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SAVE RESOURCES JOIN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY! “WE CAN’T CONTINUE ON THE CURRENT PATH OF LINEAR ECONOMY WHERE WE EXTRACT RESOURCES, MAKE PRODUCTS FROM THEM, CONSUME THOSE PRODUCTS AND DISCARD THEM. WE MUST CHANGE TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN WHICH ALL THE RESOURCES (ENERGY, WATER, RAW MATERIALS) ARE IN A CLOSED LOOP,” SAYS THE DUTCH AMBASSADOR FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY. SEE MORE on page 15

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18001 between Russia and Hungary The relations have been traditionally based on the principle of pragmatism and respect for each other’s 9 771558 interests, according to the Ambassador of the 980700 Russian Federation to Hungary, Vladimir Sergeev.

In an extensive interview with Diplomacy&Trade, 18002 he also discusses ‘broad impact’ economic ties with special regard to Russia’s role in Hungary’s energy supply; cultural ties; and how Hungary is a 9 771558 980700 favorite destination for Russian health tourism.

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9 771558 980700 Mrs. Géquil vs. Madame Hyde

Mrs. Géquil is a teacher despised by her colleagues and students. On a stormy the beginning 18004night, an accident occurs that changes her. That is18010 of the story told by the French movie ‘Madame Hyde’ (English title: Mrs. Hyde), directed by Serge Bozon who says that “it is not a movie about 9 of 771558 980700 good and bad, like in the novel Stevenson.

The film is much more about transformation.”

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letter from the publisher

Peter Freed PUBLISHER

AND DON’T FORGET

monthly in print - daily on the web

www.dteurope.com

Unfolding trade war initiated by U.S. President Trump page 13

page 14

The ten-year-old Grand Bleu

by Nimród Kovács

page 27

­­ contents 05 ON THE RECORD 06-07 COMPANY BRIEFS 08-12 RUSSIAN FOCUS

Interview with Ambassador Vladimir Sergeev; Sberbank; Trade Mission of the Russian Federation; Russian Cultural Center 13 ANALYSIS Pakistan in regional power games 14-15 THE NETHERLANDS KLM Royal Dutch Airlines; Circular economy 16 SOCIETY 17 WITTYLEAKS by the Ambassador of Poland 18-21 BEST OF BUDAPEST & HUNGARY GALA Award gala; Specialty awardees; Champions

22 CINEMA

Interview with French movie director Serge Bozon 23 STYLE How to keep looking like a million dollars 24-25 WHAT’S ON Concerts, festivals, events and exhibitions in and out of Budapest 26 GASTRONOMY Nimród Kovács’s Grand Bleu 2008; Gere winery 27 WINE Baalbek restaurant; TAMA restaurant

PUBLISHER: Peter Freed EDITOR: Sándor Laczkó COPY EDITOR: Joyce Freed PHOTO EDITOR: Dávid Harangozó SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR: Tamás Varga DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Tibor Ocsenás ADMINISTRATION: Judit Ludányi ASSISTANT: Ágnes Rapaport CONTRIBUTORS: Sándor Laczkó, Tamás Magyarics, Réka A. Francisck, Jerzy Snopek PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS: Shutterstock.com (Cover), Pixabay.com, 123RF.com, Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead, Kovács Nimród Winery,

DANISH FOCUS - COMING SOON

Randstad, Central European University, Daniel Auer, Mozinet, Prezi, HIPA, Budapest Airport, Radisson Blu Béke Hotel, Sberbank, Ruscenter, Annamária Fábián, Zsolt Venczel, Gyula Czimbal, Carlos Guerrero, French Institute of Budapest, Mathieu Bitton, Klara Fowler, Simon Móricz-Sabján, Mihály Munkácsy/ HNG, Body the Exhibition, Baga/HNM, Dragan Teodorovic Zeko, Anne Van Aerschot, PIXELTASTER, András Nathon, László Balkányi, Mária KrasznaiNehrebeczky, Furmint Photo, MTI Photos: Szilárd Koszticsák, Zoltán Balogh, György Varga, Péter Lehoczky, Zsolt Czeglédi

June 5 is the anniversary of the execution of the first Danish Constitution in 1849. In acknowledgement of this and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and Denmark 70 years ago, Denmark will be the country of focus in the June issue of Diplomacy&Trade. According to the latest figures, the annual volume of trade between Hungary and Denmark is approximately EUR 1.2 billion and there are some 150 companies with Danish background operating in Hungary, with approximately 15,000 employees. In this focus, we will discuss bilateral political, economic and cultural relations with Danish Ambassador Kirsten Geelan, talk to the Danish section of the Scandinavian House in Budapest as well as present the corporate social programs of Danish companies established here.

Copyright 2004-2017 Duax Kft., all rights reserved | ISSN 1589-8075 This magazine is produced by Duax Kft. The opinions published in the magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Duax Kft.

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COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT SELECTED RELAY AND INMEDIO OUTLETS IN MAJOR HUNGARIAN CITIES.

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY SHEALAH CRAIGHEAD, DÁVID HARANGOZÓ, KOVÁCS NIMRÓD WINERY, PIXABAY.COM

Moving away from ‘throwaway society’ – that is what the former Dutch environment minister on circular economy called for in her lecture this April. Indeed, by using our natural resources more wisely, we can pass a more livable Earth on to the next generations.

This month, our Focus country is Russia. Hungary’s relations with the Eurasian country date back to Soviet times and they are now “based on pragmatic and concrete aspirations and the respect of interests on both sides,” according to the Russian Ambassador to Hungary, Vladimir Sergeev, with whom there is an extensive interview on political, economic and cultural relations. These topics are also covered in interviews with the head of the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation and that of the Russian Cultural Center, both in Budapest.

The continuation of the Dutch focus includes covering the success of an innovative, new strategy at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

As we go press, countries of the European Union, among others, are worried how much their economies will be affected by the unfolding trade war initiated by U.S. President Trump. Our international analyst’s conclusion is that the potential short-term political gains at home for Trump may ultimately turn into political and economic losses.

This month, WittyLeaks column is authored by the Ambassador of Poland, Jerzy Snopek, who calls Hungary his ‘second homeland’ and espouses his love of its people, food and culture.

Celebrating a quarter of a century of excellence, the 25th Best of Budapest & Hungary Award Gala was held at the Budapest Congress Center in April. Over 450 guests honored award winners and paid special tribute to individuals who have distinguished themselves in the hospitality industry.

Our cinema page this month includes an interview with French director Serge Bozon who talks about his new movie ‘Mrs. Hyde’ in which “everything is about transformation.”

Nimród Kovács’s Grand Bleu 2008 and the Gere winery’s revamped presence are this month’s wine features while the gastronomy page focuses on the Gourmet Festival, Baalbek restaurant’s new menu and TAMA restaurant. Of course, you will find our program guides and society picture compilations, as well.

Record numbers at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

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Brand Hall of Fame’ as the Most Attractive Employer. Behind Mercedes Benz, the second place was awarded to IBM (after finishing fourth last year), while the bronze medal went to Bosch, which, similarly to IBM, moved up two places. For two companies, Coca-Cola and KUKA Robotics, this was the first time to reach the top 10.

In their own category, retailers Tesco and DM have also entered the ‘Randstad Employer Brand Hall of Fame’. A special award of their own sector was given, respectively, to Budapest Bank, MOL, B. Braun Medical, KUKA Robotics, IKEA, CocaCola, Vodafone, Kühne + Nagel and Lidl.

HUNGARIAN PROFESSOR ELECTED TO AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GOVERNING PARTIES RETAIN POWER IN HUNGARY

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SZILÁRD KOSZTICSÁK/MTI, RANDSTAD, CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY, ZOLTÁN BALOGH/MTI, DANIEL AUER, MOZINET

According to official results, the ruling party Fidesz and its satellite partner KDNP have won two thirds of the 199 seats in Hungarian parliament at the general elections held on Sunday, April 8. The ruling parties will have 133 members of parliament (MPs) in the national assembly – 91 from individual constituencies and 42 from the party list and they can also count on support from the elected representative of national minorities who used to be a municipal representative for Fidesz. The right-wing opposition party Jobbik will have 26 MPs (1 from individual constituencies and 25 from the party list), the Socialist-Dialog coalition 20 (8+12), the Democratic Coalition 9 (3+6) and the green party LMP 8 (1+7) seats. The Együtt ('Together') party won one constituency as did an independent candidate.

According to the peculiar rules of the Hungarian election system, set by the current governing parties in 2011, FideszKDNP achieved a two-thirds majority in parliament despite the fact that they received less votes on the party list than the opposition parties combined (and about half the votes in total).

Opposition parties launched an appeal for recount, citing irregularities, in about 180 cases but all were rejected by the National Election Committee. A week after the elections, a mass rally of approximately 100,000 people took to the streets of Budapest (where the majority of parliamentary seats were won by the opposition) to protest against the government and its grip on the public service media that protesters claimed contributed to an ‘uneven playing field’ at the elections.

The new parliament holds its inaugural session on May 8.

Central European University (CEU) has announced that University Professor Gábor Klaniczay, founding faculty of the Department of Medieval Studies, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1780, the Academy honors exceptional scholars, leaders, artists, and innovators and engages them in sharing knowledge and addressing challenges facing the world.

"CEU rejoices in the honor accorded our colleague Gábor Klaniczay," CEU President and Rector Michael Ignatieff said.

"The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the world's oldest and most distinguished academic institutions.

We are proud of this recognition of Professor Klaniczay's extraordinary contribution to the study of history," he added.

Klaniczay is one of 213 individuals elected in 25 categories from 125 institutions. Perhaps, the best-known name on the list of new members is that of American actor Tom Hanks.

The Academy's projects and publications generate ideas and offer recommendations to advance the public good in the arts, citizenship, education, energy, government, the humanities, international relations, science, and more. The new class will be inducted at a ceremony in October 2018 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and join the Academy members who came before them, including such well-known personalities as Benjamin Franklin (elected in 1781), Alexander Hamilton (1791), Charles Darwin (1874), Albert Einstein (1924), Robert Frost (1931), Milton Friedman (1959) and Martin Luther King, Jr. (1966).

VALUABLE PAINTING DONATED TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY

The painting entitled ‘Architektur I or Konstruktion auf blauem Grund’ (‘Construction on a Blue Ground’) by 20th century Hungarian constructivist László MoholyNagy has been granted to the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest by the New York-based Salgo Trust for Education.

The painting’s market value is estimated to be HUF several billion, László Baán, the director general of the Hungarian National Gallery told a press conference. The donation fills a gap because before this, Hungary had no Moholy-Nagy paintings from the years following his emigration in 1919, he added. According to Baán, this painting represents the highest-value private donation of an artwork granted to a Hungarian museum since the country's post-communist transformation.

The Curator of the Salgo Trust for Education, Olivér Botár Jr. said the painting had been sought after by such institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and The Art Institute of Chicago, but the foundation believed it would be best displayed in Hungary.

The work, from 1921, is probably Moholy-Nagy’s first constructivist painting, he added. Hungarian-born US businessman Nicholas M. Salgo was the United States Ambassador to Hungary between 1983 and 1986. He set up the foundation in 1991 to attract international attention to 20th century Hungarian art.

MOST ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYERS AWARDED

For the fifth year, Randstad Hungary has recognized the most attractive employers in Hungary. This year, Mercedes Benz topped the list and previous consecutive victories earned Audi Hungária a place in the 'Randstad Employer Brand Hall of Fame'. In spite of the unbroken march of the two automotive factories, a job in the telecommunication sector is on the top of the Hungarian wish list, and the financial sector showed the biggest improvement.

As compared to the results of Randstad Employer Brand Research 2017, pleasant atmosphere and flexible options became the factors employees upgraded the most.

In each of the first four years of the Randstad Employer Brand Research, a representative of the automotive industry, either Audi Hungária or Mercedes Benz ranked first among the most attractive employers based on the votes of Hungarian employees. According to Sándor Baja, managing director of Randstad Hungary, “this ranking is not influenced by the fact that the automotive industry is only ranked fourth among the sectors”. Audi Hungária has once again received very good evaluations from the employees, and has been on the top of the list three times in the last five years, so it is the first company in the history of the Hungarian Randstad Employer Brand Research to enter the ‘Randstad Employer w w w . d t e u r o p e . c o m

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INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONS FOR HUNGARIAN FILM DIRECTORS

Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi (pictured on the left), whose recent film, 'On Body and Soul', was shortlisted for the Academy Award in the best foreign language film category, received the Golden Olive Tree Award for Career Achievement at the 'Festival del cinema europeo' in Lecce, Italy this April. The Hungarian filmmaker and screenwriter, the winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlinale in 2017, was recognized in the ‘Protagonists of European Cinema’ section. The Golden Olive Tree award for lifetime achievement recipients included, in the previous years, such distinguished artists as Andrzej Wajda, Andrei Tarkovsky, Theo Angelopoulos, Costa-Gavras, Emir Kusturica, Aki Kaurismaki, Krzysztof Zanussi, Agnieszka Holland and (last year) Stephen Frears. Ildikó Enyedi is the first Hungarian film-maker to receive this distinction.

