6 exciting DIY work-rooms in Budapest
Budapest is an exciting city, and it has a lot to offer. If you have already finished with the usual programmes such as sightseeing, try something exciting. Femcafe.hu collected 6 exciting Do It Yourself (DIY) workshops where you can unleash your creativity.
Flow’&More
Springtime is here, and nature is waking up. It means that this is the perfect time for getting busy and decorating the house. Flow’&More helps with a lovely project: a handmade wreath. By applying to their workshops, participants can create their own, unique wreath. Furthermore, they can use it to decorate their homes or also to give it as a present. Flow’&More offers you a happy and friendly atmosphere. You can come alone or with relatives and family members. Additionally, there is an option for team building activities as well. Finally, Flow’&More can help you with creating the perfect decoration for your wedding or other events.
Apacuka Ceramics
Are you searching for ceramics that have a special function or unique value? Are you tired of the same boring patterns? Apacuka Ceramics helps you create your own design. At their workshops, you can shape your own plates or mugs with 180 different samples. Workshops take place in a family work-room in the suburbs of Budapest, and all the necessary equipment is available.
Desszert.neked (Dessert for you)
If you have ever been to Budapest’s city centre and you also like sweets, you must have heard about Desszert.Neked. It bakes unbelievably delicious cakes, muffins, macarons and more but on the other hand, it also organises creative baking workshops. Here, anyone can get familiar with French style baking and bring some sweets home after the occasion. The workshops could be wonderful birthday gifts as well as perfect rendezvous options.
Napműhely (Sun work-room)
At this place, you have the opportunity to let your creativity free. Napműhely offers a wide range of workshops such as creating copper jewellery or painting silk. Participants can make a fantastic collection of earrings, a necklace, and bracelets at the copper jewellery workshop. They can use samples but work with their own ideas as well.
Mittersisters
Does it bother you, when you come across with somebody on the street who is wearing your new purse? Would you like to have unique accessories? Mittersisters is for you then. You can design your own, high-quality products at their work-room following to your own taste and ideas. This way, you can add stylish pieces to your collection and also express yourself.
Paint Cocktail
This company transforms popular bars into busy work-rooms where you can paint for your own joy with the help of a professional instructor. While working on your masterpiece, you can also have a drink with your friends. Do you think that you cannot paint? Then, Paint Cocktail is definitely for you. Give a try, and you will be surprised. What is more, you will be richer with an unforgettable memory.
Featured image: www.facebook.com/Desszert.Neked
A reborn Phoenix is the winner of the Flower Carnival of Debrecen
Hirado.hu reports that the Soaring Debrecen fantasy-named flower carriage won the 48. Flower Carnival of Debrecen, based on the audience votes. The flower creation of ThermoDam (a Debrecen based company manufacturing thermal insulation systems) illustrates a Phoenix as it is reborn from fire. The winners were announced on Sunday evening at the Nagyerdei Stadion during the Karneváléj (Carnival Night) gala programme.
The Carnival jury consisting of the guests of honour named the stilt artists of Stelzen Art from Bremen to be the best in the Artistic Groups category. In their assessment, the jury praised the German group’s tasteful costumes, creative thinking, artistic humbleness, and how easily they managed to establish a connection with the audience.
The winners were awarded unique porcelain goblets, which are worth 1,6 thousand euros. The goblets were manufactured by the Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt. and were handed over to the winners by Zoltán Balog (the minister of human resources), László Papp (the mayor of Debrecen) and by Attila Simon (the chief executive of Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt.). Hirado.hu reports that so many people were interested in the winners that the Nagyerdei Stadion was absolutely full during the gala.
Zoltán Balog emphasized in his speech how well Debrecen is preserving its traditions: “the city does not abandon its history, culture, the flower carnival, but takes good care of them, as well as of its university, college, religious communities, schools, and the citizens. The city keeps on strengthening the community spirit”. The minister asked the locals to carry these traditions and customs on, as this is not only beneficial for Debrecen, but for the whole nation.
László Papp talked about how the events of the carnival week and the closing day prove that the citizens of Debrecen and everyone who visits the city are profoundly proud of Hungary’s history and of the thousand-year-old traditions. He further expressed his opinion that there is no other city in the Carpathian Basin that would give so much importance to the celebrations of the state founding and of Saint Steven as Debrecen does.
