In connection with the 33rd Summer Olympic Games taking place in Paris and orienting the attention of the Hungarian people to France, the Hungarian Campus of the French ESSCA School of Management International hosted, in cooperation with the French Institute of Budapest, a roundtable discussion this spring on how involvement in sports can actually be beneficial to develop the managerial skills of current and future business leaders. see article on page 10
WITH OPINION POLLS SHOWING A RATHER COMFORTABLE LEAD BY DONALD TRUMP, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DECIDED TO REPLACE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WITH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AS THEIR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. THE LATTER SEEMS TO HAVE CLOSED THE GAP SINCE BUT WHO CAN MANAGE TO BREAK THIS TIE?
Roland Horváth, the founding owner of BPM Group, is a highly skilled professional in his early thirties. He employs international performing artists in nearly forty countries and maintains daily contact with renowned figures in the music industry worldwide. As a creative producer, he is involved in repertoire planning and assembling teams. see article on pages 08-09
Although, the latest polls show a minimal lead by Vice President Kamala Harris over former president Donald Trump in the race for the White House, the contest can still be considered as a tie. Our international analyst takes a look at the major issues on the agenda of the two main candidates are. As yet, the contest is too close to call.
In the Executive World series, we present Roland Horváth, an extremely ambitious entrepreneur who has built his successful career on his own, without investors or external help, with the dream of realizing and successfully leading his entertainment project management and promotion company.
Sport exercises improve collective interpersonal skills by fostering teamwork, communication, and mutual respect. These activities also train the mind to cope with challenges that arise both in sports and in the workplace. They promote values like responsible behavior, fair competition, and humility. Because of these benefits, incorporating sports principles into business management can be highly effective, as discussed in a recent roundtable discussion featured in this issue.
Launched three years ago, the English language HuGo app helps collect Hungarian-related sites in the United States, building a network of historical, cultural or even gastronomic ‘Hungarian traces’ from the American Revolutionary War to the present day –a crowdsourcing success story.
The tourism pages take you to the Slovak capital, Bratislava that not only offers a great deal of historic sites but also a combination of vibrant colors and scents of the fall as well as wine and culinary delights.
In our WittyLeaks column, the Thai ambassador writes about his first experiences of the diverse and vibrant connection with Hungarian society and the Thai community; the society page presents this year’s La Estancia Polo cup, a three-day event attracted more than 400 guests, including 40 ambassadors, highlighting the event's high standards and familial atmosphere; while the wine section is about the Eklézsia Winery that follows centuries-old winemaking traditions and producing exceptional quality wines.
As summer draws to a close and we look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of the coming fall, let us continue to foster collaboration and innovation in diplomacy and trade, ensuring a prosperous and cooperative future for all.
Peter Freed PUBLISHER
PUBLISHER: Peter Freed PHOTO EDITOR: Dávid Harangozó
SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR: Tamás Varga
ADMINISTRATION: Blanka Szalontai
CONTRIBUTORS: Sándor Laczkó, Tamás Magyarics, Phrommes Bhaholpolbhayuhasena
PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS: depositphotos.com (cover), Károly Horváth (cover), indotek.hu, E.ON, felegyhazipekseg.hu, Hello Future, Zoltán Máthé/MTI, Sziget, Semmelweis University, palinchak/depositphotos.com, Sheilaf2002/depositphotos.com, Károly Horváth, French Institute of Budapest, Bratislava Tourist Board, HuGo, Royal Thai Embassy, Budapest, Dávid Kovács, Krisztina Friedrich, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, András Horváth/horiphoto.hu, Travis Shinn, Eklézsia Winery, La Estancia Polo Club
03 ON THE RECORD 04-05 COMPANY BRIEFS 06 ANALYSIS
Who breaks the tie at the U.S. elections? 08-09 EXECUTIVE WORLD Entertainment promotion manager Roland Horváth 10 EDUCATION
ESSCA conference on managerial skills and sports 12 BUSINESS
HuGo, the largest HungarianAmerican knowledge sharing platform
14-15 TOURISM
What Bratislava can offer 16 WITTYLEAKS by the Ambassador of Thailand 17 WHAT’S ON Concerts, festivals, events and exhibitions in and out of Budapest 18 WINE
Eklézsia Winery in Ócsa 19 SOCIETY La Estancia Polo Cup
Diplomacy&Trade is to present a special focus on Italy, which is the second most important target of Hungarian exports after Germany. Bilateral trade was record high last year, exceeding EUR 8 billion. Italy is among the ten largest investors in Hungary. Cooperation has also been increasing lately in the defense industry with a growing number of joint investment projects. The development of energy cooperation could be widened with a possible natural gas supply corridor via Slovenia.
Those will be some of the topics discussed – in addition to various aspects of bilateral relations – in an extensive interview with the Italian ambassador to Hungary, Manuel Jacoangeli. We also present the activities of the Italian trade agency ICE and the Italian cultural institute here. Of course, the compilation will feature a number of companies of Italian origin present in Hungary.
Every year on August 20th, Hungary celebrates the establishment of the Hungarian State and the country’s more than 1,000-year-old history. It is called St. Stephen’s Day as King Stephen, considered to be the founder of the Hungarian state, who died on August 15, 1038, was canonized on August 20, 1083. After World War II, this commemoration was secularized and thus, from 1945 to 1990, the holiday was simply known as Constitution Day, also celebrating the ’new bread’ at the end of the harvest season.
This year, as August 20 fell on a Tuesday, Hungarians enjoyed a four-day long week-end with hundreds of cultural and gastronomy programs on offer between August 17 and 20 across 19 locations in the country.
Traditionally, the national day celebration began with hoisting the national flag in front of the Parliament building in downtown Kossuth Square in the presence of state dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community. It was followed by the festive oathtaking ceremony of new army officers and an aerial parade by the Hungarian military over the River Danube between Margaret Bridge and the Chain Bridge.
The most spectacular part of the celebration on this national day is always the evening fireworks display. This time, more than 45,000 pyrotechnic effects were launched from the Szabadság, Elizabeth and Margaret bridges as well as river barges and pontoons during the 30-minute display that began with a delay of one hour due to rainy weather in the Hungarian capital.
Hungarian athletes won six gold, seven silver and six bronze medals at the 33rd Summer Olympic Games in the French capital, Paris, which means Hungary finished 14th on the medal table (one position up from Tokyo 2020 and two positions down from Rio de Janeiro 2016). The first Hungarian medal (a bronze) was won by Eszter Muhari in women’s individual epée fencing event on July 27, while the last one came on August 11 when Michelle Gulyás won the women’s individual competition in modern pentathlon. Other Hungarian gold medalists included three swimmers (Hubert Kós in the men’s 200-meter backstroke event, Kristóf Milák in the men’s 100-meter butterfly event and Kristóf Rasovszky the men’s 10-kilometer open water event); the men’s epée fencing team and – perhaps the most surprisingly –a title in taekwondo in which the women’s 67-kilogram category contest was won by Viviana Márton. Both swimming and fencing, respectively, also produced a silver and a bronze medal for the Hungarian Olympic team. When it comes to the number of medals, Hungarian paddlers won seven (four silver and three bronze ones) in the flatwater canoe sprint events with a silver in athletics and a bronze in pistol shooting completing the list of 19 Olympic medals for the Hungarian Olympic delegation.
One of the largest music and cultural festivals in Europe, the Sziget [‘Island’] Festival, is held every August on Óbuda Island, a leafy 108-hectare island on the Danube in northern Budapest with more than 1,000 performances taking place each year.
Between August 7 and 12, the festival celebrated its 30th edition this year, drawing visitors from over 100 countries and featuring around 600 performances from 54 nations over six days. The performers included 200 local acts, with many international ones from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries from as far as Senegal, India, Tanzania, New Zealand or Benin.
The largest venue was the 1,000-sqm Main Stage, featuring a 600-sqm LED wall and hundreds of intelligent lights. The largest structure was the Revolut Stage tent, covering 5,700 sqm, while the Bolt Party Arena occupied 4,000 sqm and the Yettel Colosseum built from 3,000 pallets.
The festival was also beneficial for the tourism industry in the Hungarian capital as around 178,000 guests stayed in Budapest hotels during the Sziget festival. According to the National Tourism Data Service Center (NTAK), the capital's hotels registered a total of 336,000 guest nights, a tenth more than during last year's event. The interest of foreigners was particularly high, with 20% more visitors and 10 % more overnight stays in Budapest than during last year's festival.
The economic and tourism yield of the event was even more visible compared to the week before Sziget: the number of overnight stays in the capital was a quarter higher than the previous week, while hotel revenues were more than a third higher.
