BudapestZin

Hungary public holidays - 15th of March celebrating the 1848 revolution in Hungary

2010-03-12T08:42:00.000+01:00

The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 was one of many revolutions that year and closely linked to other revolutions of 1848 in the Habsburg areas. The revolution in Hungary grew into a war for independence from Habsburg rule.

Many of its leaders and participants, including Lajos Kossuth, István Széchenyi, Sándor Petőfi, Józef Bem, are among the most respected national figures in Hungarian History, and the anniversary of the revolution's outbreak, March 15 is one of Hungary's three national holidays.

The revolution started on March 15, 1848, with bloodless events in Pest and Buda (mass demonstrations forcing the imperial governor to accept all demands) followed by various insurrections throughout the kingdom, which enabled Hungarian reformists to declare Hungary's autonomy within the Habsburg Empire, under the governor Lajos Kossuth and the first Prime minister Lajos Batthyány. The new government approved a sweeping reform package, referred to as the "March Laws", that essentially created an autonomous national kingdom of Hungary with the Habsburg Emperor as its king. They also demanded that the Hungarian government receive and expend all taxes raised in Hungary and have authority over Hungarian regiments in the Habsburg army.

Hungarian hussar

Aware that they were on the path to civil war in the summer of 1848, the Hungarian government ministers attempted to gain Habsburg support against Conservative Josip Jelačić of Croatia-Slavonia by offering to send troops to northern Italy. By the end of August, the imperial government in Vienna officially ordered the Hungarian government in Pest to end plans for a Hungarian army. Jelačić then took military action against the Hungarian government without any official order.

With war raging on three fronts (against the Croats, in the Banat, and in Transylvania), Hungarian radicals in Pest saw this as an opportunity. Parliament made concessions to the radicals in September rather than let the events erupt into violent confrontations. Faced with revolution at home in Vienna too, Austria first accepted Hungary's autonomy. However, after the Austrian revolution was beaten down, and Franz Joseph replaced his mentally retarded uncle Ferdinand I as Emperor, Austria again refused to accept Hungarian autonomy. The final break between Vienna and Pest occurred when Field Marshall Count Lamberg was given control of all armies in Hungary (including Jelačić's). In response to Lamberg being attacked on arrival in Hungary a few days later, the imperial court ordered the Hungarian parliament and government dissolved. Jelačić was appointed to take Lamberg's place. War between Austria and Hungary had officially begun. (source: wikipedia)

Hungarian Hussar

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Hungary public holidays

UPCOMING Events in Budapest Arena

2010-03-10T03:30:00.001+01:00

2010. March - BUDAPEST ARENA

2010. 03. 14. GHYMES: Szerelmes Szabadság

2010. 03. 15. Republic Concert

2010. 03. 16. Rammstein Tour

2010. 03. 23. Harlem Globetrotters

The program of MÜPA (Palace of Arts - Budapest)

2010-03-09T15:19:00.003+01:00

Beethoven and the Ninth Symphony
Photographic exhibition from the Bonn Beethoven House

The Bonn Beethoven House is a research centre dealing with the composer’s life and work and houses the world’s most comprehensive Beethoven collection, while large scale reproductions help educate about the composer’s life. The exhibition places particular focus on Beethoven’s period in Bonn which exerted a decisive influence on him as he grew up: his father and teachers were members of the local orchestra, Archduke Maximillian Franz, archduke-elector of Cologne was one of his first patrons and Beethoven also became an orchestral member. It was in Bonn that he first met with his subsequent teacher in Vienna, Joseph Haydn.

One of Beethoven’s most important and best known works is the Ninth Symphony with its famous last movement setting of Schiller’s Ode to Joy. The exhibition presents the origins of the work and displays documents of its world premiere.

(source: The Palace of Arts)

Statue of Franz Liszt

2010-03-06T09:29:00.001+01:00

The statue of Ferenc Liszt is located on the square that was named after him.

Franz Liszt (October 22, 1811 – July 31, 1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist and teacher. He was also the father-in-law of Richard Wagner.

Liszt became renowned throughout Europe during the 19th century for his great skill as a performer. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age and perhaps the greatest pianist of all time. He was also an important and influential composer, a notable piano teacher, a conductor who contributed significantly to the modern development of the art, and a benefactor to other composers and performers, notably Richard Wagner, Hector Berlioz, Camille Saint-Saëns, Edvard Grieg and Alexander Borodin. (source: wikipedia)

Statue of Zichy Nándor

2010-02-14T08:35:00.001+01:00

Zichy Nándor (1829-1911) Hungarian aristocrat, politician. His statue is in the VIIIth district of Budapest at the Lőrincz Pap square. The statue was made by Antal Orbán in 1930.