The mayor of Debrecen thanked those who’ve worked hard on making this carnival the grand success that it was. After the gratulatory speeches and the announcement of results, the biggest Hungarian stars gave concerts, accompanied by 2000 Hungarian and foreign dancers. There were about 20 thousand spectators at the stadium.
The 48th Flower Carnival of Debrecen ended with celebratory fireworks at Egyetem Square and with a night-long street celebration.
photos: MTI
An urban oasis in Budapest City Center
Füvészkert (“Herbologist Garden”) was founded for medical students centuries ago, and it was made famous in Ferenc Molnár’s novel The Paul Street Boys. Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu has recently published some interesting facts about this green “island”.
Exploring this “jungle” of various plants and herbs provides an exciting and unique program even in the harshest summer heat. The shady walkways, the quiet stream, and the small pond create an atmosphere of tranquility. The blooming gardens of colorful flowers make visitors forget that they are in fact in the middle of a crowded and noisy capital city.
This place is even more atmospheric for those who have read The Paul Street Boys, as they can imagine clearly the scene in which Boka, Nemecsek and Csónakos spy after their enemies, the Redshirts. We can almost see as they sneak from one palm tree to another.
Füvészkert is the first botanical garden in Hungary. It is currently operating as a unit of Eötvös Lóránd University in Józsefváros. The overall territory of the greenhouses exceeds 2,000 square meters.
This garden has a history full of adventure, indeed. It was founded in 1771 in Nagyszombat in order to support the education of medical students. It was moved to Buda 1777 along with the university itself. After multiple relocations within the city, it has been moved to its current place in 2847.
It was made famous by the novel of Ferenc Molnár, as the protagonists of The Paul Street Boys had some adventures there. The name “Füvészkert” was taken to honor the novel.
The botanical garden’s territory had been decreased. Maps from that time show that Füvészkert lied between today’s Klinikák (Clinics) metro station and the Szigony Street-Üllői Street-Korányi Sándor Street-Illés Street-Tömő Street line.
The greenhouse described in The Paul Street Boys was somewhere near Tömő Street. The pond in which Nemecsek ended up hiding was probably in the place of today’s clinical building near the Museum of Natural Sciences.
The garden is a protected area since 1960. It has received the Hungarian Heritage Award in 2005.
Multiple sights can be found in Füvészkert. Maidenhair trees older than 150 years, cacti, ferns and orchids, and almost 8,000 plant species can be visited in the garden.
There is also the Victoria House, which was built exclusively for the giant water lilies from the Amazonas. Unfortunately, this section is closed right now as some visitors damaged the plants there.
Species from several climates ranging from Australia to the Mediterranean can be found there. In Füvészkert, these plants are protected, tended, propagated and studied. The garden does not lack herbs and spices, annuals, garden plots and rock garden species either. Füvészkert has a unique collection of citruses, palms, tropical flowers and flycatchers.
Naturally, birds also love this environment, so birdwatching sessions are held there regularly. Those who are interested in insects can also find their luck in the garden, as sometimes special species are attracted with light traps for examination.
The library of Füvészkert is special, as well as its herbarium with 30,000 specimens and the 20,000 different types of seeds and yields.
Multiple programs are organized in the garden regularly. In spring, Füvészkert celebrates the traditional Japanese Sakura in connection to cherry blossoming. In autumn, Ginko Days provide an insight into Chinese culture.
After visiting Füvészkert, we recommend you to visit the Museum of Natural Sciences, which is the greatest collection in Hungary concerning mineralogy, petrography, geology, paleontology, herbology, zoology and anthropology.
And finally, taking a calm walk in Orczy Garden is the best way to finish a day full of experiences connected to nature.
Photos: Facebook.com/Elte-Füvészkert
ce: ZsK
Where Hungary’s most beautiful flowers grow – Photo Gallery
The National Botanical Garden is a monument and a natural reserve, and the pride of Vácrátót. According to femina.hu, it has been the home of the beautiful treasures of nature for 180 years.
The botanical garden is under both monumental and natural protection, because it doesn’t only have precious flora and fauna, but also historic old buildings.
