Hungarian Puszta – 100 years ago
“Down there on the ocean expanse of the lowlands
I am at home, that is my world;
my soul is like an eagle freed from prison,
when I behold the limitless expanse of level country.”
- Petőfi
W. B. Forster Bovill: Hungary and the Hungarians, 1908 – CHAPTER V
ON THE GREAT PLANE
Hortobágy and the Puszta
The poet was right. How well he expressed in a single sentence all that I put into the last chapter! Petőfi sang as a Magyar feels. The puszta was his rightful home, for there beats the great heart of the race. When first I visited Hortobágy it was but to stand amazed. Just imagine the impression created by a consciousness of being on a vast plain 300 square miles in area, the characteristics of which are immensity and the cattle from a thousand hills. Its very treelessness strikes a silent note of appeal. You yearn for a something you are accustomed to, then when it is not forthcoming settle down cheerfully to the absences of the grassy plain, its quaint huts like oases, and those picturesque acacia groves. Read more »
Conversation: Misunderstandings, Hidden Expectations
Language is often indirect and imprecise, and purposely so. Hungarians are almost always less direct than Americans and depend on nuances of meaning in many cases. Read more »
No Chance of Contagion
I found this picture on the internet a couple of years ago – I’m sorry about not remembering the source. I love it, however, pretty expressive…
Body Language, Nonverbal Communication
Differences in the way people communicate often cause misunderstandings, which is why business visitors should have some understanding of the basics of Hungarian nonverbal behavior. Of course, as with any business culture, you will find plenty of individual variation. Read more »
Best Restaurants
There are McDonald’s and Burger Kings on almost every street corner. For those who want to try something new and different, there are Turkish (gyros, falafel) and oriental fast food joints on all the main streets, which serve delicious food (lots of veggies!). For a good Hungarian meal, try one of the Hungarian restaurants we recommend Read more »
Religious Affiliaton of Hungarians
Cultural Catholic Christianity is the stated traditional religion of the people in Budapest. The years of Communism (1949 – 1989) had quite an affect on the mentality of the modern-day Hungarian.
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You Know You’re a Hungarian…
28. When you know what ‘lángos’ is.
29. When your engagement ring is worn on the opposite hand.
30. When you have difficulty pronouncing words started with “W” in English, but you’re capable of creating long and meaningful sentences using only “E” vowels in you mother tongue.
SIR GEORG SOLTI – Conductor
October 21, 1912, Budapest – September 5, 1997, Antibes
Conductor
Georg Solti studied at the Budapest Academy of Music, as a disciple of Arnold Székely (piano) and Albert Siklós (composition). In 1930 his instructors included Béla Bartók, Ernst von Dohnányi and Zoltán Kodály. From 1930 to 1937 he was the conductor for the Budapest Opera House. In 1937-1938, he worked as an assistant to Arturo Toscanini at the Salzburg Festival.
Solti moved to Switzerland in 1939. From 1946 to 1952 he was the music director of the Bavarian State Opera, and from 1952 to 1961, he was chief music director in Frankfurt. From 1961 to 1971 he was music director of Covent Garden Opera, and from 1969 he was chief conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He served as musical advisor to the Paris Opera from 1971 to 1973.
In 1979, Sir Georg Solti became chief conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and in 1990 he became chief music director of the Salzburg Festival.
In 1942 he won first prize at the Geneva international piano competition.
Solti was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 1972, in recognition of his excellence as a conductor. His recordings have won numerous prizes throughout the world. Sir Georg Solti received the Bartók Award in 1990 and the Leonard Bernstein Prize in 1995.
The Use of Humor
Sarcasm is one of the many intellectual weapons Hungarian people love to use.
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Children’s Train (Gyermekvasút) in the Buda Hills
Riding the Children’s Train and getting out at fun spots is a true nature experience in a city of 2 million people! The Children’s Train is named after its station and ticket controllers: the Budapest children! The single track mountain train Read more »
Attitude to the New and the Unknown
Cultures with a high level of uncertainty-avoidance prefer stable rules and long-lasting relationships. Any uncertainty can express itself in higher anxiety than those from low uncertainty avoidance cultures. Read more »
Hungary: A Fascinating History in a Nutshell
Hungary has a fascinating history spanning several centuries and nearly two millenniums.
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American Missionaries in Hungary
An interesting approach from a Hungarian Journalist, Norbert Izsák
Wherever we may go, we always find people living in other countries. Sometimes they do business in another culture, sometimes they are involved in charity, but no matter what their purposes are, they try to find a home in a foreign land.
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You Know You’re a Hungarian…
44. When your mama starts making apple strudel (or any other type of cakes or cookies) at 9:54pm on a weeknight because there is nothing decent on TV and she is bored.
45. When Winnie the Pooh and The Flintstones is actually much funnier translated into your language than the original.
46. When you go abroad and joke with the people there as at home and they just don’t understand but get possibly offended by your funny remarks.
A Dog Well Trained Brings Joy!
A well trained dog is obedient and happy. An obedient dog will bring joy and happiness to your entire family for years to come. It is very important to start your dog’s training in his early impressionable years. Read more »
Christian Heritage?
Christianity was first introduced to the Magyar people through a pact made by King István with the Vatican in 1000 AD. After officially declaring Hungary to be a Christian nation in order to form closer political ties to the growing West, people were given the choice to convert to Christianity or forfeit their lives.
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Restaurant Etiquette
Budapest etiquette when out at a restaurant with your Hungarian companion or companions.
Hungary, in the heart of Central Europe, retains numerous traditions and cultural expectations based on gender that may be different from our own. For the newcomer, as well as for many long-time expatriates in Budapest, these subtle expectations can be hard to spot, Read more »
Holidays in Hungary
Hungarian Public Holidays and Special Events are listed and explained here.
Public holidays (when shops and schools are closed) are marked red. Read more »
