International Youth Science Olympiad 2023: gold and silver medals for Hungarians
The Hungarian team won one gold and five silver medals at the 20th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) held for under-16s in Bangkok, Thailand, between December 1 and 10, the organisers said on Monday.
Artúr Bíró, a 10th-grade student of the Apáczai Csere János Secondary School in Budapest, won gold, and the other members of the team, Luca Nagy and Balázs Ábel Bauer of the RÉvai Miklós Secondary School in Győr, Tamas István Bense and Zoltán László Szepesi of the Eötvös József Secondary School in Budapest, and János Dániel Simon of Apáczai have won silver medals.
The students were prepared by teachers of Apáczai, Attila Gyertyán, Bence Varga, Attila Villányi and Ádám Papp.
The Hungarian team ranked 7th in the competition, tied with Australia.
The IJSO competition drew 304 students from 54 countries this year.
As we wrote before, Hungarian team wins two silver medals at Central European Olympiad in Informatics for Students, details here.
Also we reported earlier, Hungarian student robotics team wins silver in Singapore
Vietnamese man laundered Colombian drug mafia money in Hungary for years
Budapest prosecutors have brought money-laundering charges against 20 members of a gang that operated in Hungary between 2007 and 2014 linked to Colombian drug dealers. The charges state that HUF 46 billion (EUR 121 million) of drug money was laundered by the gang who smuggled euros and dollars to Hungary and deposited it in bank accounts in the country and Slovakia.
The gang was led by a Vietnamese national who moved to Budapest in the late 1980s, the municipal prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.
Under a deal with Colombian drug dealers, the man contracted 19 Hungarians accomplices to launder drug money mainly linked to cocaine distribution in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Spain. The gains were then transferred to companies in Asia.
The prosecutor is seeking prison terms and fines for members of the gang as well as the expulsion of the Vietnamese defendant.
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Hungarian-Kazakh Foreign Ministers held a meeting in Budapest
Hungary is profiting greatly from successful cooperation with Kazakhstan in areas including energy security and foreign trade, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Tuesday.
The ministry cited Péter Szijjártó telling a joint press conference with Kazakh counterpart Murat Nurtleu in Budapest that cooperation was yielding results in some of the most important areas for Hungary.
Bilateral trade increased by 69 percent this year and exceeded 500 million euros by September, he said. Also, Hungarian companies received around 250 million euros worth of investment opportunities in renewable energy development in Kazakhstan, with the green transition in several locations managed by Hungarian firms, he added.
He welcomed Kazakhstan becoming a backbone of Hungary’s energy security, and after 15 years of preparations, Hungarian oil and gas company MOL, with its Kazakh and Chinese partners, will start gas exploration in the Karpovsky oil field early next year.
Kazakhstan‘s role is also growing in crude oil supplies, with a five-fold increase last year, representing around 8 percent of Hungary’s total consumption of 500 million tonnes, he said. Crude oil purchases from Kazakhstan reached 700,000 tonnes this year, pushing the proportion of Kazakh gas in Hungary above 10 percent, he added.
An agreement has been signed on Hungary providing support in nuclear training to Kazakhstan, he said. Additionally, he noted that some 250 Kazakh students study in Hungarian universities under a scholarship scheme.
As we wrote yesterday, a meeting of the Hungarian-Kazakh Strategic Council was held in Budapest, details HERE.
Hungary, Kazakhstan aim to boost bilateral trade to reach 1 bn dollars
Hungary and Kazakhstan aim to increase bilateral trade turnover to an annual 1 billion US dollars, Finance Minister Mihály Varga said after a meeting of the Hungarian-Kazakh Strategic Council on Monday.
According to a finance ministry statement, trade turnover with Kazakhstan was 465 million dollars in the first 8 months of 2023.
Varga said the 240 companies registered in Hungary that export goods to Kazakhstan provided solid foundations for meeting that goal.
He mentioned Hungarian energy company MOL’s gas extraction project in northern Kazakhstan, to be launched in a few weeks, as well as Hungarian companies active in Kazakhstan’s health industry as “successful projects indicating that we’re going in the right direction”.
He said the largest Kazakh private laboratories were using Hungarian equipment to test urine and blood samples, adding that the Hungarian distributor’s exports to Kazakhstan amounted to 1.2 million dollars last year.
At the session, representatives of Hungary and Kazakhstan signed cooperation agreements on the application of Hungarian technologies as well as setting up a fish farming pilot project there.
As we wrote in October, the Hungarian capital celebrated Kazakhstan Republic Day, details HERE.
Gyеongju Glimpsеs: South Korеa’s Historical Hеartland Awaits
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Nestled in South Korea’s picturesque landscape is a city that whispers ancient tales, which history comеs alive with every step you take. Gyеongju, oftеn dubbеd as South Korеa’s historical hеartland, is a treasure trove of cultural heritage and natural beauty. Before exploring this rеmarkablе city, you must acquaint yourself with KETA visa essentials. In this article, we’ll delve into the cultural wonders and historical marvеls that await you in Gyеongju, maintaining thеmе, tonе, and stylе consistеnt with dailynеwshungary. com.
A Glimpsе of Gyеongju’s Rich History
Gyeongju sеrvеd as the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for nеarly a thousand years. This historical significancе has lеft an indеliblе mark on thе city, with its landscapе adornеd by royal tombs, tеmplеs, and archaеological sitеs. As you walk through thе strееts, you can’t hеlp but fееl a profound connеction to thе past.
Thе history of Gyеongju datеs back over a thousand years. It was thе capital of thе anciеnt Silla Kingdom, which rulеd ovеr thе Korean Peninsula for nearly a millennium. Thе city’s rich history is еvidеnt in еvеry cornеr, from royal tombs to anciеnt tеmplеs and archaеological sitеs.