Also this April, the grand dame of Hungarian cinema, multiple-award-winning, 86-year-old legendary director Márta Mészáros received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the LET’S CEE Film Festival 2018 in the Austrian capital, Vienna. Considered as one of Europe’s most important female directors for decades, Márta Mészáros was born in Budapest but spent most of her childhood and young adult life, including her studies, in Moscow. On the occasion of honoring her at the festival, LET’S CEE presented her great film Aurora Borealis: Northern Light, which she finalized last year. She was the first woman to stage a feature film in Hungary, introducing a decidedly female perspective to (Eastern) European filmmaking and the first woman to win the Golden Bear in Berlin – for the movie ‘Adoption’. Examples of her stylistic elements include the processing of documentary material as well as autobiographical details.

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­company briefs 100 MILLION PREZI USERS

HUGE ZOLTEK EXPANSION IN ITS EUROPEAN UNIT

The presentation software company Prezi, founded in 2009 by three Hungarians in Budapest,

Global carbon fiber manufacturer Zoltek, which belongs to the Japanese Toray Industries, begins expansion of its Nyergesújfalu plant. This, the only European location of Zoltek, will be expanded by a EUR 106 million investment that will result in a 50% capacity expansion, making this unit the biggest carbon fiber producer in Europe. According to Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency reports. following recent automotive trends, Zoltek aims to become the global standard for automotive structural applications. Zoltek produces various carbon fiber products and the raw material for carbon fibers, the so-called precursor fibers. PANEX® 35 produced by ZOLTEK has become a predominant carbon fiber in the wind energy industry. It also reaches markets in oil drilling and research, infrastructural investments, shipping, the manufacturing of sports goods, pressure vessels and containers.

has announced that it now has more than 100 million users worldwide, who have created the world’s largest database of public presentations and that Prezi presentations have been viewed over 3.5 billion times.

In order to accommodate its expanding workforce, the company is moving its San Francisco headquarters to a new, larger standalone office. Prezi also has offices in Budapest and the Latvian capital, Riga. A statement by the company quotes the CEO and co-founder of Prezi, Péter Árvai as saying that “our worldwide community is creating and sharing their prezis in record numbers.

Conversational storytelling is key to the success of our customers, helping them stand out in an increasingly noisy world where bullet points have too often replaced

Zoltek Automotive was established in order to help the development and spread of the company's carbon fibers into the automotive industry.

Building on the basis of the former Magyar Viscosa Rt., Zoltek has been present in Nyergesújfalu, the only European plant of the company, since 1995. This investment shall expand the present staff of over 1,200 by more than 350 employees while the present production volume of 10,000 tons will increase to an annual 15,000 tons. By building the new production hall and installing eight new production lines, Nyergesújfalu will be the venue of the biggest carbon fiber manufacturing base of Europe, further strengthening the portfolio and the volume of automotive products. Products manufactured in Hungary are used in the turbines of windmills, pieces of brake equipment of airplanes and in the automotive industry, in particular, to reduce the weight of electric vehicles.

NEW PRODUCTION LINES INSTALLED AT FLEX HUNGARY Automotive electronics manufacturer Flex (formerly known as Flextronics) expands its capacities in Hungary, again. As a result of the more than EUR ten million (over HUF three billion) investment in Zalaegerszeg, new SMT (Surface Mould Technology) production lines will be installed. The expansion further strengthens that southwestern region of the country as not only a Hungarian, but a European location for the automotive industry.

Flex (former Flextronics), a company, which goes back to a tradition of five decades, is fundamentally engaged in

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toll manufacturing of various electronic and IT products.

The Singapore owned company, which was founded in the United States and has its headquarters in California, has two operations and several sites in Hungary. However, this new investment affects only the Zalaegerszeg unit, which manufactures components for the automotive industry.

In the framework of this capacity extension development, which has been necessitated and justified by continuously growing purchasing demand, a manufacturing workshop will be renewed and highly automated machines will be purchased. With the new production lines and the newly established manufacturing cells developed for tailor-made products, Flex will manufacture communications modules for motor vehicles, energy recuperation systems and performance electronic circuits, by creating 100 new jobs.

The importance of Zalaegerszeg has been continuously growing, given that to the complex test track, which is suitable for testing conventional and driverless cars alike, the new M76 expressway will be attached soon, which will also serve as a test route, in a manner unique all over Europe.

Solar cells integrated into the carriageway will ensure power supply for electronic panels and lamps, will enable cable free charging of the electric cars passing by and the test track will also be suitable for driving at a speed attaining 260 km/ hour. In addition, an inter-modal container terminal linked to ports and railways will be established in the proximity of the industrial park. Parallel with the test track construction 5G network infrastructure is being installed in the town and its surroundings to enable the communication of the vehicles and the Smart City network.

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The Hungarian company Viastein is developing its Biharkeresztes plant in eastern Hungary in three phases, creating 180 new jobs, through a project of about EUR 29 million (some HUF nine billion). The first phase of the project was completed this April.

According to the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), in this phase, the company installed a hi-tech production line, which is unique in Europe, and they willa paving-block coating plant is built in the first and second phases of the investment. In the third development phase, they will establish a plant for the production of pre-fabricated construction elements.

The new block factory will house the manufacturing of pre-manufactured hall structures, wall structures, ceiling structures, steps structures and other superstructures of industrial buildings, office buildings and residential buildings as well as special big-sized blocks. In the second phase of the development, a paving-block coating plant is to be built which will provide a significant increase in quality and value due to the coating.

Viastein Ltd. was founded in 2010 as part of the 100% Hungarian-owned Bayer Construct group. Their plant manufactures high-quality, top-category products which include paving-block systems, terrace paving tiles, systems to be laid bound, big format tiles, green systems, block steps, borders and road borders, and wall block systems.

The gross added value of the Hungarian construction industry was 4.8% of the added value of the total national economy in 2017, which is much higher than the previous year’s value of 3.7%. Last year, the production value of the industry reached HUF 2,494.8 billion (some EUR eight billion), an increase of 29.6% in volume compared to 2016.

built in nearby Szeghalom. The company also acquired a large number of new industrial robots and of metal manufacturing equipment. 165 new jobs were created as a result of the project.

The investment project will enable robotized cellular casting manufacturing thanks to the deployment of stateof-the-art industrial equipment and technology in the new manufacturing workshops. Among the customers of the manufacturer of aluminum castings are BMW, Volkswagen or ZF but also the Continental and Bosch Groups.

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The Hungarian family business Csaba Metál Co. Ltd. that has grown into a reputed and recognized supplier, at the European level, for the automotive industry expands its facilities with a EUR 18.5 million investment generating 165 new jobs. The Hungarian government provided HUF 1.3 billion (EUR 4.2 million) in subsidies towards the projects, almost a quarter of the investment costs.

As a result of the investment, a 4,000-square-meter production hall was built in Békéscsaba, southeast Hungary and a similar 3,500-square-meter facility was

PREZI, HIPA, GYÖRGY VARGA/MTI, PÉTER LEHOCZKY/MTI, ZSOLT CZEGLÉDI/MTI

CSABA METÁL CO. LTD. EXPANDS CAPACITIES

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PAVING BLOCK FACTORY DEVELOPED

meaning. Prezi is helping them meet their goals.”

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­company briefs IATA TRAININGS AT BUDAPEST AIRPORT

PREZI, HIPA, GYÖRGY VARGA/MTI, PÉTER LEHOCZKY/MTI, ZSOLT CZEGLÉDI/MTI

BUDAPEST AIRPORT, RADISSON BLU BÉKE HOTEL, 123RF.COM

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photos by

Budapest Airport and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the largest trade association of the world’s airlines, have concluded a partnership agreement that adds Budapest to the map of the world’s most important aviation training centers. As part of the cooperation, Budapest Airport has become an IATA ‘regional training partner’, which means international trainings organized by IATA can be held at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in the Hungarian capital.

A statement by Budapest Airport says the trainings offered by the International Air Transport Association are regarded as a benchmark in aviation and cover the full spectrum of the industry. There is global demand for these highly appreciated and recognized trainings and only a few regional training partners operating in Europe; Budapest has joined an elite club which also includes Frankfurt, Athens, Moscow, Riga and Istanbul.

As a result, Budapest Airport will host a number of high-level IATA training courses this year; a three-day crisis management simulation training in June, a five-day security management course in September and a three-day air cargo handling training in October.

Experience indicates that participants are willing to travel from all over Europe and in some cases even from other continents for such courses.

József Takács, head of strategic HR development for Budapest Airport said that IATA trains several hundred specialists in its accredited training centers operating worldwide. Budapest has become the sixth location in Europe to offer such courses, thus enhancing the role of the Hungarian capital in the development of international aviation.

INTERNATIONAL RETAILERS ANNOUNCE DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN HUNGARY

BUDAPEST AIRPORT – THE FIRST CARBON-NEUTRAL AIRPORT IN THE REGION The Airports Council International (ACI) has confirmed that Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport has achieved a ‘carbon-neutral’ accreditation. The accreditation program, launched by ACI, has found that the operation of Budapest Airport maintains a balance of energy consumption and energy production. Throughout Europe, only about thirty airports belong to the carbon-neutral group.

The airport operator says it launched its energy-rationalization effort ten years ago. By applying environmental conscious solutions, the airport has reduced the CO2 emission generated by its daily operation, and the remainder is balanced out under international supervision.

In the framework of its program of environmental awareness, Budapest Airport replaced the lighting fixtures in the terminals with energy-saving LED-based systems, and continues to refurbish and maintain the district’s heating pipes as well as the pumps of its water supply system. It is a key component of the program that air handling and air conditioning equipment of the airport are also upgraded on an ongoing basis. As a result of such consistent efforts, CO2 emission of Budapest Airport per passenger has been reduced by as much as 44% over the last five years.The environmental director of Budapest Airport, Gábor Szarvas, stresses that “since passenger traffic has been increasing significantly, we are continuously working on making the airport operation greener, in the framework of our Greenairport program. This summer the new passenger pier at Terminal 2B will be handed over, featuring state-of-the-art technologies of heating and cooling. In addition, we continue to increase the number of electric vehicles at the airport and to commission charging stations, reducing CO2 emissions due to fossil fuels.”

Apart from optimizing its own operation, Budapest Airport encourages its partners at the airport, as well as all other organizations and authorities, to adopt sustainable practices.

The Greenairport initiative was launched three years ago, aimed at making the operation of Liszt Ferenc International Airport sustainable via joint environmental actions. The energy consumption of the airport – based on the energy consumed for making hot water, heating, and lighting – is equivalent with the energy consumption of 23 thousand households, the energy demand of a small town. This is another reason why adopting environmentally friendly solutions has top priority at the airport.

The French retail chain Auchan expands its services in Hungary, supporting multichannel merchandise with online delivery stores.

At the inauguration of the Auchan store in Kőbánya (Budapest’s 10th district) this April, the CEO of Auchan Retail Hungary, Dominique Ducoux announced that products ordered on the Internet could be picked up in the new location. The CEO added that this solution, proven to be successful in America and Western Europe, is accompanied by a state of the art environment and a brand new brand. Auchan Retail Hungary operates 19 hypermarkets and 18 discount fuel stations, as well as an online store and a supermarket in the country. In 2016, the company grew by 3.8% year-over-year, with gross sales of HUF 350.4 billion (appr. EUR 1.1 billion), purchases increased by 3%, and its balance sheet profit reached HUF 3.6 billion (about EUR 11.5 million). Auchan opened its first Hungarian business in Budaörs 20 years ago and now employs some 7,000 people in Hungary. In its worldwide operations, the Group operates 1,774 hyper- and hypermarket stores and 340 commercial centers in 12 countries and has altogether 330,700 employees. Another international retailer, Spar, also announced the investment of HUF billions in development this April. Spar Hungary will invest HUF 23 billion this year and has already spent more than HUF 2.1 billion this year in its modernization program, the company told the Hungarian news agency MTI. According to the commercial chain's statement, the resources for development make it possible to construct new stores in addition to the upgrading of previously opened stores. Spar Hungary opened a new store in Kecskemét and Budapest this spring, and renewed five additional supermarkets. With the now opened and refurbished shops, 346 Spar and City Spar Supermarkets, 33 Interspar Hypermarkets and 147 franchisees belong to the Spar Group. With 13,000 employees, it is one of Hungary's largest employers.

RADISSON BLU BÉKE HOTEL COMPLETES REFURBISHMENT In addition to the 62 executive rooms, five Junior Suites and two Executive Suites, which were completed last year, this spring brought – after completing several months of work – another 33 Executive rooms, five Junior Suites and two Executive Suites, to the Raddisson Blu Béke Hotel. Some of these accommodations are suitable for hosting disabled guests. The BluPrint design comes with ergonomic furniture, wood flooring and anti-allergic bathroom accessories, among other things. For instance, the Junior Suite offers high ceilings, French-style panorama from the upper floors and a romantic reading corner. The 105-year-old hotel celebrated the anniversary of its iconic building with spectacular transformation: the ground floor (reception area, Zsolnay Café, and the conference rooms on the ground floor) was reborn in the spirit of tradition and renewal. The hotel’s Zsolnay Café was given back to the public with direct access to Teréz Boulevard as a community space with selfie corner, relaxing, inviting fireplace and open bar.

