cafebabel.com

Istvan Marta: 'my successor will create a demagogic theatre'

('ChristopherR',) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:18:25 -0000

Istvan Marta managed the Budapest’s new theatre for thirteen years. On 1 February, he cleared his desk to make space for György Dörner, a supporter of the extreme-right wing Jobbik party. We talk to the outgoing director who fears that his theatre could become a stage for extremism

Activist András Istvánffy on ‘Hungary's permanent protest culture since 2006’

('Andras Szirko',) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:48:55 -0000

While the Hungarian government has been closing popular venues, the 4K! or fourth republic! movement has been attempting to reclaim public places through flash mobs and other actions. We meet the platform's coordinator

(Don’t) occupy Budapest: the right to protest in Hungarian streets

('Kata',) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:15:00 -0000

Something is rotten in the state of Hungary. The Hungarian government has reserved the entire city centre for celebrations on the upcoming national holiday, effectively blocking potential demonstrations. An overview of the opposition’s reaction

Nikola Djukic: 'Bosnia may have to wait until 2022 for EU membership'

('Tetyana Kostyuk',) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0000

Croatia’s citizens overwhelmingly voted to join the European union on 21 January. Meanwhile, its neighbour Bosnia-Herzegovina has not yet gained candidate status. We talk to Bosnia-Herzegovina’s ambassador in Hungary about what Croatian membership would mean and why Bosnia is different

City planning in Budapest: making poverty invisible

('Monica Mircescu',) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:53:36 -0000

Since the new conservative majority came to power in Budapest in 2010, the local council's anti-poverty strategies include putting a ban on begging in public spaces and reversing an old tradition: the 'social' management of bulk refuse collection known as 'lomtalanitás'

Hungarian singer Erzsi Kiss: ‘My language is based on musicality’

('kovakovics',) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:15:00 -0000

It’s much more meaningful gobbledygook, says the singer in the Hungarian band 'Egy Kiss Erzsi Zene' about her lyrics. The musician and puppeteer talks to us about singing 'in no language'

Rock band Turbo: ‘absence of taste’ an ‘incurable disease’ in Hungary

('Ili Pusk\xc3\xa1s',) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:12:31 -0000

When it comes to psychedelic-progressive rock music, Turbo is Hungary’s number one. Bass guitarist Jero and singer Balázs Tanka on genres, role models and taking different viewpoints on music tastes and truths in general

Double discrimination: roma women in central and eastern Europe

('ZoeBBee',) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:30:00 -0000

Romania has recently announced plans to evict roma from the northern town of Baia Mare, in a move which could leave hundreds homeless. The move emphasises the continued urgency of the theme ‘roma women in central and eastern Europe’, discussed during the European women's lobby’s conference in Budapest on 7 April this year. The lobby aims to bring the double discrimination that roma women endure to the attention of European decision-makers. Interview with Brigitte Triems, the lobby's president

Hungary youth: 'I stay out of politics but am Facebook friends with Viktor Orbán'

('Linda Krajcso',) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:21:22 -0000

The new controversial constitution, the first to be created on an iPad, was voted into law by the national assembly on 18 April and signed by the president on 25 April. Hungary’s youth remain apolitical, even to a new rule which would violate human rights. cafebabel.com Budapest interviewed fifty young Hungarians

Laszlo Tengelyi: the problem of being a philosopher in Hungary

('Emilie Prattico',) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:22:08 -0000

On 8 January Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban launched an investigation into the use of grant money awarded to five philosophers. Questions to a Hungarian-born philosopher who spearheaded an international petition, 'Protect the Philosophers!' from Germany, where he is based

Post-communist underground: Budapest 'ruin pubs' threatened with closure

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 -0000

For two decades the Hungarian capital's delapidated yards have become its hottest alternative venues in the form of retro gardens and pubs. That's about to come to an end thanks to a stricter law set in place after a tragic episode at the beginning of 2011 by local right-wing authorities, and dutifully followed by conformist residents

The importance of being eco-ideological in Budapest

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:15:42 -0000

Green is in fashion in the Hungarian capital, but the word is often just an empty trunk, a sales argument in a consumer world which forgot its ecological foundations long ago

Hungary's new media law no surprise for Europe

('Koen Colpaert - Brussels',) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:14:43 -0000

The 'media act' was passed on 21 December in Hungary and was implemented on 1 January 2011. It's not such a derogation in Europe, because the context of this law is nothing more than just another sign of an alarming trend in Europe

Sludge-hit Hungary: Europe’s biggest ecological catastrophe since Chernobyl

('Peter Robbins',) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:31:29 -0000

