award

Premiere Eötvös opera Valuska nominated for international award

valuska opera

Hungarian two-time Kossuth Prize-winning composer Peter Eötvös’s last opera, Valuska, premiered in December 2023, is among the nominees for the International Opera Awards for the greatest opera performances of the past season.

The Hungarian State Opera’s production of Valuska competes with prestigious opera houses such as Opera Philadelphia, the Dallas Opera House, the Montreal Opera, and the Royal Opera House in Madrid, the opera house said in a statement on Monday. The house noted that it had commissioned Eotvos to compose what would be his only opera in Hungarian.

Eötvös, who died this year at 80, based the libretto for his 13th and last opera on the 1989 novel The Melancholy of Resistance by International Man Booker Prize-winner Laszlo Krasznahorkai. He wrote the libretto together with his wife and creative collaborator, Mari Mezei, and dramaturg Kinga Keszthelyi.

The production was streamed on OperaVision for six months from January this year, and it is expected to make a return to the Opera House’s repertoire in the 2025/26 season.

The International Opera Awards will be held on Oct 2, organised by the Bavarian State Opera, at the Prinzregententheater in Munich.

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Secretary Potápi: national cohesion is our most important achievement of the last 14 years

Secretary Potápi national cohesion 20 August

“The strengthened feeling, awareness and experience of national cohesion is our most important achievement of the last 14 years,” the state secretary in charge of policies for Hungarian communities abroad said on Friday, marking the August 20 national holiday.

Presenting the Kallós Zoltán Award for Hungarians Abroad to individuals and organisations recognised for their efforts in the interests of Hungarian communities beyond the border, Árpád János Potápi said that national cohesion “that is the keystone of our national identity manifests itself primarily through cooperation: in carrying out the tasks and celebrating our successes”.

Secretary Potápi national cohesion 20 August
János Árpád Potápi. Photo: MTI

“We Hungarians share in the difficulties by bearing the burdens together, and multiply our joy by celebrating together,” he said.

“This is what the community builders and organisers, political, cultural and religious leaders recognised with the Kallós Zoltán Award set an example in,” he added.

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State awards handed out before Hungary’s national holiday

State awards handed out before Hungary's national holiday

Csaba Lantos, the energy affairs minister, on Thursday handed over state awards to scientists, academics and business executives on the occasion of Hungary’s August 20 national holiday.

In his speech to the ceremony, Lantos said that August 20 represented “successful nation-building, confronting dangers with courage, wise foresight and faith in the future”.

“The challenges haven’t gotten smaller and the struggles haven’t gotten easier,” the minister said. He said the centre of gravity in the global economy was shifting increasingly quickly, warning that Europe would fall behind if it did not do everything possible to boost its competitiveness.

State awards handed out before Hungary's national holiday
Photo: MTI

Lantos said the energy affairs ministry was “on the frontlines”, and its work had a direct effect on how Hungary would overcome the current difficulties and how successfully it would find its place in the changing global economy.

The award recipients were presented with the Commander’s Cross with Star, Officer’s Cross and Knight’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit as well as the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit, the Hungarian Silver Cross of Merit and ministerial certificates of merit.

State awards handed out before Hungary's national holiday
Photo: MTI

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  • Hungarian film shortlisted for European Film Awards – read more HERE
  • Hungarian university listed alongside Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge

Hungarian film shortlisted for European Film Awards

Hungarian film shortlisted for European Film Awards

Hungarian film ‘Without Air’, the first feature film of director Katalin Moldovai, has been shortlisted for the European Film Awards, the National Film Institute (NFI) said on Wednesday.

The film, supported by the Incubator Programme, shows the story of a literature teacher against whom parents file a police report for recommending her students to watch Total Eclipse, a film on French poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine, the NFI said.

Written by Zita Pálóczi and Katalin Moldovai, the film was produced by Attila Bála Kovács and András Muhi. The main characters are played by Ágnes Krasznahorkai, Tünde Skovran, Soma Sándor and Áron Dimény, among others.

The film has won awards in Toronto, Arras and Warsaw, among other festivals. The European Film Awards ceremony will be held on December 7 in Luzern, Switzerland.

Hungarian film shortlisted for European Film Awards
Photo: FB/Without Air

 

Here is the flim’s trailer:

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Hungarian university listed alongside Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge

BME ceremonial hall Oscar winner movie scene Hungarian university

Péter Pach Pál, Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Computer Science and Information Theory at BME VIK, a top Hungarian university, has received the prestigious Frontiers of Science Award (FSA).

He received the award at the International Congress of Basic Sciences (ICBS) at the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA) campus for his 2016 paper with Ernie Croot (Georgia Institute of Technology) and Vsevolod Lev (University of Haifa).