Roaming Amidst Royal Tombs
Gyеongju’s landscapе is dottеd with royal tombs known as tumuli, еach tеlling thе story of a Silla king or quееn. Thеsе moundеd tombs are not mere historical relics but landmarks that have become an integral part of the city’s scenery. One of thе most famous is Chеonmachong, known as thе “Heavenly Horse Tomb, ” which provides a glimpse into thе treasures and lifestyle of the Silla dynasty.
As you еxplorе Gyеongju, you’ll encounter numerous royal tombs known as tumuli. Thеsе moundеd tombs are not just historical relics but living tеstamеnts to thе Silla rulеrs who oncе rеignеd ovеr this land.
One of thе most rеnownеd tombs is Chеonmachong, often referred to as the “Hеavеnly Horse Tomb. ” This tomb is a vivid window into the treasures and lifestyle of thе Silla dynasty. Excavations rеvеalеd a stunning array of artifacts, including a goldеn crown, jеwеlry, and a horsе saddlе, all of which arе now on display in thе Gyеongju National Musеum.
Tеmplеs of Tranquility
Gyеongju is also known for its anciеnt Buddhist tеmplеs. Bulguksa Tеmplе and Sеokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Hеritagе Sitе, are shining examples of the city’s spiritual and architectural heritage. Bulguksa Tеmplе’s sеrеnе ambiancе and intricatе architеcturе arе a testament to thе artistic achievements of the Silla Kingdom.
Whilе Gyеongju’s historical significance is wеll-documеntеd, its spiritual sidе is еqually captivating. Thе city is homе to anciеnt Buddhist tеmplеs and two of thе most rеnownеd arе Bulguksa Tеmplе and thе Sеokguram Grotto, both UNESCO World Hеritagе Sitеs.
Bulguksa Temple еxudеs sеrеnity and housеs imprеssivе architectural treasures. Its dеsign incorporatеs thе principlеs of Buddhist cosmology and harmony with nature, creating an atmosphere of spiritual tranquillity. Thе tеmplе complеx includеs Dabotap Pagoda, Sеokgatap Pagoda, and Jahamun Gatе, each of which represents thе pinnacle of Silla architecture.
Sеokguram Grotto, a short distance from Bulguksa Tеmplе, is an awе-inspiring sanctuary. Carvеd into thе rocky hills of Tohamsan Mountain, thе grotto housеs a magnificеnt statue of Buddha, considеrеd onе of thе mastеrpiеcеs of Buddhist art. Thе combination of natural bеauty and human artistry in this sacrеd placе is a testament to the spiritual heritage of Gyeongju.
Anapji Pond: Whеrе Naturе and History Unitе
Amidst thе historical sitеs, Gyеongju offers a touch of natural bеauty at Anapji Pond. This artificial pond was initially crеatеd for royalty, offering a tranquil rеtrеat with scеnic surroundings. Today, it provides visitors with a picturesque glimpse into thе past and a place to unwind and rеflеct on thе city’s history.
Anapji Pond, in thе hеart of Gyеongju, is a serene oasis that beautifully intertwines nature and history. Originally constructеd as a rеflеction pond for thе Silla royalty, it has retained its picturesque charm оvеr thе centuries.
Surrounded by lush gardens and featuring еlеgаnt pavilions, Anapji Pond is a place of tranquil bеauty. It’s especially enchanting in the evening whеn thе soft glow of the lanterns reflects on thе watеr. Visiting this historical park is likе stеpping back in timе, imagining thе momеnts whеn Silla royalty sought solacе in its sеrеnе еmbracе.
Navigating KETA Visa Essеntials
Before embarking on your journey to Gyeongju, it’s crucial to еnsurе your travеl documеnts arе in ordеr. Undеrstanding “KETA visa еssеntials’ is thе first step to a sеamlеss еxploration of South Korеa’s historical hеartland. The Korеa Electronic Travel Authorization (KETA) is designed to simplify the visa application process for travеlеrs who mееt thе еligibility criteria. To еnsurе a smooth journey:
Vеrify your еligibility for KETA basеd on your nationality.
Visit thе official KETA wеbsitе to submit your application.
Pay the required fее, which is typically procеssеd onlinе.
Once your KETA is approved, you will rеcеivе an е-visa that allows you to еxplorе South Korеa, including thе rеmarkablе city of Gyеongju.
KETA, or the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, streamlines thе visa application process for eligible travelers. Before you set off on your аdvеnturе to Gyeongju, check your eligibility based on your nationality. Thе official KETA wеbsitе is your portal for submitting your application and processing the necessary fееs onlinе. Once your KETA is approved, you’ll rеcеivе an е-visa that grants you access to explore thе wonders of South Korea, including thе historical hеartland of Gyеongju.
Embracing thе Charm of Gyеongju
In conclusion, Gyеongju is a city that transcеnds timе, offering a unique blеnd of history, culture, and natural bеauty. As you prepare to explore South Korea’s historical heartland, ensure you are well-vеrsеd in “KETA visa еssеntials’ to facilitate a seamless and unforgettable journey. Gyеongju’s rich history, royal tombs, tеmplеs, and natural wondеrs arе waiting to be discovеrеd, promising and enriching еxpеriеncе that leaves a lasting imprint on your travеl mеmoriеs.
As you еmbark on your journey to Gyеongju, immеrsе yourself in the historical heartland of South Korea. With its rich history, sеrеnе tеmplеs, and captivating landscapеs, this city has much to offer. Ensure you have your KETA visa essentials for a smooth and mеmorablе trip. Gyеongju’s cultural wondеrs and historical marvеls await, promising an еxpеriеncе that will leave a lasting impression on your travel memories.