A real specialty, brinner (that is, breakfast for dinner), is going to be introduced to the guests as a special gastronomic experience. The Experience Center on the ground floor – with the Experience Meetings concept of the Radisson Blu brand – features new AV technology and full event equipment. w w w . d t e u r o p e . c o m

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The relations between Russia and Hungary have been traditionally based on the principle of pragmatism and respect for each other’s interests, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Hungary, Vladimir Sergeev, who has been in this position since November 2014, tells Diplomacy&Trade. “We do take into account the situation of our partners, since Hungary is a member of NATO and EU with all the relevant obligations and limits. Nevertheless, the story of our bilateral cooperation demonstrates that concrete goals are attainable when there is good will,

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common sense and readiness for direct and sincere dialogue. Since 2010, we have achieved positive results despite a complicated, often unfavorable international climate, including well known western sanctions against our country,” he says.

Systematic contacts In reaction to the observation that among the leaders of EU member countries, it is Viktor Orbán that has the most frequent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ambassador Sergeev says that this perception is not entirely true, Russia is ready to cooperate with all those who are interested in such a dialogue. “It is not our fault that quite often, some political forces and certain countries

strive to isolate Russia. Indeed, systematic contacts between Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán have given impetus for bilateral cooperation in various spheres. But I wouldn’t state that those meetings are particularly ‘sensitive’. President Putin regularly talks with other world leaders. There have been telephone conversations with Donald Trump and Angela Merkel. Active dialogue has also been maintained with the President of France Emmanuel Macron, who welcomed Mr. Putin last year in Paris and now is expected to visit Moscow in May.”

DÁVID HARANGOZÓ, PIXABAY.COM

BY SÁNDOR LACZKÓ

COMMON PAST TO RESPECT AND ACCEPT

Common past to respect and accept In the previous Russian focus of Diplomacy&Trade, the last Russian ambassador to Hungary, Alexander M A Y

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INTERVIEW WITH VLADIMIR SERGEEV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO HUNGARY

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russian focus Tolkach said there was one thing that cast a shadow on bilateral relations, that there are people who associate Russia with the Soviet past. Ambassador Sergeev is of the view that “it is difficult enough to evaluate the personal perception of Russia by individual Hungarians, because obviously everyone has his (or her) own experience, sense and sometimes (unfortunately, not rarely) stereotypes.

The history of Russian-Hungarian relations is deeprooted, with many different periods. But this is our common past, and the wisest approach, I suppose, is to respect and to accept it. It is not good when the past is used by politicians for momentary, opportunistic reasons, to achieve immediate political goals, without consideration for the ‘day after tomorrow’. Let us respect our history and leave its difficult pages for the historians to study.

That is exactly the approach, which leaders of our two counties share.

annually receive about 13,000 Russian customers.

He notes that travel for Russians to Hungary became even more affordable due to the launch of WizzAir flights from Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

The most popular destinations among Russian tourists are the thermal resorts of Budapest, Hévíz and Hajdúszoboszló. Many companies offer comprehensive tours, including medical treatment, flights, transfer, transportation, accommodation, and cultural programs. “I would also like to point out that the attitude towards Russian tourists in Hungary is very positive. Russian tourists are known for their generosity as well.”

Football world elite in Russia The biggest sports event in Russia, and, in fact, the world this year is the football (or soccer) World Cup, which will be hosted by 11 Russian cities: Moscow, Sochi, Kazan, Saint Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Saransk, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Kaliningrad and Samara. In view of the Ambassador, each of them is unique and symbolizes the richness of Russian cultural heritage. “Based on our positive experience of hosting Winter Olympics in 2014, let me assure you that the organizers will do their best to fulfill the expectations of our international guests. According to the information provided by the State Agency of Tourism, we expect up to 1.5 million foreign tourists and sport fans to visit the events of the World Cup in Russia.”

Economic ties Speaking of bilateral economic relations and where he sees room for improvement, the Ambassador highlights that the two countries have recently witnessed a rise of more than 25% in 2017 (EUR 4.9 billion) in bilateral trade. A lion’s share of Russian export is in the energy sector, however, there is a mutual interest in diversifying trade relations and investment opportunities, since it is obvious that the current level of economic cooperation is well below its potential, he says. “We already have positive examples in the fields of agriculture, machinery, engineering and even in the financial sector. Both countries have competitive products and technologies, which are called-for not only in bilateral trade, but can be complementary in approaching third party markets. One of the promising instruments of broadening our trade and investment relations today is developing regional cooperation. It is often hard to see the smaller businesses behind the large numbers and contracts signed on the governmental level, however, both sides are taking active steps in promoting the necessary conditions for direct cooperation on the ground, which, I can assure you, is in high demand on both Russian and Hungarian regional levels.”

DÁVID HARANGOZÓ, PIXABAY.COM

PIXABAY.COM

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Broad impact Regarding the major Russian investors in Hungary and their contribution to the Hungarian economy, Ambassador Sergeev says that I can hardly name a recent greenfield Russian investment in Hungary like a production line or a service center – our contribution to the local economy is rather specified by the presence of some distinguished Russian commercial enterprises in the local market – mainly in the energy sector, but not solely. For example, the biggest Russian bank Sberbank has a firm stand on the Hungarian financial market. And it is encouraging that our projects here predominantly have technological, and in many cases, innovative components.”

He contends that the situation is the same in the case of the “major Hungarian national project,” the building of the two new blocks of the Paks nuclear station, which will have a broad impact on numerous economic sectors, provide a stable and affordable local energy supply, contribute to economic growth and technological development, w w w . d t e u r o p e . c o m

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not to mention the innovative workplaces and regional development it will support.

“Unfortunately, I have to say that the general political climate in the EU is not favorable for big Russian investment projects. The sad fate of ‘South Stream’ is an example of that. I do not even mention existing financial sanctions against Russian businesses.”

Hungarian goods remembered Russia is a traditional market for Hungarian products (even from the Soviet times) like pharmaceuticals. When asked his opinion whether this still does/could have an effect on bilateral trade and investments, the Ambassador replies that “indeed, there is a long standing recognition of Hungarian products dating back to the old times. It is mainly about agricultural products and brands like the ‘Globus’ vegetables, poultry and ‘Tokaji’ wine. Fortunately, the latter is still present on Russian shelves though, the variety could be broader. Pharmacology is also an area with several consistent Hungarian products that are substantial on the Russian market thanks mainly to the company Gedeon Richter. No doubt, it is easy to leave a market and very hard to (re)enter it.

Unfortunately, it was the case in the 1990s and there is a similar situation now despite the wishes of both sides due to certain circumstances beyond bilateral relations. The good thing is that there is a consistent mutual interest in diversifying trade relations. There are positive prospects of rediscovering each other’s

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markets. It is encouraging, by the way, that the volume of tourism trips between our countries is steadily growing.”

Tourism One peculiar aspect of bilateral tourism is that of health tourism, an area where Hungarian spas like Hévis are favorite destinations for Russians.

The Ambassador points out that health tourism is one of the most important parts of the Hungarian tourism industry. Hungary is famous not only for its unique thermal resorts, but also for high quality dental services, plastic surgery and ophthalmology.

Hungarian thermal resorts and dental clinics FACTS COMPARED AREA country comparison to the world POPULATION country comparison to the world POPULATION GROWTH RATE country comparison to the world BIRTH RATE country comparison to the world LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH country comparison to the world NET MIGRATION RATE country comparison to the world GDP - PER CAPITA (PPP) country comparison to the world UNEMPLOYMENT RATE country comparison to the world TELEPHONES - MOBILE/CELLULAR country comparison to the world AIRPORTS country comparison to the world

Cultural ties between our countries are rich and diverse. The names of Liszt, Bartók, Lehár, Petőfi and Munkácsy are well known in Russia, just as Russian cultural heritage is highly valued in Hungary. Thus, in 2017 Budapest received a number of Russian famous artists, such conductors Gergiev and Fedoseev, pianists Matsuev and Berezovskiy, opera stars like Netrebko, Gimadieva, Semishkur and Petrenko, troupes of Aleksandinskiy, Vakhtangov and Moscow Academic Arts Theaters.

“We are witnessing the renaissance of the interest towards Russian language studied by almost five thousand Hungarian students, who are planning to use it later in business. Cooperation in sphere of higher education and scientific exchanges is dynamic. Russia is grateful to its Hungarian partners for their traditional cooperation readiness,” Ambassador Vladimir Sergeev concludes.

HUNGARY

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

93,028 sq km 111 9,850,845 (July 2017 est.)

92 -0.25% (2017 est.)

214 9 births/1,000 population 205 76.1 years 91 1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population 54 $28,900 (2017 est.)

69 4.4% (2017 est.)

59 11,779,908 78 41 (2013) 104

17,098,242 sq km 1 142,257,519 (July 2017 est.)

9 -0.08% (2017 est.)

205 11 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

178 71 years 154 1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

52 USD 27,900 (2017 est.)

71 5.5% (2017 est.)

76 231,393,994 7 1,218 (2013) 5

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REPRESENTING RUSSIA’S ECONOMIC INTERESTS

GREAT POTENTIAL FOR BILATERAL COOPERATION IN REGIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS Russian Federation has been a member of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business Transactions, which was adopted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1997.

Pavel Ilin points out that during the meetings and negotiations with Hungarian partners, representatives of the Trade Mission draw attention to the need to combine the efforts of business associations and state bodies of the two countries to prevent possible illegal actions on the part of the participants in foreign economic activity, in particular, bribery of officials while carrying out international commercial transactions or implementing investment projects. “Russia is interested in cooperating with Hungary in the fight against corruption, in developing economic ties based on honesty, openness and partnership. It should be emphasized that our partners support us in this activity.”

Business events in Hungary The Trade Mission of the Russian Federation (RF) in Hungary is an official diplomatic institution operating under the general political leadership of the Embassy of the RF and representing the trade and economic interests of Russia in Hungary.

As Interim Trade Representative Pavel Ilin tells Diplomacy&Trade, Hungary has been one of Russia's priority trade and economic partners in Eastern Central Europe for many decades, and “our relations in virtually all areas are developing in a positive direction.” He adds that the Trade Mission, first of all, seeks to promote the safe and stable supply of Russian energy resources, as well as the planned construction of two new units of the Paks nuclear power plant. “We also pay great attention to the promotion of export sales of Russian non-primary commodities and our goal is the gradual increase of the export volume of all high-tech products. We see great potential for bilateral cooperation in the expansion of regional economic relations, in opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, and in the increase in the share of services and technologies in Russian exports. In addition, we are interested in attracting Hungarian investments and Hungarian tourists to Russia.”

Reliable energy supply The energy industry is of special importance in bilateral relations as Russia is the main supplier of energy for Hungary. “In the old days, the share of Russian oil in total Hungarian consumption was about 95-97%. But, due to the requirements of the European Union to diversify the sources of energy supplies, Russia currently provides 75% of the Hungarian needs in oil, and about 65% in natural gas,” Pavel Ilin says. He emphasizes that

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Russia is a reliable supplier of energy carriers, always fulfilling its obligations to consumers.

He recalls that during his visit to Hungary in February 2017, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin clearly stated that “Hungary will receive Russian gas by any means.”

One of the priorities of cooperation in the field of energy is so-called ‘clean’ energy. “In this case, we are talking about the current largest project of bilateral cooperation – the construction of two new power units of Paks NPP with VVER-1200 reactors. The total cost of the project is about EUR 12 billion. The project will be financed by a Russian government loan of up to EUR 10 billion. We hope that the implementation of the project will provide an opportunity to significantly increase supplies of Russian high-tech equipment and services, and to improve our export structure to the Hungarian market. Hungarian subcontractors will play an important role in the project. We expect that the construction of the first unit will begin in 2018, and will be accomplished in 2027,” he adds.

He also highlights that “we have a great potential for cooperation in other aspects of atomic energy, especially related to joint research in this field. Thus, at the end of 2017, the Russian company TVEL and the Hungarian MVM Paks NPP Ltd. signed a contract for the development of a new generation of fuel assemblies with increased capacity, which would improve the economic efficiency of the power plant while maintaining current fuel cycle parameters.”

Anti-corruption practice One of the points emphasized on the website of the Trade Mission concerns anti-corruption measures. Since 2012, the

Support for the participation of Russian enterprises in international exhibitions and business meetings held in Hungary is also among the tasks of Rustrade. The Interim Trade Representative notes that “there is a significant number of international exhibitions, conferences and other forums held annually in Hungary. Many Russian enterprises are interested in participating in those events.

We regularly publish announcements about them on our websites and send invitations to companies and organizations in Russia. When they come to Hungary, we provide them with organizational and information support.”

As examples, he mentions that last year, business missions of enterprises from different Russian regions visited the exhibitions "Utazás", "Construma", "OMÉK", and participated in the International Forum on construction, housing and communal services.

Among participants there were business delegations from the Republic of Tatarstan, Voronezh, Perm and Sverdlovsk regions.

Representative business delegations took part in numerous programs in the framework of the Days of Moscow and the Days of St. Petersburg in Budapest. “In all these events, the Trade Mission also took an active part.”

Among Russian companies that come to Hungary, a prominent role is played by enterprises from the rural sector. “This is natural, since Hungary has a highly developed agriculture, from which advanced methods and technics are being actively adopted and used in Russia. Recently, cooperation in the field of water treatment, transport engineering, energy, as well as in medicine and other hightech industries has been developing more and more actively. The Trade Mission fully supports these processes,” Pavel Ilin concludes.

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Commodity trade between Russia and Hungary in the period before the global crisis of 2009 developed very dynamically, increasing annually from 15 to 50%. Then the pace of development began to slow down, and in 2012 moved to the negative area.