Pach Péter Pál

It’s worth scrolling through the list to see where this year’s winners work:

Hungarian university listed alongside Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge, as well as major Chinese universities.

The only other regional representative on the list is the University of Grodno in Belarus.

Hungarian university BME
The main building of BME in Buda. Photo: FB/BME

The FSA is awarded to the most outstanding articles in certain fields of mathematics, computer science and physics over the previous ten years. The BME researcher was honoured in the combinatorics section. The 7-member scientific organising committee of the ICBS conference includes Shing-Tung Yau (chair of the committee) and Caucher Birkar, both Fields Prize-winning mathematicians, bme.hu wrote.

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Amazing news: Hungarian coffee brand wins prestigious award

hungarian coffee brand success

Herz New York Coffee Roasters, a Hungarian coffee brand, has won the Coffee Design Award, the most prestigious design accolade in the world.

Herz Coffee showcased its high-quality coffees to speciality coffee enthusiasts at the World of Coffee 2024 show in the Roaster Village in Copenhagen from 27 to 29 June 2024. Hungarian coffee brand, Herz Coffee entered the Packaging category with its environmentally friendly, multifunctional metal can packaging and won the award. The Coffee Design Awards, formerly known as the Design Lab Showcase, is a platform for highlighting outstanding design in coffee specialities, Index reports.

The founders of Herz New York Coffee Roasters, Áron and Pali, brought their ideas to life with the help of talented graphic designers at Graphasel Studio. The perfectly coordinated design team, with the active involvement of the owners, created remarkable packaging for the coffee brand, which is backed by a father and son duo.

hungarian coffee brand success
Photo: FB / HERZ New York Coffee Roasters

They are always seeking the best quality coffee, whether in Budapest, New York or El Salvador. Since 2005, the owners of Herz Coffee have maintained professional, business, and friendly relationships with the owners of coffee plantations in El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica, so it is not surprising that they deliver special and truly first-class coffee to Hungarian coffee machines.

Their packaging idea of the Hungarian coffee brand was made a reality by the talented graphic designers at Graphasel Studio. The perfectly coordinated design team, with the active involvement of the owners, created truly remarkable packaging for the family business.

Winning the coffee industry’s most prestigious design and packaging award is a significant recognition, and for the Hungarian coffee brand, it’s confirmation that they’re on the right track.

Eco-friendly, minimalist packaging was a winner for the coffee brand

hungarian coffee brand success
Photo: FB / HERZ New York Coffee Roasters

“With our roasted coffees and coffee capsules, we want to offer a real coffee experience to those who love demanding, quality coffee. The coffee packaging is usually black, gold, and red. For marketing reasons, we have chosen orange. This has proved to be the winning choice. Graphasel Studio was a good fit from the start and easy to work with,” says Pali, one of the owners.

“Packaging embodies several aspects: visually appealing, environmentally friendly, and exciting all at the same time. We had an unconcealed desire to create a reusable container that adds value. The design was inspired by a combination of factors, including current trends in eco-friendly packaging, a minimalist aesthetic, and the bright colours often associated with coffee culture,” they added.

Herz Coffee can be found in numerous locations and boasts partners such as Bortársaság, W Budapest Hotel, Dorothea Hotel Budapest, Autograph Collection, Franziska in Buda, Páskom and Bazsalikomos Kert in Kecskemét. The coffee is also available in various locations across the countryside and online.

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Great news: Hungarian ice cream maker named the world’s best in a new ranking – Read here

Coffee in Budapest among the best in Europe! – Read here

Hungarian neurobiologist and composer among Wolf Prize recipients

Botond Roska Wolf Prize

World-renowned composer György Kurtág and renowned neurobiologist Botond Roska are among the recipients of the prestigious Wolf Prize this year.

The award going with a 100,000 dollar cash prize is given annually by Israel’s Wolf Foundation since 1978 in the six fields of agriculture, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, physics, and the arts.

The nine awardees were announced with a five-month delay on Wednesday evening because of the Israeli war.

Kurtág has been recognised with the award for his life-time achievement. Roska received the honour shared with Jose-Alain Sahel for achievements in medicine.

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  • Le Monde: Hungarian composer’s opera performed in Paris was a masterpiece – Read more HERE

Featured image: Botond Roska.

Budapest hotel awarded best hotel in 2024 global competition!

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

Another day, another prestigious award for a Budapest hotel. The Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest was recently honoured with the “Green Collection Hotel of the Year” award at the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) annual ceremony in Japan.

Budapest hotel wins prestigious award

budapest hotel Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
Photo: Facebook/Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

Global Hotel Alliance, the largest consortium of independent hotel brands worldwide, hosted its annual awards at the historic Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo, turizmus.com reports.

The Green Collection, introduced by GHA last year, includes nearly 200 hotels, resorts, and castles managed by GHA brands, including Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest. This collection highlights properties with exceptional sustainability initiatives.

