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

SCOTERPES JACKDANIELS  … THE MILLIPEDE

In every era and in every country legends embody a fascination blend of characteristic folks that are a part of our popular history. Some legends may grow with their grandeur as each poet, each singer, or even an each brew. Whatever the legend entails, it enriches the lives of the hearers.

Tennessee has many legendary characters, one of the legends that will continually spark interest is the one from the Cave Spring Hollow whereas  Mr. Jack Daniel’s first registered his distillery. The other will be hopefully kept up to be the weird and wild millipede, who probably only wished to stay warm in the caves ground of the famous whiskey maker in Lynchburg – Tennessee – US.

The legend of Mr. Jack Daniel’s legendary story has 3 parts … the man … his whiskey … the shape of the bottle. So,  the interest of preserving this legend, the story is once again recounted.

It wasn’t a Breaking News event, yet it shifted around the world’s newsdesks on  the 3rd of January. A many-legged bug was discovered in caves on the grounds of the famous whiskey maker in Lynchburg, Tennessee.  Mr. Bill Shear, the expert living in Virginia was the name father to a millipede. He named it after his most prefered whiskey, Jack Daniel’s. The bug’s pre-name is: Scoterpes.

I wonder, if Jack Daniel’s would have taken this as a compliment?  Also wonder, how would the buggie stay alive being an addicted bug to Jack’s whiskey and not getting its daily snips. Will it be able to celebrate its next year’s name day.

A human being snipping all day long would hardly be able to stay firm on the ground on his two feet. Even the buggie is crawling on its 100 feet most probably had a hard time being  in coma,  completely out of space filled with that yummo Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

The story gets more weird, as learning the millipede found there is a new species. Probably it’s the result of the loads of whiskey that made the mutation.

Most probably the bug was just keeping itself in double pleasure, while licking the whiskey,  it watched the world go by and stayed warm.

How come the millipede could coop with this “speedy” 64% ALC. Even the Hungarian Pálinka is a killer of that measure.”

Be aware, if ya find a millipede in your closet, you should quickly drink your Jack Daniel’s before it crawls into your bottle and I would just like to add  to keep in mind … dont drink and drive to-night!

News source provided by: Ms. Ildikó Kelemen – Red Lemon Media

Updated by Aggie Reiter

Reiter Ágnes

aggie.reiter@gmail.com

 www.rollinginbudapest.com

WISHING ALL YOUR DREAMS TO COME TRUE, SUCCESS IN YOUR WORK AND HAPPINESS IN YOUR PRIVATE LIFE

I hope and look forward to the coming year of 2012 when I will have more-and-more options to be at special events and then I will be able to update you all about them.

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NO OTHER NIGHTS – WAS ONLY A ONE NIGHT XMAS SHOW!

YOU SEE, YOU’LL HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER YEAR FOR SANTA C. TO COME!

The stage came alive with the greatest Christmas hits as you’ve never heard them before! The whole show rolled on with the accompaniment of a big band. Their special Xmas costumes really enlighten the show. I have never seen on one stage so many Santa Claus and Santa Gals!

Hungary’s well-known fab performers spiced up the evening’s show. Of course beside the Xmas notes that couldn’t have had been left out, the artists sang their own hits as well.

On the stage one-by-one joined the band and sang their well-known songs: (Zséda)  Ms. Adrienn Zsédenyi, Ms. Kati Wolf, Ms. Vera Tóth, Ms. Gabi Tóth,  Mr. Nikolas Takács, Ms. Ildikó Keresztes  and rocked the night away with Gábor Gönczi’s Smile Rock Circus Band.   Many standing on the platform couldn’t resist non to dance or just tap the beat to the superb well-know songs.

