HUNGARY

Hungary lies in the heart of Europe, in a territory with a very varied morphology: Hortobágy (the real “Hungarian puszta”), the foothills of the Austrian Alps, Lake Balaton, the Bükk mountains and the caves are all in the Carpathian basin, a place with a history stretching back thousands of years. It was here that the Romans established the province of Pannonia in the first centuries A.D., and in the 9th century the Hungarian people settled. In the year 1000, King Stephen was crowned. He succeeded in creating a strong and independent kingdom. His successors included Matthias Corvinus (Mátyás), who in the second half of the 15th century maintained one of the richest Renaissance courts in Europe. After his death, the kingdom was weakened, and the central part of Hungary fell under Turkish rule. Hungary was reunified at the end of the 17th century under the rule of the Austrian Empire. In 1867 the Compromise sanctioned the birth of the Austro-Hungarian Empire – a dual monarchy on equal terms, which would dissolve at the end of the First World War. After the Second World War, a repressive communist regime was established in the country. Impatience and disappointment with the lack of change expected after Stalin’s death led to the 1956 Revolution, which was stopped by the intervention of the Soviet army. Later, with the collapse of the USSR, Hungary moved peacefully and gradually to a democratic system. Today, the country is a member of NATO (1999) and the European Union (2004). Famous for its excellent wines (Tokaji Aszú, one of the world’s finest sweet wines, is produced here), Hungary is a land of charm. Although it has no sea front, it deserves the nickname ‘Land of Water’ for the many spas and sports facilities it offers near rivers and lakes with unique characteristics. It is a land where history and tradition coexist with the glamour of modern life: a pleasant contrast that is reflected in the kitchens of the country’s starred restaurants, appreciated for their Chefs’ ability to combine new trends with boundless culinary tradition. But Hungary is also home to important testimonies of history and culture. Seven of Hungary’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites are listed in the cultural category. Hungary also has an important musical tradition. Among the great Hungarian composers are Franz Liszt, a well-known exponent of romantic music, and Béla Bartók, a pioneer of ethnomusicology. Historically an agricultural country, Hungary’s typical products include Hungarian salami (Pick and Herz being the best known brands), Unicum bitters, Makó onions, Karcag sheep stew and Tisza fish soup. Hungary is also home to several festivals mainly during the summer: from cultural festivals (Jewish Cultural Festival, Sziget, VeszprémFest, Balaton Sound) to food and wine festivals (Budapest Wine Festival, Gourmet Festival) to sporting events (the international Blue Ribbon sailing race on Lake Balaton, Europe’s largest competition on a lake).