In 2017, the growth of bilateral trade was again significant: 25%. The total volume of trade amounted to about USD 5.4 billion: exports from Russia – USD 3.3 billion; exports from Hungary – USD 2.1 billion.

Despite such impressive growth in 2017, Russia remained in 12th place among the main foreign trade counterparts of Hungary (2.5% share). In turn, Hungary is in 21st place among the trading partners of the Russian Federation (0.9% share).

“Among the reasons for the increase in the volume of Russian-Hungarian trade, we should note some increase in world prices for energy carriers and commodities that began around the middle of the year, the adaptation of Hungarian and Russian producers to the conditions of the sanctions confrontation between Russia and the West and the expansion of supplies of nonrestricted goods, certain revival in the economic situation in Russia and in Hungarian economy,” the Interim Trade Representative says.

Russia supplies mainly energy carriers and mineral products to Hungary (about 83% of supplies), but in 2017 the share of machinery and equipment increased from 3.6% to 4.9% on the previous year while the same figures for chemical products were from 9.3% to 10.3%.

Supplies from Hungary to Russia are mainly represented by machine-building products (pumps and compressors, power tools, cars and spare parts, appliances) – 38.2%; chemical industry (inorganic polymers, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, plant growth regulators and herbicides, tires) – 33.5%; as well as agriculture and food industry (live animals, seed, animal feed, wine) – 12.4%.

In the sphere of investment, a certain stagnation currently remains in bilateral cooperation between Russia and Hungary. Large projects often face non-economic constraints, and small projects do not have a decisive influence on overall dynamics. At the same time, we see a significant potential in this area.

Until 2011, Russian investments in Hungary significantly exceeded the counter flows, but then, the situation flipped due to the sale of some large Hungarian assets that belonged to Russian investors.

According to official data of the Central Bank of Russia, the accumulated Hungarian investments in the Russian economy at the end of 2017 amounted to about USD 0.7 billion, and the accumulated Russian investments in Hungary – about USD 0.3 billion.

The largest Russian investors in the Hungarian economy are Gazprom, Sberbank, Vnesheconombank, Rosatom and some others with significant ownership in such enterprises as Panrusgaz, Hungarian Sberbank, Dunaferr, Ganz EEG, etc. and there is a fairly large number of small private investors focused on real estate and tourism.

Hungarian investors in Russia are represented

by MOL, OTP Bank, Richter Gedeon and others.

HARANGOZÓ

BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENTS – FACTS AND FIGURES

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russian focus SBERBANK HUNGARY’S FIRST PROFITABLE YEAR In 2012, Vienna-based Sberbank Europe AG, owned by the Russian Sberbank, acquired the Volksbank Network, including the Hungarian bank, which was present on the market in the previous two decades. In the first years, Sberbank’s goal was to optimize the operation and to create a competitive bank in its products and services. “As a result, we are now one of the stable medium-sized banks in Hungary with a wide range of services towards retail, micro, SME and corporate clients,” Richard Szabó, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Sberbank Hungary tells Diplomacy& Trade.

ABOUT RICHARD SZABÓ, CEO OF SBERBANK HUNGARY

• Richard Szabó was appointed as CEO of Sberbank

Hungary in October 2014, in addition to his function as Management Board Member for SME and Corporate Business.

• Before joining Sberbank Hungary in 2012, Richard Szabó worked as Corporate Board Member of Sberbank Slovakia for six years and was the General Manager of AIG Funds Central Europe between 2005 and 2006. Prior to this function at AIG, Mr. Szabó spent seven years at UniCredit Bank Slovakia, where he held different management positions.

• Richard Szabó graduated from Webster University with a Master degree in Business Administration with focus on Banking and Corporate Finance. He holds a PhD degree in International Economics from the Economic University, Bratislava.

Due to the stable and continuous economic growth, companies increase their tendency to borrow money, which also positively stimulates the private segment, giving banks the possibility to expand. This is also confirmed by the head of Sberbank Hungary. As Richard Szabó describes their results, “we

managed to multiply our lending volume in the last two years, as we issued over EUR 39 million worth of personal loans during 2017. Also, our market share is significant among micro, SME-sized and corporate customers and we are especially strong in Trade Finance solutions for SME and corporate clients.”

As for the Russian relationship and

indirect ownership, the uniqueness of Sberbank is that it can play a kind of bridge role among the CEE region, the CIS countries and the Russian market.

They are offering attractive Trade Finance solutions, which facilitate cooperation between Russian and Hungarian companies. It can be safely said that they successfully provide helping hand for

Russian investors in the CEE countries, and support CEE-based SMEs and bigger companies in their Russian market expansion. For instance, Rosatom also chose them as bank account manager in Hungary, thanks to their wide relationship, experience and international network covering Europe and Russia.

Sberbank Hungary's results have been steadily improving year after year since the bank's market entry. After few years of operations, Sberbank Hungary had a profitable financial year in 2017. In 2015, they aimed at a 3-year-long term for this mission but reached their goal within two years. Richard Szabó is proud they are continuously providing their retail and corporate clients with unique solutions. “If we look at the bigger picture, I still feel that the combination of professional competencies, business and exceptional personal relationships with the clients has the greatest significance. It is what sets us apart from many other banks on the Hungarian market,” he has summarized.

Sberbank Hungary provides full scale banking services to private and business customers. www.sberbank.hu

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+36-1-557-58-59

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AN IMPORTANT CONNECTION LINK THE RUSSIAN CULTURAL CENTER IN BUDAPEST HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

society who were and are interested in our country and the development of constructive cooperation with it.”

The center organizes numerous events and activities: international conferences, roundtable discussions (such as the one entitled ‘The conclusions of the 1917 revolution in Russia for the modern political system’), seminars on topics like geophysics, nanomaterials, space research or ecological safety, Russian theater performances, concerts, exhibitions, movie presentations and language courses – just to name a few.

He finds it important to mention that they work in parallel with the Hungarian side in this process, that is to say, the Moscow Hungarian Cultural Center provides the same communication towards Russia.

“And, of course, we cannot hide our joy that the Russian Cultural Center in Budapest has stood the test of time and there is still a serious demand for its services both on the part of Hungarians and the Russianspeaking community here.”

Important connecting link The Russian Cultural Center is 45 years old this year. Valery Platonov says that “the main achievement over these decades has been that while official relations between the two countries, as is well-known, have developed differently, the Center has remained an important connecting link for everyday communication for different Hungarian non-governmental organizations, public institutions and individual representatives of the

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Access to Russian culture The Director stresses that the Center wishes to address a target audience in all its areas of activity. “Our principle is that an event cannot be self-serving.

That is why we think there is no point

in determining and evaluating our work merely on the basis of which services are popular. Much better results are achieved by using the tools and resources the Center has, and keeping pace with the times, these include more and more high-tech devices.”

One of those resources is OKK’s library, which can be used by anyone, either as a registered library member or as a visitor to the reading room. In the library of more than 18,000 books, with the numbers regularly expanding, both adult and child literature are present. The library's base is made up of Russian and world literary works, historical, art history and linguistic publications, encyclopedias, and literature on social and political, economic, scientific, technical, medical and psychological issues. In addition, the electronic branch of the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library can be accessed at the OKK with more than 80,000 units: books, newspapers, archive documents, photo, video and audio. By getting an electronic library card of the OKK, readers can access the LitRes: Biblioteka system, which offers, on PCs, tablets and smartphones, a wide range of foreign and Russian literature: novelties, bestsellers, award-winning books and Russian classical literary works free of charge.

OKK also provides access to a unique international project – a virtual branch of the Russian Museum of St. Petersburg that has the largest collection of Russian fine art.

“Computer technologies, such as 3D modeling and panoramic photography, allow us to get acquainted with the collections of the Russian Museum, to make a virtual walk in the halls of the M A Y

museum to see, in their old splendor, the castles' destroyed interior. One can even take a virtual walk in a painting, making it an unbelievably exciting excursion,” he adds.

The Center operates art studios of both adult and children's interest, as well: music, dance, drawing and theater circles, as well as a Russian speaking club.

Dialogue of Cultures The Russian cultural Center in Budapest organizes the ‘RussiaHungary: Dialogue of Cultures’ competition for secondary school

students. As Valery Platonov explains, OKK has decided this year to revitalize a long tradition for secondary schools.

The objective of the competition is to broaden the participants' knowledge of the culture of Russia and Hungary through artistic self-realization. The competition categories are: (1) essay writing in Hungarian; (2) reciting poems and prosaic pieces chosen by the contestants from the works of Russian and Hungarian authors; (3) drawing - the theme this year is ‘The world you want to live in’, which puts the emphasis on the environment; and (4) a stage performance entitled ‘Do you, Russian guests, know why Hungary is so special?’. “At the end of the competition, on June 2, we will announce the winners who will win a trip to Russia this summer. In the organization and implementation of the competition, our main partner is the Hunfalvy Bilingual Secondary Vocational School. We expect the competition will attract the attention of the students from grammar schools in several regions of the country and will be a truly colorful event for the month,” the Director says.

In conclusion, Valery Platonov wishes to point out that “Russia and Hungary have the human potential to offer great opportunities for joint creative work for the enrichment of both peoples in the intellectual and cultural spheres. I am convinced that there is still a lot of room for constructive thought in the service of this important common cause!”

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In the previous Russian Focus of Diplomacy&Trade, the then Russian ambassador to Hungary, Alexander Tolkach pointed out that that the Russian Cultural Center (OKK) “acts as an intermediary in the establishment and development of bilateral cultural and business relations; it serves as a credible source of information about Russia, the Russian language and the culture and tradition of the Russian people of this country, as well as about trends in the scientific and cultural life of our country”. As to how that looks in the day-to-day practice of the operation of the Center, its director, Valery Platonov says “this is accomplished through our diverse everyday work: in our cultural, educational and scientific programs, in debate fora on current social, political and historical issues, and even in our events on innovation developments – we reach the different social groups of the Hungarian population through a wide range of communication tools. The important dates of the Russian calendar form a good starting point to learn about the most important events of our history; how Russia has contributed to processes of world-wide impact in a wide variety of fields; how much potential it has in the field of culture, education and science and technology with regard to both the preserved heritage and the modern achievements and the realities of Russian life today.”

One of the key tasks of the Russian Cultural Center is to find and highlight – in its areas of competence – the mutual interests of both the Russian and Hungarian sides and to help implement the initiatives in practice, by providing its own infrastructure, for instance. “At the same time, of course, our events are not limited to the building of the Center despite the fact that our building is suitable for hosting any kind of event. It is just as important to present Russia outside the Center – be it a local community house, a club room, an educational institution; we are always ready to meet a request,” he adds.

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analysis

A TRADE (COLD) WAR? TRUMP MEASURES IN ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE WITH AN UNCERTAIN OUTCOME

BY TAMÁS MAGYARICS

President Donald Trump is again engaged in a war of words, but this time, he may go beyond verbal assaults and drop a bomb or two on international trade.

His threats and potential policies are not without precedent in American politics despite the fact that the U.S. became a champion of free trade after World War II – which is a crucial component of the so-called liberal world order. However, free trade has never been truly free, partly because U.S. hegemony did not extend over the whole, and some of the major powers, especially China and the Soviet Union, later Russia, never subscribed to this principle no matter what they have said in the past – and what they are saying today. It is first and foremost China that is cherry-picking in this area; while it is taking advantage of the opportunities offered by, among others, membership in the WTO, it is doing its best to prevent the creation of a level playing field for Chinese and foreign companies in China with the employment of forced joint ventures, technology transfer, and the like.

China singled out

Doomsday scenario?

To jump to a conclusion, the majority of economists believe that they are not. Some of them even talk of a kind of doomsday scenario, that is an all-out trade war in the world with a concomitant slowing down of economic growth with all the potential political, social, and security consequences.

Even the less extremist representatives

of the ’nasty science’ agree that President Trump is mistaken when he claims that a trade war is winnable for the U.S. The economic and trade interdependence (a.k.a. globalization) means that a large-scale trade war is bound to hurt everyone – directly or indirectly, the big and the small alike.

Limited trade war The real debate is about the impact of a limited trade war – limited in two senses: relatively small scale (affecting ’only’ about USD 100 billion of trade annually) and limited to the U.S. and China. Of course, the repercussions are bound to affect other centers of economic power, including the European Union. In fact, such a war is evolving – if we are to believe what the American and Chinese leaders say in public. The opening salvo was fired by President Trump with a 25% duty on imported steel and 10% duty on imported aluminum; but the White House quickly exempted the allies and the other two members of NAFTA (Canada and Mexico); in the case of the latter two countries, rumor has it that the President would like to use the import duties as bargaining chips during the renegotiation of NAFTA. The Chinese retorted only with a meager USD 3 billion package. Diplomatically speaking, the message was that they did not want to escalate the issue. However, President Trump upped the ante and announced intentions of cutting the bilateral trade deficit with China by USD 50 billion and, at the same time, instructed the Treasury Department to a further cut of USD 100 billion.

China – so far – verbally retaliated with a long list of American goods to be subjected to increased import duties. One item that might hurt Donald Trump politically is the extra duty on soybeans; American farmers realize USD billions annually on their sales to China, and the ’farm states’ were instrumental in Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election in 2016. Interestingly, Beijing will be likely to run out this tit-for-tat shortly as China exports only approximately USD 110 billion worth of goods to the U.S. a year. Beijing has some other (though, not necessarily ’trump’) cards in its hands; one of them is the some USD 1.2 trillion dollar bonds, while another is the termination of orders from such industrial giants as the Boeing Company.