Flour, lemon juice, vinegar, mineral water, detergent, wheelbarrows, gloves, face masks: it's not a shopping list but some of the donations urgently needed by the victims of the environmental catastrophe. cafebabel.com visits the area affected by the toxic sludge to find out how Hungarians have been helping their fellow countrymen

Eco-architecture: Budapest creates a sustainable future

('victor escandell',) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:21:12 -0000

In the midst of the recession, the unstoppable growth rate of the world population and the increase of megacities, the Hungarian capital invents ecological buildings and cleans its water. Imagination and labour are two Hungarian clues in building a sustainable future

Vienna, Berlin, Budapest and Paris: blogging city rivers

('cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:35:39 -0000

Europe's city rivers are both the place to be in terms of a good old rave - take the A38 ship on the Danube to Bar 25 on the Spree - and also for a spot of nudity or artificial beach time in the summer. Blog snippets from four cafebabel.com local team bloggers, who pay tribute to their watery city icons

Hungarian minorities in Slovakia: small arrangements between enemies

('Jude Lister',) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:30:00 -0000

One week after a law proposing Hungarian nationality to ethnic Hungarians abroad, prime minister Viktor Orbán announced a new era of 'national unity' during his prime ministerial inauguration on 29 May. Hungary is choosing the route of hostile nationalism, much to the delight of Slovak populists

Swing right, sweet Hungarian election chariot: first round election results

('euro topics',) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:34:01 -0000

The right-wing conservative alliance of young democrats or 'Fidesz' scooped Hungary's parliamentary elections on 11 April (52.7%). The socialists in power scored a measly 19.3%. Right-wing extremist Jobbik party entered parliament for the first time (16.7%). The Hungarian, Slovakian, Austrian and Italian media on whether the victory is the start of a new era or a rude awakening

Looking for Hungarian activism in election Budapest

('Andrew Christie',) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:45:35 -0000

On 11 and 25 April Hungarian voters are poised to elect the right or even the far-right. Only a handful of people in the country are swimming against the increasingly strong right-wing tide – and even these few are drifting off course, or have thrown their faith in politics completely overboard

Budapest: stand-up comedy and playback theatre 'cures' crisis

('theroxbox',) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:00:00 -0000

It's an American pursuit gaining momentum in central Europe. Young comedian Balàzs Hajdù explains why he might eventually have to leave his job, and a doctor explains how theatre helps cure his patients

WAMP: inside the monthly Hungarian design fair

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:15:00 -0000

Since 2006, the monthly design market has attracted hundreds of young local designers like 'Musu' who display their creations in front of an ever-growing crowd of visitors. But WAMP is not only a collective promotion of Hungarian design, it’s also a formidable economic catalyst, with its international design week too

Social lending: Noba.hu and the problematic Hungarian 'peer to peer' system

('Alex-',) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:52:37 -0000

Since their emergence in 2005 'person to person' or 'p2p' lending platforms have become an increasing global alternative to conventional banking. But Hungary's version of the online banking model has found its ability to make the concept financially appealing to potential clientele stifled by Hungarian law

Understanding nationalist ideology in Hungary: 'enormous potential for violence'

('Andrew Christie',) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Victory in April’s elections is assured for the populist opposition party (Fidesz) and right-wing extremists (Jobbik). Magdalena Marsovszky, a Germano-Hungarian cultural scientist researching anti-semitism and right-wing extremism in Hungary, explains

Prostitutes and tourists: exploring the doorways of Jozsefvaros, Budapest

('Alex Jackson',) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:50:49 -0000

As massive redevelopment rumbles on through the recession, it’s smaller-scale initiatives that are really preserving the integrity of Budapest’s infamous district

European bloggers describe their Berlin walls

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:20:11 -0000

Monday is 9 November, the day when the Berlin wall was brought down. To reflect on this iconic modern historical event for the eurogeneration, citizen journalists from five cafebabel.com local teams - Sofia, Budapest, Turin, Strasbourg and Istanbul - simultaneously blogged one day about the walls they see in their cities

Moby: free Europe concerts for climate change

('Waldemar Ingdahl',) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:33:36 -0000

'Play4Climate.eu' raises awareness among Europe's youth before the December UN summit in Copenhagen. We chat to the American musician/ activist

London, Paris, Ghent, Transylvania: cross Europe by bike

('Helen Swain',) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:45:00 -0000

An Italian government eco-initiative offering big discounts on bicycles, a London cafe where you can repair your bike and bike film festivals across the continent - an overview of two-wheeled fun to spin your summer

Is Hungary ready for same-sex unions?