Icy Danube

2010-01-30T10:52:00.003+01:00

The Danube looks special during the cold winter with these icy facade.

Grand Hotel Margitsziget

2010-01-20T13:08:00.004+01:00

Quite literally an oasis of calm and relaxation, four-star Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget is located in the middle of the Danube river, in the quiet and green environment of Margaret Island.

Connected by a heated corridor with the neighbouring building, that has a spa and wellness section, the hotel offers a traditional, old-style atmosphere, comfortable rooms with modern equipment, fine dining facilities and many services based on the healing waters of its thermal bath.

Surrounded by a picturesque park, yet still only a half-hour walk away from the heart of Budapest, the Grand Hotel Margitsziget is a great starting point for sightseeing tours (the Parliament building is only about a kilometer away), for shopping trips (WestEnd City Center mall is close by), for sport fans (lots of jogging tracks and bicycle paths), nature lovers (ancient trees and a small zoo), as well as those interested in culture (open air amphitheatre).

Happy New Year Budapest

2009-12-31T14:14:00.002+01:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our visitors from Budapest!:)

Faluház project

2009-12-15T21:48:00.004+01:00

They have finished the renovation of the largest house (building for living) in Budapest. 'Faluház' literally means "village house" and it refers to the huge capacity of the blockhouse. In 844 apartments, more than 3000 people live in this building. That is approximately the
population of an average Hungarian village.

(photo source: Óbuda blog)

The renovation was not only about the painting but it is a real green project. They have changed all the windows and doors, covering the building with special materials which made it now absolutely energy-friendly. On the top of the building, they placed solar panels to provide energy for the house. The project costs has reached the 1.2 billion HUF (apr: 4.5 million Euro) and 27% of that was financed by the residents. The rest was contribution of the European Union, the Hungarian central government and the local government of Obuda-Békásmegyer district.

The project leaders and the participating stakeholders and first of all, the inhabitants, are expect to save on the utility costs and to reduce the energy consumption by 50% in the house.

I wouldn't say that the huge building became beautiful but it definitely looks better than the pure gray version previously. And the new green policy is really very promising.

Tramway No.2 with Christmas decoration in Budapest

2009-12-06T21:04:00.005+01:00

From the 5th of December 2009., until 6th of January, 2010 on the line of the Tramway No. 2. a specially decorated tramway will work.

This Christmas train is available on weekdays between 17.00-23.00 (5 pm - 8 pm) and on the weekends in the downtown of Budapest.

If you wanna see or use the special Christmas Tramway the best places to catch it is at the Jászai Mari square, Kossuth square (behind the Parliament building), Chainbridge (pest side), Elizabeth bridge (Pest side).

Here is a short video with the Santa on the tram:)

Short funny animation about the Liberty Statue

2009-11-14T10:07:00.002+01:00

The animation was made by Ferenc Török.

200 Forints Update

2009-11-01T19:56:00.000+01:00

This 200 Forint banknote with King Charles Robert from the House of Anjou on the front and Diósgyör Castle at the back will be phased out by 15 November 2009. This note with the watermark of the Head of King Charles Robert will officially be removed from circulation.

The National Bank of Hungary has introduced the 200 Forint coin in June 2009.

So if you still possess one of the 200 forint banknotes (after 15th Nov), you will only be able to exchange them in post offices (Posta) or financial institutions.

Budapest sexguide

2009-10-19T19:16:00.005+02:00

This post is not about helping you to discover the sex-life of Budapest. But rather about to prevent you being robbed, cheated, blackmailed and overbilled in the Budapest nightlife.

There is a website called Budapest sexguide that created a blacklist of the most dangerous bars in Budapest. They are regularly updating this list.

Actually, as a Hungarian, I know exactly which are the places you have to avoid. I do not need any blacklist because its very simple. All (I mean ALL) the strip-bars, sex-bars are about cheating and fooling tourists.

Anyway, here are some examples from the recent blacklist:

Jolly Roger's Bar

Éden Nigh Club

Broadway Café

White House Night Club

Beside avoiding these nightclubs, you might be aware of some misleading strategies in Budapest.

- the walking hunting girls on the Váci street

- the duplicated price list in bars

- taxi drivers that offers the worse places for you

- misleading escort services

To read more about these strategies visit www.budapest-sexguide.com/cheats

The embassy of the United States also published a detailed list of risky places in Budapest:

American citizens are strongly urged to avoid these clubs and restaurants due to multiple reports of victimization received by the Embassy:

This list is not all-encompassing, so please use common sense and take note when/where one or more local women approach U.S. citizens in the guise of friendship. Please note that most of these places are located in Budapest's fifth district, on/near the main tourist street, the Váci utca.