The awards covered various categories, including Hotel of the Year, Most Active Hotel Brand in Cross-Promotion, and Best New Hotel. Competition was intense, as GHA includes over 800 hotels across 100 countries, represented by 40 brands. Winners were selected based on strict criteria from at least four nominees per category.

Chris Hartley, GHA’s CEO, praised the winning hotels and brands for their innovation and dedication, noting their significant contribution to the success of GHA Discovery, the alliance’s loyalty program. Celebrating GHA’s 20th anniversary, he emphasised the growing strength of their global network.

The GHA Discovery loyalty program, revamped in 2021, now boasts 27 million members worldwide, generating USD 2.3 billion in revenue and 10 million room nights.

The Kempinski Hotels brand also received recognition for its 20-year membership with GHA and achieved second place for best brand performance.

About the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
Photo: Facebook/Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

The Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest is a luxurious five-star hotel located in the heart of Budapest, Hungary. Positioned near Erzsébet Square, the Budapest hotel offers easy access to the city’s major attractions, shopping districts, and vibrant cultural landmarks.

The Budapest hotel boasts elegant and contemporary design elements, blending modern sophistication with classic European style. It features 315 rooms and 38 suites, all furnished with high-end amenities to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay. The accommodations are known for their spaciousness, stylish decor, and panoramic views of the city or the park.

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is renowned for its diverse culinary offerings. The Budapest hotel houses several acclaimed restaurants and bars:

  • ÉS Bisztró: A chic bistro offering Hungarian and Viennese dishes.
  • Nobu Budapest: A branch of the world-famous Nobu restaurant, serving innovative Japanese-Peruvian cuisine.
  • The Living Room: A relaxed yet elegant space for coffee, tea, and pastries.
  • Blue Fox The Bar: A trendy bar known for its creative cocktails and sophisticated atmosphere.

The Kempinski The Spa provides a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation, offering a range of treatments inspired by European and Asian traditions. Guests can enjoy the indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and sauna to enhance their wellness experience.

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Great news: Hungarian ice cream maker named the world’s best in a new ranking

Fazekas Cukrászda, ice cream maker

Hungarian chefs have always performed strongly in various world competitions. Now a Hungarian ice cream maker, Ádám Fazekas, has been named the best ice cream maker of 2024 by the Gelato Festival World Ranking.

The international competition for artisan ice cream makers has been held since 2011, Turizmus reports. Over the last thirteen years, more than eight thousand ice cream creations have been tested, tasted and scored by a jury of hundreds of experts.

Hungarian master gelato maker Ádám Fazekas won the Gelato Festival World Masters in 2021 and came second in the Gelato Festival World Ranking in 2022. Now in 2024, he won the first prize at the same competition.

The organisers of the competition announced the winner at a press conference in Rome. At the press conference, Ádám Fazekas’ raspberry-flavoured pistachio ice cream was presented, but it was not the only creation that won the international ranking. This year, more than 1,200 entries came from all over the world, not only from Europe and North America, but also from Africa and Asia. This year’s runner-up was Giovanni Bonazzi from Parona, Italy, and Savannah G. Lee from San Francisco took third place.

Fazekas cukrászda, ice cream maker
Photo: FB / Fazekas Cukrászda Budapest

To be included in the international ranking, confectioners had to participate in various events, shows and ice cream festivals for at least two years, for which they received points. The world ranking of ice cream artisans was the result of the collaboration between the Gelato Festival, the Sigep-IEG Expo and the well-known ice cream machine manufacturer Carpigiani. The aim was to discover and promote more than 100,000 artisan ice cream makers in the world.

The Gelato Festival debuted in Florence in 2010, as the world’s first gelato recipe was born in the Tuscan city, where the famous architect Buontalenti invented gelato in 1559. Since then, the event has expanded its range, first to the rest of Italy, then to Europe and, since 2017, to eighty festivals in the United States.

Why is the Hungarian ice cream maker’s method special?

Photo: FB / Fazekas Cukrászda Budapest

In an interview with RTL, Ádám Fazekas said that his ice cream-making method is special because he works with natural ingredients. Even the milk used for the ice cream is from a local producer, coming straight from a family farm. In 2017, he left the family bakery and opened his first ice cream shop. A friend entered him into his first competition in 2019, which he won.

In addition to the usual vanilla, chocolate, pistachio and a variety of fruit ice creams, his ice cream shop also offers sour pickle, herb feta and avocado lemon ice creams. In Budapest, guests can taste different ice cream creations and cakes at the Fazekas Confectionery on Csömöri Road. They also operate a confectionery in Rétság in Nógrád County.