Uncertain outcome Donald Trump’s zero-sum approach to international trade is obviously mistaken. Mercantilism had its day in history, but nowadays, the deep economic and trade interdependence of practically all the countries in the world makes it a pipe-dream. A slowdown of the world economy, which is almost certain if a trade war on a larger scale occurs, is self-defeating for the U.S. in general, and for President Trump in particular. On balance, the potential short-term political gains at home (fulfilling one the campaign promises) may ultimately turn into political and economic losses. The people who are likely most hard hit by a trade war, even it is only with China, are predominantly workingclass Trump-voters, who may well punish him and the Republican Party first in the upcoming Congressional elections in November 2018, and then at the presidential election in 2020.

On the other hand, Chinese President Xi Jinping can equally ill afford a slowdown of the Chinese economy, a glut in international trade, because they will threaten the ambitious investment programs abroad, the large-scale military buildup, and the social and political stability at home. And, anyway, the outcome of any war is highly uncertain; currently, both major players are likely to lose rather than win in a major conflict as the U.S. and China alike are beneficiaries of the existing economic order in different ways.

Tamás Magyarics is a foreign policy analyst

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WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY SHEALAH CRAIGHEAD

On the other hand, economic nationalism is not that alien from the U.S. either. Of course, the most widely cited measures are the acts in 1922 and 1930, the latter imposing some 60% import duty on about 20,000 items while, in the recent past, the ’voluntary export restriction’ imposed on Japan by the Reagan administration may come to mind. Nevertheless, subsequent administrations were not able to stop the gradual disappearance of manufacturing jobs from the country.

The primary reason was globalization

and automation but Donald Trump, as a presidential candidate, repeatedly attacked his predecessors for their allegedly lukewarm protection of the ’American worker’ in such multilateral trade deals as, for instance, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), as well as their negligence in allowing U.S. trade balance to go into the red – big time. His recurrent theme was that the U.S. had opened its market to others while the partners had not really reciprocated American ’largesse’. He singled out China for its unfair trade practices, which resulted in somewhere between USD 375-504 billion annual trade deficit for the U.S. It must be added that the picture is not so bleak if we count the roughly USD 40 billion U.S. surplus in services in American-Chinese trade relations.

Nevertheless, the U.S. trade deficit is still exorbitant (Donald Trump blamed Germany and Japan besides China for it). The question is whether the President’s intended measures to reduce or even eliminate this trade deficit are the appropriate ones or not.

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KLM’s capacity for the upcoming summer season will increase by +2.8% (+3.2% across the long-haul network and +1.2% across the medium-haul network) compared to the 2017 summer season. The airline will offer service to four new destinations throughout the 2018 summer season. The longhaul network will expand to include Fortaleza and Mumbai (the latter will be a continuation of the 2017 winter

CORPORATE TRAVELERS – AN IMPORTANT SEGMENT

Dependent on a company’s needs, KLM offers different corporate programs: • BlueBiz is the corporate benefits program from Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways and China Southern Airlines. Once you sign up for free, your company can start earning Blue Credits on flights and redeem Blue Credits for free tickets and flight-related services.

• Every time a BlueBiz member company books a business trip with Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, China Southern Airlines and Kenya Airways or our partner airlines, the company earns Blue Credits. Members of our frequent flyer programs, Flying Blue, SkyMiles and Sky Pearl Club will also earn Miles.

• KLM also offers corporate contracting that will enable companies to get the most from their travel budget. Besides the preferential rates, the program also offers corporate recognition, exclusive corporate services, dedicated account managers, commercial support teams and management information reports on a regular basis.

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CUSTOMER-CENTRIC, INNOVATIVE AND EFFICIENT

DUTCH AIRLINER’S GROWTH BASED ON ITS SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY LAUNCHED IN 2014

schedule). Nantes and Växjö will be included in the medium-haul network.

“The new destinations will create more travel options for our passengers. We are pursuing a constant strategy to open up new destinations,” Ildikó Kiss points out.

Caring for the environment KLM aims to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in 2020 (compared to 2010). According to the Country Manager, “to do this, KLM is not only investing in sustainable biofuel but also in fleet renewal and more efficient flight operations. Using sustainable biofuel in large quantities can result in an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels. However, the price continues to be two or three times higher than that of standard jet fuel. For this reason, there is a worldwide need for technological development and further research into sustainable raw materials. Right now, the production and the market for sustainable biofuel is extremely limited.”

KLM has been working to develop the market for biofuel since 2009 and is encouraging more airlines to follow its example. Partners in the Corporate BioFuel Programme include Arcadis,

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands, Delft University of Technology, ABN AMRO, Accenture, FrieslandCampina, the City of Amsterdam, Loyens & Loeff, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, PGGM, and the Schiphol Group.

From Budapest through Amsterdam The airline offers its passengers direct flights to 165 destinations with a modern fleet of over 160 aircraft. The KLM network connects the Netherlands with all of the world’s key economic regions and is a powerful engine driving the Netherlands’ economy. Since the merger in 2004, KLM has been part of the Air France–KLM Group. This merger gave rise to one of Europe’s leading airline groups, with two strong brands operating out of two major hubs: Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

In Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and the Caribbean, KLM is increasing its weekly seat capacity by 20% on departures from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: an additional flight to Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile takes KLM’s weekly frequency on this route to six; an additional flight to Bogota and Cartagena M A Y

takes KLM’s weekly frequency on this route to four; and an additional flight to Aruba and Bonaire takes the total weekly frequency on this route to seven.

In addition, two new weekly circle flights between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, St Martin and Curaçao will increase KLM’s weekly frequency to Curaçao from seven to nine. “KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will operate a direct service to Fortaleza, Brazil,

from May 2018. The addition of this destination, in the northeast of Brazil, consolidates KLM’s position as a major European carrier in the Brazilian market for both business and leisure travellers. KLM will operate a thrice weekly service from Amsterdam to this new destination using Airbus A330-200 equipment with a capacity of 268 seats per flight,” the country Manager points out.

MORE COMFORT

This March, KLM introduced its first Airbus A330-200 with a fully renewed cabin interior. In addition to a whole new design, all seats in World Business Class have been converted to full-flat models, with a brand-new inflight entertainment system. By November 2018, KLM will have converted all seats in World Class Business to full-flat models. Economy Class seats have also been replaced and a new inflight entertainment system has been installed. The renovated A330-200 (registration PH-AOD) operated its first flight to Abu Dhabi. Previously, KLM renewed the World Business Class cabins aboard its Boeings 747s, 777-200s and 777-300s. KLM’s new Boeing 787 Dreamliners were already equipped with the new-look World Business Class. The new seats and interior were designed by KLM in collaboration with designer Hella Jongerius.

THE WORLD BUSINESS CLASS MAKEOVER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING FEATURES: • New full-flat WBC seats, which are more than two meters long at full stretch; • 18.5” HD-quality touchscreen display in 16:9 format; • Interactive entertainment menu in 12 languages, featuring more than 200 films and 3D flight tracking; • Films with audio description for blind and visually impaired passengers; • Headphone socket with KLM noise-cancelling headset; • 110V socket and USB connection.

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Capacity increase

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines welcomed a record 32.7 million passengers aboard its flights in 2017 and the latest figures from February also underscore the airline’s growth. Diplomacy&Trade talks about the airline’s recent achievements with Air France KLM Country Manager for Hungary, Ildikó Kiss.

photo by DÁVID

“Indeed, for KLM, 2017 was marked by impressive progress. We achieved record revenues, made record-high investments in customers and staff, flew to more destinations, welcomed more passengers on board, and rolled out many digital initiatives for the benefit of our customers. This and much more embodies the strength of KLM’s transformation. In 2014, we formulated a new objective, to become Europe’s most customer-centric, innovative and efficient network carrier,” the Country Manager highlights.

She adds that, in order to accomplish this goal, major investments in product and fleet were needed, costs had to decrease, productivity had to go up, and the organization had to become more agile. Furthermore, a new purpose was defined, and employees were encouraged to change, participate and win in accordance with it. “Our record results for 2017 confirm that we are on the right track. They underscore that the strategy we launched in late 2014 – to cut costs on the one hand, while investing on the other – has proven successful.

However, this does not imply that we can sit back. We have our house in order, but our competitors are building skyscrapers. That is why we need to keep growing and investing, so that we have a hand in shaping the game.”

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MOVING AWAY FROM ‘THROWAWAY SOCIETY’ “CIRCULAR ECONOMY IS THE BUSINESS MODEL OF THE FUTURE” The Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) held a Business breakfast and Action 2020 Forum focused on promoting sustainable lifestyles and, more specifically, the circular economy.

In his introduction, BCSDH President Attila Chikán stressed that “transitioning to a circular economy is one of the greatest business opportunities nowadays. The core of the concept is not yet deeply acknowledged by most companies, although use of this model can increase the flexibility of the economy and facilitate the achievement of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. BCSDH is a corporate community that can help companies share knowledge and experiences and contribute to working as a team in this area.”

On behalf of the event co-organizer, the Dutch

Embassy, Ambassador René van Hell emphasized the need for innovation in closing the huge wage gap between the Netherlands and Hungary. “Part

of the Dutch contribution is to show how to create a platform together on circularity,” he said. He introduced the speaker of the event, Jacqueline

Cramer, a former environmental minister, as a perfect ‘go-between’ in the Netherlands between the government and corporate sectors and a great advocate of circular economy.

Professor Jacqueline Cramer, circular economy ambassador of the district of Amsterdam, pointed out that “the full implementation of the circular economy requires the appropriate scale. In this, regional and corporate communities are crucial.

The inevitable first step is sharing knowledge and experiences and undertaking joint action which can accelerate the emergence of sustainable supply chains and thereby drive the expansion of the circular economy. By becoming part of such a community, we can take shared steps that we would never be able to manage on our own.

We can’t continue on the current path of ‘throwaway economy’, that is a linear economy where we extract resources, make products from them, consume those products and discard them – we must change to a circular economy in which all the resources (energy, water, raw materials) are in a closed loop. Such an economy is not a burden on the environment.” She added that one can create financial benefits by implementing circular initiatives in a proper way.

“You cannot achieve that alone but by cooperating with your business partners. It takes changing the mindset of people as well as that of the institutional structure and vested interests (such as not including the external costs in the price of products and services),” she told Diplomacy&Trade.

Irota EcoLodge

HOLIDAY, LONG WEEKEND OR CORPORATE RETREAT IN A GORGEOUS SETTING. Irota EcoLodge premises consist of three spacious, luxurious and climate-neutral holiday villas and a shared natural swimming pool (size 6x16m). Although slightly different in detail, the houses basically have the same layout and are all adjusted to guests with special needs. Each house (170 m2) has its own style: The Lower House is the rustic, countryside type, the Middle House has a retro, 1960s feel, while the Upper House has a sleek and modern design. The houses are detached, which guarantees full privacy while you enjoy your holiday.

HARANGOZÓ

Would you like your corporate retreat to have something extra, away from standard facilities? Our corporate retreat package includes full board: breakfast and coffee (with home-baked cakes) in the morning, while your hearty Hungarian lunches and dinners will be served by Irota's best cook. We can take your dietary requirements into account. The area has plenty to offer to take your mind off work for a bit. We are happy to provide you with office supplies such as a projector and a flip chart. Of course you will have unlimited WiFi access. For a tailor-made offer, please contact us and we gladly discuss the various options with you.

photo by DÁVID

FOR BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT: 3786 Irota, Kossuth Lajos út 16. Tel.: +36 48 349260 E-mail: info@irotaecolodge.com Web: www.irotaecolodge.com FB: facebook.com/irotaecolodge

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society Dutch King’s Day

▶ In celebration of the birthday of King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, Dutch Ambassador René van Hell invited guests, including fellow diplomats and Dutch nationals living in Hungary, to the Öbölház Event Center in Budapest.

National Day of South Africa

▶ In honor of Freedom Day, the National Day of the Republic of South Africa, the Ambassador of South Africa, Pieter Vermeulen hosted a reception for fellow diplomats and other guests at the Gundel Restaurant in Budapest.

The Hungarian government was represented at the event by State Secretary Csaba Balogh.

Beijing photo exhibition

▶ A memorable photo exhibition, courtesy of Beijing Capital International Airport, opened this April at Budapest Airport, presenting the wonderful worlds of Beijing and China. With the newly opened photo exhibition, Budapest Airport is reciprocating the opportunity it had to present the Hungarian capital and its airport in the Chinese capital airport last year.

Budapest Beer Week announcement

▶ This year, the Budapest Beer Week (BPBW) 2018 International Beer

HARANGOZÓ, BUDAPEST AIRPORT, CARLOS GUERRERO

Festival will be held for the first time in the capital from May 20 to 27 with 160 different beers of more than 40 international small breweries from 16 countries. The announcement was made at the residence of the patron of the event, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Iain Lindsay.

Malbec World Day ▶ Ambassador of the

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Argentine Republic, Maximiliano GregorioCernadas welcomed guests at his official residence, the Tildy Palace, in Budapest for an ‘Argentine Party’ on Malbec World Day in commemoration of the day, in 1853, when President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento of Argentina officially made it his mission to transform Argentina's wine industry.