Diamond Club
Budapest II district, Bimbó út 3.
Eden Night Club
Budapest VI district, Andrássy út. 54.
Galaxia étterem, bár
Budapest V district, Bécsi utca 3.
La Dolce Vita
Budapest V district, Október 6. utca 8.
Mercy Club and Lounge
Budapest VII district, Dohány utca 88.
Pigalle Night Club
Budapest VIII district, Kiss József utca 1-3.
Városközpont (accessible by outside elevator)
Budapest V district, Váci utca 16.

Statue of Avianoi Márk

2009-10-17T08:55:00.003+02:00

Marco d'Aviano (1631-1699) was a Capuchin friar. Born Carlo Domenico Cristofori in Aviano, Republic of Venice. Deeply inspired by his encounter with the Capuchins, he felt that God was calling him to enter the order. In 1648, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchins. A year later, he professed his vows and was given the name "Friar Mark of Aviano". Marco d'Aviano's life changed unexpectedly on 1676 when he gave his blessing to a nun who had been bedridden for some 13 years. Upon receiving Friar Mark's blessing, she was healed.

From 1680 until his death, Marco d'Aviano assisted Leopold I, offering him spiritual guidance and advice for every sort of problem: political, economic, military and religious. Marco d'Aviano was also appointed by Pope Innocent XI as Apostolic Nuncio and Papal Legate. An impassioned preacher, Marco d'Aviano played an important role in maintaining unity among the 'Holy League' armies of Austria, Poland, Venice, and the Papal States under the leadership of the Polish king Jan III Sobieski. In the decisive Battle of Vienna (1683), the 'Holy League' armies succeeded in repulsing the invading Ottoman Turks.

His statue is in the Fő street made by Győrfi Sándor.

New Budapest Movie

2009-10-16T18:44:00.002+02:00

“We wanted to introduce Budapest as a city which is more than a mass of buildings. We wanted to look behind the buildings and show the intellectual power and invention potential that we have”, said István Madarász, the multiple award-winner director of the Get Engaged! movie.

You can watch the movie on Budapest Business Region's website.

Liberty bridge (Szabadság híd)

2009-10-11T12:37:00.003+02:00

The Szabadság híd or Liberty Bridge (sometimes Freedom Bridge) in Budapest, Hungary. It is the third southernmost public road bridge in Budapest, located at the southern end of the City Centre.

At its two ends are:

Gellért tér (at the foot of Gellért Hill, with the Gellért Spa and Hotel Gellért) and

Fővám tér (with the Great Market Hall and the nearby Budapest University of Economics).

The bridge was built between 1894 and 1896 to the plans of János Feketeházy. Although radically different in structure, the bridge imitates the general outline of a chain-type bridge, which was considered an aesthetically preferable form at the time of construction. The bridge was opened in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph; the last silver rivet on the Pest abutment was inserted into the iron structure by the Emperor himself, and the bridge was originally named after him.

It is 333.6 m in length and 20.1 m in width. The top of the four masts are decorated with large bronze statues of the Turul, a falcon-like bird, prominent in ancient Hungarian mythology. Many trams used to cross the twin-road bridge, which was also heavily burdened with car traffic, and there is an initiative to convert it to a pedestrian-only crossing once the fourth underground metro line is completed in Budapest in the coming years.

Rent a car with driver in Budapest

2009-10-10T08:42:00.002+02:00

Hungarorent Car

VEHICLE RENTAL WITH CHAUFFEUR

Any of our vehicles can be rented with chauffeur. Benefits of the construction are:

Deposit is not needed.
The driver of the vehicle takes full responsibility regarding to the vehicle, so in case of an accident you will not have any kind of obligations to compensate.
Persons travelling with the vehicle will be covered by accident insurance.
(more info at www.hungarorentacar.hu)

Autoglobalrent

Hire a car with driver

Our "Hire a car with driver" service makes your journey comfortable, planned and you will easily be on time. Our reliable, polite and experienced drivers have proven their skills with years of quality service.
(more info at www.autoglobalrent.hu)

Momotaro Chinese restaurant

2009-10-08T08:04:00.002+02:00

Better known as Momotaro Ramen, this was the restaurant where we met up for our Singaporean Meetup. Most of us were relatively surprised to find the small number of Singaporeans living here in Budapest.

We were extended a warm welcome with the real yuntun soup, two big dumplings served in the traditional chinese soup bowls and Zsolt noticed the small details other than the decorations on the ceiling, the couplets on the wall, and also, we were using the chinese soup spoons.