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Hungarian diplomat received prestigious award from Polish President Duda

Hungarian diplomat received prestigious award from Polish President Duda

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday presented the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to Orsolya Zsuzsanna Kovács, Hungary’s ambassador to Warsaw, for strengthening and enhancing Polish-Hungarian friendship, the embassy said.

In his laudation, Duda praised the ambassador for her “exemplary and dedicated work” in strengthening Polish-Hungarian relations over the past seven and a half years of service. The Polish president said he insisted on presenting the award in person to the ambassador in appreciation of her “outstanding service paid for the two nations,” noting that the such an occasion had been rare during his presidency.

“I can say with full responsibility that it is rare to have an ambassador serving in a diplomatic corps who fulfills her role in such an extraordinary way as Ambassador Orsolya Kovács has done during her mission to Poland. She is an extremely active and cordial person who has an excellent understanding of the Polish way of thinking,” said Duda.

In her speech of acceptance, Kovács highlighted the importance of nurturing the national heritage through generations which she called “key in maintaining the special relations between Poland and Hungary”.

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Nearly 100 Hungarian SMEs Join International Health Innovation Circuit

Nearly 100 Hungarian SMEs Join International Health Innovation Circuit Hungarian SMEs

Over the past six months, more than 90 Hungarian SMEs have had the opportunity to showcase their healthcare innovations on the international stage. The innovation competition, organised by EIT Health and iLex powered by Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has opened doors for these companies to find European partners to validate and market their projects. Among numerous outstanding projects, nine were awarded first place in six categories by an international jury. These projects range from a smart pen for post-stroke rehabilitation to a needle-free medication delivery system.

The competition concluded in early June with an awards ceremony at the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKIK) headquarters. EIT Health InnoStars, part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union and the iLex Group, a legal-innovation development and AI research start-up group, invited applications from innovative SMEs whose projects promise significant impacts in the healthcare industry.

Participating teams showcased their innovations to a European audience through EIT Health’s extensive network, gaining insights and feedback from international experts, and learning about European best practices in health innovation. The entries were judged by a nine-member jury of Hungarian and international experts, chaired by Hans Hofstraat, former Vice President of Innovation at Philips Research. Other notable jury members included Dr. Ferenc Dietz, President of Dennis Gabor University; Bertalan Jászkuti, CEO of Syreon Research Institute; Ákos Csókay, Secretary General of BKIK; and Dr. Tamás Bábel, a biotechnology expert.

Distinguished guests at the award ceremony included László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, who spoke about SME innovation activities and state programmes aimed at strengthening SMEs. Ádám Rottenbacher, Chief Operating Officer of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) was also a key speaker of the event, highlighting the contribution the EIT makes to support innovative SMEs. Honoured guests at the ceremony included László Korányi, Deputy Director General of the National Innovation Agency; and Ákos Karsay, Head of Department at the National Health Insurance Fund Management.

The EIT emphasizes collaboration between education, research, and industry, the so-called knowledge triangle. To underline this commitment, representatives from several higher education institutions attended the ceremony, including the University of Óbuda, University of Debrecen, Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, and Dennis Gabor University. Investors and accelerators, such as the White Unicorn incubator and venture capitalists from Óbuda University, including Imre Hild from Széchenyi Capital Fund and Ákos Dervalics from GreenBrother, were also present.

“No one can innovate alone; collaboration and networking are essential—and this competition has significantly facilitated that. We are proud to provide a platform where talented entrepreneurs can showcase and validate their developments, finding new partners to enter the European market. Hungarian entrepreneurs can collaborate with organizations like SYNLAB Italia, one of Europe’s largest diagnostics groups. Networking proves effective, as recently demonstrated by a French research institute developing and marketing a test for diagnosing bipolar disorder with SYNLAB Italia. We hope to soon assist Hungarian innovators in finding the partners they need to advance,” said Dr. Ferenc Pongrácz, Deputy CEO of EIT Health InnoStars and one of the jury members.

“The power of innovation lies in our ability to transform bold ideas into reality and make a tangible difference in the world. For iLex Group, it is crucial to support companies that aim to enhance healthcare with their solutions. This competition provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the significant results that Hungarian SMEs can achieve. We are proud to have been part of this journey and are excited to see how these innovative ideas will shape the future,” said Dr. Marianna Ritter, CEO of iLex Group and one of the jury members.

“The words ‘innovation’ and ‘inventor’ carry positive connotations, but in Hungary, the word ‘entrepreneur’ often does not. I am delighted that we encountered so many brave and talented entrepreneurs at the competition and awards ceremony. As the largest regional chamber in the country, our aim is to provide meaningful and effective support to our thousands of voluntary members and the 300,000 registered businesses in Budapest. Budapest is full of talented entrepreneurs who demonstrate their creativity and perseverance every day. I believe that with the right support and, most importantly, partnerships, we can help them reach the next level. I congratulate all the participants and wish for Hungarian innovations to continue gaining worldwide recognition,” said Dr. Ádám Balog, Vice President of BKIK.