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:25:45 -0000

Although four EU countries have already agreed to legalise homosexual marriage, Budapest, despite having initially given it the green light, has rejected the legislation. Now Hungary, and the 10% of its population who live with a long- term partner, are awaiting the national and European elections for an answer

Erasmus testimony: a Greek student in Budapest

('Omiros Tsapalos',) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:58:50 -0000

In the final installment of a five-part series, a politics and public administration student from Athens, 21, confirms and rejects historical and linguistic stereotypes in the Hungarian capital. The student exchange programme has run for twenty-one years

Cost of Life day: Budapest Europe’s cheapest capital?

('Ole Skambraks',) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:45:00 -0000

Twelve cafebabel.com local teams, from Sofia to London, spent one night simultaneously going for a movie, followed by dinner, a drink and a ride home on public transport. Compare their costs, and you’ll find that Europe is not as homogenised as we tend to believe

Testimony: being young, Hungarian and a football-loving minority in Slovakia

('Judit Schv\xc3\xa9ger',) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:33:23 -0000

After contacting a dozen youngsters via email and phone to talk about the currently tense nationalist relations, only one was ready to tell me about his personal experiences

Touring my city - the real Budapest

('Judit Schv\xc3\xa9ger',) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:24:41 -0000

Tour of the eighth district, Józsefváros, in Hungary’s city centre

Venice, Edinburgh, Perpignan - a festival for everyone

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Italy's 'La Mostra', Scotland's Fringe, photojournalism in the south of France - it’s not too late to recover your cultural health before the end of summer. Monthly guide to the best culture picks in Europe

Zagar: 'Outside Hungary we have to start all over again'

('Akli Hadid',) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Whether connected to a computer or a piano, Balázs Zságer, 36, has the tired look of a nocturnal bird. With one foot in Hungary’s electro rock scene and another abroad, he speaks about the melancholy that underpins eastern European pop music, as well as his difficulties to get his album sold outside of his native land

Biking is trendy, politics is not in green Budapest

('Akli Hadid',) — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:00:00 -0000

Resistance groups may be fighting pollution in Budapest, but there’s a long way to go from holding bicycle protests to creating a political impact. How can ecological thinking blossom in the Hungarian capital?

Hating on Hungarian Tescos

('Kate Hollinshead',) — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:00:00 -0000

Whilst shopping malls spring up like mushrooms, more and more shops in the city centre stand empty. Where does the course lie between tradition and modernity in Budapest?

Photos: metro culture in Budapest

('Pedro Pic\xc3\xb3n',) — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:00:00 -0000

You can’t evade the underground in everyday life in Budapest, which has the second oldest metro system in Europe after London

‘Buda-sex’ and the Hungarian porn industry

('Akli Hadid',) — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Budapest is famous for being one of the world’s sex capitals. Pornography, sex toursim and prostitution converge in the Hungarian capital, to the delight of some and the frowns of others

Unpopular Bologna process for Budapest’s class of 2009

('Csacsillus',) — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:39:58 -0000

The accords making European higher education compatible reached Hungarian universities in 2006. A sociology student at Budapest Corvinus University describes the trying experience of the new system which celebrated ten years on 25 May

Happy fourth birthday to central and eastern Europe

('c\xc3\xa9dric AUDINOT',) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

It has been four years since the European Union opened its door wide open and welcomed ten member states. It's not been a 100% success story for every member though

Traffic jams go on in Vilnius

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Cities are home to more than half the world's population, whilst EU urban congestion causes 40% of CO2 emissions, according to the European parliament ...

Bike traffic: return of the scorchers

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Environmentally conscious cyclists regularly battle errant cars in European cities

International Roma Day: Aladár Horváth on reality TV in Hungary

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

A leading activist denounces ghettos and the media-created ‘exotic trash’ images of Europe's biggest minority of eight million people, who celebrate their day on 8 April

'Europe's Sundance festival'

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Culture crosses borders in Europe this March, as Spain visits Nantes, the Balkans accept a second invitation to Brussels and Irish beer takes over the continent

Budapest: my solidarity nights

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:50:00 -0000

For the fourth year in a row, demonstrators spend a night in a metro station underground passage to highlight their solidarity with the capital's nearly 30, 000 Hungarian homeless

October culture vulture

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:00:00 -0000

This autumn Europe’s cultural events move indoors, to cinemas and museums. A quick look at October’s culture calendar

World Carfree Day – not a great success in Europe

('Jo Ashworth',) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Widespread traffic-jams throughout European cities and the rest of the world show that without publicity campaigns, World Car Free Day is just a fantasy

The other Sziget

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0000

Pink, Faithless, The Chemical Brothers, Nine Inch Nails; alongside more than 1, 000 musical events, young people show their commitment to the festival's 'Civil Village'. But for how much longer?

EU elections shelved in Romania

Fri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Bulgaria is holding European parliamentary elections on 20 May, but Romania is delaying their own after PM Triceanu suspended his president. An internal referendum is due on 19 May

Academic tribulations

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:00:00 -0000