Month: November 2009

The Árpád-Stripers then and now: Holocaust Museum

Posted on by Budapest Guide
Árpád Striped flag in Budapest
Árpád Striped flag in Budapest

A new temporary exhibition is coming to the Holocaust Museum in Budapest. The exhibition is called “The Árpád-Stripers then and now” and it is for sure an exhibition that has something to say in todays political situation in Hungary discussing the origin of the Árpád-striped flag and the famous Turul bird. This sounds interesting, so I hope I will be able to visit it myself!

The Árpád-Stripers then and now
Holocaust Museum
November 27, 2009 – February 28, 2010

Some words about the exhibition from the organizers:
After 1990 extreme right-wing groups have appeared in Hungary, which openly own Arrow Cross and Nazi traditions, too. This can be well observed in the adoption and emulation of the symbolisms of the right-wing movements in the interwar period in general, and in the 1930s and 1940s in particular. The successors today either do not know, or, what is worse, they know perfectly well what symbols they are using.

In the exhibition the Árpád-striped flag, the flags of Kings Emeric, Saint Ladislas and Mathias Hunyadi and of Prince Ferenc Rákóczi, as well as the turul bird are displayed as historical relics, which have nothing much in common with today’s usage.

Museums in Budapest

Budapest by night pictures

Posted on by Budapest Guide

There has been some days without updates now lately as I have been out travelling enjoying some good days in the Hungarian countryside. But just to tell all our readers that we are alive and well I am publishing some photos from Budapest again. I hope you are not fed up with these kind of photos!

On the pictures you can see the Sandor Palace (next to the Castle), the Chain Bridge, the Four Seasons Hotel, the Circus, the Elisabeth Bridge and some more buildings and bridges here and there!

Budapest by night pictures

Elisabeth Bridge pictures and some more

Posted on by Budapest Guide

As of now we can all enjoy the illuminated Elisabeth Bridge after the sun has gone down, and I truly enjoy the view. It is nicest as you see it close up, from distance it is not that nice. The system was designed by Ishii Motoko (from Japan) and in all it costed around 250 million Forint. Below you can see some pictures of the bridge, but I must admit that they are not at all good. They were made in a hurry during a guided tour which indeed can be reflected in the quality of the pictures.

Elisabeth Bridge
Budapest bridges

Elisabeth Bridge Pictures

Elisabeth Bridge by night
Elisabeth Bridge illuminated

Other pictures

Gellert Hill View
Hungarian Parliament
Gellert Hill view

Hungary’s got talent 2009?! André Vásáry

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I just thought I’d post two clips from the ongoing Hungary’s got talent 2009 (Csillag Születik). I am regularly watching the show, and though I am not at all impressed by the quality, it might be that one person is pointing out as different and the one who might turn out to win in 2009. The real competition is just about to start (last 12 people), but André Vásáry has turned very popular and the jury and the Hungarians like him. So, take a look at the videos below and please comment your thoughts about him. It is quite different from most singing, but maybe that is what makes it special!

By the way, I like the first clip much better than his version of “Time To Say Goodbye” myself…

André Vásáry sings

Andre Vásáry sings “Time to Say Goodbye”

Christmas Market Vienna: pictures and inforation

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The Christmas Market in Vienna has already opened and we were there this weekend. It was packed with people and everyone enjoyed the glühwein and all the small shops located outside the “Rathaus” in Vienna. I am said to say so, but the Christmas Market in Vienna looks quite a lot better than the one in Budapest, but that probably has to do with the fact that the square in front of the Rathaus (City Hall) is better for such a market than Vörösmarty Square in Budapest. Some more markets will open in Vienna by Schönbrunn and Belvedere in a couple of days.

If you come to Budapest, you should for sure consider a day trip to the Christmas Market in Vienna.

Christmas Market Vienna slideshow

Atany, a village in Hungary: Museum of Ethnography

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If you are looking for information about life in a small village in Hungary, this exhibition might be interesting for you. In the time after the Second World War things changed quickly and the people working with agriculture had to change both equipment and technology. In this exhibition about Atany you will see people objects and get insight into the life of a farmer in the time after the Second World War, in Atany. The exhibition will be held in the Museum of Ethnography.

Atany, a village in Hungary
Museum of Ethnography
November 18, 2009 – June 13, 2010

Museums in Budapest

Late baroque impressions: Hungarian National Gallery

Posted on by Budapest Guide
Franz Anton Maulbertsch

A new exhibition is coming to the Hungarian National Gallery opening November 20 and lasting until February 28, 2010. In the exhibition we will meet with the work of Franz Anton Maulbertsch (1724-1796) and Josef Winterhalder (1743-1807).

Late baroque impressions
Hungarian National Gallery
November 20, 2009 – February 28, 2010

Museums in Budapest

A brutal H1N1 picture

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The media is full with information about the H1N1 virus and it must be said that Hungary is well prepared compared to many other nations. For most people the vaccine is available, and it seems as if more and more people get the injection. Anyway, my wife received an email a while ago with a brutal H1N1 picture and I thought I would just post it to my blog (hopefully there will be no problems doing so). So take a look, and do not forget that the H1N1 is by many known as the Swine Flu.

A brutal H1N1 picture
H1N1 - Swine Flu

Allee: New center opened in Budapest, with pictures

Posted on by Budapest Guide
Allee logo
Allee logo

Today at 11:11, November 11 in the 11th district was the official opening of the new shopping center in Budapest, Allee! Many people had met up to join in and rush to Electro World which had many great offer to their visitors today. I arrived to Allee around 16.00, walked around the entire mall, made some pictures and had a good time. There were some techinal problems as many shops were working in the dark (some electrical problem occured probably), but except from that everything seemed in order. The cinema will only open tomorrow!

I liked the look of Allee myself. It reminds me much of Arena Plaza in style, only that Allee feels much smaller.

I made quite some pictures, so enjoy them, and if you have visited Allee, please share your comments as well!

Shopping in Budapest

Allee pictures

The worlds nicest bookshop is in Budapest

Posted on by Budapest Guide

I am not sure if this is true, but today it was the official opening of the  Paris Big  Store located in the Andrássy Út. The building which has been a fashion shop throughout decades was closed in 1999, and today they opened it again. But this time it is not with clothes, but with tons of books and some wine!

I was inside there today (unfortunately I did not bring my camera) and it looks absolutely amazing. The facade has been renovated and it looks great from the outside as well. Inside you will immediately see wine on your right hand and the cashiers on your right side. As you walk straight ahead and up the stairs you will start to realize why this is beautiful. There is a bridge which you can walk across the two sides on the first floor of the building. The cafeteria which had a piano player playing nice music looks gorgeous and it felt almost like the entrance of the Hungarian State Opera… paintings in the roof, gold and beauty! I have not visited such a beautiful bookshop before at least!

Take a look yourself. The address is Andrássy út 35, and it is an Alexandra book store you can find inside the building.

Ps: Hopefully I will be able to make pictures later sometime as well, and when I do I will post it, so just follow our RSS-feed and check back later for updates!