The interactive show on the background and the light technic were superb, had all the ingredients that a real professional show has to be reached for  the qualification to a  high standard. The “only” thumb-down was for the poor and non clear sound. The singer voice were not clear and were hardly heard. There must be some sort of a node at the Syma Hall. The technical stuff and the sound engineers were probably on vacation … such a pity. Sometimes the singers voices were swept away by the band’s hitting the sound. It’s not my first occasion being at a concert in the Syma Hall.   Was a couple of occasions and last time at Mr. Brian Ferry’s concert and oh boy, what a shame, a pitfall to have such an unpalatable sound and not to mention, to do that with an awesome artist! I really hope the locals and groups to come to the Syma Hall will have a better technical stuff  to their forthcoming concerts.

I believe that all the folks on the stage did their best and under the bottom line, it was a great evening seeing, hearing (?!?) live performance of

Hungary’s latest stars that night.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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CREOLE  BAR WELCOMED PARENTS WITH THEIR LITTLE CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE AT A PARTY WHERE THE KIDS LEANT AND PREPARED THEIR OWN HAND-MADE XMAS DECORATION ITEMS

Date: Sunday, 18 December 2011.

Time:  Noon until 4 p.m

Place: Creole Bar  – 5 District. 7-8 Roosevelt Square –

Budapest

With great pleasure I dropped by to be present at an invitation of families with their children to join an unusual Xmas celebration. The scene was at the Creole Bar, on the Pest side, just a few steps from the River Danube.  During the past years the Creole Bar formed a tradition to hold in December a charity gathering. A part of their entire annual income goes to helping those in need.

Around noontime the place started to fill up with children and  some came along with their parents. It was a little wonderland for the kids, so many things to see, eat, listen, touch and form their own little gift. Just to mention a few things around the tables: healthy good food,  a traditional Hungarian  Xmas cake the “Beigli”

(The name of the cake: BEIGLI is originally from a region in Silesia. Throughout Europe it is well-known and kept its form since the 14th century. The Hungarians bake this cake as a tradition cake for Xmas. It had been spread by the Austrian mediation during the 19 century.)

Also varied pieces of sweeties, hot chocolate, high-quality programs, craft occupations, skill exercises, playful competitions, face painting, balloon figures, gifts and lots of wonderful surprises awaited big and small guests.

Invitees include celebrities, journalists and employees of the company’s family as well. The event also invited the Hűvösvölgyi Szlávy Street Children’s Home.The Children’s Home came along with  a total of 25 kids. The main goal was bring and show them a little celebration, the magic of Xmas! In these Institutions, the majority are those children that belong to the so-called marginalized parents. These children are really missing the family bonds and ties. Same as in many parts of the world: truancy, poor social conditions, domestic abuse, parental alcoholism, parental relationship breakdown and so forth.

At least for a couple of hours the magic, the warmth of joy filled the hearts of the little kids from the Children’s Home inside the Creole Bar.

A magician diverted the kids attention by involving them into his tricks. The kids eyes seemed to be sparking of excitement.  When the whole event ended at 4 p.m.  and upon leaving the area, every children received a Xmas package. Not that they weren’t already excited throughout the whole afternoon, the packages were cuddled and smiling faces full of joy really made their day.

Many celeb’s were invited, yet only a few could make it:  Ganxsta Zolee and his daughter, Tünde Kiszel and her daughter and Laci, the former competitor of VV (Real World).

 Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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CONVERSATION ABOUT LITERATURE – SPICED WITH ARTISTS.

A mutual event together with the Open Air Theater and the Kossuth Publishing.

The whole idea was to keep the culture rolling along the road even in the cold season days would not have had been possible without the care by Ms. Theodóra Bán, the Executive Director of  the Budapest Summer Festival.

For the first time the series just began within a literary tea-party at the Garden Theater Restaurant.

Thanks also goes out for the support  from the Kossuth Publishing House and the Garden Theater Restaurant were we spent a late afternoon with the spirit of Mr. Frigyes Karinthy.

A bit away from the everyday world there was a warmth relaxing enjoyable afternoon despite of the foggy cool weather outside the areas of Budapest and the cuppa of warm tea was simply delightful.

Honored invited guests were present Mr. Marton Karinthy, grandchild of Mr. Frigyes Karinthy, József Székely, actor, Zoltán Friar put together a program of the recently published series of Karinthy literature. Mr.Bernard Babicsek entertained the large audience by playing on the Harmonica instrument.

