cafebabel.com

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

Salami strategy: the art of ‘wullfing’

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:21:39 -0000

With its Hungarian origins, this sausage of a saying provides European inspiration to help the German head of state Christian Wulff worm his way out of the current corruption scandal

Twins who row – more East Germany than The Social Network in ‘Westwind’

('Amy Hargreaves',) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:33:23 -0000

The German 'new wave' theatre director and filmmaker, 37, broaches the history of a divided Germany by moving away from cliches and concentrating on the importance of interpersonal relationships in his third feature film. Released on 19 November, it is based on a true story and set in Hungary in 1988

'Our School' documentary: segregated Roma schools despite EU funds

('Linda Krajcso',) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:40:25 -0000

When directors and producers Mona Nicoară and Miruna Coca-Cozma followed three Roma children in a small Romanian village for four years, their film initially about a success story of integration became one about the realities of ethnic segregation. Interview

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

Hungary's new constitution from 1 January: undemocratic or just weak?

('Zoltan S. Novak',) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:07:49 -0000

The extremely ‘unified’ structure of the Hungarian constitution is among the major causes of inefficient governance during the past two decades, says one philosopher from Budapest

Roma and Hungary’s extreme right: the hunt in Gyöngyöspata

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:08:30 -0000

In Hungary, a village of 2, 500 inhabitants outside Budapest embodies tensions between the Roma (gypsy) community and the extreme right. Since March, paramilitary militia have been arriving in Gyöngyöspata to march the town's streets. On top of that, Oszkár Juhász, a member of the extreme right-wing party Jobbik, has been elected as mayor

Hungary introduces tax on crisps

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:47:45 -0000

Prime minister Viktor Orban’s government has set itself the task of driving unhealthy eating habits out of Hungary. They are now trying to do this with the help of the so-called crisps tax which came into effect on 1 September

Gravity Co: 'We shy away from traditional Bulgarian limelight’

('Ili Pusk\xc3\xa1s',) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:45:33 -0000

They have scooped practically all the music awards in Bulgaria, such as the national music channel MMTV's 'band of the decade' gong in 2008, like magnets deftly reinvigorating progressive music in a post-socialist country. The four-piece Sofia-based rockers stand out from the Bulgarian musical landscape like liquorice-black aliens - and a fourth album is promised for 2011. Interview

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

Why would you learn Hungarian?

('Silvia Alexe',) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:45:00 -0000

I could be daydreaming on the soft sand with a women’s magazine at my feet and a little sunburn on my shoulder. Unfortunately, it’s my Hungarian grammar book in the room I am sharing with two other students. They, too, decided to sacrifice their holiday month of July to improve their Hungarian

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

Hungary media law: France journalism cases no better

('Carol Howard',) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:30:00 -0000

On 15 March tens of thousands of Hungarians protested against the government's planned media law. Even the European parliament's socialist, liberal, ecologist and far left politicians adopted a resolution asking for the suspension of the law, which 'needs re-examination'. Republication of an interview with a Rue89 journalist

Viktor Orban: who's been a naughty boy at the European parliament?

('euro topics',) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:27:41 -0000

A fierce dispute broke out between Hungarian prime minister and EU parliamentarians during Orbán's speech marking his country's EU Council presidency. The MEPs were above all critical of Hungary's new media law. While Orbán's reaction cast his country in a dim light, the criticism went too far and was implausible, write Hungarian, German and Slovakian commentators

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

From 1 January Hungary media under control

('euro topics',) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:52:31 -0000

On 20 December Hungary's right-wing conservative government passed a restrictive media law; a new authority will control public television and radio broadcasters, as well as private media. The German, Italian and local press say this attack on press freedom augurs poorly for Hungary's six-month presidency of the council of the European Union. Press review

Pécs: can you be a 'culture capital' if that status scares off your artists?

('Helen Crumpton',) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:12:10 -0000

The Hungarian city of Pécs may be this year’s European capital of culture alongside the German and Turkish cities of Essen and Istanbul, but its performers prefer to seek their salvation further afield

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

Why Hungary and Slovakia are at odds

('euro topics',) — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:09:48 -0000

On 25 May the Slovakian parliament warned Hungary not to offer citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries. The Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian press accuse the two of using the issue to ignore domestic problems

(Non-)smoker's summer guide to Europe's bans

('Emilie Prattico',) — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:29:37 -0000

While you’re carefully planning your summer holidays, it might be worth considering what destinations will best suit your needs - be thee a lover of those tobacco-filled thin paper cylinders or not

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

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

Europe has voted: so what's the trend?

('euro topics',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

From 4 - 7 June 2009 the citizens of the 27 EU member states cast their votes for a new European parliament. The voter turnout was relatively low, but the trends are clear to see. In many countries right-wing parties gained a larger share of the vote while national governments were punished. The press in Holland, Poland, Italy, Finland, Austria and Hungary speak

Lívia Járóka: female, Roma and Euro MP

('rhiannon_nicolson',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:33:52 -0000

The first female Roma member of the European parliament takes stock of her first term in office and announces that she will run in this year’s European elections in June. We talk women, Roma statistics and the EU institutions

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

Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia: domino game of governmental crash

('Astrid vW',) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:15:20 -0000

On 22 March, Hungary’s socialist prime minister, businessman Ferenc Gyurcsany, announced his resignation for 14 April. There is a huge amount of strategy beneath his move and it reveals a trend appearing in central and eastern Europe. Today, the Czech Republic establishes a new chapter

No skilled labour in Austria? In Hungary, Csorna hangs in there

('Media Consulta',) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:53:32 -0000

A Vienna-based company was looking for skilled workers. Since it failed to find any in Austria, it moved to a small town in Hungary. Here, locals are hoping to find new prosperity

Austria’s ban on cultivating genetically modified sweetcorn

('Gemma Turner',) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0000

But is Europe's 'sweetcorn of discord' a great triumph with barely any consequences for Austria?

No to eastern European rescue package

('euro topics',) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:24:10 -0000

The EU countries want to better co-ordinate their national bank rescue plans and economic stimulus programmes. At an informal summit meeting in Brussels on 1 March, protective measures for individual industries and an aid package for eastern Europe were rejected. Reactions from Denmark, Portugal, Romania and the Czech Republic

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

Perspective: Hungarian-Slovak relations reach their nadir

('Linda lu',) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:08:40 -0000

On 10 December, Hungarian prime minister Ferenc Gyurscany said he was disappointed with Slovak prime minister Robert Fico's decision to reject a November agreement to improve relations between the neighbours. A look back at the events running up to the baby step that was

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

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

Housing in Hungary: no Chinese or blacks

('Nora Farkas',) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:48:32 -0000

Two estate agencies have highlighted discrimination in Hungary after advertising against 'coloured skin' tenants

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?