The winners – Hungarian innovations for a healthier Europe

The jury awarded 9 companies 1st prize in 6 categories.

  • Healthcare Software: Fitpuli Ltd. and Kreativo Ltd. for the Fitpuli Surgery mobile application, aiding in elective surgery preparation and rehabilitation.
  • Medical Device: Krisztina Katalin Puskás and her team for GraphoPen, a tool for stroke patient rehabilitation through neural stimulation and measurement.
  • Healthcare Service Innovation: Pálvölgyi-Digital Ltd. for developing needle-free treatment centres for painless, safe, and environmentally friendly drug administration.
  • Environmental Sustainability: LenoPack Ltd. for a recycling project to reduce plastic use in healthcare institutions.
  • Healthy Food: Hello Good Food Ltd. for developing allergen-free, low-carbohydrate, high-fibre pizza and bread.
  • Facilities Management Solutions for Healthcare Institutions (joint 1st place for three teams):
    • GWR NANO Ltd. for the durable, energy-efficient and fast-applying nanoceramic thermal insulation material of the same name,
    • OrthoGraph Ltd. for its RFID-based solution for hospital cleanliness monitoring and management of hospital beds through 3D building information services,
    • and NanoCleanWorld for developing two cost-effective and environmentally friendly (hydrogel and GB Universal) water purification technologies.

In addition to the winners in each category and special prizes, certificates of completion of the Syreon Research Institute eHTA training were awarded at the ceremony. Early Health Technology Assessment (EHTA) is a methodology for assessing early-stage health technologies.

A lifetime achievement award was presented to Prof. Dr. Károly Bretz, a 93-year-old honoris causa professor of kinesiology at the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, who continues to innovate with numerous patents during his career and is still active today (his project for the instrumental examination and rehabilitation of patients with osteoporosis won 2nd place in the medical device category).

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FIABCI: Hungarian real estate developments among world’s best – PHOTOS

MOL tower skyscraper Budapest fiabci

Three Hungarian real estate development projects won three gold and a silver medal in the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence 2024 competition, Regő Lánszki, a state secretary at the construction and transport ministry, told a press conference on Wednesday.

FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence 2024

MOL tower skyscraper Budapest
Photo: facebook.com/mol.magyarorszag

Budapest’s Mol skyscraper headquarters garnered two golds, in the office and sustainable development categories, while the city’s new Museum of Ethnography received the gold in the public infrastructure category. The House of Hungarian Music received the silver medal in the same category.

Magyar Zene Háza House of Hungarian Music
The House of Hungarian Music. Photo: facebook.com/magyarzenehaza/

The prizes were handed over at a ceremony in Singapore on May 30.

László Gönczi, deputy head of the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence committee and head of the organisation’s Hungarian chapter, said that with regard to Hungary’s recent success, FIABCI had decided to hold its September board meeting and conference in Budapest.

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PHOTOS: Matild Palace in Budapest excels at this year’s Dining Guide Restaurant of the Year Awards Gala

The Duchess_ VIP Terrace_2_Matild Palace (1)

The Dining Guide TOP 100 Restaurant Guide has once again awarded the best hospitality establishments, luxury hotels, and professionals at national level, recognizing those who are the heart and soul of the hospitality industry.

Matild Palace excels again

The Duchess_ VIP Terrace_2_Matild Palace (1)
Photo: Matild Palace

Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest, triumphed in several categories this year, in addition to its restaurant, Spago Budapest making the TOP 10 list this year again. The hotel was named the Best Luxury Hotel in Hungary, as it was last year, and Spago Budapest was officially recognized as the Best Sunday Brunch venue in the city. Additionally, the restaurant’s head sommelier, Imre Rácz, was honored as Sommelier of the Year for his expertise and passion for wine.

The Matild Palace – a UNESCO World Heritage site and neo-Baroque landmark – underwent years of restoration before opening its doors three years ago. Since then, the luxury hotel has received numerous international awards for architecture, interior design, and sustainability, as well as high service standards and sleep-friendliness. Its restaurant, Spago Budapest received a Michelin recommendation within six weeks of opening and has maintained it ever since.

Last year, Imre Rácz, head sommelier of Spago Budapest won the Sommelier of the Year Award in the Michelin Guide Hungary 2023. In addition to these international accolades, the hotel has now received domestic recognition, winning the Luxury Hotel of the Year award for the second consecutive year, and Spago Budapest is once again among Hungary’s top 10 restaurants.

