiar within the similarities in the 21st century and some tragic lessons can be recognized even to-day.

At the entrance of  the Békéscsaba Jókai Theater invited guests were welcomed along the red carpet by Péter Fekete – former long time director  of the Békéscsaba Jókai Theater, who applied for the position to be the Head at Hungarian Circus and Variety Office  and Zoltán Seregi former deputy director  who is from  August, 1., in charge acting director at Békéscsaba Jókai Theater.

The scene takes place at city of Ephesus where, as each city can be found among the inhabitants the bad girls, merchants, privileged people and servants, so it is simple as that.  Shakespeare perfectly presents the audience laughter and tragedy at the same time.

The performance offered a parade of stars who were all to ensure perfect evening. Imre Csiszár – Jászai Mari Prize and Outstanding Artist directed a quality performances at Békéscsaba. In the role of Antipholus of Ephesus – Zoltán Bezerédi -Kossuth Prize actor from the Katona József Theater in Budapest played the role. Shakespeare’s comedy was staged by the translation of Imre Szász. The costume designer – Györgyi Szakács – Jászai and Kossuth Prize. The music has been compiled by  Virág Csiszár. The stage movement was designed by Péter Mlinar.

Shakespeare’s works focus on the ageless and people skills that make the play  eternal, high-quality performances perpetuate, Solinus, the role of the Duke of Ephesus was the Jászai-winner – Gyula Bartus, Aegean Syracuse trader Ferenc Jancsik. A set of other great actors with their colorful diction was Ferenc Katkó, Attila Gulyás, Lajos Csomós,  Tamás Presits,  Lajos Szabó, Attila Czitor and Keve M. Ormandy. Emilia, Aegeon’s wife and the nun prioress was played by Edit Kovács, Adriana, Antipholus of Ephesus’s wife by Anett Komáromi, Luciana, her sister by Melinda  Liszi. The House of Theater Studies students were given a chance in many multi-playing acts.  Individual and community conflicts, situation comedies and characteristics an inexhaustible reservoir.

Complete works, validity and popularity of Shakespeare  are authoring wisdom, humor, based on visual points. The performance on stage was very lively, a real bustle.  Four buildings … two residential building, a convent and a locale  and the actors were  running in-and-out,  around the places.

Everyone is looking for something … in a rush for their money, looking for their  pair,  or just wants to fulfill their master’s command. Because of the confusion the roles are mixed  up. They do not find their place in the world, they feel they slipped their ground from under their feet, have lost their personality, their identity, became a stranger in their own environment, they experience serious spiritual crisis. Quite ordinary story, it happens often, even to-day, with, in and around us. Quite often to be left no legs to stand on.

The dramatic tension dissolves only at the end of the play when the roles are clarified and come to be a Happy The-End.

After the play, the guest were invited to the reception party at the theater’s hall, whereas the  award ceremony also took place during the evening of the Wine Knights of the Region. Beside the seven men there was only one lady who bore the title of wine knight arriving from Szeged.

Update and snaps by  Aggie Reiter

Rolling on the tracks – MÁV Nostalgic Train Budapest – Esztergom – Budapest

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Living through experience on board at the  series of  events!

András Szendrey, word-by-word a real railway man. He got addicted with the rolling wheels on the track many decades ago and his love both internal and on international train track routes. For over two decades he is the director of one of the most popular local and tourist outing holiday routes. Here goes the latest rolling with the MÁV – Nostalgic Train abroad surrounded by a company of friends. This was the first rolling train Budapest via Esztergom on September, 11. 2015.

We boarded a train and before leaving the Nyugati Railway Station,  András Szendrey warmly welcomed the “travelling crew” and introduced  the forthcoming programs packed for us. The evening’s hostess t was singer – Lilla Vincze. To get into the rolling mood, Palinka and Chimney cake was served and in the separate music carriage live music and bar to enhance the atmosphere.

Arriving at Esztergom, visited the Esztergom Cathedral, there after at the St. Adalbert Center we have participated  at a short concert given by the hostess – Lilla Vincze – Emerton Prize-winning Hungarian singer and – Attila Dóka  – musician, writer, composer. After the joyful concert attended at a welcome reception given by the center in honor to the traveling visitors.

On the way back „True or False” game with surprise gifts and the Star Holiday group’s  music under the feet to the dancing  addicted folks most probably made the travelers a trip to remember.

By-the-way the voyage is named “Roll with Us” which started with invited media representative, local and foreigner individuals is within the series of events to come. Stay tuned to the forthcoming  rolling on  the tracks with the MÁV Nostalgic Train adventures.

Within the series to the next to coming up experience to the rolling adventures on Saturday, October, 3. 2015, the MÁV – Nostalgic train will be leaving to Dolná Strehová. This is the homeland and where Imre Madách wrote his masterpiece – „The Tragedy of Man”.  Throughout the day will bring to life Imre Madach’s „The Tragady of Man, also an opportunity to have some sightseeing before lunch. Thereafter, paying a visit to the Madach’s Manor House.

For further information http://www.mavnosztalgia.hu/en/content/mainpage

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

III. Nations Cheese Competition Finalist to be announced – Budapest

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Sunday, September, 13. 2015. – Budapest

at the 24th Buda Castle Wine Festival.

Just a couple of steps from the cable car, this coming Sunday, September, 13., will end and announced the III. Nation’s Cheese  competition. Then it will turn out by the votes received by tasters which cheese gain to be the most popular by the  Hungarian and foreigner voters.

As in the previous update

Cheeseville – III. Nations Cheese Competition Finalist at the Wine Festival – Buda Castle – 2015 – Hungary

at the end of August was held a friendly meeting in introducing, seeking the selection of the finest cheese among the variety of 17 competitor nations best cheese.

Find out the runner-up cheese at the 24th Buda Castle Wine Festival where the competition results will be  completed. The ambassadors who entered the race with their cheese  will also be present at a separate stage within the venue at the Wine Festival. Up-till-now, the voters figures on favorite cheese are narrow. Getting closer to the runner-up is the Hungarian Magyaralmás Diary Pater standing in the second place.

Anyway the race has not ended yet. The cheese lovers may roll over to the Buda Castle Wine Festival and still vote on Sunday until the final  countdown for their favorite.

It is said the weather will be a comfy indian summertime … See you there.

Update  Aggie Reiter