Blockhouse

Blockhouse in Budapest

Blockhouses are the symbols of socialism in Budapest in a way. This one is not the most typical traditional one but gives back the atmosphere very well I guess.

Mikszáth Kálmán

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Mikszáth Kálmán (1824-1910) Hungarian writer, journalist and politician.
Mikszáth was born in Szklabonya into a family of the lesser nobility. He studied Law at the University of Budapest from 1866 to 1869, although he did not apply for any exam, and became involved in journalism, writing for many Hungarian newspapers including the Pesti Hírlap.

His early short stories were based on the lives of peasants and artisans, and had little appeal. However, they demonstrated his skill in crafting humorous anecdotes, which would be developed in his later, more popular works. Many of his novels contained social commentary and satire, and towards the end of his life they became increasingly critical of the aristocracy and the burden he believed the latter placed on Hungarian society.

Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed his novel, St. Peter’s Umbrella so much that he visited Mikszáth during his European trip in 1910 solely to express his admiration.

Mikszáth was a member of the Liberal Party, and in 1887 was elected to the National Assembly of Hungary (one of the two top legislatures in Austria-Hungary). Until 1879 he was the representative for the Illyefalva District in Transylvania, and from 1892 until his death he represented the Fogaras District.

He was buried in Kerepesi Cemetery in Budapest.

(source: wikipedia)

Church gate

Church gate in Budapest

I like to get close to the details. This church is located somewhere in the XIIIth district of Budapest. Nothing special. But if you get closer you can recognise little details you usualy never see.:)

Office corner

Budapest

The XIIIth district of Budapest is traditionally a working class district. But nowdays I can see there more office buildings especially in the area of the Vaci street-Dózsa György street corner.

Finally it’s no longer underconstruction

Parliament - Finally no longer underconstruction

The Parliament building was under-construction for so long, it seems like many years according to the news on TV. Now that it has finally completed its reconstruction, we are hoping to make a photography session during one of the weekends in the Autumn to take some photos of this beautiful architecture which I love a lot! It’s officially fall now in Budapest. So fallen leaves on the grounds, orange-red-yellow-brown leaves on the trees. It’s one of the most beautiful season to visit if you love colours!

Critical Mass

Critical Mass 2008 - Budapest

I write every year about this movement of cyclists in Budapest on this blog. I really support them and as yesterday the organizers claimed….every year the number of people using bicycle in the city is doubled. This will be really a critical mass, soon.

Demonstration

Demonstration

NGOs are demonstrating against the enormous paperwork and hostile attitude of the authorities distributing the European Union sources in Hungary. Its a common joke among Hungarian non-governmental organizations providing social or health services: “I have a bad news! We won an EU grant!”

Chinese terracotta army in Budapest

Kínai agyaghadsereg kiállítás

The Chinese terracotta army arrived to Budapest from Xi’an. Or at least their replicas. We were standing at the entrance with Zannnie and when we have read that you could see “original reproductions” inside we decided not to enter.:)

Nora’s Budapest

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Today our guest photographer is Nora. She has attended the Élő Duna Fesztivál (Living Danube Festival) yesterday.

A new environmental project was implemented in Budapest creating a new Central Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The project was financed mainly by the Europen Union and the festival is related to this achievement.