Church of Krisztinaváros

Krisztinaváros is a neighbourhood in central Budapest, situated just west of Castle Hill, north of Tabán. It is named after Archduchess Maria Christina, daughter of Maria Theresa, who interceded for buildings to be erected in this area. The history of Krisztinaváros is inseparable from that of the neighboring old Tabán, Naphegy and Gellérthegy.

The church of Krisztinaváros today:

And in 1883:

Budapest Mayor Wanted - Jennise Marton, Tennessee, USA

Chain Bridge | Photo by Jennise Marton


Jennise Marton, an artist, had been living in Budapest for many years. Now she has moved to Singapore and this is our interview with her:

Z&Z: What's special about Budapest to you?

Jennise: Budapest is special to me because of it's history, culture and diversity. It's quirky and difficult, but if you are willing to try, you will always find something that surprises you and makes it worth it.

Z&Z: What was your first impression of Budapest?

Jennise: I arrived in Budapest in 1992, and my first impression was complete shock. Typical american girl, I had no clue what to expect. There were no shopping malls or large grocery stores or any conveniences that I had always taken for granted. Even something as insignificant as carbonated beverages were scarce. But the city was alive with budding entrepreneurs, and it was an extremely exciting time to be here. I've had the privilege of watching and being a part of Budapest growth and change in the last 18 years - the positive and the negative - and it never ceases to amaze me how much has been accomplished in such little time.

Z&Z: Budapest vs Singapore?

Jennise: Comparing Budapest with Singapore is like comparing my trusty bicycle with a Maserati. Singapore has glam, style, and it is wealthy, clean, weather is always warm and food is abundant and a feast to all senses. Singapore has been described as 'Zurich, with better weather'. Things run very well in Singapore. Budapest, on the other hand, has dealt with the struggle of an old world beauty that was ripped up at the roots and nearly destroyed by communism, getting their feet wet with the idea of democracy followed by corruption and an infinite struggle to survive in a modern world - all in the last 20 years. It takes centuries for other countries to have accomplished what Hungary has gone through in 2 decades, all while still maintaining a sense of dignity. The people are proud, difficult, and complicated.... and in that sense, very much like myself. The food is very much like the people, as it takes many ingredients and is flavorful but not very good for you in large quantities. ;) All in all, despite my U.S. citizenship and many travels and relocations to other countries, I still call Budapest my 'home'. People who visit here either fall in love with it and stay or run away screaming. There is no in between.

Z&Z: If you are appointed as the mayor of Budapest?

Jennise: If appointed mayor to Budapest, I'd do what any other official does... keep my head low and pray for re-election. :D

Laces of Traditional Hungarian Dress

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The Hungarian needlepoint lace typically dealt with three groups of traditional motifs:
flower- and leaf-patterned lace trimmings;
collars, ruffs, animal-figured trimmings and fan laces;
patterned laces with peasants dressed in national costume.

Its first appearance was in 1902 and better known as Halas Lace, it was solely designed by Árpád Dékáni who was born in Alsójára, 1861 and died in Borbánd, 1931.

Halas Lace was an important part of Hungarian folk art.

From fans to small bags to lace tablecloths, they bear typical Hungarian flowers, and animals such as deer, doves, peacocks and peasant youths with Secession plant-stylization and line play.

The Wine Festival 2011

The Wine Festival 7-11 September 2011

Venue:
Terraces of the Buda Castle Palace

Approach:
From Pest( Deák Ferenc tér): bus number 16 to Dísz tér
From Buda( Moszkva tér): bus number 16 or bus number 16A-116 to Dísz tér
Funicular railway from Clarck Ádám tér
Elevator from Dózsa György tér

The Price of day armband: HUF 2,500/person/day
The day pass includes:
• 1 crystal tasting glass;
• 1 convenient, easy to use glass holding bag;
• free entry to the exhibitions of the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest Historical Museum;
• great opportunity for amusement in the high niveau Wine Festival concerts running parallel on two stages;
• high standard vinicultural and gastronomic offer;
• magical view and atmosphere in one of Hungary’s emblematic historical locations:the Buda Castle;
• a multiple entry wristband on the day of purchase.
Free entrance for children under 12.
Torn or stuck together armbands are invalid, so please take care of them.

Wine festival day passes available in advance!
Purchase your Wine Festival day pass in advance! Perfect as a present too!
www.jegymester.hu

WINE FESTIVAL PASS
Wine Festival 5 day Pass
HUF 7000,-/person.
Don't forget to exchange your advance 5 day pass to entry wristband before first entry at the Advance purchase ticket Offi ce at the Szent György utca entrance to the event (Koldus Kapu-Begger's Gate)!
The wristband is valid for all 5 days of the event and comes with a crystal tasting glass a glass holder.

Visitor ticket
On validation a tasting glass (made of glass), a glass-bearing bag and an armband ensuring unrestricted multiple entrance and exit for that day only is given.

Tasting ticket
Price: HUF 100 and HUF 1000.

The tasting ticket is the official means of payment at the Wine Exhibition and Fair. Wines and food at the exhibitors’ stands can only be bought and tasted with these tickets. Exhibitors may ask for more than one tasting ticket dependent on the value of the wine or food. Tasting tickets can be purchased for HUF from all information stands and mobile vendors in the whole area of the Wine Exhibition and Fair.

Other services at the Wine Festival

Clear wine from a clear glass, with clear head!
ANVALOR ltd. – Th e Offi cial Glass Washing partner of the Wine Festival
Since 3 years we have been exchanging and washing up your tasting glasses, iin order to let all the wines shine with their true glamour in your glasses. Also this year there will be 3 glasswashing stations available within the Wine Festival, in the Buda Castle.



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Fancy dress

ARC Exhibition | “Where do you think you live? Who do you think you are?”

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Yesterday we visited the ARC exhibition 2010 at the 56-osok square. “Where do you think you live? Who do you think you are?” These were the questions raised by the organizers and the best answers are exhibited now.