Hollywood producer Andy Vajna was born 80 years ago, on August 1, 1944, and to mark the occasion, the Hungarian Hollywood Council (MHT) has declared August 1 as Andy Vajna Memorial Day.
According to Balázs Bokor, President of the MHT, Andy Vajna did a lot to bring Hungary back to the forefront of world cinema and to help Hungarian film regain its audience. He looked at the Hungarian film industry with the eye that by helping it, he could give something back to this country. And he did, from what
he had learned over many years, after many films, in many areas of filmmaking. On the memorial day, the Council held a day-long online commemoration of the producer, former Hungarian government commissioner for film, who deservedly wrote himself into the history of Hollywood cinema and Hungarian cinema, the Council said.
He was born as András György Vajna in Budapest in 1944 and left Hungary in 1956. He continued his studies in California and started his film career in the Far East as a hairdresser and wigmaker. He later moved into cinema management and film distribution in Hong Kong.
By the 1970s, he had grown into one of the world's most influential film distributors, and in 1982, he founded the American Society of Film Studies, of which he was president. He produced 59 films, the first of which was 1978's The Silent Partner, followed by such worldwide hits as Rambo, Terminator, Evita, Elemental Instinct and Die Hard. Andy Vajna died in his home in Budapest in January 2019, at the age of 74.
The Budapest-based medical higher education institution Semmelweis University has been listed in 14 medical and health sciences disciplines in the recently published U.S. News 2024-2025 Best Global Universities Rankings and is ranked number one in Hungary in most of these.
As in previous years, the university has again achieved its highest ranking in the category ‘Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems’, moving up 12 places from last year to become 31st in the world in this field, 11th in the European Union, with no Asian university ahead of it. This means that Semmelweis has surpassed universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sorbonne University in Paris, King’s College London, or Boston University and Washington University in St. Louis in the United States. Harvard University is at the top of the list.
As Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and Director of the Városmajor Heart and Vascular Center emphasized that the Center is the flagship of Semmelweis University in terms of both science and patient care, a leading center in its field at a national, regional, and European level.
“Today, cardiovascular diseases are still the most frequent cause of serious illness and death in the world, and especially in Central and Eastern Europe. That is why it is so important that we are excelling in this field, and that due to our scientific research we can directly contribute to improving patients’ chances of recovery and providing the best care,” he said.
The Hungarian energy services firm Alteo put a solar park into operation near Tereske in Nógrád county (northeast of Budapest). With the facility built with its own investment and construction, the company's solar power plant capacity has doubled.
The solar power plant will be able to produce 31 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity annually, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 10,000 households. In 2022, Alteo bought Edelyn Solar Ltd., which owned the project, for the development of the solar power plant. The company implemented the development in nine months with its own investment and construction exceeding EUR 17 million, which can
significantly increase the performance of the company's renewable energy production business. As Alteo CEO Attila Chikán, Jr. explained, since, unlike power plants that use fossil energy, solar farms do not emit harmful substances during their planned lifetime of 25-30 years and do not require drinking water, the investment
With Nova KBM and SKB banka successfully completing the legal merger on August 22, a new banking group has been created in Slovenia: OTP Skupina Slovenija, which complements banking services with leasing and factoring services of the subsidiaries SKB Leasing, SKB Leasing Select and Aleja finance. The operational merger process, which includes merging the best banking products, follows services and digital banking channels. The technical migration and transfer of the bank accounts of SKB banka's clients to the OTP banka's information system was scheduled for late August and early September this year. With the legal merger of Nova KBM d.d. and SKB banka d.d.
INDOTEK GROUP ACQUIRES
Indotek Group, a Budapest-based European real estate investment and asset management company, has acquired the Espacio León shopping center owned by US fund management company Blackstone Inc. for almost EUR 50 million, the real estate investor announced this August.
According to a statement from Indotek, the acquisition of one of the leading retail centers in the Spanish province of Castilla y León will further strengthen the group's presence in the Spanish commercial real estate market. The acquisition was financed by Banco Santander.
The Espacio León, inaugurated in 2004 and upgraded and renovated in 2018, attracts 4.1 million visitors per year. The shopping mall has 112 retail outlets, 1,277 parking spaces and 36,914 square meters of leasable area, and is currently operating at 93% occupancy. With a population of 120,000 and a magnet for 200,000 people, León is an important commercial and educational center, attracting 900,000 tourists a year thanks to its historical and cultural heritage. The city's advanced infrastructure, including a highspeed rail link to Madrid, further enhances its attractiveness for commercial and business investors.
In addition to its 1,600-room Spanish beachfront hotel portfolio, Indotek Group's interests in Iberia include a retail park, several supermarkets, industrial properties and the acquisition of two malls in Valencia and Barcelona last year, according to the statement.
Based in Budapest, Indotek Group is a real estate investment, development and asset management group with a presence in
Ljubljana, all obligations and rights of SKB banka were taken over by Nova KBM d.d. as its universal legal successor. The new bank is called OTP banka d. d., and the legal headquarters of the new bank are in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.
According to the statement announcing the merger, OTP banka wants to maintain the largest market share of loans and deposits in Slovenia and will be the second largest foreign branch (outside Hungary) of the international OTP Group, which is one of the largest and fastest growing banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe. With around 2,500 employees and with their broad knowledge and commitment, OTP Group Slovenia will provide superior financial services, build solid relationships with clients and contribute to the growth and development of the Slovenian economy.
After the completion of the operational merger, as of September 2, 2024 onwards, clients of the merged bank are able to carry out services in the most accessible bank with more than 900 banking points, through the best-rated digital bank in Slovenia, and have access to a wide range of excellent banking products and services for the retail segment, small and medium-sized companies and corporate users.
12 other European countries. It has a portfolio of more than 350 properties, including more than 40 shopping centers, with a total of more than 2.5 million square meters of leasable space. The Indotek Group's investment philosophy focuses on the renovation and reuse of existing buildings.
in Tereske is also useful from a sustainability point of view. The company also pays a lot of attention to ensure that the biological quality of the land used by the solar park and its future usability, which is different from the solar park, are not damaged during the lifetime of the solar power plant and after its completion, he added. At the end of its useful life, the entire infrastructure of the solar power plant can be simply removed and largely recycled. It also serves sustainability that the 42-hectare area occupied by the solar park can be repeatedly used for farming, and during operation, attention will also be paid to solutions that support biodiversity, Alteo announced.
According to the CEO, the investment is made even more significant by the fact that the Tereske solar power plant is integrated into Alteo's renewable control center, which makes it possible to use the weather-dependent solar power plant in the flexibility services provided to the national electricity grid.
Erste Bank closed a successful first half of the year in Hungary with an operating profit of more than HUF 120 billion, up from HUF 93 billion in the previous year, and a nearly 60% increase in profit after tax to HUF 74.4 billion, Erste CEO Jelasity Radovan said at a press conference in Budapest this August.
Erste's operating income in the first quarter of 2024 increased by 24%, according to the statement prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The CEO stressed that Erste expects lower profits in the second half of the year. Positive business trends, a higher-than-expected interest rate environment and better than expected loan book development played a major role in the performance in the first half of this year. By contrast, profits in the second half of the year are expected to be more subdued due to slower than expected economic growth, a lower interest rate environment, the restructuring of the extra profit tax and the increase in the transaction tax, he said.
Radovan Yelasity stated that business investment and borrowing is on hold. The public is spending cautiously and consumption growth is subdued, all of which are affecting growth expectations for this year.
He highlighted that retail lending has picked up, with the bank disbursing more home loans in the first half of this year than it did in the full year to 2023. Invested and managed assets grew 31% year-on-year by the end of June to more than HUF 4,700 billion.
László Harmati, the financial institution's deputy chief executive in charge of retail, said the stock of customer loans and bonds at the end of June 2024 was 3.5% higher than a year earlier.
Disbursements of new personal loans increased 42% to HUF 45 billion in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, while baby loans increased 14% to HUF 19 billion. The non-performing loan ratio fell to 2.4% from 2.8% a year earlier. He called the 171% increase in new mortgage loan originations to HUF 67 billion a significant achievement. Both the increase in the number of loan contracts and the more than 30% rise in the average loan amount played a role in this, he explained.
The electricity company E.ON is building a new battery energy storage facility in Soroksár (a southern Budapest district), which will enable the connection of new solar systems and increase security of supply. According to the company’s statement, the storage facility will be
capable of storing around six megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy generated by 350 residential solar systems. The Soroksár facility will store the large amount of energy generated by solar systems in the area, allowing customers to use it where and when it is needed. Its installation will also improve the stability of the grid and reduce potential outages due to voltage fluctuations.