“In this sector, we constantly face new challenges and strive to meet the high standards we set for ourselves each year. It is a great honor for us, and I am particularly pleased that the Dining Guide TOP 100 Restaurant Guide has recognized multiple aspects of our work this year. I am proud of my colleagues for their professionalism and dedication across all units of the hotel,” said Selim Ölmez, General Manager of the hotel, on the occasion of the awards.

Maintaining quality year after year requires immense hard work. Many new hotels have opened in Budapest recently, drawing attention to the capital. We are proud to succeed in this developing city and wish the same for other hotels.”

The Country’s Best Sunday Brunch and Sommelier at Spago Budapest

The ground floor of the hotel is home to Austrian chef legend Wolfgang Puck’s gastronomic concept: the Spago Budapest restaurant. Chef Puck, known for being the gastronomic master of the Oscars for three decades, presents classic dishes from national cuisines with an exciting twist.

The kitchen is led by István Szántó, an executive chef with a solid professional background trained in Michelin-starred restaurants. As part of the Spago concept, the menu always includes typical local dishes, resulting in iconic creations like Goulash Soup adapted by István Szántó, the 2022 Oscars favorite Braised Beef Cheek ‘Vadas style,’ and Somlói Galuska in ”Nutshells.”

Wolfgang Puck’s signature dishes, such as Smoked Salmon Pizza, Wiener Schnitzel, Steamed Scottish Salmon ‘Hong Kong’ style, and Wolfgang’s Favorite Kaiserschmarrn, are also featured. Last year, the restaurant’s eclectic gastronomic offerings were enhanced with a high-quality sushi selection. Since the end of March, Spago Budapest offers a Sunday Brunch from noon to 3 pm, providing a unique experience with its spectacular show kitchen, variety, and quality. Imre Rácz, Sommelier of the Year, curates the wine list with a passionate dedication and outstanding knowledge of exclusive wines.

“In this profession, constant learning and openness are crucial. For me, the most qualified professionals in the world are my guides. This award is a great honor, showing that I am on the right track and that my hard work and learning are paying off. It’s a pleasure to help my guests have a lasting experience, gain their trust, show them something new, and make them return with a smile,” said Imre Rácz.

No one needs to think twice if they are looking for a unique gastronomic experience in the city center that can satisfy all their needs.

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Budapest’s “skyscraper” awarded the world’s best office building!

MOL Campus skyscraper Budapest best office building

An international real estate federation chose Budapest’s MOL Campus the world’s best office building. Congratulations!

FIABCI (the International Real Estate Federation) World Prix d’Excellence Awards recognizes the projects that best embody excellence in all real estate disciplines involved in their creation. It illustrates concretely the FIABCI ideal of ‘providing society with the optimal solution to its property needs,’ they write on their official website.

“Awarded by an International Panel of Judges comprising top real estate professionals and experts to reward on its overall merits and not just aesthetics, functionality or size only. It, therefore, represents an outstanding achievement and bestows upon the Winners the right to use the coveted exclusive World Prix d’Excellence Awards’ logo”, FIABCI added.

MOL Campus, Budapest’s “skyscraper” the world’s best office building

MOL Campus is one of the winners of the award with two other Hungarian buildings in Budapest, the Bosch Budapest Innovation Campus and the Museum of Ethnography. We wrote about the latter in THIS article.

MOL Campus
Photo: www.facebook.com/molcampus/

MOL’s Budapest “skyscraper” with its 143 metres is currently the tallest building in Hungary, providing a modern and sustainable workplace for more than 2,500 employees of Central Europe’s largest gas and oil giant. MOL Campus won gold in the Office Building Category and sustainability and bronze in total.

MOL Campus at night
Photo: FB/MOL Campus

According to realista.ingatlan.com, the new headquarters was inaugurated in December 2022, but the company kept its cost secret. The designers were the London-based Foster + Partners and their Hungarian partner, Finta és Társai Építész Stúdió.

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Liget Budapest Project: Hungarian buildings among best in the world

liget budapest project museum of ethnography

The Museum of Ethnography and the House of Music Hungary, both part of the Liget Budapest Project, received highly prestigious awards at the FIABCI International Awards Ceremony. These two buildings in Budapest are now considered among the most outstanding in the world.

At the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence (International Real Estate Development Excellence Awards) Gala on 30 May, the Museum of Ethnography was awarded a gold medal, with the House of Music Hungary also being honoured. This recent accolade firmly places the two buildings in the Liget Budapest Project among the world’s best, making them the most internationally awarded buildings in Hungary, Turizmus Online writes.

City Park buildings win the “Oscars of Architecture”

The International Real Estate Association (FIABCI), founded in 1951 and active in more than 60 countries, organises the World Prix d’Excellence awards ceremony to recognise the most successful property developments each year. It is considered the most prestigious real estate development competition in the world, as highlighted by Turizmus Online.