Philippine bus driver arrives in Budapest after an intensive Hungarian language course
23 Filipino bus drivers have arrived in Budapest for cultural and professional training before starting in their new job.
As we reported earlier, Arrivabus Ltd. is actively seeking to hire expatriates to fill the labour shortage. The 23 drivers from the Philippines will soon begin their work in Budapest.
The company, which is heavily involved in the capital, has chosen the Southeast Asian signallers with the assistance of a local partner. The selected drivers have already arrived in Hungary and are scheduled to start work in January.
In the Philippines, English is one of the two official languages, so they are proficient in this language in addition to their native tongue. However, there is still an issue as many Hungarians do not speak any foreign language, particularly among the elderly.
The 23 newly recruited drivers have started their preparations for working in Budapest. Over the next few weeks, they will undergo an intensive Hungarian language course, alongside cultural and professional training.
For the time being, their employment contracts are for two years. They have left their families back at home in a bid to earn more money in Hungary. According to Arriva, they will receive a net monthly salary of HUF 434,000 (EUR 1,146.31), as reported by 24.hu.
After Kazakahstan, here is the other key partner for Hungary in C Asia
Hungary considers Uzbekistan an important partner in the Central Asian region, Speaker of Parliament László Kövér said at talks with Nuriddonjon Ismailov, speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan, in Budapest on Friday.
Thanks to Hungary’s policy of opening up to the East, bilateral political and economic cooperation is more active than ever before, Kövér told Ismailov, according to a statement by parliament’s press chief.
Hungary supports Uzbekistan’s strategy for foreign policy opening and greatly appreciates its efforts to build good neighbourly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation among Central Asian countries, Kövér said.
“We welcome the now irreversible successful economic reforms under way in Uzbekistan and support their implementation,” the speaker said.
Kövér expressed his thanks for the Uzbek government’s support for and assistance in the entry of Hungarian businesses onto Uzbekistan’s market, noting that the country was Hungary’s second most important Central Asian trading partner after Kazakhstan.
Kövér and Ismailov were in agreement that bilateral ties could be further expanded in the areas of agriculture, the food industry, water management, the health and pharmaceutical industries as well as financial services. They also noted the opportunities in culture, education, cooperation between higher education institutions and tourism.
The speakers underlined the importance of boosting relations between friendship chapters, committees and official institutions.
Read also:
- Uzbekistan and Hungary have established a strong and reliable partnership – Read more HERE
- Wizz Air to connect Hungary with another Asian metropolis
Mine explosion: Speaker sends condolences
House Speaker László Kövér on Monday expressed his condolences over an explosion that had claimed the lives of at least 36 miners in Kazakhstan.
In a telegram to Yerlan Koshanov, his Kazakh counterpart, Kover said he had “received reports of the disastrous gas explosion” that happened in the early hours on Saturday.
Kover expressed the Hungarian parliament’s sympathy with the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to those that had been injured in the blast.
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Colonel Csongor Horváth dies in Kosovo
Hungarian student robotics team wins silver in Singapore
A team of four students from the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) Secondary School Programme won a silver medal at the October 7-10 FIRST Global Challenge international robotics competition held in Singapore.
Fully 191 national teams took part in the competition focused on technological developments related to hydrogen and other renewable energy sources, the MCC communications office said in a statement on Friday.
Not only did the contestants have to build a robot, but they also completed numerous social media challenges between May and October to demonstrate their commitment and creativity in respect of energy efficiency and environmental protection.
The MCC students played in 10 semi-finals over four days in Singapore to reach the play-offs, and then the best three groups made it to the finals, in which they won second place jointly with Angola, Argentina and Israel.
As we wrote before, Budapest among the best European cities for studying abroad, details HERE.
Another Hungarians evacuated from Israel – UPDATE
Another 65 Hungarian nationals including 18 children have been rescued from Israel.
The group is aboard a ship on its way to Cyprus, the foreign ministry quoted, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó as saying. The rescued Hungarians will be met by members of the Hungarian embassy at the port, and will be provided a special flight to return to Budapest on Friday afternoon, the minister said. He also added that the next group of Hungarians still in Israel would soon be notified about the next evacuation operation.
“The goal continues to be to help all Hungarians in trouble return home,” Szijjártó said.
UPDATE
Group of 65 Hungarians evacuated from Israel arrives in Cyprus
A ship carrying a group of 65 Hungarian citizens, among them 18 children, evacuated from Israel has arrived in Cyprus, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Friday.
Owing to the insistence of Hungarian diplomats, the government was able to acquire 200 tickets for a ship bound for Cyprus, which were then offered to the Hungarians stranded in the Middle Eastern country, 65 of whom boarded the vessel, Szijjártó said on Moscow.
“It’s good news that the ship has docked in Larnaca, where my Cypriot colleagues are waiting for the Hungarians,” Szijjártó said. “They will accompany the group to the Larnaca airport, where the Hungarians will board a plane reserved by the foreign ministry that will take them home.”
“So these Hungarian citizens are scheduled to arrive home sometime this afternoon or evening, and will then be permanently safe,” the minister said.
Later on Friday, an aircraft of the Hungarian Armed Forces left Israel with 105 people, 89 Hungarians and 16 foreigners on board, Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.
The plane evacuated Hungarian, Slovak, US, Israeli and Austrian citizens. Of the passengers, 44 are children, he said.
Also we wrote about Wizz Air advice, here’s what you can do with your ticket to Israel.
Hungarian FM: North Korea nuclear threats ‘must not be allowed’
North Korea “must not be allowed to threaten anybody with nuclear arms,” Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook after talks by phone with Park Jin, his South Korean counterpart, late on Wednesday.