The total cost of the investment is HUF 784.52 million, of which HUF 337.50 million is nonreimbursable amount from the EU's Recovery
Félegyházi Bakery, a 100% Hungarianowned, two-generation family business, has been implementing a HUF 10 billion greenfield investment since the end of last year, Zoltán Magyar, the bakery's chief operating officer, said in a podcast interview.
Hungarian bakery products are of high quality, but Hungary still imports more of them than it sells on foreign markets. “For our food industry to catch up with the productivity of Western companies, we need thoughtful and modern investments,” the operational manager pointed out.
Of the Hungarian baking industry's roughly HUF 280 billion turnover, Félegyházi has a 10% share, with revenues reaching HUF 30 billion in 2023. The company's workforce has grown from 20 employees at the beginning to more than 1,400 in a quarter of a century – yet, the term "family business" still holds its own, which is not only reflected in the owner's approach, as the founder and his children, now the new generation of company managers, are involved in the management of the company on a daily basis, but also in empathy and care for the employees. They support a number of charitable organizations
in addition to the minor and major concerns of the employees.
Of course, it would be impossible to produce this amount of goods with old machines or by hand – 90% of their machines are Siemens-controlled. According to Zoltán Magyar, ”the classic baker's skills have changed, but as dough is still dough, the essence has not changed, so to speak.”
The operations manager added that "we are lucky because we still have good bakers and master bakers, and the number of food engineers working for the company is growing every year. I remember when I first came to the company how much we did manually, such as throwing dough into the machines, folding and calibrating dough, etc.
Automating these is worthwhile as you can solve more problems in one go."
The greenfield investment of nearly HUF10 billion, which will house a very substantial warehouse, a multi-line production area, an automated and robotized chilled packing line and a 5,000-pallet frozen storage warehouse, will make it the company's premier logistics center.
The new plant will create around 200 new jobs in Kiskunfélegyháza, SE Hungary.
and Resilience Instrument (RRF) and from E.ON's own resources. The new energy storage facility in Soroksár will be completed by November 2025. The company adds in the statement that it will spend a record amount of almost HUF 400 billion in the coming years to develop its electricity network. The aim of these investments is to increase the amount of green energy and to enable customers to connect more renewable energy sources, including solar systems, to the grid in the coming years.
Raiffeisen Bank Plc. closed the first half of this year with a consolidated after-tax profit of HUF 51.4 billion, which is 73% more than in the same period last year, the financial institution reported on the website of the Budapest Stock Exchange (BÉT).
According to the company's business report, the main reason for the increase was the level of the
risk cost being significantly lower than the previous year, the jump in interest income induced by the high interest rate environment and the increase in net commission income.
The level of the extra tax levied on the banking sector by the Hungarian government per group was also lower than the previous year, which also contributed to the increase in the result.
Operating costs exceeded the costs of the same period of the previous year by 12%, which was caused by the increase in wage and material costs induced by the inflationary environment.
The growth rate of the group's revenues exceeded its costs, so the value of the cost/income indicator improved to 30% in the first half of 2024.
The total balance sheet of the group increased by almost HUF 350 billion to HUF 4,779.4 billion, and its market share rose from 6.01% at the end of 2023 to 6.19%.
With the rise of trends such as the globalization of business, teleworking and coworking, the technologies to support employees have evolved significantly, changing the physical space they need.
optimize the environment. These technologies include IoT devices that collect and analyze realtime data, and AI systems that automate and fine-tune building operations," Magdolna Nagy, smart building expert and founder of Hello Future points out. "In smart offices, for example, lighting, temperature and air quality are automatically adjusted to the presence and preferences of workers," she adds.
Smart building technologies are becoming a key enabler in more and more offices because the connectivity they provide allows employees to make more efficient use of space and time, increasing their productivity. These technologies also ensure the well-being of office workers, which also helps to boost productivity. "Smart buildings are facilities that use modern technologies to
The confluence of IoT and building operations, and the future of workplaces, creates an important opportunity for building owners, operators and occupiers to create smart, digitally connected spaces that put people support at their core. Business leaders are increasingly interested in creating a strategy for managing their buildings that reflects the digital transformation taking place across their business.
WHO WILL BREAK THE TIE IN THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?
BY TAMÁS MAGYARICS
’A Hail Mary pass is a very long forward pass in American football, typically made in desperation.’ The quote is more or less aptly describes the Democratic Party’s almost last-minute decision to pull Joe Biden back (officially, he himself came to this conclusion…), and install Vice President Kamala Harris in his place as the party’s presidential candidate in 2024. The game seemed to be lost for the Democrats for all intents and purposes after Joe Biden’s disastrous debate with Donald J. Trump late June. Then, the President contracted a ’diplomatic illness’, retired for a weekend, and after ’serious self-reflection’ posted a short notice announcing that he would withdraw from his party’s nomination for president. The open secret is that he was actively assisted in reversing his position by, among others, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, the Obamas and similar heavyweights in the Democratic Party, in addition to ’Hollywood’ and the bulk of the liberal press. Sweetening the bitter pill, some of the same people who were instrumental in this palace putsch, likened him to George Washington – which is, if anything, over the top. Paraphrasing what Lloyd Bentsen remarked when Dan Quayle likened himself to John F. Kennedy: we know George Washington, and Joe Biden is definitely not George Washington.
This rather ruthless political assassination was, in reality, a smart move by the plotters. Joe Biden and the Democratic Party were heading for a thrashing in both the presidential and the congressional elections this coming fall. The various opinion polls showed a rather comfortable lead by Donald Trump nationally and in the so-called battleground (swing) states alike. In fact, the latter ones are the ones to watch: apart from Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, the winner is almost sure to be either the Democratic or the Republican candidate. These seven states decided the presidential election with a total difference of some 40,000 votes in 2016 in favor of Donald Trump, and of Joe Biden in 2020. The proverbial needle has moved since in favor of Kamala Harris, who has acquired a modest lead nationally, and is ahead of Donald Trump in at least two of the swing states (Wisconsin and Michigan) late August. Her surge in the polls can be chalked up to a traditional boost after the Democratic Party’s National Convention, and a sense of hope among a number of Democrats or Democratleaning voters who were watching Joe Biden’s physical and mental decline with desperation.
However, the ’one-million-dollar’ question is whether Kamala Harris has brought changes in substance as well besides appearance (perception). She has a rather difficult task: she should somehow distance herself from an unpopular Biden administration (its disapproval rate is in the high 50s), while she cannot quite plausibly claim that she was not part of the decision-making process as Vice President, and she was, in fact, outside of the loop in the past three and half years. In reality, the opinion polls still put the Republicans, and personally Donald Trump ahead in most of the important issues which matter for the great majority of the Americans: inflation, immigration, crime, safety in the streets, food price, the cost of petrol at the filling stations, the rent for apartments and houses, and even foreign affairs; the only question where the Kamala Harris and the Democrats beat their opponents is the right to have abortion. Kamala Harris seems to be doubling-down on expanding the welfare state by following Joe Biden’s trillion-dollar Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Her proposed offset would be tax increase for the ’rich’, raising the capital gains tax to match the personal income tax rate and the corporate tax rate from the current 21% to 28%, ending tax-free transfer of most estates, imposing the so-called death tax (inheritance
tax), and the like. She promises to provide even more protection and rights to ’marginalized groups’ – that is, giving federal protection to the woke ideology, even including its excesses too. In contrast, Donald Trump’s Agenda 47 offers tough border control, the deportations of illegals, boosting (fossil) energy production, tougher trade deals with foreign countries, foremost among them with China, bringing manufacturing jobs back, ending inflation –all in all, a sort of Trump 2.0 if he is elected.
The choice is rather stark, though the extreme rhetoric used by the Democrats and the Republicans, i.e., if the other side wins that means the end of democracy as we know it in the U.S., should not be taken that seriously. However, it seems that the Democrats have been shifting towards the left since Bill Clinton’s middle-of-the-road presidency, while the Republicans to the right since the ascendancy of Donald Trump. It is a choice between the Democrats’ social engineering and Republicans’ kind of social Darwinism; affirmative action versus colorblind society, woke progressivism against such traditional values as the centrality of families; green policies pitted against rebuilding America’s manufacturing base, and so on. In foreign policy, the continuation
of active American role in the world (even intervention in other countries’ domestic policies) in the spirit of ’the indispensable nation,’ while Donald Trump promises a more restraint U.S. approach to international affairs, and wishes to concentrate on fewer challenges (especially the one posed by China), while elsewhere, he would require increased contribution by the allies in maintaining the global primacy of the U.S. (the West).