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witty leaks WITTY

IN THIS SERIES, DIPLOMATS SHARE PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF THEIR EXPERIENCES ON “EXCURSIONS” into Hungarian culture, art, gastronomy & scenery.

LE A K S

HUNGARY AND ME GETTING TO KNOW THE GENIUS LOCI OF BUDAPEST AND THE COUNTRYSIDE

BY JERZY SNOPEK, THE AMBASSADOR OF POLAND

was noticeable (political talks were usually held in the lobby, before and after the main event, with coffee, wine, pogácsa and biscuits).

However, what I liked the most – and that did not change – were private meetings with Hungarian friends, wandering around Budapest secondhand bookshops, in which I sometimes found real ‘gems’; for example, I bought a beautiful edition of Sarbiewski’s poems from 1802, for an affordable price! I also loved the hours spent in Hungarian libraries and archives in search of Polish ‘treasures’, especially since these hunts sometimes culminated in fascinating discoveries. As a rule, I did not find what I was looking for. I was convinced that the known maxim ‘seek and you will find’ should be complemented with the words “something else”.

Traveling the countryside I had a special pleasure to wander around Hungary, usually by Trabant (that East German made 'cardboard-box-on-wheels'), with my wife’s brother.

Thanks to them, I got to know the charms of Alföld (the Great Hungarian Plain) with its ‘tanyavilág’ (scattered farmhouses) in a melancholy flat landscape, beautiful surroundings of northern Lake Balaton, hills and the forests of Mátra.

And there are still so many sights to see, people to meet, things to get to know and experience… And now, again and again, there will be time to expand my knowledge about Hungary and the Hungarians.

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know the world of my loved one better. Not only through magnificent poetry, but also – more quickly, for obvious reasons – music, painting, landscapes. It became my lasting passion.

I am delighted to immerse myself in the great works of Hungarian culture, in the history of Hungary, as dramatic as the history of my homeland, including many examples of the extraordinary friendship and solidarity of our nations, which my countrymen continue to experience here today. It is true that the communist propaganda of the Kádár regime tried to undermine the sympathy of the Hungarians for the Poles. This was in the 1980s when my country

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Need for freedom noticeable The memorable years of 1985-1990, when a new reality was born, we spent in Hungary. I worked at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. An ever stronger breeze of history was felt. The Hungarian opposition revived and solidified with each passing day.

Independent culture found shelter in private apartments. Poetry evenings, meetings with artists and intellectuals were held, during which one could freely exchange views. There were even small concerts. I especially remember the evenings dedicated to one of my favorite poets, János Pilinszky, as well as a meeting with an outstanding actor, László Mensáros.

Even if there were no political accents at these events, the need for freedom

The Hungarian genius loci I have been living in Hungary for a year and a half with my wife and three daughters. Our son stayed in Warsaw. We miss him and Poland, but we are fascinated by Hungary. My work as an ambassador creates new opportunities to get to know better the country and its inhabitants. I use these opportunities eagerly. But I know that I will not penetrate the Hungarian genius loci until the end. Neither the soul of the nation, which despite the suffering and humiliation inflicted by history, for centuries has claimed with conviction that ”extra Hungariam non est vita et si est vita, non est ita.” [There is no life outside of Hungary, and if there is life, it's not like that]

GYULA CZIMBAL, PIXABAY.COM

To this day, I can taste the salami sandwiches and light green peppers, the grapes from Balatonboglár, apricots and peaches picked in the garden of the home of my future wife in Hatvan. Then, I fell in love with Budapest, which reminds me of Cracow, but full of a peculiar charm and beauty, which seems inexhaustible. Then, I started to take my first steps in learning the Hungarian language, exotic for the Poles and for many others. I studied it at the beginning like a small child – from Márta and her many siblings, but soon, I reached for Hungarian books and passionately struggled to understand their meaning, wanting to get to

was perceived as a potential source of anti-Soviet revolt. As we know, friendship and freedom have won.

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I have always felt very close to Hungary; I can even say that she is my second homeland. I visited her for the first time in the mid-seventies at the invitation of my Hungarian friend, Márta, who became my wife a year later, and happily has been ever since. At that time, 40 years ago, Hungary was a novelty for me, and because my first visit was connected with my love for a Hungarian girl, my youth and the scenery of a Hungarian summer, she remained unforgettable to me.

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ANNAMÁRIA FÁBIÁN, ZSOLT VENCZEL, DÁVID HARANGOZÓ

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The 25th Best of Budapest & Hungary Award Gala was held at the Budapest Congress Center on April 14. The annual gala is one of the leading events on the hospitality industry calendar. Special guests, including Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Deputy Mayor of Budapest and Péter Princzinger, President of the Board of Directors of the Hungarian Tourism Association’s Foundation, and Tamás Flesch, Vice President of the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, congratulated the winners alongside Peter Freed, founder of the Best of Budapest & Hungary quality assurance system.

On behalf of the venue, Luc Gesvret, CEO of AccorHotels Hungary greeted the 450 guests present at the event, representing Hungary’s and Budapest’s buzzing hospitality sector.

Guests enjoyed a lavish four-course dinner and a midnight buffet by The Kitchen Caters, Marriott Catering, Panificio il Basilico and Sushi Sei. The evening was complete with a selection of Hungarian and Italian wines that arrived from Bocelli Family Wines, Bolyki Pincészet és Szőlőbirtok, Disznókő Pincészet, Figula Pincészet, Koch Borászat, Kovács Nimród Winery, Szent Tamás Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet, Veritas Borkereskedés, Villa Pátzay Birtok and Vinificando Ltd. Sparkling wine arrived from Törley Pezsgőpincészet, and spirits from Agárdi Pálinkafőzde and Schiszler pálinka. Zwack’s precious Unicum Riserva was also available while Heineken quenched guests' thirst with IPA and sour cherry beer. Nespresso Business Solutions offered fine coffee creations.

Hosts of the evening, Anna Nemes and Tibor Korvin entertained guests along with the Arial Led Roap Show, followed by a charity raffle to benefit the Magic Lamp Foundation.

The gala ended with a concert by Hungarian rock-and-roll icon Charlie and his band. Sponsors of the event were Albatros Party Service, Avis Hungary, Budapest Airport, City Taxi, Duna Elektronika, Eventrend, iSTLYE, JTB Hungary, Mellow Mood Hotels, Moni’s, Pauker, Silka Fashion, Seat and Stan Ahuja.

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ANNAMÁRIA FÁBIÁN, ZSOLT VENCZEL, DÁVID HARANGOZÓ

ANNAMÁRIA FÁBIÁN, ZSOLT VENCZEL, DÁVID HARANGOZÓ

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25th Best of Budapest & Hungary Award Gala

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special awards

OUR SPECIAL AWARDS IN 2018 GO TO... pastries and desserts will surely remember them forever. We can also thank István (nicknamed ‘Mázi’) for the first macarons in Hungary.

interior design, while the marvelous breads are often baked by David.

BAKER OF THE YEAR:

Károly Kovács

Mihály Juhász

The 25th Best of Budapest & Hungary Award Gala was held to honor the individuals selected as the 2017 Special Award winners. Those outstanding individuals who have excelled in their field, and who received the Best of Budapest & Hungary special awards this year, are: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Zoltán Fehér

CHEF OF THE YEAR

Marvin Gauci

Originally a lawyer, Mihály Juhász didn’t mean to become a full-time master of bread at first: he worked in both professions, baking bread at midnight, in search for the perfect recipe. He only left the legal profession behind and changed his suit to an apron, when he knew he’d found that recipe – and since then, he is typically found covered in flour at his bakery.

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR IN BUDAPEST – CLASSIC CATEGORY

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Located in the picturesque wine region Mád, Károly’s fine dining restaurant Gusteau Kulináris Élményműhely is recognized nationwide. The restaurant’s name translates to Gusteau Culinary Art Workshop, and indeed, it is art that’s being created in this restaurant. Károly, who is also one of the owners of St Tamás Wine Estate and Cellar, makes sure that both wine connoisseurs and food lovers find the wine list and the food impeccable, the service flawless and the atmosphere incomparable. (The award was presented to Chef Gábor Horváth.)

Lajos Bíró

HOTELIER OF THE YEAR IN BUDAPEST

Stephan Interthal

General Manager Stephan Interthal set a great example of how to survive and excel in the hotel business in Budapest, even during extensive renovation projects - which he has conducted more than once during his double reign at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus. He says he is a “passionate guy” who knew, as early as the age of 16, that he would one day become a hotel director. Today he hopes he will be, in the future, remembered as “a good leader who challenged but also respected his people.”

HOTELIER OF THE YEAR IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Krisztián Eppel

GASTRO-WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR

István Szepsy

Zoltán is a creator of modern gastronomy in Hungary: someone who is able to continuously renew, who experiments non-stop and never runs out of new ideas. His restaurant, Cyrano serves as a starting point for many Hungarian master chefs. Zoltán’s guests experience a unique, captivating atmosphere, special and delicious dishes, in the 25-year-old Cyrano no wonder they become regulars.

GASTRO-ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Attila Hegyi

Quality, elegance and high-end service compliment an exciting, innovative menu at the Maltese star-chef Marvin Gauci’s Caviar & Bull restaurant, that opened in Budapest last year and has already become a hot spot for foodies. He fell in love with the hospitality industry at the age 13, and began to work as an assistant in a hotel while attending school in Malta.

He worked in Ireland for a while, but his heart eventually took him home, to Malta. His first restaurant, Tarragon, opened in 2007, followed

by Caviar & Bull, Buddhamann and Dinner in The Sky in 2016.

A well-known character on the Hungarian gastro-scene, Lajos is driven by passion to create the tastiest goose liver and, of course, to present the best traditional Hungarian food to Hungarians (who sometimes tend to forget about traditional Hungarian food). He started out at the bottom of the food chain, slowly working his way up the ranks, his career leading him to Bock Bistro.

RESTAURATEURS OF THE YEAR IN BUDAPEST – MODERN CATEGORY

David & Leora Seboek

Founding member of the Mád Circle, winemaker István Szepsy is often called Mr. Tokaj. He is known by everyone as a genuine, modest, utterly gifted person who is devoted to his beloved Tokaj, where his family has cultivated wine since the 16th century. With those blessed enough to have the opportunity to meet him, he shares the philosophical depths of his thoughts.

Sensual, sophisticated taste and a commitment to the highest quality convene in Krisztián Eppel, who is in charge at Villa Vitae, a new and utterly unique Mediterranean-style boutique hotel in Balatonfüred, where you can relax with a glass of wine while marveling at the beautiful landscape of Lake Balaton and the nearby vineyards.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY

Rick Enders

GASTRO-SHOWMAN OF THE YEAR: Tamás Czinege

PATISSIER OF THE YEAR

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Inevitable and distinctive in the world of sweets, István Mázás is the Pastry chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest, who creates wonderful masterpieces, including the heavenly and oh-so popular Royal Chocolate.

Anyone who has once tasted his

It is uncommon for a couple to live in great harmony for such a long time, especially when they are involved in the same business. The couple’s restaurant Baraka – their ‘baby’ – has been a fine dining, foodie destination for French-Asian cuisine lovers since 2001. The owners’ presence in the business can be felt and touched, literally: Leora visualized the chic M A Y

Mr. Czini – as he is often called – is a truly original character, whose willingness to feed people well (most recently with heavenly smoky BBQ) is just as strong as his ability to entertain.

He can be found at the best gastro festivals and touring the countryside with his ‘Gastro Hack’ gastronomy program series, collaborating with the best winemakers and chefs.

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Attila is a pioneer in renewing casual catering services in Hungary. The symbolic figure of event organization changed the world of chips and cold dishes. Through innovation and resourcefulness, he has achieved success with today's wellestablished Albatros Party Service.

In search of new challenges - or, by his own admission, driven by his professional vanity - he opened his fine dining restaurant TAMA.

This is a special award for a special person. In 2014 a new era started at the Marriott Hotel in Budapest when Rick Enders arrived, as the new managing director, and immediately saw work that needed to be done – which he did in a ‘gezelling’ (a Dutch word roughly meaning a warm, cosy, homely feeling) way, true to his Dutch nationality. Rick is not just an expert in the field but a loyal father and a friend. He will soon be starting a new chapter in his life as he leaves Budapest to take over the Marriott Marquis in Doha.

FÁBIÁN, DÁVID HARANGOZÓ

István Mázás

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To celebrate our 25th anniversary in style, our publisher Peter Freed founded the Best of Budapest & Hungary 'Champion of Tourism' award, which was awarded to nine professionals at the Gala:

champions standards. They always put emphasis on beneficial cooperation between owner-customer-developer and know that learning from each other and sharing ideas is both practical and motivating.

ALEXANDRA SZALAY-BOBROVNICZKY Budapest’s Deputy Mayor ’s dedication to make our capital better, more beautiful and livable, is unquestionable.

When it comes to tourism development and making Budapest a highly competitive tourist destination in Europe, Alexandra’s energetic and persistent work is indispensable within the city administration.

ÁKOS NIKLAI The Vice President of HOTREC (an umbrella Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes in Europe), Ákos Niklai has held a number of leading positions in the field of Hungarian tourism over the past decades, including heading the Hungarian Tourism Plt. He is an excellent strategist, a great lobbyist and persuasive speaker who vehemently works on building the image of Hungary and Budapest. As the owner of Kárpátia Restaurant, he is a dedicated supporter of quality gastronomy and hospitality.