“Global security has never been as bad since the second world war as now: there are too many armed conflicts in the world that are not only perilous to the affected countries but to other regions, too,” Szijjártó said. He added that the Korean pensinsula was “not only important for Koreans but for the whole world.”
In their talk, the two ministers agreed that North Korea must not be allowed to resort to nuclear threats, while Hungary will continue to work to that end at international forums.
On another subject, Szijjártó said the turnover of bilateral trade with South Korea had increased by 70 percent in 2023, adding that Korean companies were one of the five largest investment groups in Hungary.
Sharjah International Book Fair 2023 welcomes 2,033 publishers from 108 nations
The 42nd annual edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has crossed a historic milestone by attracting the highest number of participating countries since its inception in 1981. This edition will play host to 2,033 publishers and exhibitors from 108 nations from around the world. They will collectively present an impressive array of 1.5 million titles, all to be showcased in Expo Centre Sharjah from 1-12 November.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and carrying the theme We Speak Books, SIBF 2023 will bring together 600 authors from around the world to sign their new works. This is part of a comprehensive cultural, creative, and entertaining 12-day agenda that includes over 1,700 activities led by 215 guests from 69 countries targeting all age groups and diverse interests.
This year, SIBF celebrates South Korea as the Guest of Honour, showcasing the republic’s unique knowledge and cultural landscape covering literature, art, technology, and culture. The cultural extravaganza will also host an exhibition in collaboration with the Portuguese University of Coimbra featuring 60 historical artefacts. Furthermore, the book fair has dedicated 6 interactive spaces to upskill visitors and enrich their knowledge.
This announcement was made during a press conference held at the SBA headquarters where H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; H.E. Moon Byung-iun, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai; Salem Al Ghaithi, Director of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF; and Mansour AlHassani, Director of Publisher’s Services at SBA, unveiled the agenda of the highly anticipated international event. The conference was also attended by Mohammed Al Amimi, Vice President Business Engagement & Customer Support, ‘Etisalat by e&’, as well as officials and media representatives.
Sharjah: The Silk Road for Publishers
During his keynote speech, H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, affirmed that Sharjah has become a hub connecting the East and West. This achievement is attributed to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who recognised the importance of knowledge and books in nation-building and the advancement of civilisations. Al Ameri pointed out that the emirate not only facilitates access to books for readers everywhere but also aspires to become the “Silk Road” for publishers worldwide. These achievements have been widely recognised and lauded globally.
Al Ameri said, “The emirate’s relentless efforts have led to significant global milestones, guided by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, who has spearheaded the advancement of the publishing industry in Sharjah, the UAE, and the world. She has laid solid foundations for the development of the country’s publishing sector. Today, she continues this journey as the Chairperson of SBA.”
Al Ameri concluded by saying,
“Today, we are not only here to announce the details of SIBF 2023 but also to take a new step in a cultural project that has been evolving for forty-two years. This project emphasises that books are the cornerstone of developmental plans for countries in the region and globally. That’s why we have chosen the theme ‘We Speak Books’ for the 42nd edition.”
During his speech at the press conference H.E, Moon Byung-iun, Consul General of the Republic of Korea said, “Korea’s methods of modernising its culture while preserving its past roots aligns perfectly with Sharjah’s values of supporting cultural creativity while preserving its local heritage and history. I believe that the cultural exchange between Sharjah and South Korea will continue to deepen and therefore open new paths of exchange that were never explored before. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Sharjah Book Authority for their amazing efforts to bring more than 20 South Korean authors, novelists, poets, calligraphers to Sharjah to exhibit their work and share their knowledge through talks, workshops and many more cultural programs.”
‘We Speak Books’
Reflecting on the SIBF 2023 slogan, Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF, said: “We Speak Books embodies SIBF’s comprehensive vision for the book and culture industry. It has evolved beyond an event for buying and selling books to become a global hub for exchanging expertise, ideas, and knowledge. It also serves as a platform for securing publishing and translation agreements and a forum for discussing literary, artistic, and intellectual issues, attracting a diverse audience from all segments of society, whether they are avid book readers or interested in creative industries related to books.”
- read also: SIBF 2022: Interview with Khawla Al Mujaini
Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF1043 Arab publishers amd 900 international
This year, 1043 Arab and 990 international publishers will showcase over 1.5 million titles, including 800,000 in Arabic and 700,000 in other languages during SIBF 2023. The UAE, Egypt and Lebanon top the list of Arab publishers taking part in the 42nd edition and on the international front, publishers from India, the UK, and Turkey top the international list.
127 Guests to Spearhead 460 Cultural Activities
The 42nd edition will feature a constellation of esteemed writers, thinkers, intellectuals, and artists, including Nobel laureates and recipients of distinguished Arab and international accolades. The exhibition will congregate 127 Arab and international guests from 33 countries to steer 460 cultural endeavours, encompassing panel discussions, immersive workshops, and sessions spanning various artistic expressions and literary genres.
Emirati and Arab Guests
SIBF 2023 will welcome eminent Emirati writers and intellectuals, such as poet Khaled Al-Badou, Dr. Mashael Al Nabooda, Adel Khozam, Mohammed Al Jokar, Suad Al-Araimi, Fathia Al Nimr, Dr. Aisha Al-Ghais, and Saeed Al Badi.
