4 Apr
“Art After the Shoah” – Exhibition @ Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art – Budapest.
The exhibition Art after the Shoah brings together two artists who understood each other on both an artistic and human level in their efforts not to forget the injustice and crimes against the Jews. They first met at a Fluxus happening in Long Island in 1964, at a time when consumerism was unfolding and international relations were on the rise, where they mutually discovered each other through the radical, drastic and sometimes disturbing expression of their art.
Boris Lurie, born in Leningrad, immigrated with his family to Latvia in 1925, which the Nazis invaded in 1941 and killed all the women in his family, lived through several stays in concentration camps, but was finally able to emigrate to the USA with his father in 1946. Here he experienced his inner immigration, which, however, expressed itself for a few years in radical, mostly collage-like works and which motivated him to found NO!Art as a visible protest against superficiality and consumer maximization, which several artists joined. His friendship with Wolf Vostell, which began in 1964, is based on Vostell’s understanding and lifelong commitment to confronting the pogroms and, above all, often adopting the dress and habitus of Orthodox Jews himself in outward appearance. Unlike Lurie, however, the context of the post-1945 period with its current events was a great inspiration for Vostell, repeatedly relating them to Nazi crimes. Thus, works were created that – similar to Lurie – often used the collage technique as a field of association in order to illustrate the inner link between the death strip along the Berlin Wall and the Nazi extermination camps, or modern media technology with the propaganda machinery of Nazi rule. In his work, Vostell always sought to make visible the major political and social mechanisms that, despite the apparent “new times” and democratic consensus, were not so different from the workings of the Nazi regime.
Both artists thus reflected the dangerous delusion of a society through prosperity and upswing, to which – from their point of view – art also succumbed. The exhibition brings together these two important artists for the first time and focuses on the period between 1946 and 1998.
Curator: Prof. Dr. Beate REIFENSCHEID – Director – Ludwig Museum – Koblenz , Assistant Curator: Jan ELANTKOWSKI – curator – Ludwig Múzeum – Budapest, Consultant: Rafael VOSTELL – Director – The Wolf Vostell Estate – Berlin & Senior Advisor – Boris Lurie Art Foundation – New York .
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Boris Lurie Foundation, the Wolf Vostell Estate, and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. The exhibition was shown at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, the Kunsthaus Dahlem and the Ludwig Museum Koblenz.
Press release
Update by Aggie Reiter
3 Apr
The 30th Celebration of ESSCA @ Budapest.
Since 1993 – ESSCA has a campus in Budapest.
Upon invitation on October, 6. at District, IX. 6. Czuczor Street – took part at the event whereas Andrienne Terdik – PResston PR gave an introduction to the day’s event and Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray – director ESSCA held a presentation connected to the French higher education institution celebrating 2 days within a series of the 30th anniversary existence in Budapest.
On April, 6. was the ESSA second day, in cooperation with the International Women’s Club (IWC), organized a lifestyle day on the school campus. The International Women’s Club is the only registered international women’s club operating in Budapest, which was founded in 1981. The organization plays a decisive role in the capital in helping intercultural communication, coordinating community activities and implementing charity programs.
Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray – Head of ESSCA’s Hungarian office presentation namely was about the ESSCA history rolling up to to-day’s activities at the ESSCA School of Management – Budapest Campus. The university is considered one of the best business schools in the world by the Financial Times. It welcomes “students” (no age limit) from all over the world in Budapest.
History in a nutshell … The ESSCA School of Management, founded in 1909 with outstanding quality of the courses offering certified four international accreditations (EQUIS, EPAS, AACSB, AMBA).
Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray gave an update of to-day’s campus activities. In summary … the ESSCA a high-school diploma and confident English language skills are needed for successful admission … as education is held in English. They monitor not only the points brought from the high-school, of course that is also important. Experts also will scrutinized applicant to see as the future manager. They look at the student’s personality and motivation, and in order to assess whether the offered training fits the student’s attitude and professional goals and adding, the leadership skills are partly innate and partly learnable. That is why the management attitude, competences and skills of the applicants are also measured during the admissions interview tied to the graduation.
About the “students” – an adult tutor supporter is there from their admission to the school until the end of their studies. They not only helps the student in their professional progress, but to correct study method, in choosing the most suitable professional practice and their mandatory semester abroad, but also supports them in personal matters if in need. The instructors of the ESSCA School of Management are recognized researchers and practitioners of the profession, who impart the knowledge to the students in the framework of both classroom lessons and education based on company visits and business projects.