JÓZSEF VÁRADI A bold innovator, József Váradi is the co-founder and CEO of Wizz Air, whose creative and groundbreaking endeavors contribute greatly to the continuous development and appreciation of Hungarian tourism. Apart from his countless other merits, we hihglight his committment to job creation and his ability to bring people closer to the experience of traveling abroad.

MIKLÓS TAMÁS Miklós Tamás, at the helm of City Taxi, handles the challenges of managing the 890-member fleet every day with maximum professionalism. Since 2005, he has been elected the company’s president 5 times in a row. He is proud that City Taxi is the only taxi company in Budapest operating without major transformation since 1983, in a unique cooperative form: out of the 890 taxi drivers, 420 are owners of the company.

SAMEER HAMDAN AND ZUHAIR AWAD More than 20 years ago, owners and CEOs of Mellow Mood Group, Sameer Hamdan and Zuhair Awad arrived to Budapest as students. Today, they are known as prominent members and two of the most influential people in the Hungarian tourism industry because of their achievements, including the opening of 12 award-winning hotels in Budapest, and their participation in multiple real estate development projects.

Their current project is the restoration of an emblematic building, Parisi Udvar, to its original beauty. The building is to open this fall as a 5-star luxury hotel member of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt.

POSTUMUS: SIR BERNARD SCHREIER Industrial entrepreneur, hotelier and Chairman of the Danubius Hotels Group, the late Sir Bernard Schreier was knighted for his services to trade between Britain and Hungary in 2000. Publicity-shy and intensely hard-working, but possessed of a fund of jokes for all occasions, he remained fully engaged in his businesses until the end of his life.

(The award was presented to Balázs Kovács, CEO of Danubius Hotels Group.)

ZOLTÁN KŐRÖSSY AND GÁBOR NAGY The two founding co-owners of Eventrend Holding, Zoltán Kőrössy and Gábor Nagy completely renewed the catering and eventplanning sector in Hungary, to meet European

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cinema Mrs. Géquil is a teacher despised by her colleagues and students. On a stormy night, an accident occurs that changes her. That is the beginning of the story told by the French movie ‘Madame Hyde’ (English title: Mrs. Hyde), directed by Serge Bozon. The director has recently been in Budapest and talked to Diplomacy&Trade.

The idea for the movie came from the script writer, Axelle Ropert, who has been the script writer for all the movies of Serge Bozon. “She decided to take Robert Stevenson's novel but change four dimensions of it: place it in current times instead of Victorian times; in poor suburbs rather than wealthy society; make it a teacher and not a pharmacist and, of course, a girl and not a boy,” the director notes.

A critic said Serge Bozon’s portraying of Mrs. Hyde is really a criticism of the unfairness and inertia of the French school system, and in investigating what it really means to be a teacher.

However, the director disagrees. “If I wanted to say something against the French educational system, it would be pretentious. I went to school like everyone else, I was a pupil. I also went to high school but I don't have any sociological

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FRENCH DIRECTOR TALKS ABOUT HIS LATEST MOVIE AND ABOUT WORKING WITH PEOPLE HE LOVES

is the mother of my children, so, we are also quite close and all the people I work with are very close to me in private life. That is because I think that the world of movie making can sometimes be awful, there is a lot of tension on the set, a lot of questions of power and money, and you don't get all the silly and dangerous atmosphere when you work with people you love.”

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knowledge to make a deep investigation. I believe that when you make a movie, it is not as simple as this. There are some critical events in the film, some are political statements but everything takes place in terms of a story and characters to surprise the audience: you can make them laugh and then the laugh ends in tears. So, it is not a simple message process like the famous American film director John Ford used to say: if you want to send a message, use the mail – it is simpler and more efficient than to make a movie.”

In the shadow of failure The title role of the movie was written for Isabelle Huppert – just like in Serge Bozon’s previous movie (TipTop, 2013) where she played the lead role. “In France, and it must be the same in Hungary, too, Isabelle Huppert is known for playing strong characters, strong to the verge of extreme authority. One example is Paul Verhoven’s 2016 movie ‘Elle’ where she plays a typically strong character: she's a very dominative

The movie ‘Mrs. Hyde’ was released in France at the end of March. The director says ”this is the first among my movies that has been sold to so many countries, something like 30, as opposed to the usual three or four countries. It has also been shown at many festivals – first in Locarno and later in New York, then to Los Angeles, Seville, Berlin and so on. At these places, I got a lot of good reviews, and sometimes more mixed reviews but it is usual with my movies that they don't get a unanimous response – some are very strongly in favor, some are against and it is the same with this movie. However, I am quite happy with the response, so far.”

He adds that his plans for the next few years are always the same. “I have had the same life basically since I was 18. I write about movies for a magazine every month, occasionally, I play small parts in movies but the main part of my life is directing. Obviously, this is not as frequent as writing because you need more money, so, the opportunity comes something like every three years to do another movie. Now, I have a new project, which it has already been signed with my producer and we are already working on it with my script writer. So, I hope we will be able to shoot in about a year and a half,” Serge Bozon concludes.

executive woman who owns her own video games company – the completely opposite of the character she plays in my movie. We wanted to find something new for her, even though she has played in so many good movies. The new thing here is that is she is not somebody who is strong, she is, in fact, very shy, very fragile and lacks self-confidence; she is somebody who lives in the shadow of her own failure. I believe it was good for her to do something new and good for the audience to see her in a new kind of role,” he points out.

Working with people you love The cinematographer of the movie is the director’s sister, Céline. In fact, it is the 5th movie he has directed with her as a camerawoman.

Serge Bozon also played in several movies where she was behind the camera. He says he is very faithful, he always works with the same people.

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Transformation issues

MRS. GÉQUIL vs.

MADAME HYDE

photos by DÁVID

Looking at the title of the film, one can hardly avoid the association with the gothic novel ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson towards the end of the 19th century. The story has had over 120 stage and film adaptations, so far. In this version by Serge Bozon, we don’t get to witness French actress Isabelle Huppert ripping into the role of the selfish, voracious monster that the title promises.

The character of Mrs. Hyde is quite different from that of Stevenson’s Mr. Hyde; the director agrees that “it is very much different from what the title would suggest. It is not a movie about good and bad, like in the novel of Stevenson. Mrs. Hyde is not really a monster. The film is much more about transformation and the accident at the beginning is the way for Mrs. Géquil to become, at last, after so many years of despair and failure, a good teacher. So, in my movie, everything is about transformation, which is not featured, at all, in Stevenson's novel. To put it simply: when you are a bad teacher for something like 35 years, it is too late to become a good teacher, otherwise you would have done it before. We needed something to change the life of Mrs. Géquil and this thing could not happen in another way, other than by accident or by supernatural forces. So, we used an accident to give the character the opportunity to change, to give to Mrs. Géquil this possibility of becoming somebody else – a good teacher. But, of course, sometimes when you get something through an accident, you have to pay for it: it becomes a kind of dangerous process because a passive metamorphosis is something you have not chosen, something you have not decided upon, something that you cannot control where it will lead you in the end. In the end, Mrs. Géquil, in fact, pays the highest price of this late transformation.”

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style

BY SIMON SKOTTOWE BESPOKE TAILORS

There is a whiff of spring in the air and with the, ‘Cambio di Stagione’ we are all starting to think about our summer look. At this time of year, Italian mothers make the traditional, ‘Ribaltare’, when the winter clothes are cleaned and put away, and the summer wardrobe is brought out of storage.

Too much bother, you think? In this case, the old adage, ‘Mother always knows best’, should be taken seriously. Caring, in the correct way, for your wardrobe will keep it looking better and lasting much longer. From suits to shirts to shoes, here are some useful tips and techniques for both general and seasonal maintenance.

Maintenance tips One of the most important things is the cleaning of the wardrobe, itself. This entails emptying it, thoroughly dusting inside and replacing your moth repellents. This done, you can look through to see what needs cleaning, washing, repairing before your winter attire is put away for the summer.

Before packing away your suits and jackets, brush everything thoroughly to make sure dirt doesn’t have a chance to settle into the fabric.

This will also give you the chance to see if any linings have come adrift, buttons have been lost and whether it requires professional cleaning.

If you notice any moth damage, you should act quickly, they can be devastating!

A brush with natural bristles is the best for this job. Not too hard, especially for cashmere. To maintain the shape and structure of your suits and jackets, they should be stored on wooden hangers. Get the ones with a wide-spread contoured shape to support the shoulder area, and in the right size, to not stretch your jackets out. Tailored garments and shoes are ideally kept in cotton bags, because of their breathable nature; they should not be stored in closed plastic.

Knitwear needs different care and should be stored in sealed plastic bags throughout the summer season. Check what looks like it needs a wash or a clean, washing jumpers is usually better done by hand unless your machine has a special cashmere program. Wash them, rinse them in warm water as quickly and gently as possible, never leave in soak. Squeeze all the water out but do not twist them and always dry them out flat on a towel. Always make sure to put a couple of moth repellent balls in the bags when putting your winter jumpers away. There is nothing worse than to discover your favorite pieces are full of holes.

photo by COURTESY

PICTURE

Cleaning Contrary to popular belief, you only need to take your clothes to the cleaners when they are stained or really in need of refreshing. A crumpled suit or jacket does not necessarily need cleaning – usually a professional press is quite adequate.

Sometimes, your tailor will do this for you and of course, hanging up your trousers (full length) and jacket on a good hanger immediately after wearing reduces the need to press. Be aware that dry cleaning exposes garments to harsh chemicals, which shorten the fabric’s life. Always remember to get your suit jacket and trousers cleaned together, to prevent uneven fading.

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‘MOTHER ALWAYS KNOWS BEST’ HOW TO KEEP LOOKING LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS

properly, anytime you want. If you don’t have one, use a regular iron, but don’t forget to put a press cloth as a barrier to protect the fabric to avoid shine especially with blue and black fabrics.

The third option is the most useful when you are travelling. Hang up your suit in the bathroom while you are taking a shower or, if you are not, just turn up the hot water and close the door. In a few minutes, thanks to the hot steam your suit will bounce back into its original shape. Let it dry, then you are ready to go.

Dress shirts are best washed in a domestic washing machine, going to the dry cleaners is rarely necessary, but please, always check the washing instructions. 30 degrees is the name of the name of the game, avoiding tumble drying at all costs, as this can dramatically shrink the shirts. Try to wash them soon after wearing and prewash the insides of collars and cuffs with Vanish soap.

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Dry your shirts on hangers. Pull them into shape before putting them out to dry, and this way you will have less wrinkles, which will help with the ironing.

You can use steam to iron your shirts; however, it is best done when they are still humid. You can always spray them with some water before hand, and leave them to rest for a couple of minutes. Then you can use the iron dry, which will lead to the most satisfying results. The correct ironing order is to start with the collar and cuffs, then to succeed with the sleeves and finish it off with the body.

Caring for your shoes Just like with tailored garments and knitwear, brushing shoes after each wear is the first and foremost duty of proper care. Much like hydration for your skin, it is similarly important to treat them with a good quality wax polish. Done regularly, it enlivens the leather and with some

extra care, you can achieve a nice, high shine finish. Find the polish closest to the color of the leather and make sure to apply the wax to dry shoes. Suede and nubuck uppers can be treated with a ’Suede Protector’ spray. It will make the shoes repellent to moisture to a good degree, helpful to avoid stubborn stains, which may require professional treatment to disappear.

Store your shoes with wooden shoe trees in them to maintain their shape and absorb moisture as they dry out. Sodden leather soles need to be dried out slowly and naturally, away from direct heat (e.g radiators). This can take some time.

Stuff with newspaper to absorb most of the moisture, then, when they are nearly dry, put the shoe trees in to restore the original shape. As with your suits and jackets, it is not good to wear the same shoes two days running. They need time to dry and breathe.

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what's on TOUR IN THE AGGTELEK NATIONAL PARK

(THRU MAY) May marks the true beginning of the high season at Aggtelek National Park and Zemplén Nature Reserve.