From the Arab domain, SIBF will host Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi; Egyptian writer and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad; Kuwaiti author Dr. Mohamed Al Ghandour; Kuwaiti novelist Bothayna Al Issa; Lebanese poet Talal Haidar; Egyptian poet Nour Abdel Meguid; Egyptian media figure Reham Ayad; Kuwaiti poet Sheryan AlDihanni; Egyptian novelist and journalist Tareq Imam; Saudi poet Fahad AlShahrani; published physiognomy and body language experts Sarah and Hajar Abdul Rahman; Qatari poet Nasser Alober; along with many others.
International Guests
Prominent international figures gracing SIBF 2023 include English-born Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell; Indian actress Kareena Kapoor; Swedish behavioural expert and author Thomas Erikson; Nigerian playwright and novelist Wole Soyinka; British-Pakistani novelist and writer Mohsin Hamid; Czech-Canadian scientist Vaclav Smil; American astronaut Sunita Williams; Dutch author Swami Purnachaitanya; Indian writer Monika Halan; among others.
Exhibition featuring 60 historical artefacts
The 42nd edition will feature an exhibition in collaboration with the University of Coimbra. This exhibition delves into the Portuguese presence in the Gulf and the cultural relationships forged there during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It will display 60 historical artefacts, including manuscripts, rare books, maps, and maritime tools. This exhibition underscores the profound relationship between the University of Coimbra and Sharjah, further solidified by the conferment of an honorary degree to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and the Ruler of Sharjah, in 2018. Concurrently, a series of sessions will be organised, featuring esteemed historians discussing various facets of Portuguese history in the region.
Thriller Festival
The eagerly awaited second edition of the Thriller Festival is slated from November 8-10, in partnership with Thriller Festival NY. This 3-day event will congregate acclaimed thriller and crime genre writers with their aficionados. This year, the festival will spotlight ten international authors, including bestsellers, to engage with mystery and suspense enthusiasts in the region. Featured authors comprise Felix Francis, Ivy Pochoda, Candice Fox, J.D. Barker, Danielle Trussoni, Alex Finlay, Max Seeck, Blake Crouch, C.J. Howe, and Kathleen Antrim.
Six interactive spaces
This year, SIBF 2023 features six interactive spaces targeting various demographics. They will be home to 900 workshops led by more than 31 guests from 12 countries, offering new and diverse activities. The workshops will cover self-reflection, emotional balance, and self-improvement, as well as comics, child literature, inventions and innovation workshops tailored for children and youth. For the older visitors, the 12-day book fair will organise workshops on animation, interpersonal skills, and handicrafts. In addition, the six interactive spaces offer motivational and collaborative workshops for both adults and children, including creative writing workshops and advanced topics such as sign language and supporting individuals with disabilities.
130 Shows Featuring Theatre, Dance Performances, and Musicals
A captivating lineup of 130 theatrical performances and musicals, directed by artists and performers from 14 countries, will be showcased during the 12-day event.
SIBF 2023 will also premiere the musical play “Barcode Prison,” the most significant Emirati theatrical production in 2023. The cast includes Emirati actors Marwan Abdullah, Ahmed Mal Allah, Musa Al Bukishi, Bader Hakmi, Haifa Al Ali, and Reem Al Faisal. Directed by Marwan Abdullah Saleh, the play humorously and musically addresses the issue of bullying.
The cultural extravaganza will also host a children’s musical by the ALJ Sisters Band, starring Aljoud Albaanon, Wadha Alayoub, and Aljourry Albaanon. The play is about three girls experiencing various situations that teach them valuable lessons and social values.
Cookery Corner
The Cookery Corner this year will welcome 12 international chefs, each showcasing their distinct culinary prowess and cultural nuances through 45 dynamic activities. Participating chefs include Kim Kyeongmin and Kim Joohyun from South Korea, Torie True from the UK, Yohanis Gebreyesus from Ethiopia, Barbara Massad from Lebanon, Suzanne Husseni from Canada, Sally Butcher from the UK, Irina George from Romania, Marianna Leivaditaki from Greece, Chef Suresh Pilla blending UK and Indian flavours, and Krish Ashok from India.
Social Media Station
Throughout the 12-day book fair, the Social Media Station will host workshops and specialised sessions covering a diverse range of topics, including enhancing partnerships and collaborations with social media influencers and trends, artificial intelligence, as well as the production of AI-enhanced content.
South Korea’s Guest of Honour Programme
In celebration of its status as SIBF 2023’s Guest of Honour, South Korea will curate engaging activities under its cultural program titled ‘Imagination Without Borders.’ The vibrant agenda encompasses 15 cultural programs, 7 panel discussions, and 5 musical renditions by select South Korean artists. The honorary guest will also feature 3 distinguished chefs at the Cookery Corner, alongside children’s entertainment and activities. Notable participants from South Korea include artists Kyung Hyewon, Kim Sangkeun, and Park Hyunmin, accompanied by author Jeong Munee; Ahn Jina, Associate Professor at Okinawa International University; Kim Ho, HK Professor at Seoul National University Asia Center and Emeritus Professor Lee Hee at Hanyang University Soo.
More than 600 book signing sessions
This year, SIBF 2023 will host more than 300 authors from around the world who will autograph their new works, while the dedicated “Book Corner” will host over 300 authors from 12 countries who will launch their new titles during the book fair
Publisher’s Training
SIBF 2023, in collaboration with New York University, will orchestrate a training programme centred on international publishing standards and practices for 120 publishers. This encompasses 20 from the UAE, 50 Arab publishers, and 50 African publishers. This year’s curriculum will explore the potency of podcasts and storytelling in augmenting profits in the publishing realm, as well as data strategies for publisher triumph.
13th Publishers Conference
The eagerly awaited Publishers Conference will span three days from 29-31 October. Over 42 speakers and experts will helm 4 keynote speeches and 31 roundtables on day one, addressing pivotal issues and challenges confronting the publishing sector. On day two and three, the conference will facilitate matchmaking sessions between publishers, to negotiate over topics such as the buying and selling of rights, and translation agreements. The event will also ultimately serve as a forum for discussing ways to bolster the sector, share expertise, and broker new deals.