The management of the school pays high attention to the fact that the students acquire relevant practical knowledge in addition to serious theoretical knowledge in an educational environment that combines the most modern teaching-methodological solutions with in-depth academic and complementary current practical knowledge, as well as a humane approach. During the hiring interview, they are also curious about the applicant’s personality, what motivations drive him or her, and how much the future manager can be discovered in him or her. On the occasion of examination, if the student is not quite sharp on the awaited answer the tutor offers to gather with another student who better in that skill and learn together to catch up and if otherwise thee student is offered to carry on at some other domestic and international companies where his or her knowledge is more comfortable. The campus director highlighted that the leadership skills are partly innate and partly learnable. That is why the management attitude, competences and skills of the applicants are also measured during the admissions interview tied to the graduation. They take care to create a calm atmosphere during the interview and help the applicants to give their maximum performance. The instructors teach the students in world-class, modern rooms equipped with innovative technology, now covering 1370 square meters environment. In addition to the classrooms and study rooms and a well-equipped student kitchen suitable for studying and socializing outside of class.
The three-year undergraduate course is conducted in English language and upon completion the students receive the Bachelor in International Management with a French diploma and the degree is recognized by the French state of ESSCA, which is highly valued among multinational companies. ESSCA graduates sign a work contract even before filling out their studies with domestic and/or an international company.
The institution campuses located in France (Angers, Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Cholet), in Budapest – Hungary and in Shanghai – China .
After the greeting words and presentation, there was a time for a little relax held under the guidance of Mónika Vadai (Mother and Child), who said that our everyday life is full of good and bad influence and the stress leaves a mark on our body … many sit in front the computer with a bad pose which also may cause headaches or other pains, so need to loosens up some muscles to ease our day and within that thought were shown a couple of yoga exercises.
Before the main presentation started, a professional make-up presentation with products were introduced by Marionnaud perfumery, and the ladies on the spot could try some of the cosmetics.
Around noontime the representatives of the PResston PR, ZEMA jewelry and Hyson tea carried out a raffle and most of the attendees received gift packages.
Riport and snaps by Aggie Reiter
2 Apr
Temples of Art Series – Alhambra – Journey Back to the Past Into Our Present Day!
The Alhambra – the best-preserved medieval Muslim palace – Southern Spain @ Granada.
The film commemorates those who wanted to make the abstract idea of perfect beauty tangible. The documentary film dealing with the construction of the Alhambra in Granada and the craftsmanship of the theoretical and practical experts who worked on it was filmed with the latest digital technological solutions.
The origin of this fantastic Nasrid monument, one of the greatest masterpieces of Islamic art in the world, dates back to a simple fortress built in the 9th century, called “AlHamra” … “The Red”, due to the color of the earth. that was used in its construction.
In a statement from Spanish Television, announced the CGI and 3D digital technology to reconstruct Granada from the time of the Nasrid dynasty is perhaps one of the most wonderful building complexes in the world.
Isabel Fernández, well-known for her documentaries, directed the full-length cultural history informative film called Alhambra, made more lifelike with fictional scenes. The role of Ibn al-Hatib was given to French-Egyptian Amr Waked, who starred in the feature films Syriana, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Wonder Woman 1984 and Lucy, the latter opposite Scarlett Johanssen and Morgan Freeman.
The creation of the film was supported by the Patronato de la Alhambra and the Generalife, and the professional assistance was provided by the University of Granada and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, or CSIC. The Agencia Andaluza de Instituciones Culturales, as well as MEDIA TV Programming and ICEC took a role in the promotion of the film.
This is the first documentary whereas the film crew received a special permission to visit and film in the world-famous fortress palace southern Spanish city of Granada. Since 1984 listed on the UNESCO World Heritage.
Age limit above 12 yrs.
Distributed by Pannonia Entertainment
Recommendation by bAggie Reiter
2 Apr
Within the 10th International Theater Olympiad – the Budapest Dance Festival is Coming Soon
Between April, 27 to May, 6. National Dance Theater
The 2023 Budapest Dance Festival offers unmissable programs for those who are not only looking for the best performers of contemporary dance, but also the most exciting novelties.