The arboretum’s first base, a landscape-garden was built in 1827. Small ponds and crooked paths characterised the 27 hectare area from the beginning. Later, under the direction of a head gardener, the area was turned into a sentimental landscape garden with water falls, water mills and rock tunnels that can still be seen today.
From the end of the 19th century, it slowly became a dendrologic garden full of unique plant species. However, most of the castle and the garden perished in the world wars, during which soldiers camped in bunkers and tents in the invaluable garden.
The restoration started in 1952 with huge plant reproduction and the creation of four collection units. Today, the garden that is constantly renewed with modern solutions functions as a research centre, a collection and a visitors’ centre at the same time. During the long educational walks you get to see the beauties of nature and learn about the wonders of the flora.
The following photo gallery features some of the sights of Hungary’s richest arboretum.
Photos and featured image: www.facebook.com/NemzetiBotanikusKert,Vácrátót
Ce: bm
Hungarian fluorescent flower receives international award
FlAVATAR was a great success outside Hungary as well!
This spring, Richárd Kun’s glimmering flowers gained immense success in one of the largest and most acclaimed international competitions A Design Award, according to Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu. ViaFlora Group’s project manager Richárd Kun’s fluorescent flowers are available in Hungary as well under the name flAVATAR. The licensed Hungarian specialty received bronze award in the category of the world’s best lighting design products.
For the international design competition A’ Design Award & Competition, which was established in 2010, multiple thousands of entries have arrived from all corners of the world. After the professional evaluations, the jury consisting of scholars, experts from different industries and influential journalists have chosen the best candidates in each category.
At the end of this process, flAVATAR received the bronze award among Lighting Design projects. This means that the shining flowers designed by Hungarians is one of the best products with lighting design concept in the world.
“There are very few innovations in the Hungarian and international flower market. It is mostly due to the limited development opportunities of the branch. A flower like flAVATAR might prevail on the market if it receives awards and prizes.
The A’ Design Award is a huge appreciation for us with which we can provide example for the florists’ world, as we considered nature’s laws at a maximum rate during the development of flAVATAR and created such a special flower that enriches our environment,” Richárd Kun highlighted after getting the award.
The expert added that he hopes that A’ Design Award helps viaFlora Group to distribute the fluorescent flowers in a wider market. FlAVATAR is currently available in several European countries and some places outside the EU.
Get more informations on http://flavatar.hu/en/
Photo: facebook.com/flavatar.hu
Ce: bm
Arboretum to burst into flower in Hungary
It is March, and spring is coming. What else could prove it better than the forerunners of spring? A beautiful arboretum near Alcsútdoboz in Fejér County was “flooded” by nice snowdrops; the whole territory seems as if it had been covered with white, soft and fluffy carpet, Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu says.
The largest and most beautiful snowdrop field has blossomed since the beginning of March, Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu informs. Although, due to the long winter, they are out much later than in the previous years, visitors can now admire the beautiful snowdrop field before they fade when summer sets in, and they give place for summer flowers.
The first snowdrops were planted in the late 1800s by the gardeners of the contemporary palatine land. Later, more and more species enriched the garden having a territory of almost five acres today. Currently, seven species, altogether twenty-four types of snowdrops can be seen in the arboretum, including common snowdrop, Crimean snowdrop, Levantean snowdrop and Giant snowdrop.
Did you know that common snowdrop contains an alkaloid called galanthamine, which has been approved for use in the management of Alzheimer’s disease? According to The Wild Pharma.wordpress.com, Galanthamine is also used in the treatment of traumatic injuries. The flowers also work as an emmenagogue: it stimulates or increases menstrual flow and so can induce an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. Snowdrop lectin is being studied with regard to its potential use against HIV.
WARNING: The flower itself is poisonous. Despite its medicinal use, prevent children from consuming it.
Photos: Szilvia Fazekas, MTI
ce: bm
New accessible pathway in the Jeli Arboretum famous for its rhododendrons
The second section of the new accessible path of the Jeli Arboretum was inaugurated last Thursday in Vas County, close to the village of Kám. Travelo.hu writes that the workers of forestry involved the representatives of the blinds in the process, so the place turned out exactly how they imagined it.
The first section of the pathway was inaugurated in May, 2014. 25 braille boards inform visually impaired people about the plants along the 800 metre long accessible walk. A special walk leads from the accessible parking lot to the cash desks, the lavatory and the main entrance. The audio guide system also helps them.