The jury of international experts evaluated sustainability, aesthetics, and visitor experience, finding both the Museum of Ethnography and the House of Music Hungary to be excellent on a global scale.

“It is a great honour that wherever in the world we present the Museum of Ethnography and the House of Music Hungary, their design is recognised.”

– said Benedek Gyorgyevics, CEO of Városliget Plc., the company responsible for the implementation of the Liget Budapest Project. He added that besides the prestigious awards, the number of visitors has also demonstrated the success of both projects. “All Hungarians can be proud of this.”

“All Hungarians can be proud of this.”

“In addition to the prestigious awards equivalent to the Oscars and Nobel Prizes in architecture, the fact that the Museum of Ethnography’s building represented Hungary in the Hungarian pavilion at one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events, the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, is also a testament to the quality of the Museum of Ethnography’s building.”

liget budapest project museum of ethnography
The Hungarian Museum of Ethnography.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Liget Budapest Project has given a new spark to Hungary’s cultural image

Gyorgyevics highlighted how, “In the first ten years of the Liget Budapest Project, our centuries-old cultural institutions have been renewed, and alongside them, some of the world’s most exciting contemporary buildings have been constructed. Thanks to these developments, Hungary’s tourist attractiveness has increased significantly, and the new contemporary Liget buildings have become internationally renowned landmarks.”

In 2016, an international call for tenders for the design of the Museum of Ethnography was issued, attracting submissions from several world-famous architects. The winning design was by Hungarian architect Marcel Ferencz.

museum of ethnography
The Museum of Ethnography.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

“The fact that a Hungarian design came out on top in an extremely strong, elite field of design firms from all over the world is one of the greatest, world-renowned successes of contemporary Hungarian architecture. […] The completion of the building is one of the most important achievements of multifaceted Hungarian innovation,”

– Gyorgyevics emphasised.

Numerous prestigious international awards

This is not the first time the Museum of Ethnography and the House of Music Hungary have received international recognition. In 2017, the Liget Budapest Project was named the Best Futura Mega Project in Europe at MIPIM, the world’s most important real estate event in Cannes.

The Museum of Ethnography was voted the world’s best public building based on its design at the 2018 International Property Awards in London and also received the Best Architecture prize. In 2022, it won the top prize in the cultural category of the prestigious Swiss Built Design Awards and first place in the cultural category of the Chinese Idea-Tops Awards, while the German Design Awards declared it “Excellent Architecture.”

Magyar Zene Háza House of Hungarian Music
House of Hungarian Music
Photo: facebook.com/magyarzenehaza/

The Hungarian House of Music, another iconic building of the Liget Budapest Project, won “Best International Public Building” at the International Property Awards (IPA) in 2019 and was voted the world’s best music-themed real estate development at the Music Cities Awards in 2021. It received Architecture MasterPrize’s Architectural Design of the Year, was included in Architectural Digest Magazine’s 2023 list of the most influential international attractions, and Time Magazine included it, along with the Ethnographic Museum, in its list of the World’s Greatest Places.

“This recognition by FIABCI confirms that Budapest’s premier family theme park, including the stunning House of Music Hungary and the Museum of Ethnography, has its place among the world’s top tourist destinations.” – said Gyorgyevics.

Magyar Zene Háza House of Hungarian Music
House of Hungarian Music
Photo: facebook.com/magyarzenehaza/

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Unbelievable flavours at Hungarian Gelato Competition 2024: here is the ice cream of the year! – PHOTOS

The annual Hungarian Gelato Competition took place once again this year, with pastry chef Nándor Bergmann winning the top prize for his innovative dessert, Pumpkin Seed Sorbet with Red Berries. Awards were given across five different categories in this popular contest.

The competition’s aim

hungarian gelato competition2024 (1)
Photo: Facebook/Magyar Cukrász Ipartestület

According to the press release from the Hungarian Confectioners’ Guild, the 2024 competition aimed to promote traditional, high-quality artisanal gelato. The goal is to encourage Hungarian confectioners to offer superior gelato to their customers, fostering a demand for healthy and high-quality handcrafted products.

As Index writes, this year’s event had a festival atmosphere, held as part of a citywide celebration where participants created their entries in front of an audience. This setup allowed consumers to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate process of gelato-making.

The competition was held in a fully equipped gelato laboratory, utilising three professional freezers, and ran from morning until early afternoon. Following the competition, a series of entertaining and educational presentations related to gelato took place, alongside a professional exhibition that added further variety to the program.

Record number of gelato entries

ice cream of the year 2024 tökmagos sorbet pirosbogyós gyümölcsökkel gelato
Ice Cream of the Year: Pumpkin seed sorbet with red berries by Nándor Bergmann. Photo: Facebook/Magyar Cukrász Ipartestület

In honour of the host city Kecskemét, a new category was introduced: the “Apricot Gelato” category. This aimed to promote the “Kecskemét Hungarian Apricot” and the nationally significant “Kecskemét Apricot Brandy”, both noted in the Hungarian Heritage Repository.