Awaiting the dance-loving audience with ballet, modern and contemporary dance as well as folk dance productions whereas dancers from 58 countries, 400 troupes, introducing 7500 wonderful dancers taking part in the dance festival. All come to show their own culture on domestic stages and get to know the Hungarian Hungarian premieres and world classics process.
Shadow play and string quartet, Jim Morrison songs, Shakespeare, Bizet and Mozart opera adaptations
These are just a few of the interesting performances of the dance festival celebrating its 23rd anniversary, in which the most famous dance groups from Italy and Israel and performances from the biggest Hungarian troupes are waiting for you between April, 27 and May, 6. at the National Dance Theater for those interested.
This year’s festival on April 27 with Aterballetto, a defining figure of the Italian dance scene, which has been operating for more than 40 years. The dance group comes to Budapest with the performance YELED / SHOOT ME written by the choreographers Eyal Dadon and Diego Tortelli. The invitation goes out to take a special journey into the world of childhood exoticism in the interpretation of their sixteen wonderful dancers.
On May 1 and 2, are on stage the renowned international ensemble at the Dance Theater. The ambassador of Israeli dance art – Vertigo Dance Company Noa Wertheim comes with a new, spiritual work called Pardes, which was brought to life by the confinement caused by the pandemic. The music for the performance was composed by Itamar Doari, the world-famous percussionist.
These two exciting performances are also part of the program of the 10th International Theater Olympiad, a world theater meeting from Easter to St. Midsummer’s Eve. Of course, there is no festival without the excellence of Hungarian dance life and the biggest celebration of dance.
On April 29, the World Dance Day, the Hungarian Dance Artists Association and the National Dance Theater are preparing for a joint gala program. In addition to the performance of the choreographer who won the “Best Artist of the Season” award, part of the program is a celebration of the entire profession: awards are given to graduating students, beginners and already recognized performers, dance teachers, renowned creators.
Recomendation by Aggie Reiter
29 Mar
Rambo is Back in Action @ the Hungarian Cinemas
Digitally restored 4K version.
The Pannónia Entertainment screenings starting during the second half of spring with a limited-time re-presentation of Sylvester Stallone’s classics.
Having a list the characters played by Sylvester Stallone by name, would certainly mention the two R’s, Rocky and Rambo, without them being not in order. The screenings begins from April 13-19. starting with 1982’s Rambo – First Blood, which does not include its Vietnam veteran protagonist in its original title. Most of the screenings will be dubbed, but at the Cinema MOM will also offer subtitle version for those who prefer it in the original in English language.
First Blood is a more restrained, progressive, less big, but nonetheless memorable action-enriched cat-and-mouse play with a thriller in some places, which holds an actually deep drama behind it. These are precisely the strengths that made it permanent. Rocky IV is even more illustrative of the decade, but how slapstick became action movies with the two ’80s episodes is another story.
The 1985 Rambo II. program week will be from April 20-26. and the 1988 Rambo III. also will be shown from April 27 to May 3.
Either those who already fell in love with the “super soldier” in the VHS era, or those who would like to see -to get to know Stallone now may watch as looking at the time capsule of the 80s is their place to be.
Screenings will take place at Budapest’s Lurdy Cinema, Cinema MOM, GOBUDA Cinema, Pólus Cinema.
Update by Aggie Reiter
28 Mar
Exhibition Salvador Dalí – Journey in the Imagination of a Flame Mind now @ Budapest
Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquess of Dalí of Púbol (May, 11.1904 – January, 23 1989), known as Salvador Dalí. Step into the incomparable universe of Salvador Dalí, the artistic genius behind surrealist and futuristic masterpieces. The visitors will discover an immersive experience of the works and mind of the Catalon artist Salvador Dali.
Currently open to the public @ the Komplex – Budapest – Date from March, 23. 2023.
One of the world’s most famous Dali collections is the Dali Universe in Paris, where, among other things, there are 29 sculptures in addition to Dali replicas. The Budapest exhibition includes 150 original exhibition objects, bronze sculptures and graphic artworks prints, life-size sculptures, and other specially crafted works of art. In addition to his paintings, there are also surrealist furniture, several glass objects, and bronze sculptures. A unique VR experience awaits visitors in Budapest, where they can gain an insight into the world of Dali date is from March, 23. 2023.
