This is the end of Budapest’s famous party district?!
Budapest’s party quarter is renowned for its ruin pubs and clubs as well as the buzzing nightlife. Not only is the area popular among Hungarians, but it is also considered an important tourism draw. However, in the recent years the district has received a lot of complaints from the people living in the neighbourhood. The local council has now plans to do a complete cultural makeover in the area.
Referendum to close down the Budapest Party District
Budapest’s party district has always came up as a controversial topic in conversations between residents, tourism workers, and foreign visitors. It started to become an issue in 2015 following the growing public complaint about the flocks of drunken young people partying in the area.
In 2018, some locals even initiated a referendum to shut down the Budapest Party District.
However, it did not prove to be effective as only few voters attended the poll.
There have been several cultural initiatives that aimed to emphasise the cultural image of Erzsébetváros, but most of these projects did not succeed due to lack of proper support and organisation.
Péter Niedermüller, the mayor of district VIII elected in 2019, also began his office by promising to regulate the local nightclubs. However, the coronavirus and the related lockdown restrictions have automatically reduced the number of entertainment venues, therefore, there was no need to take further measures. On the other hand, the liberal Niedermüller pursued much stricter policies on nightclubs than his former pro-government, conservative predecessor.
Interestingly enough, many nightclubs transformed into delivery and takeaway restaurants during the lockdown period when they were supposed to close down due to the pandemic restrictions.
The Jewish Quarter
The Budapest Party District is formerly known as the Budapest Jewish Quarter as it is home to many Jewish monuments, including three synagogues. The Dohány Street Synagogue is the second largest synagogue in the entire world. The first one is found in Israel.
- Read also: 12+1 facts about the Dohány Street Synagogue
The Neolog Rumbach Synagogue, located in district VII, has undergone a complete renovation which was supported by EUR 9 million government fund.
The Cultural Concept
Yesterday, the Council of District VII has accepted the Erzsébetváros Cultural Concept, a long-term cultural strategy consructed for the district’s development.
According to the Facebook page ‘Színes Erzsébetváros’, the 122-page document discusses the cultural opportunities and preferred directions of the neighbourhood.
The concept plan identifies three main areas for development:
-support for Jewish culture,
-support for traditional crafts
-bringing young designers and creative industry workers (fine and applied artists, musicians, theater and film artists, architects, fiction writers) to the neighbourhood’s community spaces.
The balance.
Finding of a Middle Ground.
Tolerance – generational tolerance.
What Major European and British City and Globally – in the 21st century, don’t have a district, that – in its DNA or Life and in its History – such as District V11 ???
Tolerance – the giving and the taking – the sharing gained fromTolerance.
Don’t – kill off the DNA – the Life – the Air that it Breaths – of this area and introduce “arty – farty” supposed new 21st century artistical inovations – built on and around supposedly – creativity of the arts and “other” – such ideas.
Tolerance – be creative, but Do Not – bury – kill off – the “core” – what for decades this District or area of this Budapest District, has given and CONTRIBUTED – to the reputation – the joyous fun and fellowship of Humans, from ALL around the World – that this district has GAINED – a rightful reputation to why – Budapest, Hungary is a wonderful City to visit – for people of ALL ages.
I do trust, this is not a Campaign – that is “driven” by a religious agenda – that “powers to be” have “rolled over” under pressure from a religious group that have largish stake holdings in this District V11 ???
Friday nights – a tiring challenging week in ones profession, the demands growing on our lives, through the on-going presence of this Noval Virus, time to “let your hair down” and where better in Budapest – District V11.
This commentator, in the “Gloaming” years of his life, conservative to a large degree in character, but we have visitors to our house in District V – we take them to District V11 – a get a Real Taste – of the social – fun & joyous life in Budapest, Hungary.
I’m hoping that the residents finally triumph. My place is by the Oktogon and ‘only’ get roudy drunks on their way home being obnoxiously loud. I can imagine living around these neighborhoods must have been hell. You have a right to enjoy your home. Places like this should be far outside the city where they disturb noone. Have a direct bus/tram line to them but get them out of the city.