It was followed by lots of their 'Chef's recommendations' such as Kong Bao Chicken, Stir-fried beef, Steamed fish, bitter gourd or the bitter melon. All of which were served on the Lazy Susan of the big round table. We were hosted with much hospitality in a bigger room in part of the restaurant by the boss of this restaurant.

One of our favourite is the steaming hot xiao long bao. We noticed that there was a dish with very thinly sliced beef and it tasted really good. There were also vegetable bao. The staples of chinese food was the fried rice. We had some white rice too.

Finally we were served the black sesame seed tang yuan coated with coconut flakes - a nice light dessert to round up the night. Only 9 of us were at this meetup but we hope there will be a bigger group the next time.

Getting there:

metro (red line) Kossuth Lajos tér station

tram/ streetcar: number 2 or 2A

bus number 15

Momotaro Ramen Budapest is very close to the Parliament, the Basilica and Roosevelt square with the Chain Bridge & the Gresham Palace:

Address:

Széchenyi u. 16 District 5, 1051 Budapest

Reservations: +36-1 269 3802

Statue of Kálmán Mikszáth

2009-09-29T10:18:00.002+02:00

The Statue is located at the Mikszáth Square in the VIIIth district of Budapest.

Mikszáth Kálmán (1824-1910) Hungarian writer, journalist and politician.
Mikszáth was born in Szklabonya into a family of the lesser nobility. He studied Law at the University of Budapest from 1866 to 1869, although he did not apply for any exam, and became involved in journalism, writing for many Hungarian newspapers including the Pesti Hírlap.

His early short stories were based on the lives of peasants and artisans, and had little appeal. However, they demonstrated his skill in crafting humorous anecdotes, which would be developed in his later, more popular works. Many of his novels contained social commentary and satire, and towards the end of his life they became increasingly critical of the aristocracy and the burden he believed the latter placed on Hungarian society.

Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed his novel, St. Peter’s Umbrella so much that he visited Mikszáth during his European trip in 1910 solely to express his admiration.

Mikszáth was a member of the Liberal Party, and in 1887 was elected to the National Assembly of Hungary (one of the two top legislatures in Austria-Hungary). Until 1879 he was the representative for the Illyefalva District in Transylvania, and from 1892 until his death he represented the Fogaras District.

He was buried in Kerepesi Cemetery in Budapest.

(source: wikipedia)

Budapest Autumn Festival

2009-09-28T21:37:00.002+02:00

The Budapest Autumn Festival to be held this year for the eighteenth time, is now one of Europe’s leading festivals of the contemporary arts.

The festival was established by the Municipality in 1992, as a successor to the Budapest Arts Weeks, with a focus on contemporary arts. Its aim is to present to the public of Budapest the important creative artists and achievements in all branches of the arts in the present and over the past decade. The series of events sets itself the task of making new art known and recognised in Hungary.

One of the major aims of the festival is to contribute to realisation of the concept of “Budapest, festival city” and to reinforce Budapest’s cultural standing in Europe and its image as an important European cultural centre, by inviting internationally renowned productions of new art and presenting its own or joint productions able to arouse international attention.

Programs

Venues

Tickets

Critical Mass Budapest 2009 September

2009-09-21T18:51:00.002+02:00

On Car Free Day 2009, Critical Mass Budapest will again organize a large scale ride to promote bicycling – one of the most environmentally friendly forms of travel – and to raise awareness about the need to improve cycling conditions in the city. Assembling will start at 5:30 PM by encircling the Budapest City Hall block with thousands of locked bikes. The ride will then begin with a bike lift at 6:35 PM, without any specifically set route, to circle around the Big Ring Road (Nagykörút), and end with another bike lift at 8:00 PM at City Hall Park. This ride will allow participants to travel from the start to the finish in normal traffic, without any streets being closed by the police. Traffic laws will be respected.

DATE: Tuesday, September 22, 2009

TIME:
5:30 PM - Bicycle cordon around City Hall & Kidical Mass
6:35 PM - Ride begins with bike lift, circles around Big Ring Road
8:00 PM - Bike lift at City Hall Park

ROUTE: from City Hall Park around The Big Ring Road (Nagykörút) back to City Hall Park

IMPORTANT: Since no streets will be closed off for the event, people not used to bicycling in the capital city traffic should exercise extra caution: it is advised that they follow the larger groups of bicyclists on a safe route. The organisers also request that participants abide by all traffic laws, including the use of appropriate lights during the evening hours and the avoidance of riding on sidewalks. (source)

Élő Duna - Living Danube project

2009-09-20T10:50:00.003+02:00

The ÉlőDuna project is currently the largest environmental investment to be implemented in Europe by 2010, which will fundamentally modernise the waste water treatment system and technology of Budapest, resulting in a significant increase of capacity, and as a result, the water of the Danube at Budapest will be clean again within a few years.