Ticket price: 5000HUF which includes the VR experience as well.
Update by Aggie Reiter
27 Mar
Classic Aliens On Their Way Back @ Budapest
The classic Alien movies are back in cinemas!
Here is a trigger to ease the hunger for out-of-the-world movie lovers to experience the science fiction/horror works on the BIG Screen. This time for even more limited time.
From the second half of March to the middle of April, the first three adventures of Ellen Ripley will once again be shown on the screens. The screenings of the refurbished movies will be held one-to-one week @ the GoBuda Cinema and @ Lurdy Cinema, which recently joined the chain of the Pannónia Movie Ltd.
The “8th Passenger: Death” 1979 will be shown between March 23-29 in restored 4K, which was made for the director’s version. It was originally shown in Hungary in January 1981 and became the most watched Hollywood film of the year in Hungary, only preceded by Vuk (Hungarian cartoon)and some Bud Spencer – Terence Hill classics, but even in 2014, Hungarians showed great interest with over 10000 viewers. It will be worthwhile buying tickets well in advance not to missed to the Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror.
After Scott came James Cameron and action instead of horror. A.K.A. “A2 – The Death of the Planer debuted abroad in 1986, and came to us in April 1988. Since this was introduced with dubbing in the first place, a Hungarian-language soundtrack was made for it earlier than for its predecessor. Even though the film found itself in a much more crowded domestic presentation calendar (among others, the first “Terminator” and “The Winged Headhunter” were also released same time in Hungary. It was still the 4th most watched title of the year, which is an improvement in this respect, since Alien 5. The sequel, is here a good 20 minutes longer, and out to view from March, 30. to April ,5., but a digital renovation of the director’s version will be screened with even more playing time.
In the following program week, between April, 6-12, the finale of the event will be The Final Solution: Death, which was already shown here in its original year in1992, from which a renewed version of the extended cut will also be shown on the cinema screen, but however, has nothing to do with its director. Originally, David Fincher‘s roughly 2-hour movie debut was also held in domestic cinemas. It will be on screen as in a package for the first time since its distribution 31 years ago.
The films will mainly run in sync, however during the weekends there will also be a one-on-one subtitled option for each part in the two cinemas, so for the English ears will be an awesome experience to hear through their mother tongue language.
For Harry Potter movie lovers – keep your eyes wide open cause Pannónia Movie Ltd. is already preparing for its next series of similar screenings with an iconic film series from the 80s.
Keep in mind the age limit – above 18 yrs. old.
Distributed by Pannonia Movie Ltd.
Update by Aggie Reiter
24 Mar
XX. National Syngenta Wine Competition – Hungary 2023.
The National Syngenta Wine Competition was organized for the twentieth time, and this year a total of 501 entries were received from the region of Tokaj to Sopron. At the award ceremony of the jubilee competition, one bottle of wine each from the competitors were received to test by the jury.
The National Syngenta Wine Competition is also an important event for the wine industry. After a forced break of two years, the large-scale competition was organized again. A total of 501 entries were received from all wine regions of the country for the jubilee wine competition. The judges of this year’s wine competition rated 262 white wines, 166 red wines, 53 rosé wines, 10 champagnes, 8 sparkling wines and two sillers. 216 entries were received from the 2022 vintage.
The wines of the 2022 vintage are definitely promising, even though there was a lot of uncertainty about the success of the cultivation due to the severe drought. In the case of the fragrant grape varieties – Irsai Olivér – Cserszegi spicy, muscot 2022 was a particularly good vintage, and the blue grapes also produced quality crops in many places. The 28 gold medals also indicate that, despite the difficulties, the wines of the vintage represent quality. Together with the “competitors” from previous vintages, they formed an extremely balanced and strong field at the jubilee wine competition, therefore the jury members did not have an easy task at all.
Jubilee Wines – SynVino Awards
Béres Vineyard and Winery Ltd. 2017 Béres Tokaj’s six-to-date aszú, Zenit of Attila Maróti 2022, Zsolt Maul’s Premium Winery 2018 David Cuvée, and a Szentpéteri wine cellar selection of Nero Rosé 2022.
Great Gold Award
Great gold was recognized by Cezus Hun-Garden Ltd. – Cabernet Franc 2018, Fitomark-94 Ltd. 39. – Aura Cuvée 2019 and Tolcsva-Bor Ltd.