(Throughout the Hungarian literature Mr. Frigyes Karinthy (1887–1938) was a distinguished Hungarian author and poet. The most famous, most popular, most read, endless time quoted comedian. Not to mention what a great philosopher he was. In the eighteenth century he was the most consistent and conscious representative in the age of the enlightenment. Within his great novels, he often amused his readers with his different views on life and philosophy. In his time he was perhaps the most original, the most striking theme novelist. He was really an awesome short story writer. The most beautiful poems in literary works were written by him. During his whole life he has written only two thin booklets, but he is more marked with his verse parodies and literary history.

Mr. Frigyes Karinthy was the son of a petty-bourgeois family. After his graduation, despite the cultivation of human science, intrigued, so first physics-mathematics arts became intermittent, then he studied as a medical student.)

Ms. Ágnes Laszló, Head of Communications, Kossuth Publishing talked in the swim about this brand new idea in get-together in the land of culture. Now in December for the first time opened its doors. They wish to carry-on this notion in the forthcoming months with other invited distinguished eminent persons. Yes, the Garden Theater Restaurant, is the scene that will present the stage from autumn up to the spring months until  the warm summer nights will arrive and the festival season will open its gates again at the Margaret Island. Ms. Theodóra Bán, the Director of Summer Festival was pleased to have found the perfect environment and co-operating support at the scene of the Garden Theater Restaurant. Also said she is trying to please the audience and residents of the district with these afternoon culture tea parties.

Upcoming dates to the get-together:

January, 15. 2012

February, 12. 2012

March, 18. 2012

April, 15. 2012

May, 13. 2012

At each-and-every gathering the audience will receive „Delic-Art” surprise and gifts.

The tickets include a welcome cuppa tea.

Each occasion, 10 Gift Pack will be drawn of Mr. Frigyes Karinthy sequence of his first three volumes published by Kossuth Publishing Institution.

As the cream on top of the cake, occasionally 10 Budapest Summer Festival discount card will be raffled.

No parking fees at the  Garden Theater Restaurant.

There will be at every gathering informal conversations with the artists after the show.

Thanks to the Garden Restaurant discounted tickets with a dinner option for viewers will be available on the spot after the event.

Ticket prices for adults: 1,200HUF. Student and retired individuals: 600HUF.

You can purchase your ticket at the Office at the Open Air Theater, 6 District,  68 Nagymező Str. Budapest.

Garden Theater Restaurant reservation and ordering tickets: +36-1-301-0147.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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The first woman in the world whose portrait decorates on a locomotive. It was none other than Queen Elisabeth, the Austrian Empress.

Around midday the press and media representatives where called to Gödöllő to be present at the ceremony.The press gathering was opened by invited V.I.P. guest, who added some thoughts to this unique ceremony.

GYSEV, now has a tradition of keeping up  annually decorating their running locomotives with famous individuals faces. The past 3 years were: Haydn, in 2008, István Széchenyi, in 2009, and Ferenc Liszt, in 2010.

Mr. Zsolt Semjén, Deputy Prime Minister Opened the press conference by saying: “This is the Austrian- Hungarian railway company’s fourth consecutive year. During the past year’s by an excellent choice there were chosen famous Hungarian personalities portrait on these train that were connected to that year’s anniversary.

Mr. Pál Völner, State Secretary for Infrastructure at the National Development Ministry said the following: “The railway company wouldn’t have had found a better person to fit in our latest theme of the locomotives than Queen Elisabeth. The queen spent a lot of time at Gödöllő. She received the castle as a coronation gift and was fond to travel by train. During these times was built the integrated national railways. It isn’t a coincidence that the Queen Elisabeth’s portrait decorates, stands on a modern locomotive and the ceremony is at Gödöllő, in front of the railway station’s royal waiting room.

Grand Duke George Austrian Habsburg, expressed his thanks in the name of his family by saying the known quote of his father: “In these difficult times,  you should rely and be optimistic in the future history. Also thanked to have decorated in memory the locomotive to Sisi, the Hungarian Queen.