Check out the park’s nature hike in the Zemplén Nature Reserve, search for orchids, join the annual community day, take part in the interesting walking tours and children’s programs, and celebrate and enjoy the discounts offered during the European Day of Parks and Hungarian National Parks Week. www.anp.hu

MATHIEU BITTON, KLARA FOWLER, SIMON MÓRICZ-SABJÁN (VILÁGGAZDASÁG)/BORSOSÉK (HUNGARIAN PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION)

MIHÁLY MUNKÁCSY/WOMAN CARRYING BRUSHWOOD 1873 WOODEN OIL (HUNGARIAN NATIONAL GALLERY), BODY THE EXHIBITION, BAGA/HUNGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, DRAGAN TEODOROVIC ZEKO, ANNE VAN AERSCHOT

photos by

photos by

ANTONIA VAI CONCERT

JUNE 18 MÜPA Swedish-Hungarian singer Antonia Vai is an unusual character on the domestic music scene, not only as a strong, independent woman, but also as a writer of songs with a profound message that blend world music with soul and pop. "This concert will not only be musically different from those before it, but I will also attempt - through poetry and spectacle - to create a world for which reality sets no limits, where the inner universe is the starting point and ideas flow freely.” Antonia Vai was born in Stockholm but moved to Budapest, in 2013, in a search for fresh inspiration. She quickly became one of the defining performers on the Hungarian underground music scene. In 2014, she recorded the album Stories After Bedtime, and in 2015 the EP Tightrope, featuring a collaboration with Saiid entitled Remember How. In 2016, she decided to take an unfamiliar direction with her new album. Most of the songs were conceived in Morocco, before taking their final shape during travels to Brazil, Sweden and Hungary. These experiences gave birth to the album Ritual, released in autumn 2017. www.mupa.hu

LAST CHANCE TO SEE: 36TH HUNGARIAN PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION

UNTIL MAY 19 AT CAPA CENTER This year, 6,302 Hungarian photographs competed in the prestigious Hungarian Press Photo Competition. Ultimately, 2,260 photos by 247 photographers were submitted to represent the cream of Hungarian photojournalism from 2017 in the annual Hungarian Press Photo Exhibition. Organized by Tamás Szigeti, the exhibition is at the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center in Budapest, Nagymező utca 8. www.capacenter.hu

LENNY KRAVITZ

JUNE 3 PAPP LÁSZLÓ SPORTARÉNA Lenny Kravitz is an American rock musician hailing from Manhattan, New York. Born in 1964, he’s regarded as one of the prominent rockers ever, having transcended genre, style, race and class into a 20-year musical career. Mixing his rich influences of '60s and '70s soul, psychedelica, and funk, Kravitz forged a sound so irresistible it earned him fans across the globe and a healthy looking trophy cabinet - between 1999 to 2002, he won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, setting records for that category. Live on stage, Kravitz is a real experience, and he knows how to entertain a crowd: every performance comes with elaborate stage set ups, a load of classic tracks, and amazing solos - it’s no wonder U2 chose him as the support act for some of the stops on their 360 tour. When recording his records, Kravitz sings lead and backing vocals, and plays almost every instrument himself, highlighting his astonishing ability as a musician. His tenth record, ‘Strut’, hit shelves in September 2014, and in 2018, Kravitz introduces his brand new record, ’Raise Vibrations.’ www.livenation.hu

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what's on MUSEUM+ PROGRAMS

MAY 17 THE HUNGARIAN NATIONAL GALLERY Once in a month, the Hungarian National Gallery introduces its Museum + programs with extended opening hours (between 6PM-10PM), offering cncerts, workshops and special guided tours in English.

The next Museum+ night will be held on May 17. www.mng.hu

MATHIEU BITTON, KLARA FOWLER, SIMON MÓRICZ-SABJÁN (VILÁGGAZDASÁG)/BORSOSÉK (HUNGARIAN PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION)

MIHÁLY MUNKÁCSY/WOMAN CARRYING BRUSHWOOD 1873 WOODEN OIL (HUNGARIAN NATIONAL GALLERY), BODY THE EXHIBITION, BAGA/HUNGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, DRAGAN TEODOROVIC ZEKO, ANNE VAN AERSCHOT

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EMIR KUSTURICA AND THE NO SMOKING ORCHESTRA

JUNE 15 HEROES SQUARE Serbian film director and composer Emir Kusturica (who is most famous in Hungary for his movies ‘Black Cat, White Cat’ and the ‘Time of the Gypsies’, and the sound tracks of both) and his band named ‘The No Smoking Orchestra’ arrives to Budapest to perform a hilarious show during the 23rd Danube Carnival. Often called a “natural-born nomad,” Kusturica is known for mixing a diversity of genres such as ethno, rock and punk for a truly original style. In Budapest, he’ll introduce brand new songs from his latest album ‘Corps diplomatique’, and his band will be accompanied on stage by ‘Tököli Délszláv’ (South Slavic) Dance Company performing a dance show by choreographer Antal Kricskovics. www.dunakarneval.hu

CLOSING SOON: BODY – THE WORLD EXHIBITION

UNTIL JUNE 17 KOMPLEX (KIRÁLY STREET 26.)

Bodies and organs will be on show in Budapest's District 6, leaving unprepared visitors shocked but educated on human anatomy. The human body has always been a mystery to the common man, and now, we have a chance for an inside peek, to find out what lies beneath our skin. The exhibition consists of some 300 complete bodies, body parts and organs, showcased in thematic order on a total 2,200 square meters. Part of the exhibition presents bodily disorders like cancer, liver diseases, unhealthy nutrition, lack of exercise and smoking. According to the organizers, the show will completely change one’s attitude towards their own body.

“By understanding how the body works, one can better care for it and keep it healthy,” they believe. “Our goal is not to scandalize people, but to draw their attention to the importance of a healthy way of life.” There are medical students available at the venue to help visitors if needed. www.bodykiallitas.hu

ELVIS, THE MUSICAL

MAY 24, FŐNIX CSARNOK IN DEBRECEN, MAY 26-27 BUDAPEST AT THE TÜSKECSARNOK MAY 28 THE VÁROSI SPORTCSARNOK, SZEGED This month, a spectacular and exciting musical – featuring the biggest hits of the King – is coming to Hungary. The show introduces influential stages and people in the life of Elvis, revealing secrets of the King’s life.. The performance features 24 evergreen Elvis hits, including Jailhouse Rock, It’s Now or Never, Suspicious Mind, My Way, That’s All Right Mama and Always on My Mind. “Elvis himself will be played by two actors,” explains László Sándor, the producer of the show in Hungary.

“One will play the young Elvis, who, as a truck driver with his natural blonde hair stopped in front of a studio to record his first demo as a present for her mother’s birthday. Another artist plays the older Elvis, the famous star, who, after rising to the top, was already hinting the end with his self-destroying lifestyle.” The two-hour show features a live band on stage and many videos of ‘The King.’ www.elvismusical.hu

ROSAS/ ANNE TERESA DE KEERSMAEKER, SALVA SANCHIS (BE): A LOVE SUPREME

23RD MUSEUM FESTIVAL MAY DAY OF MUSEUMS

MAY 12 HUNGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM AND ITS NEIGHBORHOOD True to the slogan 'Hyper-connected museums - New approaches, new publics', the Hungarian National Museum hosts a festival each year in May, when a number of guest institutes come together, allowing visitors to take a virtual tour of each participating museum under one roof. There will be plenty of entertainment, including live music, theater and dance shows. The Festival of Museums is a perfect family event. Admission is free. www.mnm.hu

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MAY 24-26 at Trafó Choreographed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Salva Sanchis, ’A Love Supreme’ is a dance show in which four performers dance to the eponymous piece of music by John Coltrane, a highlight of twentiethcentury jazz. In ’A Love Supreme’, highly intuitive free expression emerges from blues-based, rather straightforward musical structures; the work is renowned for its exploration of the tension between tonal and rhythmical complexity and simplicity. www.trafo.hu

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gastronomy SPRING AND SUMMER TWIST BAALBEK LAUNCHES NEW MENU

BAALBEK LEBANESE RESTAURANT 1052 Budapest, Váci u. 34. (Entrance from Kígyó utca) www.baalbek.hu | info@baalbek.hu | +36 1 799 7303 Baalbek, Hungary’s first authentic Lebanese Restaurant has welcomed guests at the Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace since 2015. The restaurant, known for serving popular Levantine dishes to the hungry Budapest audiance, recently launched its Spring/Summer menu for 2018.

Of course, all-time favorite meals such as the mixed grill and mezze selection remain on the menu but in addition, new, light dishes have been introduced for the summer, featuring the freshest in-season ingredients, colorful salads, vibrant greens, juicy fruits and vegetables. Everything prepared in Baalbek’s kitchen is cooked using traditional methods, and is presented in a modern style. Baalbek invites everyone to enjoy the incomparable Arabic hospitality, the unique fusion of Mediterranean and Lebanese flavors, the special selection of shishas and the cozy terrace. Whether you are a regular or you are visiting the restaurant for the first time, you will have a great time at Baalbek.

TAMA BUDAPEST 1051 Budapest, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 22. | + 36 1 227 2227, + 36 30 282 8271 info@tamarestaurant.hu | www.tamabudapest.hu

www.gourmetfesztival.hu CHEFMARKET

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THE FOOD SERVICE COMPANY

ANDRÁS NATHON, LÁSZLÓ BALKÁNYI

To describe the gastro creations of TAMA, the most relevant expression is montage: from extant elements, something new is created. Our kitchen is Hungarian for visitors from abroad and international for Hungarians – it has new impulses in store for every guest. As an orchestra needs a bandmaster, the kitchen needs also someone who creates harmony from different elements. This is Chef Péter Kovács, an open-minded personality who easily and willingly inspires. He is supported by a strong cooperative team in the kitchen to execute the compositions smoothly.

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wine

NEW IMAGE FOR GERE WINES REVAMPED DESIGN

HUNGARY’S MOST SPECIAL KÉKFRANKOS DEBUTED

The wines of the thirty-year-old Gere Winery have been revamped. The label design and the name have both been modif ied: the labels will show the name ’A. Gere’, referring to the founder Attila Gere and to his children Andrea and Attila, emphasizing that the winery is a family business.

The work done behind the scenes and the revamped design are aimed at strengthening the presence of the winery and presenting an even stronger image on domestic and foreign markets.

“Kékfrankos is cultivated on approximately 6,700 hectares in Hungary, practically in every wine region, so it was reasonable to announce the ‘Year of Kékfrankos’ following the ‘Year of Furmint,’” said Ministerial Commissioner Eliza Kiss at the ceremonial presentation of Grand Bleu. The Ministerial Commissioner underlined the fact that, although only 50 bottles of Grand Bleu would be commercially available, “it will be possible to taste many lovely Kékfrankos wines at the national tastings organized by the Ministry of Agriculture this year”. Indeed, when would there have been a better time to make some bottles of Hungary’s most special Kékfrankos available to collectors than in 2018, the Year of Kékfrankos, and in April, the Month of Kékfrankos?

Kovács Nimród’s Grand Bleu has now reached its peak after 10 years of ageing. The grape used for this wine grew at Eger’s Nagy-Eged Hill that is considered, by wine writers, one of the most marvelous production sites in the Carpathian Basin. Harvest has become legendary at this tiny

photos by KOVÁCS

NIMRÓD WINERY, MÁRIA KRASZNAI-NEHREBECZKY, FURMINT PHOTO

Kovács Nimród Winery’s Grand Bleu 2008, produced from the f irst harvest of vines from the Nagy-Eged Hill, Hungary’s highest Kékfrankos production area, was among the more than 1,000 wines, from around 160 exhibitors, at the VinCE Budapest Wine Show. Only 50 bottles of the Grand Bleu will be sold commercially.

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terroir, lying at a height of about 500 meters. “You can’t compare Nagy-Eged Hill with anything – it’s totally unique - unique as the Burgundy wine regions,” said Dr. Gábor Rohály, international wine academic. Grand Bleu’s 2011 and 2012 vintages have won gold medals in numerous Hungarian and international competitions, but can only hope to come close in complexity and distinctiveness to the unique and unrepeatable first harvest, the 2008 vintage – of which only 275 bottles were produced. As 200 bottles are already sold, only the quickest collectors will be able to lay their hands on the 50-bottle contingent set aside for this purpose. The international wine academics who took part in this special experience commented that the 2008 Grand Bleu is a sip of heaven. Gabriella Mészáros presented the wine to journalists, sommeliers, Masters of Wine and other experts. In her opinion, “every sip offers clean, almost imperceptible, perfectly integrated, but not insignificant tannins. The birth of such a wine needs impeccable terroir, healthy grapes, an excellent vintage and the help of the angels, as without these, making such wines is difficult.

For me, this Kékfrankos is wine itself.”

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One of the best known Hungarian wine brands Gere is sporting a brand new design that reflects the inner changes of its recent history. The family winery has long worked on raising its operation and design to the levels achieved by its wines. “We are a family winery, we work with passion and care but, at the same time, our wines represent consistent, reliably high standards and are available to the widest range of customers. This has to be based on professional attitude and foresight which, in turn, enables us to produce internationally acclaimed wines. It is important to us that the image of our wines and our winery should reflect this attitude,” says Attila Gere.

To carry out this project they hired the brand expert Zsolt Unger and his team who have contributed to the project’s success not only by designing the new image but also by participating in the development of the product strategy and structure. Following their suggestions, the product range consisting of 17 wines was restructured: it has become

ABOUT THE GERE WINERY

1986 was the first vintage bottled by the founder of the winery, Attila Gere in Villány. From then on, the range was constantly expanded to provide both for the general customer and for afficionados of fine wine. Today, there are 17 different Gere wines on the shelves of wine stores.

Two wines Villány Franc and Kopar Cuvée are produced only in outstanding vintages. Besides Attila Gere, his daughter Andrea and son Attila Gere Jr. take active roles in the daily running of the winery.

more coherent and with the merger of the Weninger & Gere brand it is also simpler now.

The boundaries between the wine categories (basic, mid and premium) are more clear-cut and differencies are easier to identify than before.

The name on the labels has been modified to ’A. Gere’. In the words of the winemaker Attila Gere: “this is a winery spanning seven generations in our family and this living tradition is markedly shown by the fact that both my daughter Andrea and my son Attila are actively participating in the operation of the winery. The new name is a testimony to this fact referring to both my first name and theirs.” However, the changes will not be immediately visible because the new labels will be introduced on future vintages. It is expected to take six months for the complete range to be updated and made available nationwide.

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