The jury rewarded the extremely strong field with big golds and in addition the jury awarded 114 gold, 312 silver and 6 bronze.
Update by Aggie Reiter
24 Mar
In Hungary, those preparing for construction or renovation have to expect high price increases in the coming year!
The annual press conference of Mapei SpA was held in the gorgeous environment @ House of Hungarian Music Budapest
Before the press conference, the representatives of the invited media were invited to the local Dome, where we took part in a Crossover-Classical-Contemporary-Electronic on an audiovisual journey.
After that awesome journey, about 50 people continued to their seat to the press conference hall. First, the CEO of Mapei SpA, Veronica Squinzi, talked about the background of the company which was founded by Rodolfo Squinzi– In the early days, it manufactured colored paints and materials for building coverings. In 1978, Giorgio Squinzi graduated in industrial chemistry, began internationalizing the company, both commercially and in terms of production, and opening their first small factory in Canada after supplying adhesives for installing the rubber surfaces used for the athletics tracks at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. Over the following decades the company expanded into Austria, United States, France and then the rest of the world, opening new branches and taking over other important brands, starting with Vinavil in Italy in 1994 and most recently culminating in its latest acquisition of Fili & Form. This growth strategy is connected with the need to manufacture adhesives and chemical products for the building industry within a 400–500 km radius of building operations to keep transport costs sustainable. MAPEI SpA currently operates 90 subsidiaries in 56 countries, operating through 83 manufacturing plants in 36 countries and each with its own quality control laboratory, and 31 research centers (including a corporate center) and in 20 countries employing 11,000 people. It operates a total of 100 representative offices.
After the general introduction, she turned to speak about Mapie’s today by saying the sustainable development is the most important of Mapei’s four pillars, which the company set as a goal in 2010. Q.: “The goal is to use high-quality building materials to create buildings that are as durable and sustainable as possible. This requires the development of many more recycled materials, all with maximum consideration of energy efficiency aspects. The company’s zero cold cladding product line fits into this line, which covers the entire range of cold cladding through adhesives and grouts in a sustainable manner, carbon dioxide emissions without.” Overall Mapei SpA expects the sales increasing of more than 6% this year.
Following Ms Veronica Squinzi’s presentation, Mr. Béla Markovich – managing director of Mapei Ltd., presented the company’s results for 2022 and plans for 2023. According to Béla Markovich, there is still a cochlear phenomenon on the market. In order for clients to avoid pitfalls when issuing construction/renovation works, they must be much more conscious when selecting specialists. He presented a website at https://www.szakemberajanlo.hu where a customer can find professionals who have created beautiful and handy things in the past and who can be trusted. This site may draw the customer’s attention to the honest professionals in need. How to choose a contractor so that you don’t go wrong. According to the executive, one of the company’s most important goals is to find good professionals and entrust them with construction work, therefore ensuring construction dreams to come true and not to become nightmare. Spoke about the situation here in Hungary regarding the wages Q.: “Upon Mapei’s information, the 8636HUF per square meter price already corresponds to European-level wages.” According to Béla Markovich, this slows down emigration, with such wages not worth for the majority of professionals to go working abroad. However, if demand continues to decrease, despite the high wages, without work, there is fear that the emigration of skilled construction workers will increase again. Around 43% of professionals perceive no difficulty in the supply of building materials. Only 53% experience minor difficulties, and 3% perceive significant difficulties. Most of them experience supply problems in the field of wood, insulation and tile products.
Just a picture in the frame … The larger job means the waiting time is longer. This time for minor repairs is 46 days on average, for minor constructions and renovations 56 days, for medium investments 66 days, for large investments 71 days. The general contractors have to wait most this year up to 75 days on average. A mason can work for 70 days, a tiler for 65 days. The minimum commitment period for water and gas fitters is 27 days, for building mechanics 33 days, and for electricians 40 days.
In response to one of the media’s questions Ms Veronica Squinzi said Q.: Despite the war in Ukrain, Mapei is not giving up on the Ukrainian market, where it has been already a distributor for many years. The company’s plans include the establishment of a production factory, but the armed conflict in the country delayed the investment. Mapei intends to participate as an active actor in the reconstruction of the country.“
Last but not least, the representatives of the media were provided with thorough information covering many aspects of the Mapie pillars.
Riport and snaps by Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 