Ms.  Ilona Dávid, President and CEO – GYSEV Inc. The thematic locomotives are trademarks of our railway. Our company is proud of the Sisi-locomotive, we would like to pay tribute to our queen that was blessed with an excellent diplomatic sense.

After the opening ceremony came the main attraction,  upon the cut of the national ribbon came pull-off the covering veil by the V.I.P. guests from the Taurus locomotive. The V.I.P.’s received a piece of stripe as a souvenir. By this act the locomotive had been inaugurated and from now on it will be rolling on near and far route.

In Hungary many buildings and institutions are named after Sisi.

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

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The other day a  joint announcement was made at the press conference, held by the Hungarian National Broadcasting(MTVA) and the Hungarian Television (MTV). The main purpose was to announce “NEED A SONG”  to the forthcoming 2012 year’s Eurovision Song Contest arranged in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

Attending at this press conference was Ms. Kati Wolf, last year’s succesful singer representing Hungary with her song: “What about my Dreams”.  Also one of the young talented singers, Ms. Gabi Tóth was present and said she would be extremely happy to represent Hungary, at the next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Baku.

The Press Conference was held by: Mr. Ferenc L. Gazsó, Deputy Director General for Content Production at MTVA, Mr. Philip Rákay, Intendant of  Channel m1 and m2, Ms. Adrienne Szilágyi, Head of Entertainment, Hungarian Television and Ms. Ágnes Cserháti, spokesman lady of the Media Services and Support Trust Fund.

Deputy Director General for Content Production at MTVA, Mr. Ferenc L. Gazsó stated: “We are proud of taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest, next year. This will be our 12th occasion in participating at  the Eurovision Song Contest. With Kati Wolf’s participation in the year of 2011, we could show that after the integration of the Hungarian public service media, the song contest and its message reached a larger audience than ever before.” Also stated, Hungary is delighted to be a part again in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. Well known that each year more than 100 million spectators are watching  on the spot and through the TV sets. The songs will be selected, decided by a jury and there will be a tele-voting in each semi-final. Winners will be announced after the two semi-finals and will be broadcasted live on the Hungarian television, Channel: m1. The tele-voting will count as a result of one plus jury.

During the press conference the regulations were  announced by Mr. Philip Rákay: “All entries must be received no later than Tuesday, midnight, December, 20. 2011. Judging will be based on the originality, on excellence in songwriting and the composition with its style. The song has to be in a three minutes maximum length. The artists that will be participating on the  26th of May, 2012 Eurovision Song Contest must reach the age of  being already 16 years old. At the Eurovision Song Contest,  the song performed on the stage can only be of six people at a time. No live animal is allowed on the stage. A song call has been opened by MTV for local and foreign composers. All entries have to be absolutely originally new songs, i.e. not to have had been on-air, broadcasted earlier than the 1st of September, 2011. After the selection of the song it will be decided to who will be the singer to represent Hungary with it at the Eurovision Song Contest.”

Entries must include: written form of lyrics, the artist (composer and performers), authors have to supply press photos. Also have to attach the artist(s), the author(s)  biography of the CD in Hungarian and English-language. The CD must be prepared  with audio material and audio files in mp3 format. All the documents and CDs has to be sealed, posted as a registered mail.

Entries must be posted to: MTVA 3rd District, 64, Kunigunda Road – Budapest.

SO, TO ALL WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART  WITH A SONG REPRESENTING HUNGARY AT THE FORTHCOMING  2012  EUROVISION SONG CONTEST:

ON YOUR MARCH, GET READY, SET, GO!