The Hail Mary pass of the Democrats has not brought about a touchdown (yet), but has not failed either as most of these passes end up. It has tied the game; the breaking of the tie, to borrow a term from another sport, from tennis, will be an ongoing contest as the first mail ballots are sent out (first in North Carolina) early September, almost in parallel with the beginning of the pro football season. The political one is supposed to end on November 5, but the good money is on a number of legal challenges no matter which party will lose. Given the high tension and the apocalyptic rhetoric in the presidential election, it may amount to another sort of miracle if the likely brawls will stay within the walls of the courtrooms. If not, that would really be a challenge to American democracy
Tamás Magyarics is a foreign policy analyst
A HUNGARIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL’S CAREER AND AIMS FOR FURTHER SUCCESS
Even during his university years, Roland Horváth gained significant recognition and began arranging bookings for DJs around the world. He recalls that "in 2008, during university, I met DJ Niki Belucci, and as her companion, I traveled the world with her. We developed a close bond. During those travels, I realized that this is what I want to do."
Concert organizer manager
After obtaining his university degree, he started working in Dubai on establishing a nightclub, where he gained valuable experience in nightlife and built important connections. "I got a contract at a nightclub and lounge bar located in the Melia Hotel, and within a few weeks, I was already in Dubai, building the club from scratch as it was just opening. I was 20 years old," he says. Later, he realized that constant late nights were taking a toll on him, and valuing his health more, he decided to move back home.
Virtuosos – a classical music talent show
The Virtuosos was a significant chapter in his career, where he learned a lot and gained even more experience. "It was at that time that Mariann Peller launched the first season of the Virtuosos talent show. She called me in for an interview and hired me immediately. Within a month, I was the CEO of her company. Today, I am a shareholder in Virtuosos Holding and also secured cello virtuoso HAUSER as one of the judges. My time at Virtuosos lasted for about eight months because Mariann and I quickly realized that two strong personalities can't easily coexist under the same roof, in the best possible sense, since I also wanted to build my own business. So, we parted ways,” he tells Diplomacy&Trade. “This was a very important milestone for me; I learned a lot from Mariann. My task was to bring international stars to the first season, in addition to all other production management and coordination tasks. Thanks to my organizational work, Alexander Markov, Thomas Hampson, The Piano Guys, and 2CELLOS participated in the show. My friendship with HAUSER began here, and six years later, I became his manager. I loved that period; it was very stressful and demanding, but it was when I learned the most about the performing arts industry, the crossover genre, and concert organization.” He made many friendships with industry professionals, both Hungarian and international, during that time, and thus, the Virtuosos was the second milestone in his life and career after Dubai.
“Mariann and I still talk and meet several times a month, running joint projects on an international level and building the international market for ourselves, for Virtuosos, for BRICS Entertainment, and helping each other wherever we can," he adds.
Ennio Morricone and the Czech Philharmonic Concert Tour
The Morricone concert was a joint venture between Hungarian Virtuosos, Broadway, and BPM Management Group, celebrating the legendary music of Italian composer Ennio Morricone.
The event aimed to showcase the world-renowned maestro's work in a special performance, blending classical music with the entertainment industry.
"That's where I truly learned everything about concert organization.
I hadn't organized concerts before, but I was given this assignment by the Hungarian Virtuosos and handled everything from ticket sales coordination and marketing to other production activities.
However, I wouldn't say the Morricone concert was the project where I learned the most, but rather the Anastacia concert we organized together with Virtuosos, where American singer Anastacia performed with a symphony orchestra at the Budapest Arena.”
Roland Horváth says Anastacia was a big dream for him. “As a child, I attended one of her concerts in Budapest, and it hit me then that I wanted to organize a concert for Anastacia and others... That concert was in 2004 when I was 14 years old. I think that was the moment I realized that this would be my world one day. Thinking of it, this might have been the moment of imprinting when my sister asked me when I had come up with this idea for myself."
At the age of 26, Roland Horváth established BPM Management Group, a company that focuses on managing,
Roland Horváth, the founding owner of BRICS Entertainment, is a highly skilled professional in his early thirties. He employs international performing artists in nearly forty countries and maintains daily contact with renowned figures in the music industry worldwide. As a creative producer, he is involved in repertoire planning and assembling teams.
booking, and promoting artists. He points out that "Since then, we have been organizing Arena concerts in the Czech Republic, Dubai, and Budapest, and we are sending artists all over the world, whom we either manage or collaborate with on booking. Right now, we're heading to Jeddah with David Garrett and Dave Koz for a star performance at the grand opening ceremony of a new arena."
The company provides comprehensive services for performing artists in the areas of Booking, Promotion and Management. Through the Booking service, they arrange performances for artists at various events, whether domestic or international. The Promotion service involves organizing and promoting concerts and ensuring the artists' brands are popularized using the latest marketing tools. The Management service includes fullscale artist management, whether it's building up emerging talents or managing already established artists.
"These are what the words mean, and from the very beginning, these three words have been my priority.
Sometimes, the focus shifts in one direction or another, but fundamentally, all three are equally important to me. If you think about it, booking and concert promotion are the ones that generate the most revenue, while the others involve a lot of costs, but I'm always looking for balance because the business needs to be sustainable, but it also needs to grow and develop, and we can achieve this by producing new shows and building up new artists," he explains.
Today, BPM Group is a brand used in Hungary only, as all international business is conducted through his new Dubai-based company, BRICS Entertainment.
The most successful projects
Throughout his career, Roland Horváth has directed and completed numerous significant projects, among which the most notable or enjoyable stand out.
He says it's very hard to choose from
among them. “For me, one of the greatest experiences is organizing the IL VOLO concerts because I've developed a good relationship with the performers, Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio, and I also have a very good personal relationship with their management. I'm saying this with tears in my eyes because it was this July that Barbara Vitali, the co-manager of IL VOLO, passed away in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, and it's really affecting me. This year, we have three concerts with IL VOLO, but Barbara will no longer be there to hold my hand at the FOH, and we won't be able to video the guys on stage together, showing what a fantastic performance they're giving to the audience.”
Additionally, he considers developing HAUSER's ‘Rebel with a Cello’ show is also a great pride of his, “as the show we dreamed up together with HAUSER has already been seen by Celine Dion in Las Vegas, and I'm particularly proud that Hungarian string, wind and pop musicians accompany HAUSER on his tour, including my friend Ádám Tóth, who is the tour's musical director and guitarist, and is an integral part of HAUSER's band and the concert's musical coordination. This is true pride that these guys are traveling the world, and it's thanks to me and Ádám, as I brought Ádám in, and he helped select the other musicians. Ádám is currently one of the most hardworking and talented music producers in Hungary. It doesn't matter what the well-known award ceremonies in our country, in Hungary, say, but Ádám Tóth is someone who deserves every music award. I'm very proud of him, and it's a pleasure to work with him.”
Roland Horváth worked and works with management teams on not only concerts but other projects as well, such as Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, Eros Ramazzotti, IL DIVO, Lara Fabian, IL VOLO, and many other A-list performers' management teams, and
often has a very good relationship with the performers as well. One project he is very proud of is set to be released in September. “I signed a worldwide management contract with Marcelito Pomoy, and we're going to turn the Filipino singer into a huge global star because he has talents that are world-class. We're making a joint album with Pierpaolo Guerrini, one of Bocelli's producers, and Marcelito has been invited to a charity project where we're working on a song with names like Richard Marx, Billy Idol, Braison Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lara Fabian and IL DIVO. The song's producers are Charlie Midnight (who worked with Britney Spears, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Cher, Billy Joel and many more) and Jan Fairchild (who worked with Michael Bolton, Pharrel Williams and many more). Charlie has worked with everyone from Barbra Streisand to Britney Spears and CHER. This project is currently filling me with great excitement!"
Qualities, expectations and professional skills
The profession of a concert organizer manager requires many qualities essential for a good professional, according to Roland: "project management skills, the ability to oversee hundreds of things simultaneously, high endurance, good communication skills, openness, honesty, straightforwardness, fairness, the use of all technological tools to develop the operational affairs of the business, artificial intelligence, and what's very important is having good sales skills if someone wants to get into this profession."
Roland Horváth is an extremely ambitious entrepreneur who has built his successful career on his own, without investors or external help, with the dream of realizing and successfully leading the BRICS Entertainment company.
"Cash flow. I don't see any other obstacle to achieving this goal. And even this is not an obstacle, just the amount of fuel in the car that drives me toward achieving the goal. Since I built everything on my own, without any significant investor or serious capital, step by step, to quote a current classic, brick by brick, but with a lot of international work, perseverance, and focus on the goal, the success of BRICS was inevitable. My dream is to make BRICS Entertainment, which I recently founded, the leader in artist management and concert promotion in the future, both regionally and internationally. Although I only started the business a few months ago, we are already producing an international world tour with some of the world's greatest artists. If I can continue to have a focus on projects, build strong relationships, surround myself with the best people in the world in my field, and be able to continually progress the BRICS Entertainment brand, my dream can be fully realized," he summarizes.
