From paddleboarding to shabby-chic bars, a Reuters journalist shares her favorite ways to spend downtime in Hungary’s capital My journalism career began almost by accident: I grew up in a small town in western Hungary and moved to Budapest, the capital, for university in 1987, just a few years before the fall of the communist regime. After returning from studying abroad in the U.S. and Scotland, I dropped copies of my CV in the mailboxes of 10 companies along an office block in downtown Budapest. One of them was Reuters. People talk at Szatyor, a bar on Bela Bartok Avenue. REUTERS/Marton Monus The then-bureau chief hired me as a translator. I later moved to reporting. Recently, as deputy bureau chief for Central and Eastern Europe, I have covered Hungary’s plans to ratify Sweden’...
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Hungary is organising Europe’s grandest fireworks show this year on August 20, which will also be one of the largest fireworks extravaganzas in the world. The celebrations mark the founding of the country and the feast of Hungary’s first king St. Stephen of the Arpad house. St. Stephen's Day is one of the most important events in Hungary in terms of interest and participation numbers. Hundreds of program elements will be held in 19 locations. World-class elements in the fireworks show The pyrotechnic extravaganza will run five kilometres from Petofi Bridge north to the southern third of Margaret Island. Crowds will enjoy an almost identical view from either bank of the Danube, and there will also be a light show on the Parliament building. 45,530 separate pyrotechnic effects wil...
Read MoreHungary's hottest July on record has forced some of the country's winemakers to start harvesting grapes in early August, up to a month earlier than usual. Climate change is having a severe impact on Hungary's acclaimed winemaking industry, as rising temperatures could make the country too hot for producing white wine, including the renowned Tokaji, scientists say. A combine harvester works in a vineyard near Balatonlelle, Hungary, August 5, 2024. REUTERS/Marton Monus "I do not remember ever harvesting this variety of grape this early... we are at least a month early," said Laszlo Kerek, a 35-year-veteran of grape growing in Balatonlelle, south of Lake Balaton in western Hungary. Kerek, who was harvesting grapes with his family in early August by hand, attributes the early harv...
Read MoreA Complete Guide to Festive Markets in Hungary Experience enchanting Christmas markets and warm festivities across Hungary. From the renowned Advent Basilica in Budapest, a three-time Best Christmas Market in Europe winner, to Debrecen, discover treasures, enjoy thermal spas, and celebrate the season. Don’t miss Hungary’s holiday charm. Christmas Markets in Budapest Must See: St. Stephen’s Basilica Advent Festival and Christmas Market According to European Best Destinations and based on the votes of over 374,000 worldwide travelers, the Advent Basilica has been elected the Best Christmas Market in Europe for the third consecutive time. As the winner of the Best Christmas Market in Europe award for 2020, 2021, and 2022, the Advent Basilica is undoubtedly one of the most bea...
Read MoreA bicycle pedalled by passers-by powers up a Christmas tree-shaped light installation in Budapest, as the local mayor applies sustainable technology to celebrate the festive season while saving on surging energy costs. The tree only lights up fully while someone keeps pedalling really hard, which encourages families with their kids to stop and give it a try. The bicycle also charges a battery that, along with solar panels, powers up the rest of the lights around the Budapest square. "One the one hand, we keep moving in this cold weather. On the other, we can experience how much one needs to pedal to light up a six meter-high Christmas tree decoration," said Gergely Orsi, the mayor of Budapest's 2nd district. "For us, it shows an example that sustainability is the future." ...
Read MoreStaff turned off the lights and started draining the pools at Hungary's famous Miskolctapolca cave baths on Monday, after the centuries-old attraction succumbed to a modern-day crisis - soaring gas prices. Visitors have been coming to the vast cavern since before Roman times to bathe in its naturally heated waters. In recent years, the venue has relied on gas to top up the temperatures in the pools and the caves, particularly during winter. Bathers relax at the Cave Bath in Miskolctapolca, Hungary, October 7, 2022. REUTERS/Krisztina Fenyo But then Russia invaded Hungary's neighbour Ukraine, sending shockwaves across the global economy and energy markets. For Miskolctapolca, and other businesses across Europe and beyond, that has filtered through in the form of crippling bills. ...
Read MoreA theater in Hungary’s capital will sit through a cold and quiet winter after its managers chose to shut it down rather than pay skyrocketing utility prices that are putting a squeeze on businesses and cultural institutions across Europe. The 111-year-old Erkel Theatre in Budapest, one of three performance spaces of the prestigious Hungarian State Opera, will close its doors in November after exponentially rising energy bills made heating the 1,800-seat building unsustainable. “We had to decide how we can save,” said Szilveszter Okovacs, director of the Hungarian State Opera. “Even though it hurts to decide to close Erkel for a few months, it’s completely rational.” A shadow is cast on the stage of the Trafo House of Contemporary Arts while technicians set up the lighting in Buda...
Read MoreIn sweltering temperatures, thousands of Hungarians took part in the annual Budapest Pride march on Saturday, vowing to keep up their fight against government policies on LGBTQ rights that have drawn EU condemnation. The European Commission sued Hungary earlier this month over a law passed last year to limit teaching about homosexuality and transgender issues in schools, the latest anti-LGBTQ measure to be passed by the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. A person attends the Budapest Pride march in Budapest, Hungary, July 23, 2022. REUTERS/Marton Monus The law has been billed by his administration as a way to protect children, but human rights groups said it discriminated against LGBTQ people and it was labelled a "disgrace" by European Commission President Ursula von der...
Read MoreAnantara expands its European portfolio with New York Palace Budapest Hotel Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has announced the addition of Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel to its portfolio, a debut in Hungary and a continuation of the brand’s European expansion. Situated in the heart of Budapest, one of the most unique and fascinating capital cities of Europe, the opulent property is an architectural ode to the Belle Époque era, exuding old-world glamour blended with contemporary luxury. Since its construction in 1894, the palatial building has acted as a gathering place for Hungarian intellectuals and is located on the sophisticated Erzsébet Krt boulevard on the Pest side of the Danube River. Designed by the mastermind Hungarian architect, Alajos Hauszmann, the design...
Read MoreBudapest residents and a few tourists flocked to cafes lining the River Danube on Saturday for a drink outside in the sun, after the government decided that having vaccinated more than a third of the population it was time to lift some restrictions. “We have been waiting for this moment when we can sit out again on a nice sunny day and have a drink for more than six months,” said local woman Bernadett. “This is fantastic.” Guests enjoy the sunny weather as they sit in front of a restaurant after the Hungarian government allowed to reopen outdoor terraces, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Budapest, Hungary, April 24, 2021. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo Next week restaurants are set to reopen indoors. Some remain worried however, as Hungary has racked u...
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