The 13th edition will commence with the participation of high-level officials in the publishing sector, including Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority; Núria Cabutí Brull, CEO of Penguin Random House Grupo; and Ian Chapman, Chief Executive and Publisher, Simon & Schuster UK and International; and Cheolho Yoon, Chairman of the Korean Publishers Association, and head of the South Korean Guest of Honour Delegation.
The international conference brings together publishers, and literary agents from 105 countries, including 11 participating for the first time: Benin, Ivory Coast, the Czech Republic, Mauritius, Paraguay, Burkina Faso, Zaire, Malawi, Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award and ABC Awards
During the Publishers Conference, winners of the Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award will be announced with 58 candidates including 42 literary agents, and 16 publishers from 58 countries who applied for the award.
Furthermore, the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) has chosen the Publishers Conference to announce the winners of the second edition of the ABC International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing, which aims to honour publishers that produce books for the visually impaired.
Sharjah International Library Conference
The 10th iteration of the Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC), in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA), is scheduled from November 7th to 9th. It will assemble over 400 international librarians and specialists representing diverse libraries in the US and around 30 additional countries.
Salem Al Ghaithi, Director of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, stated, “Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is a prestigious international event that attracts visitors from all over the world. We are proud to collaborate on the media coverage and broadcast of SIBF to convey its cultural richness to households in Sharjah and beyond. Our commitment to promoting culture in Emirati society is evident in our extensive and responsible coverage of SIBF. We run a dedicated satellite office from the fair’s grounds throughout the 12-day event, and a significant number of our team members are present to cover the activities on our various platforms and channels. We highlight the most prominent authors and publishers, provide an overview of the event’s literary and cultural scene, and enable the audience to connect with these distinguished authors, making SIBF an unforgettable experience.”
SIBF 2023 is supported by a range of strategic sponsorships and partnerships, including Etisalat by e& as the official sponsor; the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority as the official media partner; and Expo Centre Sharjah the strategic partner of SIBF.
Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day in Budapest with magnificent event – Photo gallery
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia hosted friends of the Kingdom and the diplomatic community in Budapest at the InterContinental Hotel on the evening of 25 September.
In 1932, Prince Abdulaziz announced the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, becoming the first king of the Kingdom, and the name of the state was then changed from the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd to the new name that the country bears until the present day, which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Read more details here.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency Ahmed Yahya Al Dagreer, Charge d’affaires, underlined that his country can be an excellent example for all, as it is spending enormous energy in the service of development and environmental protection.
“The Kingdom has become a peacemaker, referred to in every forum, as it was able, through its distinguished international relations with all parties, to make decisions and present initiatives, which contributed to taking great steps to combat and refute terrorism and spread the culture of peace, tolerance, and dialogue among peoples and bringing viewpoints between parties closer to each other,” he underlined in his speech.
“I call on all companies in Hungary to seize the huge investment opportunities available in the Kingdom, and to enter the Saudi market, which is characterised by the facilities it provides to investors, in addition to the special economic zones that support a wide range of sectors and business activities that link the markets of the East and the West,” Al Dagreer said.
After the speech, the guests were able to watch a video about Riyadh Expo 2030, an important goal for Saudi Arabia, and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes several futuristic cities with smart buildings, which were also shown to the audience. (Read more details here: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia envisions Riyadh Expo 2030)
During the rest of the evening, guests were invited to taste several typical Saudi dishes, including sumptuous dates and other traditional sweets.
We dream and we achieve: the slogan of the 93rd Saudi National Day
On September 23 of each year, Saudi citizens in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad celebrate their country’s National Day, to commemorate the anniversary of the unification of the Kingdom by King Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1932.
The founder and unifier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was born in Riyadh in 1876, the son of King Saud bin Faisal Al Saud, who was the ruler of the region at the time. Prince Abdulaziz began his career in public life in 1899 after the death of his father. In 1902, he led a military campaign to reclaim his hometown of Riyadh from foreign occupation, and then led other campaigns to liberate other regions of Saudi Arabia.
In 1932, Prince Abdulaziz announced the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, becoming the first king of the Kingdom, and the name of the state was then changed from the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd to the new name that continues until the present day, which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
King Abdulaziz Al Saud formed a new political and social system based on Islamic law. King Abdulaziz died in 1953, but thanks to him the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had entered an era of social, economic and political prosperity, becoming one of the largest countries in the Arab world in terms of economic, political and cultural size.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reached an era of developmental, cultural and tourism modernity, thanks to the initiatives and changes that the country is currently witnessing within the framework of the ambitious “Vision 2030” plan, which was launched by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, in 2016, and which was blessed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, so that it became a road map that enhances the Kingdom’s strengths, which are its strategic location, its investment strength, and its position in the Arab and Islamic worlds.
This transformation journey first began, passing through 3 stages. The first one focused on changing the mental image, enhancing efficiency, and laying the foundations with an empowerment from the government, and playing a major role in policies and their implementation. The Kingdom reaped many of the fruits of that stage, and now it is in the second stage, maximising the impact of the vision to move to the third stage, which will focus on continuity and on achieving sustainable results.
Anyone who follows with interest the development and cultural renewal that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently witnessing, especially in light of the “Vision 2030” plan, realises that the Kingdom and its people are living in an unprecedented period, competing against time towards development, growth and progress in all areas of life.