As for the future, Roland stress that he has big plans and he aims to maintain his entrepreneurial focus, which is important to him.
"I'm constantly developing new artists, producing shows, and doing much more in the background. The biggest goals now include the world premier and album release of Marcelito, among other things. I don't want to get too far ahead, but the essence of it is that the entrepreneurial focus is essential for me, and if it has brought me this far, it must be maintained. It makes the business grow because it gives us a clear direction and goal. I don't get distracted and always focus on the next milestone, so I know exactly what to focus on next, and I can achieve even more and get even closer to the big dream. If my entrepreneurial focus remains this strong, BRICS Entertainment will be one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world."
In 2024, Paris hosted the most important competition series of the year, the 33rd Summer Olympic Games. In connection with the fact that the greatest gathering of athletes from all around the world takes place in France, the Hungarian Campus of the French ESSCA School of Management International hosted, in cooperation with the French Institute of Budapest, a roundtable discussion this spring on how involvement in sports can actually be beneficial to develop the managerial skills of current and future business leaders.
“As we have a long-lasting relationship with the French Institute, I sat down with its director thinking of possible joint programs that we can propose to the French-speaking population of Hungary to show that we are very proud of the French origin of both of the institutions, also orienting the attention of the Hungarian people to France and also to the French Olympic Games,” Campus Director Professor Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray tells Diplomacy&Trade.
The advantages of practicing sports
Explaining the topic of the roundtable discussion, Dr. Jean Charroin, the CEO and Dean of ESSCA School of Management, is of the view that sport improves the collective interpersonal skills. “Whether it’s individual sport or collective (team) sport, in fact, always keep in mind that success will result from making an effort one after the other. Thus, I think one of the major assets of practicing sports is to understand that sooner or later, if you want to achieve a result, you have to dedicate yourself. For people willing to act as responsible entrepreneurs or leaders, it's very important to have in mind these notions of effort and discipline,” he points out. He adds that, in the end, there's an additional lesson, which is very interesting: you face either success or failure. It means that in terms of capacities, in terms of mindset, you must be able to analyze what the drivers of your success or failure were. And this is the same for the
collective or team sports where you have to find the solution together with the others, the teammates. On the other hand, I believe that sport is also important in everyday life, practicing sports every week is the best way to have a balanced life.”
Not just talking about it
The ESSCA leaders can also speak from personal experience when it comes to sports. Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray stresses that she swims quite a lot.
“I also play table tennis, and I walk quite a lot with my son in the forest, including hiking and several exercises.”
As for Dr. Jean Charroin, he practiced triathlon (swimming, running and cycling) in Switzerland.
“Not at a very high level, but in fact, for me, it was a relief, because when you're the CEO, when you're the dean of an institution of now with more than 600 people, you may encounter problems to solve every day. I believe that practicing sports may help a lot if you wish to have a fresh view of the problems and clear thinking. I practiced triathlon with a very high intensity 10 years ago. Now, I'm getting older, but I still practice triathlon for almost six hours every week. As my schedule is very tight, I only have time for it between 6 and 7 o’clock in the morning most of the time, so, I get up quite early.”
Actually, the participants of the roundtable discussion also included academic people, professors who not just conduct research on the
subject but could talk from personal experience as well. Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray mentions a professor and an associate professor from ESSCA who were there to analyze data empirically; an
ESSCA alumnus who founded his own business after graduation and thus, he could look at the issues discussed from a double perspective; the general manager of Morgan Stanley Hungary, who is actually a FIDE Candidate Master chess player, would detail how sports are influencing his managerial or leadership approaches; or the general manager of Accace who is doing sports for fun because he feels the positive impact of sports on his professional work.
As the Dean explains, they are always willing to adapt the curriculum of their studies to the benefit of sports so that students may have a second life different from the academic one.
“We encourage this type of approach because we believe that sooner or later, this will help them when they look for an internship, look for a job or even when they are actually given professional responsibilities in company.”
For strengthening the competitive side of students, he mentions the annual contest ESSCA organizes with the participation of the six campuses they have in France: three days of competition in football (soccer), basketball, running, etc. “It's very stimulating because if they want to be the winner, they have to practice, they have to be committed to sports practice every week. It also reinforces a sense of belonging in the students. With this contest, they realize that they are part of a larger institution and that they share sports values – values that come handy in other fields of life, including work: responsible behavior, competing in a fair and humble way, etc. One must be reliable because the other ones are expecting a lot from you and you must live up to the expectations.”
STRENGTHENING COOPERATION IN SPORTING FIELDS
In March 2023, at the 30th anniversary of the Budapest Campus of the ESSCA School of Management, the French Institute in Budapest signed a partnership and cooperation framework agreement with the ESSCA Hungary Foundation. The Institute’s director, Pierre Pedico believes “there is no doubt that the bilateral projects between our two institutions will help strengthen academic relations between our two countries and promote French excellence in the region. We sincerely hope to see ESSCA continue its development while preserving the high standards of quality education for which it is renowned. Of course, the French Institute reiterates its support for this path and hopes to continue to see many ESSCA students evolve further amongst our companies, whether in Hungary or in France.”
Speaking of the topic of the roundtable discussion, he asserts that sports and sport diplomacy are very important for the French Institute. “To celebrate the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in July and August 2024, we intend to strengthen our cooperation in sporting fields. Taking stock of the existing situation, liaising with the Hungarian authorities for major sporting events, establishing contact with high-level French athletes in Hungary and encouraging meetings of young people and athletes are now on our roadmap.”
Pierre Pedico, who played rugby when he was a student in SW France and now goes jogging regularly to keep in good shape, is also of the view that sports activities by managers influence their management and leadership skills and approaches. These, he says, include developing team spirit (as team sports encourage cooperation, communication and coordination); problem-solving and decision-making under pressure (as sports often require quick and effective decisions under pressure); stress management and resilience (as athletes learn to deal with the pressure of competition and failure); setting and achieving objectives (as athletes are used to setting ambitious goals and working systematically to achieve them); and leadership and inspiration (as many sports provide opportunities to develop leadership skills).
Launched three years ago, the English language HuGo app helps collect Hungarian-related sites in the United States, building a network of ‘Hungarian traces’ from the American Revolutionary War to the present day –historical, cultural or even gastronomic.
As Anna Smith Lacey, the Executive Director of the Washington DC-based Hungary Foundation, the app’s developer, explains to Diplomacy&Trade, “travelling across the United States, we quickly realize that there are Hungarian traces everywhere: from Manhattan's Central Park to Los Angeles’ Hollywood Boulevard, from little towns in Alaska to Key West in the southern tip of Florida – you find Hungarian contributions everywhere. This realization prompted the foundation to create a platform where users can find information about Hungarian shops, restaurants, statues, churches, scout groups, pastry shops, etc. all in one place – as the app’s tagline says: all things Hungarian in the US in one app.”
Smith Lacey says that the app aims to demonstrate the incredible richness and complexity of Hungarian contributions to US history, society and economy, and make it all as accessible as possible.
Hungarian-American logo
The hussar (cavalryman) icon was chosen as the app’s symbol because it is connected to the very beginning of Hungarian-American relations. Mihály Kováts de Fabriczy, a Hungarian hussar born in Karcag, Eastern Hungary, exactly 300 years ago, is recognized as the “father of the US
cavalry”. During the American Revolutionary War, he volunteered his military services to Benjamin Franklin, after which the Continental Congress commissioned him to lead and train the Pulaski legion, an important military formation in the war. Kovács created one of the first training guides for the American cavalry. He fought in New Jersey and later in South Carolina where he died defending Charleston from the British. “It was really a nod to Kovács’ legacy that we wanted to preserve by choosing the hussar logo and also because hussars are very well respected in the United States and they have a tremendous legacy in Hungary as well,” the Executive Director highlights.
The most sought categories
When it comes to actual searches by the users, the most popular category is historical sites.
Anna Smith Lacey says that the app features over 500 hits in this category: churches, statues, busts of Hungarians, memorial gardens and plaques, gravesites of famous Hungarians, former residences of Hungarian composers or poets.