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter

Super-fast mobile-net throughout the underground lines Number 2 (red sign) and Number 3 (blue sign) in  Budapest

Today afternoon was present on a demo show of the super-fast mobile Internet provided by the Vodaphone. The demo was on the running train especially brought to the scene at the Stadion Station (underground line number 2). Traveling through 20 minutes with speed from 40 kms up to the maximum of 70 kms/H  with changing underground line to number 2.  was a sophisticated experience. No ordinary travellors have ever had this treat before. The two underground lines are connected with uneven deepth yet only those could have seen the difference who traveled in the last train. Otherwise our sence didn’t feel a thing in the change of levels. We all received a small  pack of  Vodaphone goodies, included with a Santa Claus’s red hat.  That was a kinda distinguishing mark wearing Santa Claus’s red hats. The train didn’t stop at any station to pick up the passangers. We were  like”shooting stars” from station-to-stations. Most probably that evening there were two versions of that afternoon’s  experiences. For the media and press was for the first time to trvavel on this route and the first occasion to click and pick up the super-fast mobil internet while traveling cca. 38meters under the ground. It was working fine. While others  may have told their friends and family they saw a bunch of  happy Santa Claus’s with their red color hat speeding through the underground stations.

Even though December 6, is the day for Santa Claus arrival, but to-day on the 7th of December another kinda Santa Claus was the Vodaphone that brought a “present”  for the Budapest’s travellors  that use the underground as a method of transportation.

The announcement was made by Mr. György Beck, President of the Vodaphone of Hungary: ” In the beginning weeks of 2012 everybody will be able to enjoy the super-fast mobile Internet service. The service won’t only work on the stations, but all along the route of the underground tunnel as well.” He also talk about being in the 21st century and the standards are high. To add the support a 21.6 megabit download speed network ensures to be able to browse and read, write our mails, work a bit in advance or just simply listen to their favorite music back-and-forth through their journey. Spoke about his own experiences traveling on the London’s Underground lines. “There was no connect available, but heard the news that when the time will come for the 2012 Summer Olympics Games in London, the broadband-network will be available throughout the whole Underground routes in London.” Mr. Beck also added with joy, that here in Europe, Hungary is the first to bring alive this kind of Internet connection to people through the Underground transportation.  He was also happy to say there won’t be any extra payments for either of the two lines underground internet service. He has high hopes that many of those who are “addicted” to the Internet world and couldn’t have it in use earlier will now leave their vehicles behind and travel more often by the use of the Underground transportation. So hopefully the roads won’t be so busy as  they are to-day.

Another added information, in New York, the Internet connection only runs at the stations and ain’t any connection through the routes on the underground  tunnels.

Mr. Dávid Vitézy, Chief Executive at the Budapest Transport Center was satisfied with this new development. He expressed, the Internet connection on the underground transportation routes hopefully will be a huge support by making public transport more popular.

The delegate of Huawei Technologies, Mr. Jack Wei  gave a short overview of the company, saying  first their slogan: “To Enrich Life Through Communication”. Huawei is 11 years in Europe  and 5 years in Hungary and is a leading  multinational company that produce mobile, telecommunications  equipments. Huawei is rapidly growing and continuously invests in local markets. The company is based in Chine, but throughout the world is present at 150 countries with 120000 employees. At the end of his speech he wished to add the following: ” I am very happy that we are the first to have had made a joint with the Vodaphone  here in Hungary as to build the 3D service here in its capital, Budapest. Mr. Jack Wei talked about the use  of the super-fast mobil-net in Hong-Kong saying there is an extra “tunnel fee” for the use added to the basic fees called: “tunnel internet”.  The extra payments all goes to the company’s budget for the future’s technical developments.

Update by Aggie Reiter

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Mr. Gábor Talmácsi, the great motorcycle racer, the 2007 GP 125cc World Champion  recalls: “As a kid, I use to place my cleaned, shining leather motorcycle boots in my room’s window before heading to my bed and could hardly wait for the next morning to see what Santa Claus brought me” He deeply cherish these long past memories and never forgotten those days. When he was asked to take part in a surprise as to dress up as Santa Clause for the little patients at the”Pal Heim” Children’s Hospital he didn’t hesitate even for a minute. Thanks to co-operating partners Talma’s bags were filled with traditional Xmas packages and toys.

The Tesco Co. was one of the supplies that had offered the Santa Claus gift packs of chrunchy-munchies  to the little patients at the “Pal Heim” Children’s Hospital.

