Author: Budapest Guide

Classical concerts in the Budapest Parliament

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“Music and Atmosphere” is the title of a forthcoming series of concerts to be given by Hungarian Virtuosi in the Domed Hall of the Hungarian Parliament. Featured composers include Mozart, Händel, Vivaldi, Liszt, Saint-Saëns and Bach.
The concerts are all on Friday evenings and begin at 6 o’clock. Ticket holders arriving at 5 o’clock are invited to enjoy a guided tour of the Parliament building (with commentary in three languages).

HUNGARIAN VIRTUOSI CONCERTS

Violin soloist and conductor: Miklós Szenthelyi

17 october 2008, 6 p.m.
Vivaldi: G-major symphony
Vivaldi: B-major concerto for violin and cello
Saint-Saëns: The Carnival of the Animals – The Swan
Bach: D – moll concerto for two violins
Bach: E-major violin concerto

28 November 2008, 6 p.m.
Handel: Passacaglia
Vivaldi: B- major concerto for violin and cello
Vivaldi: B-major concerto for two violins
Mozart: D-major Divertimento
Liszt: II. Hungarian Rhapsody

12 December 2008, 6 p.m.
Vivaldi: G-major symphony
Vivaldi: B-major concerto for violin and cello
Saint-Saëns: The Carnival of the Animals – The Swan
Bach: D – moll concerto for two violins
Bach: E-major violin concerto

Concert ticket holders are invited to arrive on the evening of the concert at 5.0 p.m. for the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Parliament building. English-, German- and Hungarian speaking guides will lead visitors on a short tour including the grand staircase, the domed hall, the main reception rooms and, providing it is not in use, the debating chamber of the upper house. Photography is allowed, but the use of flashes is not permitted by the Crown Jewels.

Promoter of the concert series:
Bacchus Arts Studio
1055 Budapest Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3.
Tel: +36 1 488-7093
[email protected]

Source: Budapestinfo.hu

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AC/DC Budapest – Tickets

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AC/DC BudapestAC/DC is going on a world tour, and all around the world the tickets disappear within seconds. The tickets for the Budapest concert were sold out after two weeks, and now TicketPro has no more tickets. There are though some companies offering tickets for the concert, so if you are looking for tickets for the AC/DC concert, WorldTicketShop claim to have free tickets.

AC/DC tickets for Budapest
WorldTicketShop

The concert will be 23. March 2009, in Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena!

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Joseph Nador Square / Flowers in Budapest

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Joseph Nador Square, Originally uploaded by GuideToBudapest

One of the nice things about Budapest is the fact that there are always colorful flowers located around in the city. Whatever time of the year you come to Budapest you will almost see flowers and plants around in the city. The picture above is taken at the Nador Joseph Square, located near the Gerbeaud Conditionary and the Vörösmarty Square.

23 October 1956 – The Hungarian Revolution

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The three big national days in Hungary every year are 15 March, 20 August and 23 October. The 23 October is the day when Hungarians remember the spontaneous revolt against the communist government in Hungary in 1956. It started peacefully with a big student demonstration, but as the State Security Police (communist) started firing upon the demonstrators it turned into a violent revolution. After some days it seemed as if the Hungarians had won, but it all turned worse as a large Soviet Force entered the nation 4 November and overrun the Hungarian forces. More than 2500 Hungarians died during the battles, and more than 200.000 had to flee the country.

A sign of the revolution was the Hungarian flag, from which they cut out the Soviet symbol, and because of that a big hole was in the middle of the flag.

Today
During the national day most shops are closed in Budapest, but museums, thermal baths, zoo and so are open. Restaurants are open as well, but it is recommended to reserve a table beforehand, as several people eat outside on days such as this.

NATO meeting in Budapest (October 9 and 10)

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Tomorrow Budapest will receive Defense Ministers from the NATO countries around the world. They will debate several subjects, but the work of NATO in Afghanistan will for sure use much of the time. There will also be a small ceremony where Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Hungary’s Defence Minister Imre Szekeres will attend a ceremony to welcome Hungarian troops returning from Afghanistan.

Because of this the city’s traffic will be in big trouble. The people will meet in the Sofitel, InterContinental and in the Marriott hotel by the Danube and because of this streets near these will all be closed. As the delegation arrives to and leaves Budapest the road from the airport to the city will also be closed, which means long lines for those heading in that direction.

There will also be forbidden to park in the area around the Heroes Square from 6 in the morning until 24.00 in the evening on Thursday. Maybe they are visiting Gundel, or enjoying a bath in the Szechenyi Thermal Bath?

A map showing the closed roads (Source: Nepszabadsag)

The 13 Martyrs of Arad – Clinking of beer mugs

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October 6. 1849 was a date still to be remembered and commemorated in Hungary. On that day 13 of the generals from the 1848-1849 revolution in Hungary against the Habsburgs were executed in Arad (in Romania today). At the same day Count Lajos Batthyány was executed as well, the first Hungarian Prime Minister. Today a square near the Liberty Square has an “eternal light” named after him (located at the placed where Count Lajos Batthyány was killed).

The famous Lajos Kossuth (whose statue can be seen at for example the Heroes Square and outside the Parliament) managed to escape to USA before they caught him as well.

It is said that after executing the 13 generals in Arad the Austrian generals clinked their beer mugs together celebrating and making fun of the Hungarians. Because of that a “promise” was made that the Hungarians would not clink their beer mugs for 150 years. Those years have passed away, but the people still don’t clink their mugs in Budapest or in Hungary.

It must be said that most historians claim this to be just a legend, and that written records do not support this theory!