“Another very popular category is, of course, ‘food and drink’ – we now have over 200 of these on the app, including Hungarian food trucks that sell kürtőskalács (chimney cake), Hungarian butchers selling kolbász (sausage), grocery stores selling túró and tejföl (cottage cheese and
sour cream) and mikulás csoki (Santa Claus shaped chocolate figure) or confectioneries selling bejgli (poppy seed roll cake). In the ‘event’ category, the app features upcoming events. A lot of people are interested in where the nearest Hungarian dance classes are, or where they can find the next Hungarian-American business networking opportunities, scout camps, concerts,
festivals, picnics or wine tastings. Registered users get push notifications on the app, so, whoever publishes an event through HuGo can reach a very wide audience. In the ‘services’ category, Hungarian businesses can register themselves on HuGo. The app now features all sorts of Hungarian-American startups, photographers, pediatricians, lawyers, car repairmen, web designers, dog walkers, plumbers, even musicians, Hungarian language teachers or tax advisors. This very colorful category is quite a good platform for them to gain visibility, outside of their own city, county or even state.”
At the beginning, the developers had to decide whether this was going to be a top-down app where they funnel the information that they receive from the top and then push it down through the app or this was going to be a bottom-up, grassroots-driven application. “We decided that we want this to be a grassroots-led app, driven primarily not by us, but by the users. And that was the right decision. We now have over 10,000 users, who browse freely and find information on HuGo. And we have over 1,700 active users who have contributed to HuGo’s database by uploading new sites, sometimes only one or two, sometimes a dozen but in some cases, over a hundred new sites. We have thus built the biggest Hungarian-American knowledge-sharing platform. Every week or so, we check the validity of the uploads and users themselves can also flag information they find on the app. We don't want to be very strict gatekeepers, we don't want to be stifling information that's out there. We would like to provide a platform that is accessible to all and offer the widest possible opportunity for users to share their knowledge in English so it can be accessible to those who love Hungary but don’t speak the language. We would like to reach as many Hungarians, Americans and HungarianAmericans as possible. It's an app for anybody and everybody who is interested in all things Hungarian in the United States,” according to the Executive Director.
She explains that most HuGo users are based in the United States. “However, we have a lot of users who are based in Hungary as well. We have also received uploads from people living in Australia, Canada, India, Belgium, France, Mexico or Jamaica. The app truly has a global reach and anyone can contribute with their knowledge as long as they have something valid to share with the rest of the users.”
HuGo’s developers have received inquiries from various countries about the possibility to widen the geographical scope of the app to include a similar database of Hungarian traces in Canada, for instance. The Executive Director is quick to point out that the scope of their activities at the Foundation is restrained to the United States. “We are primarily interested in promoting HungarianAmerican relations, but we would also love to see and help support – through franchising or other means – organizations outside the US to develop something similar for Canada, Australia, Europe or Latin America. Hungarians have left their mark all over the world. Visualizing their important historic and ongoing contributions is a laborious but fun and meaningful project to take on.”
The new Peugeot 3008 HYBRID has a combined WLTP average fuel consumption of 5,7 l/ 100 km and CO2 emissions of 127 g / km. The picture is an illustration. Check the availability of models at our Peugeot dealerships.
HISTORICAL SITES, FESTIVALS AND GASTRONOMY ON OFFER IN THE SLOVAK CAPITAL
Fall is associated with high-quality wine and good music in Bratislava, an opportunity to celebrate the traditions of the whole city and its region. For example, the nationally famous harvest festival is also held in Rača, easily accessible from the center of Bratislava. You can taste the kékfrankos wine, one of Empress Maria Theresa's favorites, and children and adults alike will appreciate the rich accompanying program. The opening will feature a variety of folklore dance groups and many more local musicians. But the real entertainment will be provided by stalls selling a variety of food, handicrafts and local new wine.
Every year, festivals celebrate the beginning of the harvest in other towns in the Lesser Carpathians – Svätý Jur, Pezinok and Modra. Wine lovers can enjoy a variety of wine tastings. During the fall, visitors can combine this with another local specialty – goose meat, which is roast goose or duck meat served with red cabbage and lokša, a flatbread made of potato dough. Lokša can also be eaten with a sweet poppy seed or jam filling.
Those visiting Bratislava in November can taste the new wine. On November 11, the day of St. Martin, the patron saint of Bratislava, the traditional "christening" of the new wine takes place in the city. Traditionally, this allows the sale of the new wine to begin.
Afterwards, the winemakers open their cellars to those who wish to taste the wines in the place where they were made and learn more about their history. If visitors don't want to wander from one cellar to another, they can also find a variety of winemakers and wines in one place in the city center at the Festival of New Wines.
Bratislava is also a must for classical music lovers during the Indian summer. Fans should not miss the Bratislava Music Festival, a renowned international event in the world of classical music. The festival takes place in September or October each year and is joined in this exciting series of concerts by the Convergence Chamber Music Festival, a tradition established by the famous Slovak cellist Jozef Lupták.
In October, the Bratislava Jazz Days are held. The international jazz festival usually features
established but also newly discovered international and Slovak musicians and groups –from big bands to cool jazz – and is therefore one of the most important jazz festivals in Europe. It also hosts the international contemporary dance festival ‘Bratislava in Motion’, which features a large number of Slovak and foreign artists.
In addition to the wine and goose feasts, fall is also one of the most beautiful times to visit the region, as it is full of a combination of vibrant colors and scents. The fall atmosphere can be fully conveyed by a trip on a cruise boat along the Danube to Devin, where the Morava and Danube rivers meet under the towering Devin Castle. Those with a return ticket have enough time to visit the castle and taste the local specialty: currant wine, made from red and black currants. You can also take a short stroll along the Danube and visit the memorial to the more than 400 men and women who died trying to escape to Austria during the communist era. A few meters away is a column with a heart made of barbed wire, a reflection of the cruelty of the Iron Curtain.
ARTS: MUSIC AND ELSE
Bratislava Music Festivals
(September 20 – October 6)
The 59th Bratislava Music Festival kicks off with an extraordinary festival concert on September 5 at the Slovak Philharmonic's Reduta building, featuring one of the world's most renowned orchestras, the Cleveland Orchestra, led by the distinguished conductor Franz Welser-Möst. According to The New York Times, the Cleveland Orchestra is the best orchestra in America, if not the world, for virtuosity, elegance of sound, variety of color and consistency of chamber music.
The Slovak Philharmonic, as resident orchestra, will perform three concerts at the Festival: the opening and closing ones, and, continuing a tradition renewed last year, a concert performance of an opera in the middle of the festival.
The closing concert, conducted by French conductor Sylvain Cambreling, will feature Hector Berlioz's monumental work, the dramatic symphony Romeo and Juliet.
The eight orchestras from abroad include The Cleveland Orchestra, Wiener Symphoniker, Czech Philharmonic, English Chamber Orchestra, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Korean National Symphony Orchestra, Barcelona Youth Symphony Orchestra
Convergence (September 12 – October 8)
The international chamber music festival
Convergence, under the artistic direction of cellist Jozef Lupták, is an essential part of Bratislava's musical fall.
Bratislava Jazz Days (October 18-20)
This international jazz festival is one of the biggest events in Central Europe. Regular participants include some of the best-known jazz stars.
Bratislava Tango Festival (September 26-29)
The fourth Bratislava Tango Festival is open to anyone who has completed at least a basic three-month Argentine tango course, although it is an advantage if you have been dancing for longer. In Bratislava, it is already common (through festivals, marathons, festivals and studios offering various courses) that you do not need to travel immediately to Buenos Aires to take part in the tango scene. At the invitation of O.Z. TangoVida (Bratislava), in collaboration with Tango Natural (Belgrade), Argentina is brought to the city by professional masters and a large number of tango players.
Bratislava on the Move (October 4-28)
This international contemporary dance festival is recognized by the European community and showcases the best of Slovak and international dance.
White Night (in September)
White Night is an international arts project that aims to bring contemporary art forms and traditional and unknown significant spaces in major European cities closer to a wide audience. At the turn of September and October, Bratislava's known and not-so-known places will be filled with art, people and a magical atmosphere. The White Night will be a walking tour of the capital that will bring the city's architecture to life for three days, with
glittering works of art by well-known Slovak and foreign artists. Participants will discover interesting urban sites in public squares, as well as in well-known and lesser-known interiors.
The Bratislava City Museum is the oldest continuously operating museum in Slovakia. In the framework of visiting it, one can also see symbols of Bratislava: the Michael Tower, which offers a magnificent view of the historic city center, and the iconic Old Town Hall. Further away from the city, the museum also manages the impressive Devin Castle, another symbol of Bratislava.