This year saw a record number of entries, with 90 gelatos competing across five categories. Along with award-winning Hungarian gelatos from previous years, a total of 130 varieties were available for tasting throughout the day-long event.

The gelatos were judged by a panel of expert pastry chefs, a public jury, and representatives from professional organizations. The creativity of the contestants was once again boundless. In addition to the intriguingly flavoured apricot gelatos, a wide array of Hungarian and exotic fruits were used, often paired with nuts and herbs.

Pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pecans were popular choices among the nuts. Herbs and spices such as rosemary, bay leaf, juniper berry, pink peppercorn, timut pepper, Sichuan pepper, and even fig leaf made appearances in the inventive flavour combinations.

Prizes, categories and winners

hungarian gelato competition 2024 (1)
Photo: Facebook/Magyar Cukrász Ipartestület

Prizes were awarded in a total of five categories, and four special prizes were also awarded.

“A” category: competition for confectioners, artisan ice cream makers

  • Gold medalist and winner of the Gelato of the Year trophy: Tökmag sorbet pirosbogyós gyümölcsökkel (Pumpkin seed sorbet with red berries) (Nándor Bergmann: The Little Bergmann Confectionery, Balatonfüred)

“M” – ‘Free’ category: ice cream with no added sugar, gluten, lactose or milk proteins

  • Gold medalist: Sárgabarack lime maracuja (Apricot lime maracuja) (Éva Heléna Marsa: Vanília & Gelarto, Nagykőrös)

Apricot category

  • Gold medalist: Mámoros marillen (Intoxicated marillen) (Sándor Márton: Bagaméri Fagylaltozó, Balatonfüred)

“C” category: competition for raw material producers, distributors

  • Gold medalist: Mézes madzag (Honey trap) (László Nagy: Békás Ltd., Budapest)

Special prizes

  • Audience award: Kecskeméti sárgabarackos gombóc dióbundában (Kecskemét apricot dumplings in walnut coating) (Norbert Szabados: König-Units Ltd., Üllő)

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Huge honour: Yale University confers honorary degree on Hungarian computer scientist

lászló lovász yale

Yale University has conferred an honorary degree on mathematician and computer scientist László Lovász, a full member and former president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) in recognition of his pathbreaking contributions in combinatorics, MTA said on Wednesday.

lászló lovász yale
László Lovász Hungarian mathematician and computer scientist in 2022. Photo: MTI/Czimbal Gyula

Nine individuals received honorary degrees from Yale this year, in a tradition that goes back to 1702, the statement added.

Yale said in its laudation that Lovász was a “brilliant mathematician and theoretical computer scientist” whose “pathbreaking contributions in combinatorics, a branch of pure mathematics, have led to real-life applications in computer science, engineering and technology, statistics, and science that serve and advance humankind”. It added that over time Lovász had received nearly every award a mathematician can earn, including the Abel Prize, the highest award in mathematics.

“We are honored that you have agreed to receive one more, from the university where you taught and conducted research for over a half decade, and which itself is honored to present you with the degree of Doctor of Engineering and Technology,” the university said.

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Two prestigious Hungarian universities featured on the Young University Rankings 2024 list

Hungarian university among the world's best Hungarian universities

From time to time, Hungarian universities get featured on prestigious lists ranking higher education facilities. This time, two universities were included in the Times Higher Education ranking of universities under 50.

Two Hungarian universities among the best

As Eduline writes, in the recent Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024, the University of Óbuda secured a position between 301st and 350th, while Széchenyi István University, situated in Győr, landed in the 501st to 600th range. These rankings, initiated in 2012, spotlight appealing universities established within the last five decades.

The assessment encompasses five key domains: teaching, research, research impact, international outlook, and industry knowledge transfer. An array of 18 distinct metrics, including aspects like academic reputation, staff-to-student ratio, and global collaboration, are factored in to gauge each institution’s standing.

Hungarian university among the world's best
Photo: facebook.com/ObudaiEgyetem

A glimpse into the past

In 2023, a mere 605 universities received rankings, but this year’s tally has surged to 673, with an additional 499 labelled as “reporters,” signifying they have supplied data but have not yet met ranking prerequisites. Both of the two Hungarian universities received a higher ranking this year.

The University of Óbuda, established in 2010, has notably enhanced its standing from the 351-400 range in 2022 to the 301-350 bracket this year. Similarly, SZIE, previously labelled a “reporter,” has ascended to the 501-600 category. For now, the Neumann János University of Kecskemét and the University of Sopron remain in reporter status.

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