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

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District, XIV., Vajdahunyad Castle Promenade – Budapest

For a month you may taste the world’s winter festive meals.

December, 13, 2019 – January 12, 2020.

The organizers of the Advent Basilica, the most beautiful Xmas market in Europe elected on the basis of votes have launched another special event. Namely: Winternational is the first international winter gastronomy festival in  Budapest – Hungary.

What is actually Winternational, get to answer by visiting non less than delights from 25 vendors offering from 15 country‘s winter cuisine.  The organizers held a walk-through tasting press gathering by visiting the food booths. Entrance  to the venue is at the light-painted dome tent. Skip-the-line tickets, cause entry is free of charge.

As the visitors will be entering the venue will be greeted by eye-catching fairy tale settings: a lantern forest, light-painted dome tent, a magical miniature carousel for the kids to have fun on the chilly days of the season, and to view the iconic building of the renewed Liget park is just minutes away. Also reaching the spot many may be passing the Monuments of Hero Square and then will catch the eye of the magnificent sight of the Vajdahunyad Castle. 

When it comes to the winter traditions around the world may see not the same in every country. In Europe, Xmas is typically celebrated, but there are countries where there are other tradition such as the Western and Orthodox Christian. Not all keeping the holiday it the same way. However, when time comes in celebrating their special event, families gather and enjoying number of programs, along with traditional food and drinks.

In Hungary the main Xmas dish still kept tradition, for Xmas eve fish is prepared in several ways, famous Hungarian fish soup, baked fish with dressing and different fillings of beigli (cake).
In Eastern European origins flavor turkey with trimmings, keilbasi (Polish sausage), cabbage dishes, and soups.

Traditions kept around the world …. In the Anglo-Saxon culture, some regions  Santa Claus called (Chimney John) brings the gifts for the kids.. In Sweden, it is celebrated throughout December and traditionally until St. Knut’s Day on January 13. In Finland people believe that Santa Claus or Father Christmas lives in the northern part of Finland called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic Circle and they bring the gifts to young ones. Almost every year in Israel celebrate during the same time Hanukkah at Christmas. Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights and it remembers the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, in Israel. This happened in the 160s BCE/BC (before Jesus was born). Hanukkah is the Hebrew and Aramaic word for ‘dedication’. In Australia, at this time of year it is summertime, schools out and celebration beside spending time to avoid the heat stay around the beach or in tents where the presents are normally exchanged between families on Christmas Day.  Santa sometimes gives the reindeers a rest and might use kangaroos to travel with the gifts for the kids. He also changes his clothes for less ‘hot’ ones! Children often leave out carrots for Santa’s reindeer and there might be some cake for Santa, with some cold beer but it’s often non-alcoholic because Santa has to drive his sleigh back home to the North.

There is also at this time of year around the world a certain identity for good wishes, spoken in local languages, for example: Sweden: God Jul, Finland: Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic Circle and they greet each other by saying: Merry Christmas. Indonesia: Selamat Natal, Irish-Gaelic: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, Israel-Hebrew: Chag Molad Sameach meaning “Happy festival of birth”, Italy: Buon Natale, Malaysia-Bahasa / Malay: Selamat Hari Natal, Native American-Yupik: Alussistuakeggtaarmek, The Netherlands -Dutch: Prettige Kerst (Happy Christmas). Also China celebrating their most important holiday the Dongzhi Festival. So, if any of the visitors to the Vajdahunyad Castle meet any of these tourist may great them in the mother tongue language.

The Winternational is really just a few steps from the sumptuous Hero Square and the Budapest’s largest outdoor skating rink just across the Castle. Either of these hot spot venues are definitely to visit by tourists on the cool days. Spend your vacation, or relax  not missing this wonderful location while staying in Budapest making the fullest memories. A must-see and must-taste experience.

The gastronomy of these religious and cultural diversity was sought by the organizers to introduce and present to the locals, tourists staying, foreigners living in or outside of Budapest to  pay a visit to the Winternational Gastronomy Festival. Visitors can sample American (Buffalo Bill steamed meats), Germans (sausage delivery), Belgians (sweeties) French yummy (light vegetable and ham pies), Chinese (herbal drinks). Naturally, can be found in many places traditional Hungarian delicacies of the kitchen, and who are longing for hot drinks can have a taste of the delicious “AfterEight flavor hot chocolate, also with a touch of rum or with clove version. Also mulled wine and hot tea is not missing, to warm up the visitors. During the Winternational Gastronomy Festival, the Chinese Tourism Agency will permanently open a Pandah House with a special decoration, where besides the permanent programs (coloring, panda searching, photo tree) there will be exciting events, a fine place for the children to keep themselves busy.

But surely for the lineup of gastronomy delights the visitors need not have to get on a train nor fly over long distance and in hours to reach these delightful food.

At the Winternational feastival, expecting a decorated Xmas tree, don’t count on it, cause not all the countries at the venue keep … as said a bit earlier.  … the Xmas holidays in their country.

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m, Friday 10 a.m. -7 p.m, Saturday 10 a.m. -7 p.m, Sunday 10 a.m. -7 p.m.
Xmas: December 24. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., December 25 and 26. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: Tuesday, December, 31. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
New Year:  Wednesday, January 1, 2020. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Update, snaps © Aggie Reiter