City fortress
In the late 14th century, three gates led into the city: the Michael Gate in the north, the Vödric
Gate in the west and the Lőrinc Gate in the east. In the 15th century, a smaller gate, the Fisherman's Gate, was added to this, leading southwards to the Danube. The gates were reinforced with battlements on the orders of Sigismund of Luxembourg after the Hussite invasion. They took their final form in the first half of the 16th century, when the fortifications were reinforced for fear of Turkish attacks. In the modern era, the bastions gradually lost their importance and, on the orders of Empress Maria Theresa in 1775, most of them were demolished or built on, the moats were filled in for sanitary reasons and their sites were unified with the suburbs. All that remains of the original city defensive line is the Michael Gate and part of the fortress wall along the Old Town Street, with the two towers of the Bastion of the Birds and the North-West Tower. When the SZNP bridge was built in the 1970s, the demolition of the present Óvárosi street [‘Old Town street’] revealed a large part of the fortress. During the 1980s and 1990s, the defensive line was restored and is still visible today.
Visitors to Bratislava can soon recognize that summer on the Danube doesn't end in August! They can take a September cruise under the many bridges of Bratislava and enjoy an Indian summer with a pumpkin menu on board.
There are other regular cruises on the river and visitors can enjoy the views from the boat’s deck and taste dishes cooked according to the Slovak culinary tradition.
Even those who have so far felt that they know how Slovak cuisine tastes can let themselves be surprised by the offer of the on-board menu, which will remind them of traditional tastes, but certainly also something new and unknown, while traditional ingredients combined with the latest gastronomic trends await them.
This dinner is also a great experience for those, who want to try the national and traditional Slovak foods with a modern twist. They can soak in the winsome atmosphere of illuminated monuments as the city slows down and its lights reflect on the water. Guests will find out how enchanting is to see Bratislava lit up at night. An unforgettable experience of early fall evening will amplified by the tones of live music. For those looking for something special to enjoy, this gastronomic cruise is the place to be. They can immerse themselves in the magical atmosphere of the illuminated monuments as
the city slows down and its lights reflect off the water. They can discover the magic of seeing Bratislava bathed in a flood of light. The sounds of live music make this early fall evening even more unforgettable.
The regular food market in the Old Market Hall follows great traditions. It is unique not only in Bratislava, but also in the region. Its offer focuses mainly on food from regional farmers and producers, complemented by foreign specialties. The Old Market Hall is the place to have a great meal in every month of the year.
The Street Food Park (September 18-22, October 9-13) in Bratislava’s Old Town offers the opportunity to enjoy great street food in a unique atmosphere. It regularly presents not only popular fix stars, but also several new products, thus, visitors can look forward to delicacies from all of the world.
Once a month, Street Food Park brings to the square in front of the Old Market Hall as well as into its interior retailers with quality and imaginative street food. In a pleasant atmosphere and ‘standing’, you can enjoy lunch, late snack or strengthen yourselves in front of the evening program in the city. In addition, Street Food Park has a Zero Waste philosophy.
(This article is published with support from Slovakia Travel)
IN THIS SERIES, DIPLOMATS SHARE PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF THEIR EXPERIENCES ON “EXCURSIONS” into Hungarian culture, art, gastronomy & scenery.
BY PHROMMES BHAHOLPOLBHAYUHASENA,
Arriving in Budapest this March, I was greeted by a city basking in the delightful weather and vibrant energy of early spring, perfectly mirroring the fresh start of my new assignment as Thai Ambassador to Hungary and a new chapter of Thai Hungarian relations. It was my first time in Hungary in an official capacity, and the Hungarian government made me feel warm welcome from the moment I stepped off the plane. I was particularly impressed by the swift two-week arrangement for the Presentation of the Letters of Credence. Adding to the honor, I was part of the first group of Ambassadors granted the opportunity to present these letters to H.E. Mr. Tamás Sulyok, the newly elected President. This timing felt like a positive sign for an even stronger bond of cooperation between our two nations.
Vin d’honneur
Upon presenting my credentials, I had the honor of hosting a vin d’honneur at the Thai Residence. I was deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Ambassadors of ASEAN countries, Friends of Thailand, representatives from Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the private sector, and the Thai community in Budapest. The celebrations continued with a cozy karaoke night, thanks to the generous support of Anantara New York Palace Budapest, a luxury hotel under Thailand-based Minor International. The vin d’honneur further solidified this sentiment of spring collaboration, symbolizing a fresh and vibrant chapter in Hungarian-Thai relations. The support and enthusiasm from the diplomatic and local communities truly emphasized the promise of our partnership. Since then, my days have been filled with engaging activities that have allowed me to connect with the diverse and vibrant Hungarian society. Through various events organized by our embassy, I have had
the pleasure of meeting Thai people living in Hungary. Many heartwarming gatherings have been held at Wat Thai Rattanaprateep, the only Buddhist Thai temple in Budapest.
Connection with the Thai community
The first Thai cultural event I participated in was the Songkran celebration, an annual and significant cultural event for Thai people in Hungary. Songkran, known as the Thai New Year, symbolizes a fresh start and holds profound importance for Thai people, as it signifies the renewal and cleansing of the past year’s misfortunes. This celebration, rich in tradition and cultural significance, made it a particularly meaningful and auspicious event for me as the new Ambassador. Being a part of such a valuable tradition not only deepened my connection with the Thai community but also emphasized the cultural ties that bind our two nations. The honor of participating in this festival as my first official cultural event added an extra layer of significance to my role, marking the beginning of my journey in fostering and strengthening the bond between Hungary and Thailand. Furthermore, several religious ceremonies have been held at the temple, including Visakha Bucha Day, Asanha Bucha Day, and Buddhist Lent Day. It was incredibly moving to see the Thai community coming together for these religious ceremonies and cultural celebrations. These events reaffirm the importance of fostering a strong sense of community among Thai people living abroad.
Further interactions in Hungary
Apart from the embassy-organized events, various gatherings I attended provided wonderful opportunities to meet esteemed representatives from Hungary’s public sector, as well as members of both Thai and foreign private companies. These interactions were invaluable in broadening
my network and fostering mutual understanding. For example, during the meeting with Mr. Maharnnop Dejvitak, Chairman of the Thai Senate Standing Committee on Religions, Morals, Ethics, Arts, and Culture and his committee, we discussed how Hungary uses its soft power. Later, the delegation met with Mr. Imre Vejkey, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice to discuss committee operations, which significantly strengthened parliamentary relations between our countries. Additionally, the visits to the Budapest WaterWorks offered valuable insights into the
benefits, including the enhancement of bilateral relations through shared insights and mutual support. The visit to Milton Friedman University revealed cooperation plans with Kasetsart University, involving joint research and student exchanges, highlighting educational and cultural exchanges. The visit to the Thai President Foods factory in Esztergom discussed plans to foster cooperation between Thailand and Hungary, emphasizing economic collaboration. Finally, participating in events like Budapest’s International Children’s Day, where the Thai Embassy showcased traditional culture, helped to promote Thai culture
governance and infrastructure of drinking water and waste management in Budapest, replacing the initial feeling of unfamiliarity with a growing sense of mutual understanding and collaborative spirit. Moreover, paying courtesy calls on Ambassadors to Hungary allowed me to gain diverse perspectives and learn from their experiences, particularly those from ASEAN countries. For instance, during a working breakfast with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, ASEAN Ambassadors, and myself, we discussed Hungary’s European Council presidency policies and cooperation with ASEAN, focusing on EU-ASEAN, EU-Thailand, and Hungary-Thailand relations. These interactions have laid the groundwork for future joint activities among our embassies, promising further cooperation and friendship. These engagements offer numerous
in Hungary, attracting significant local interest and support. Each of these activities not only strengthens diplomatic ties but also fosters a deeper understanding and connection between our nations and peoples. This year is particularly special for the people of Thailand as it marks the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on July 28, 2024. The Embassy received incredible support from both Hungarian public and private sectors, as well as the Thai community in Hungary, in organizing the celebrations. The Hungarian National Assembly, led by the Chair of the Hungary-Thailand Friendship Group, cooperated with us to hold a ceremony at the Hungarian Parliament Building. We also celebrated at the prestigious New York Café and organized a well-wishing signing at Wat Thai Rattanaprateep,
allowing Thai people in Hungary to express their respect and best wishes to His Majesty the King. I am grateful to begin my journey as an ambassador here in Hungary, where we could organize these marvelous events thanks to the support from Hungarian and Thai counterparts.