Saudi Vision 2030 has laid strong foundations for success. It began implementing unprecedented reforms that included the public sector and all social and economic aspects. Its results are clear in empowering Saudi women, as the annual report of Saudi Vision 2030 for the year 2022 revealed an increase in the economic participation rate of Saudi females from 17% in 2017 to 36% in 2022. Furthermore, the results are clearly shown in strengthening the Kingdom’s role in the group of twenty of the world’s largest economies (G20), and launching investment projects aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy and preparing for the post-oil era, foremost of which is the implementation of huge urban projects, such as the unique future city of NEOM, which aims to facilitate the life of the Saudi citizen while preserving the environment at the same time, by relying on green energy and eliminating harmful carbon emissions.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia launched its green initiative in 2021, to increase vegetation cover, reduce carbon emissions, and combat pollution. The Saudi Green Initiative includes planting 10 billion trees inside the Kingdom over the coming decades, which is equivalent to rehabilitating approximately 40 million hectares of degraded land. This is a 12-fold increase over the current tree covers. The Kingdom will also work to increase the proportion of the reserves to more than 30% of its total land area, equivalent to approximately 600 thousand square kilometres, in addition to launching a number of ambitious initiatives to protect the marine and coastal environment.
Moreover, the Kingdom introduced the Green Middle East Initiative, which was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021 as well, with the aim of contributing to the efforts to combat climate change by increasing vegetation cover in Middle Eastern countries, reducing carbon emissions, combating pollution and land degradation, as well as preserving marine life. Within the framework of the initiative, the Kingdom will work with a number of Arab countries to plant an additional 40 billion trees in the Middle East, as part of a programme that aims to plant 50 billion trees, which is the largest reforestation program in the world.
On the political side, the Kingdom has become a peacemaker, referred to in every forum, as it was able, through its distinguished international relations with all parties to make decisions and present initiatives, which contributed to taking great steps in combatting and refuting terrorism, and spreading the culture of peace, tolerance and dialogue among peoples, as well as bringing the views of parties closer together. The Kingdom recently achieved a long-term armistice in the Yemeni conflict, as Saudi mediation efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis led to a meeting between the conflicting parties in Riyadh and an agreement on a road map in order to reach a peaceful and sustainable solution in Yemen, which can achieve security and prosperity for the Yemeni people.
Sensing its humanitarian role towards the world, inspired by its message of preserving human dignity, and based on the teachings of the true Islamic religion, the Kingdom has devoted great attention to providing relief to the distressed and helping the needy, preserving human life, dignity, and health, extending a helping hand, and providing support, donating, and giving aid to individuals and brotherly and friendly countries, through its relief institutions and charitable platforms.
As we wrote before, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia envisions Riyadh Expo 2030, details HERE.
South Korea celebrates its National Day with special concert in Budapest
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea made their national day in Budapest a truly memorable one, as they hosted a grand reception to mark the special occasion, followed by a concert never seen before in Hungary at the Erkel Theatre on the evening of 21 September.
Nowadays, the Republic of Korea plays an important role in the Hungarian economy, and relations with the Asian country are accordingly very close. The Embassy organised an extremely high-quality event in Budapest, as in addition to the diplomatic standing reception, they also brought a concert to Budapest that is rarely seen in Europe.
The closed reception was attended by the entire Hungarian diplomatic corps, signalling that South Korea is highly regarded around the world. In his welcome speech, Korean Ambassador Hong Kyu Dok said that South Korea regards Budapest as a key economic partner. He stressed that in the 1990s, it was in the Central European region that investment first started to come to Hungary, and cooperation has been unbroken ever since. Thanks to the excellent partnership, more than 300 Korean companies are already operating in Hungary. What is more, in recent years, South Korea has become one of the largest foreign investors in Hungary. A good example of the close diplomatic relations is the recent talks between President Katalin Novák and her Korean counterpart, President Yoon Suk Yeol, in New York.
Prof. Dr. András Zs. Varga, President of the Curia, welcomed the guests and praised the close relations between the two countries. After the speeches, the reception included a tasting of several traditional Korean dishes.
At 7 PM, JONGMYO JERYEAK performed in front of a full house. The truly special performance brought the ancient ritual music and dance of the royalty of Korea to the Hungarian capital. Jongmyo jeryeak refers to the music and dance accompanying Jongmyo jerye, the ancient rituals performed at the royal shrine of the Jongmyo, the Joseon dynasty, which the Jongmyo performed for about six centuries.
Szijjártó: Hungary’s pro-peace approach appreciated outside Europe
The world is “waiting for peace in Ukraine”, and many countries greatly appreciate Hungary’s approach, which favours diplomatic solutions, hoping it would become the European one, the foreign minister said in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Péter Szijjártó attended the annual meeting of China’s Belt and Road initiative in Hong Kong, and held bilateral meetings with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, the economy minister of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt’s minister for international cooperation.
After the talks, Szijjártó said “our African and Asian partners continue to ask when the European Union is going to step up for peace.”
Rather than calling for peace as it usually does in the case of conflicts further from home, the EU is now “further firing up the conflict by delivering weapons, shutting down channels of communication and through its sanctions policy,” he said.
This created a “vicious circle” of rising inflation and food and energy prices, he added.
Hungary is “perhaps the only country” to fully stand up for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, he said. Non-EU countries greatly appreciate that stance and expect it to “prevail as the generally accepted approach in Europe,” he said.
Regarding the energy crisis, Szijjártó said Hungary and its partners in Egypt and the UAE had reinforced their commitment to nuclear cooperation, including projects in training and knowledge exchange.
Hungary is seen as a friendly country in Hong Kong, “with a sovereign foreign policy that doesn’t involve lecturing others,” he said. “We have always respected China’s sovereignty and the principle of one country, two systems,” he said.