The major offer of goods came from the  Hungrana Ltd., the manufacturer, who delivered  – monitors, printers, laptops, baby scales, blood pressure meter and equipments to be in use for rehabilitation care.

The Hungrana Ltd. also  decided to give a helping hand by the offered E85 biofuel as to support the operation of the institution.

Talma also said: “It was such a heart-warming feeling to see the kids smiling and they seemed happy as I was spending my  time around them and to see in their bright eyes they had forgotten for the time being their difficulties. It was my pleasure to be a part of a good cause and to cheer up these small patients. A little care means a lot to those kids that live in the land of difficulties.”

Yes, to show and to give love doesn’t cost a thing.

Update by  Aggie Reiter

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OREX NEWLY OPENED A STORE AT ONE OF  THE BEAUTEOUS 

ABSOLUTELY PALACE IN THE WORLD OF WATCHES AND JEWELRY

A little bit of Paris in Budapest! When you roll along at the Andrássy Avenue you would feel your  rolling along on the  Champs-Élysées.  Cafés, luxury specialty shops and is one of the most famous street and one of the most expensive strip of real estate in the world.

So back to Budapest where another luxury store opened, the OREX – watches and jeweller’s by Dorotheum – Austria. This official opening was connected with a reception by invited special guest.

The Raymond Weil (Geneve) watches were out on display and Ms. Veera Collomb-Patton, Area Sales Manager opened the store by introducing  Raymond Weil’s history in the business of watches, saying: Mr. Raymond Weil, is a Swiss family firm. Founded in Geneva, in 1976. He has formed an exclusive position in the world of exclusive watchmaking. His watches are  present  around the world’s market and is constantly growing. Raymond Weil has just marked his 35 years of history  and is celebrating its ruby anniversary. As many may know the ruby, is one of the most precious stones, that represents:victory, love, happiness and most of all the passion for the family.

Like musicians who assemble musical notes into a work of harmony, the four members of the Raymond Weil  “clan” all know how to compose as a team and as individuals. In 1982, Olivier Bernheim, Raymond Weil’s son-in-law, joined the company and became its Managing Director and General Manager in 1996. The family company proudly celebrated  the arrival of the third generation with Elie and Pierre Bernheim. The latest watch is named after Mr. Raymond Weil’s  newly born granddaughter: Noemia.

Music and art are at the centre of the  Raymond Weil’s universe. Mr. Weil’s collection of watches reflects to the names of famous opera  composers: Verdi, Mozart, Don Giovanni, Nabucco etc. Art and Culture had always a special part in his life. His brand has long enjoyed close links with  our planet of music. Raymond Weil is also an active patron of Arts. He is closely involved in promoting young talents. He has the Raymond Weil International Photography Prize. It have had reach already to be the World’s leading photography competition. Not only the offered award, nor the famous partners, but the brands have attracted (Paris Photo, Aperture etc.)  perfectly that embodies Mr. Weil’s desire to provide a long-term support for the young artists”.

During the evening there was no surprise about the invited artists. Two famous opera singers were sharing piece of plays from world-wide know operas. Mr. and Ms. shared a beautiful evening in the house yard area with the charming lights of  Xmas. The event couldn’t have had been better organized with bringing closer the Xmas feeling. The touch of warming the heart (and body) with the excellent  hot-hot mulled wine,  roast pumpkin, roast almonds, sautéed  sugar-coated walnuts, baked apples and some crunchy-munchies. Close to the end there was a raffle along with the touch of Mr.  Raymond Weil’s unequivocal thoughtfulness: two tickets for two to the Hungarian State Opera House and a very special romantic prize: an evening ride on the horse-drawn carriage through the sparkling lights of Xmas decorated trees along on both sides of  the Andrássy Avenue.

The Orex shop is a little palace, not only rich with its watches and jeweller’s but the shop is charming that lies at one of the oldest streets in Budapest’s. Even not intending to do any shopping it is worthwhile to visit.

Opening hours:

10.00 a.m. – 6 p.m. weekdays

10.00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday

Update and snaps by Aggie Reiter