Captivating capital
Budapest offers much more than just political and administrative perspectives. Even though I have been working here for around five months, the city’s remarkable diversity continues to captivate me. Budapest boasts breathtaking natural landscapes – hills, the Danube River, and Margaret Island – as well as stunning architecture, including a majestic castle, the illuminated parliament building at night, a beautiful Gothic church, and museums overflowing with historical treasures. I never feel lonely or bored, whether I am hiking up the Buda Hills, walking along the Danube, or shopping in the city’s historical and modern markets. Budapest’s charm extends beyond its residents to the many delegations from Thailand who have visited. In the first half of the year, approximately four delegations from different sectors, including the Ministry of Finance, the Senate Standing Committee, the Air War College, and the Royal Thai Armed Forces, had study visits in Budapest. They all shared the impression that Budapest is one of the most beautiful and unique cities in Europe. Furthermore, Budapest’s peacefulness sets it apart from other major European capitals, offering a relaxed vibe without the crowded atmosphere, allowing us to enjoy life at our own pace. As nearly half a year has flown by, I can confidently say that Budapest has won a special place in my heart. I would call it a city of beautiful hills and warm hearts, continually revealing new aspects with each passing day. For this year and the years to come, the Royal Thai Embassy plans to hold more cultural activities in various iconic places in Budapest, such as Thai Food Week and the Thai Festival. These events will allow Thai people to gather and Hungarians to learn more about Thailand and its culture. I eagerly await the opportunity to explore further, to learn more about Hungary, and to organize activities that will deepen the connection between our two nations, nurturing the blooming relationship between Thailand and Hungary.
DRESS CODE: ART DECO
UNTIL JANUARY 12, 2025, RÁTH GYÖRGY VILLA, BUDAPEST
The Museum of Applied Arts' new exhibition, "Dress Code: Art Deco," showcases women's fashion and lifestyle from the 1920s and 1930s. The exhibition features garments and accessories from the museum's collection, reflecting the societal changes in women's roles following World War I. Visitors can explore the era's makeup and hairstyle trends, as well as the impacts of wartime material shortages and the 1929 economic crisis. Opened by model Panni Epres and art historian Zsolt Mészáros, the exhibition also highlights the characteristics of the Art Deco style, which influenced various art forms. The exhibition is held at the Ráth Villa, and a Gold Pass is available, which includes access to multiple programs. imm.hu
SECOND LARGEST COIN COLLECTION IN THE COUNTRY THROUGHOUT 2024
MONEY MUSEUM, BUDAPEST
Currently, the Banknote and Medal Collection of the Central Bank of Hungary is the second largest systematized numismatic collection in Hungary both in terms of number (more than 60,000 pieces) and significance, after the Medal Collection of the Hungarian National Museum. In the Money Museum, visitors are given visitors a taste of the collection, the most precious piece of which is the five-fold ducat of Prince Moses Székely of Transylvania (1603). The unique gold coin, this being the only piece known to be in existence, was once a specimen of the Count ViczayKhuen Héderváry collection. penzmuzeum.hu
GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
FEBRUARY 19, 2025, BUDAPEST ARENA
Cyndi Lauper has announced the UK and European dates for her "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" farewell tour. Next February, she will perform in Glasgow, Manchester, London, Birmingham and Belfast, as well as Budapest, Łódź, Prague, Berlin, Düsseldorf and Paris. This sensational show will be in Budapest on February 19, 2025, at the Budapest Arena. This follows her North American tour and the release of the "Let the canary sing" documentary, which showcases Lauper's life and career. The film premiered in June on Paramount+ and features Lauper's hand and footprints preserved at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Directed by Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Alison Ellwood, the documentary highlights Lauper's rise to stardom, her musical impact, evolving punk style, unwavering feminism and tireless advocacy. An accompanying compilation album, also titled "Let the canary sing," is available on vinyl and in an extended digital edition. Cyndi Lauper is a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning artist with over 50 million records sold. Her debut album, "She's So Unusual," featured four top-five singles, including the pop anthem "Girls Just Want To Have Fun." Her farewell tour is directed by Brian Burke. livenation.hu
SUM41
NOVEMBER 12, BUDAPEST ARENA
Sum 41, the defining pop-punk band of the 2000s, has announced that they are ending their journey together and will bid farewell to their fans with a double album ("Heaven :x Hell”) and a farewell tour. In Hungary, they will perform on November 12, 2024 at the Budapest Arena. The band, known for their distinctive, powerful style, became famous with successful albums like "All Killer No Filler" and "Does This Look Infected?". On their final tour, the band – Deryck Whibley, Dave Baksh, Jason McCaslin, Tom Thacker and Frank Zummo – will be performing alongside Neck Deep. Deryck Whibley stated that he is proud of the band's achievements and resilience, and they aim to make the farewell tour the best show they've ever done. livenation.hu
The motto of Eklézsia Winery – “tradition and quality” – means more than mere words. In practice, it involves following centuries-old winemaking traditions and producing exceptional quality wines. This approach is reflected in the winery's daily operations, where careful cultivation and yield limitation in the vineyards ensure the best quality. Traditional methods are used during processing, preserving the natural values. This philosophy permeates the winery's interior and services, providing the highest level of service to every guest.
Eklézsia Winery’s estate is located in Ócsa, just 20 km from Budapest, on the hillside of the Kunság wine region, which is uniquely characterized by its thatched-roof cellar row. Ócsa is a hidden gem, offering the quality of
Szentendre and Etyek without the crowds. The estate is part of a nature reserve, ensuring the protection of natural and cultural heritage. Its vineyards are situated in the northern part of Kunság, on sandy-loess soil particularly suitable
for grape cultivation. Wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Kékfrankos, ChardonnayZeus, and Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah are produced in this area. The winery’s pride is the 'Winery’s Wine', the Chardonnay Zeus.
A father and daughter’s shared passion Tamás Viola is the founder and owner of the winery. Tamás makes decisions regarding investments and operations, while his daughter, Lívia, who has degrees in bioengineering and wine consulting, is the “face” and hostess of the winery. While Tamás focuses more on the business side, Lívia is responsible for customer experience and communication. Both are passionately devoted to enhancing the experience of quality wine consumption and preserving traditions.
The interaction of nature and minimal intervention
“A good wine makes itself” – this commitment to natural winemaking means minimal intervention, allowing nature to do most of the work. The loess and mineral-rich soil, careful selection of grapes, and natural fermentation processes ensure that their wines retain their original flavors and quality.
Eklézsia Winery’s tasting and event hall provides a special venue for receptions and dinners alike. Their events include wine tastings, dinners, and picnics, primarily targeting quality wine consumers and gourmets. These are enriched with various programs and foods, always tailored to complement the wines’ flavors. Evenings are enhanced with cultural programs and live music, offering an authentic gastronomic experience. Their wines won silver and bronze awards at Winelovers in 2023 and 2024, further strengthening their reputation in the world of quality wines.
Eklézsia Winery is not just a place to taste excellent wines but an experience that combines traditions and quality in a magical environment.
HUNGARY'S LARGEST EQUESTRIAN POLO EVENT OF THE YEAR
This year's La Estancia Polo Cup once again became the largest equestrian polo event of the year in Hungary. Organizing and exe cuting this event required massive logistical efforts within a 12-month project, during which the entire team worked diligently. Preparations for next year's event will begin immediately after this year's cup to ensure a high standard of quality and to attract top sponsors and partners once agai n.
The La Estancia Polo Club celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. The club is located on the Zimmermann family's estate and was originally created for the family to enjoy horses and nature. Within a generation, the club has transformed from nothing into a thriving polo center, with 2,500 planted trees now forming a beautiful forest. The club’s values and spirit are already being carried on by the next generation, the owner’s sons.
The La Estancia Polo Cup has become more than just a sporting event; it is a prestigious social occasion. This year’s three-day event attracted more than 400 guests, including 40 ambassadors, highlighting the event's high standards and familial atmosphere. The main patron of this year’s event was Lorena Capra, the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Hungary. Participants in previous La Estancia Polo Cups have always given positive feedback. Every year, the organizers strive to improve the quality of the event and surprise their guests and visiting polo teams with new special features. Finding new sponsors is not easy, but the club’s reputation, built over 25 years, greatly aids in this effort.
Such events would be inconceivable without the support of sponsors and partners. The organizers of the La Estancia Polo Cup are grateful for the continuous contributions of their sponsors and partners to the event. The event provides an opportunity for them to showcase their products and services, reach new customers, and entertain their guests in a unique environment. The organizers and their partners (Hotel Dorothea, Hublot, Zwack, Turkish Airlines, Defender and Ganz KK) have successfully collaborated for many years.
This year’s tournament featured competitors from seven different nations, reflecting the international relationships and friendships built over many years. The management of La Estancia Polo Club is committed to maintaining the tradition of reciprocal visits and hospitality with its partner clubs. These close relationships and carefully organized programs ensure that international teams are eager to visit Hungary. Once again, the La Estancia Polo Cup has proven itself as the hub of Hungarian polo, and future events are expected to be of similar quality and success, thanks to the club’s dedication and long-term international relationships.