Beside its environmental significance, the project is not only outstanding in terms of its total budget, but it is also considered to be one of the most outstanding European projects in terms of the seven project elements to be constructed, the public procurement processes involved and the numerous cooperating partners to be included.

The wastewater treatment plant to be built on the northern part of the Csepel Island will ensure that the proportion of the biologically treated wastewater discharged to the river will rise to 95%, from the current value of 45 % due to the fact that the plant will be able to treat 350 thousand m3 of the daily 600 thousand m3 wastewater. The technology to be used will allow the complete vicinity of the plant to remain a green belt zone by occupying only the smallest area possible from the surface available. The plant will employ a closed-loop technology, complying with stringent noise and odour emission norms.

From the 790 thousand households of Budapest, approximately 600 thousand cubic meters of wastewater is discharged into the Danube every day. Only less than 50 % of this amount is treated biologically with the present capacity of the capital’s wastewater treatment plants. Taking into account the amount of rainwater, it can be concluded that the larger proportion of wastewater is discharged into the river without biological treatment. This is not only a significant environmental load, but also has public health effects on the life of citizens living in the capital and along the banks of the Danube.

The Central Wastewater Treatment Plant will provide an answer to these problems, which, along with the necessary facilities, will be built by 2009 on Csepel Island. With the implementation of this environmental super-project with a budget of €529,1 million (of which €428,7 million was acknowledged to be cost by the EU Commission) and €304,7 million in support from the Cohesion Fund, Budapest – converging to numerous other European cities – will also have the capacity suited to manage the wastewater treatment services of the city with a population of 1,8 million.

Ben Hur live in Budapest

2009-09-18T20:14:00.002+02:00

Ben Hur Live

2009. December 11-12. Budapest Sports Arena

50 years after the celebrated film of Ben Hur. Step back 2,000 years and experience the spectacular creation, BEN HUR LIVE. Fifteen years in the making by renowned producer Franz Abraham, BEN HUR LIVE will take live entertainment to a new dimension.

Be amazed by the legendary chariot race - in high speed, with five authentic quadriga chariots - and be awed by an incredible sea battle with galleys and extraordinary, daring stunts. BEN HUR LIVE is a 360-degree experience on a 2,500 square metre stage, telling the love story of Judah and the beautiful slave girl Esther, set during the time of Christ.

It leads the audience on a fantastic journey, through deserts, on high seas, and into the hectic crowds of an Arabian bazaar - a truly dazzling kaleidoscope of human life and breathtaking action, in the worlds biggest arena production.

Ticket order

Address of location:	1143 Budapest, XIV. kerület, Stefánia út 2.
Name of location:	Papp László Budapest Sportaréna
Location´s tel.:	1/422-2600, 1/422-2603

Timewheel

2009-09-15T08:40:00.002+02:00

The Timewheel is the world's largest hourglass, situated in Budapest, Hungary next to City Park, right of Heroes' Square and behind the Palace of Art (Mucsarnok).

It is made of granite, steel, and glass, and weighs 60 tons. The "sand" (actually glass granules) flows from the upper to the lower glass chamber for one year. The last few grams of sand flow through at exactly midnight on New Year's Eve and the Timewheel is then turned 180 degrees so the flow of the sand can resume for the next year. The turning is done by manual power using steel cables and it takes roughly 45 minutes for 4 people to complete the half turn.

The Timewheel was unveiled on 1 May 2004 to commemorate the historic enlargement of the European Union that also admitted Hungary (along with 9 other countries) to the EU. (source: wikipedia)

The timewheel was designed by István Janáky.

10th ARC

2009-09-12T15:10:00.003+02:00

ARC is an initiative established by Gábor Bakos, Péter Geszti and Barna Fatér in 1999. Since then every September you can see at times provocative at times creative or shocking posters created by talented Hungarian people and featured by the ARC project.

This year they encouraged people to react to the recent crisis we all experience under the title "Restart, rerouting".

An other initiative of them in cooperation with Water Works of Budapest was asking applicants to create billboards to popularize tap water.

The exhibited posters and billboards are the selection of the best works.

(csapvíz= tap water)

Location: Ötvenhatosok square (right beside the Heroes' Square)

Time: 03.09.2009 - 22.09.2009.

www.arcmagazin.hu

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2006-10-08T00:00:00-07:00

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