History of Hungary

The 13 Martyrs of Arad

Nice weather and a peaceful weekend

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The demonstration at Saturday was successful (peaceful) with several thousand people participating. Yesterday the Budapest Marathon took place, and except from some angry cars (who does not like lines and closed roads) it all went perfect. The weather has been really nice lately in Budapest, except from the fact that it was quite shady Saturday.

Often people ask how cold it is in Budapest during winter, and normally we answer: “It is much colder than the temperature tells you.” Somehow the wind in Budapest can make life really cold, even when it is 5-10 degrees, so therefore if you arrive to Budapest between October and March it is always useful to bring a warm jacket, just in case!

For the upcoming ten days it is though said to stay quite warm (15-18 degrees during daytime), but there might be some clouds and maybe some rain sometimes!

Climate in Budapest and Hungary
Average temperatures in Budapest

Demonstration BudapestThe crowd walking towards the Heroes Square

Disney Princess Classics in Budapest (December 24-27)

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Disney on Ice
Would you like to see all your favorite Disney characters Iceskating? If so you better come to Budapest for Christmas. There will be four performances in Budapest at the following dates:

December 24th, 11 am
December 25th, 3pm
December 25th, 7pm
December 26th, 11 am
December 26th, 3 pm
December 26th, 7pm
December 27th, 11 am

The events will take place in the Papp Laszlo Sport Arena. Tickets can be bought here.

More upcoming events and concerts

Press release:
This Christmas the greatest set ever on ice comes to Hungary for the second time: the Disney on Ice Princess Classics is back! Succeeding the overwhelming success in 2006, when 67.000 people saw the wonderful performances in Budapest and Debrecen, the seven princesses come to life on ice again. Be part of the magic and experience yourself the thrilling stories of Ariel, the Sleeping Beauty, Mulan or Belle entering the world of challenges, adventures and love stories.

For its 23rd production, Disney On Ice has created its largest, most intricate setting yet – a three-story, awe-inspiring castle that twists, turns and transforms to bring seven royal Disney fairy tales to life in Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics.

A rub of a magic lamp, a wave of a magic wand and “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” – true magic happens live, right before audiences’ eyes in Disney On IceSMpresents Princess Classics. Disney’s most memorable princesses – Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and Snow White – appear together in a live production for the first time in Disney history. The most poignant moments of their stories spanning more than seven decades are woven together into one magical experience.

Produced by Feld Entertainment, Inc., Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics is a tale of triumph against evil using the magical combination of heart, humor and hope, as told through the eyes of seven princesses. The ice rink transforms into lands of enchantment with a jeweled, three-story, revolving castle. As the castle changes, audiences travel around the world – from Cinderella’s kingdom, to the city of Agrabah where Jasmine lives, to Mulan’s China . The ice is filled with regal synchronized skating and romantic choreography, glowing costumes and beautiful princesses who inspire by making their dreams come true.

“We transport people to a place that is more magical than they could ever imagine,” says Producer Kenneth Feld. “We capture the essence of Disney through these heart-warming stories that encompass virtually every generation alive today, giving this show truly universal appeal.

“The star of this show is emotion,” says Director Jerry Bilik. “From humor and excitement to romance and joy, we bring the magical feelings of all of these stories to life. There are exceptional moments in all of the stories that reach out beyond the edge of the ice up into the farthest seats of the arena.”

“Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics offers parents a chance to connect with their children,” says Kenneth Feld, “and to share these uplifting stories of overcoming adversity, and the power of friendship and love. Parents will enjoy seeing their children’s eyes light up as they laugh, cry, smile and cheer together at one fantastic event.

Atop the reflective surface of the clear ice on the arena floor stands a castle nearly three stories high. “This set is larger than virtually every stage on Broadway, and any set I’ve ever created,” says Scenic Designer Eduardo Sicangco. “Designing a single castle for seven fabulous fairy tales was a delicious challenge.” Decorated with colorful paints and twinkling adornments, the castle transforms to reveal an Arabian palace, an undersea kingdom, a luxurious ballroom and more. Emmy® Award-winning Lighting Designer Peter Morse lights the castle on the outside, adding dimension and effect, and from within, making the castle glow.

An international troupe of more than 40 award-winning figure skaters take to the ice under the helm of world-renowned choreographers Tom Dickson, who was named Choreographer of the Year by the Professional Skaters Association and the United States Professional Figure Skating Association in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and his wife Catarina Lindgren, a former Olympian. For this 23rd production of Disney On Ice, the couple incorporates the current international phenomenon of synchronized skating into the high-impact choreography of Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics. Dickson and Lindgren guide a team consisting of more than half the cast in performing fast-paced, highly detailed maneuvers in exact precision to create unique formations on the ice. Skaters will add samba flair with Latin numbers; daring pair performances will make jaws drop; and elegant ice dancers will bring an element of romance to favorites such as “Once Upon a Dream,” “So This Is Love” and “A Whole New World.”

Adding to the dazzling display are costumes by award-winning Broadway designer Gregg Barnes. Taking hundreds of yards of sheer fabric, sequins and glitter, Barnes makes each Disney princess shine from within. Ballgoers and parade participants will wear majestic costumes full of luxury on every layer. Barnes searched through hundreds of fabric swatches and ventured to many different types of vendors, including an ecclesiastical fabric maker, to find the exact look he wanted to create.

From the set to choreography to the costumes to the lighting, every detail is carefully selected and executed to create Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics. By bringing these magical moments together in one uplifting, humorous production, what audiences experience is a dream come true.