The good relations were well reflected in last year’s cooperation when trade volume reached 2.5 billion dollars. Exports to Hong Kong jumped 1.5-fold this year, the Hungarian foreign minister added.
Read also:
Another flight from Budapest cancelled for good
Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, was very pleased to announce the new pair of flights connecting Budapest with a Central Asian capital. However, it seems that realities did not meet the expectations, and the airline cancelled the flight’s operation within only two weeks. Here is the reason why.
According to Menedzsment Fórum, a Hungarian business news outlet, the Budapest-Tashkent direct route only had three return flights. Based on the original promises of the Hungarian foreign minister, it should have increased the two-per-week frequency to three per week from next January. Instead, there will be none next week.
The first take-off was two weeks ago, while the last one appeared in Flightradar’s database with a 12.30 am departure yesterday. However, on the official site of Budapest Airport, the flight was unavailable. Furthermore, the call centre of the air gate confirmed to mfor.hu that they did not only cancel yesterday’s flights but all the scheduled operations between Budapest and Tashkent operated by Qanot Sharq. Thus, the direct connection between the Hungarian and Uzbek has been ceased.
Read also:
- Skyrocketing plane ticket prices after government acquisition of Budapest – Read more HERE
- Government will change the online accommodation booking system in Hungary
Uzbekistan-Budapest flight connection is here to remain
The 20 August, 27 August and 3 September flights were punctual. Airbus A321 planes delivered the passengers to their destination without any issues. They departed only with a 15 minutes delay, and the flight time was 5 hours and 15 minutes.
Szijjártó announced the new flight the day before Hungary’s national day, on 19 August. Here is his post:
Fortunately, the air connection between Uzbekistan and Hungary is here to remain. It is understood that Wizz Air, Hungary’s low-cost airliner, will operate flights between Budapest and Samarkand from December. Hopefully, they will have more success than their Uzbek counterpart. Budflyer, a Hungarian air travel news Facebook page, suggested the reason behind Qanot Sharq’s failure was down to the unreasonably high prices, which did not match the service they offered.
Companies in Hungary hunt for Philippines and Indonesians: they neither drink nor flee to the West
The core issue is simple: Hungarians are not available anymore since they go to work in Germany, Austria, and Western Europe for higher wages. However, industrial investments need a strong workforce, so importing Eastern guest workers is a must. But Vietnamese flee and head to the West within days, Kyrgyz guest workers drink too much, and Serbians and Ukrainians will not stay in Hungary either as they have better options. Phillippines and Indonesians are, on the other hand, welcome to work in Hungarian factories built by foreign investors.
Hungarians replaced by foreigners
PM Viktor Orbán and his cabinets have led harsh anti-migrant rhetoric since 2015, the peak of the migration crisis. They swarmed the country with hundreds or even thousands of billboards. All of them said that provided you come to Hungary, you cannot take the job of the Hungarians. Oddly, the tables have turned now and suddenly they welcome virtually everybody.
The reason is pretty simple in light of the fact that over a million Hungarians work abroad, which causes severe workforce shortages in the newly-built factories. Therefore, in the first step, the Hungarian government aimed for Serbians and Ukrainians to come to work in Hungary. However, the system collapsed after a couple of years since a new network was established that allowed these workers to find better, well-paid work opportunities in the West.
Therefore, the Hungarian government expanded the system to 19 countries, including Brazil, North Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Mongolia and the Philippines. The scheme is simple: 25 Hungarian companies are “licensed” to acquire the needed documents for the guest workers. Válasz Online suggests that at least some of them are government-close, and the business generates a solid and calculable profit.
Read also:
- Guest workers from third-world countries are flocking to Hungary – Read more HERE
- Hungarian government paves the way for hundreds of thousands of guest workers
Philippines and Indonesians will never be citizens
The intermediary Hungarian companies are the links between the companies, factories, plant owners operating in Hungary and in need of a workforce as well as and the Indonesian or Philippine headhunter firms sending out workers. However, Válasz Online learned years ago that Vietnamese guest workers had probably created an underground system that helped them escape within days after their first workday to continue their “career” in the West for more money. Meanwhile, the Philippines or Indonesians do not drink or fight with each other (unlike their Kyrgyz counterparts), nor do they flee abroad. Experts say they still need some years to create similar “people smuggling” systems as the Vietnamese did.
Theoretically, none of the guest workers can ever receive a Hungarian citizenship. They arrive, work for a few years and return home – that is the system. But some of them vanish forever in the Schengen zone. Válasz Online also clears that most of them come highly indebted because they must pay a huge sum (approx. EUR 2,500-3,500) to the local recruiting companies. Their salaries are not high in Hungary. But they regularly work overtime and have weak advocacy. Some even run a YouTube channel popularising what they do in Hungary. Here is one of them:
To sum up, companies investing in Hungary to erect huge production plants do not have a workforce. Government-close Hungarian companies help them find Philippines and Indonesians, who come here for work, and after two years, they return home. They always leave their families behind as they are well aware that there is no long-term future for them in Hungary. The biggest question is how long that system will work and whether that is a viable future for Hungary’s economy.
Automotive supplier GKN inaugurates plant in Hungary
Automotive industry supplier GKN inaugurated a plant in Felsőzsolca, in north-eastern Hungary, on Friday. The plant, the first phase of a HUF 52 billion (EUR 134,726,352.64) investment, will create 200 jobs, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said at the ceremony. The next phase will wind up by the end of 2026, creating 1,500 jobs, he added. GKN Automotive Hungary’s base will supply BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki and Volkswagen. The state is providing support for the investment, but the scale will not be announced until after it is cleared by the European Commission, Szijjártó explained.