The new section consists of a 660 metre long path with 13 new boards and a huge welcoming board. The new boards don’t only have the texts in Hungarian and braille, but also in German. This new section is connected to the old one in three points, but, all in all, it leads to less known parts of the arboretum. If you get tired you can rest in the renovated preservatory house or on the comfortable benches.
The accessible pathway leads visitors to the part of the arboretum richest in species, which presents the heritage of Count István Ambrózy-Migazzi, the founder of the arboretum.
The famous rhododendrons blossom from the beginning of May until the end of June on the 107 hectare Jeli Arboretum. It is the most beautiful and most spectacular period, which attracts thousands of visitors. However, professionals suggest visiting the arboretum in other times as well, since hundreds of pines and deciduous trees can be found there; different species were brought there from the Caucasus, Balkan, USA – from all around the world.
Photos: www.jelivarazskert.hu, MTI
Copy editor: bm
Europe’s best florist is Hungarian
Tamás Mezőffy won the two-day (April 8-9) floral design competition in Genova, where the best artists competed and showed their skills, writes szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu. The contestants had to “complete a variety of challenging tasks over the course of six rounds”.
The tasks included decorating a Fiat, to resemble the characteristics of the city of San Remo, and creating a ‘50s-‘60s wedding decoration for a bride on a Vespa. Furthermore, using 60 roses, the contestants had to create something that “reflect[s] the emotions of an enthralling Italian man” and, as it is spring now, in honour of pesto they made a composition representing a picnic.
Also, there was a task where they had to combine haute-couture men’s fashion and flowers. The last round was a surprise: each of the artists were given a box full of plants and flowers, and had to create something, using the 2/3 of the materials. The competitors were given scores by the accredited floral design judges. The one with the highest score – Tamás Mezőffy – won.
The European Florist Championship is the most significant competition organised by the International Florist Organisation in every 4-5 years. 23 talented people of the Organisation took part in the Championship, of whom the Hungarian Mezőffy was chosen as the best. He had previously participated in the competition in 2011, but then, in Havirov, he was ranked fifth.
Photos: facebook.com/Florint.org
Copy editor: bm
On this weekend: Orchid exhibition in the Vajdahunyad Castle
The Hungarian Orchid Society brings its most beautiful orchids to the Vajdahunyad Castle between the 6th and 8th of November. Their aim is to introduce visitors to these special inhabitants of rain forests.
Programturizmus.hu writes that the Society arranges exhibitions and fairs two times a year – in the spring and autumn, for both events they invite exhibitors and sellers from abroad as well. This autumn, a very rare and mysterious orchid species will be in the limelight, the Masdevallia. The Masdevilla orchids were the beauties of the fields surrounding the famous Inca region, Machu Pichu with their brilliant red flowers. The Incas paid court to their gods and decorated their temples with Masdevilla orchids.
While in the 18th-19th century masses of this special plant garnished the fields – their beauty couldn’t stay a secret – in the last centuries people started collecting them and they are now in a dramatic situation.
Just like the Inca Empire, the Masdevallia orchids vanished. Today, they can only be found in rain forests, their natural habitat. Due to eugenics and laboratory reproduction, collectors don’t have to disturb the South-American stock just to own one.
Our good news is that you don’t have to go to Peru to admire these amazing plants and have an extraordinary programme. Visit the orchid festival in the Vajdahunyad Castle. There’s also going to be a fair where visitors can get hold of majestic plants and ask for professional advice.
Translated by Alexandra Béni
The most flowery towns and villages
According to index.hu, Mosonmagyarovar and Dunkailiti received shared the first prize of the 22nd “For Floral Hungary” contest, the Ministry of National Economy wrote in its statement. These two settlements won the right to represent Hungary in the European Flowery Towns and Villages Contest in 2016.
An additional three categories were awarded: Zalaegerszeg finished first among the towns with more than 50 thousand people, Hercegkut won among the villages under 2 thousand people, while Kobanya finished first among the capitals’ districts. The special award went to Veszprem in town category and to Ujszilvas in village category.
based on the article of index.hu
translated by BA
Photo: szigetkozportal.hu
Balatongyörök is the most beautiful flowery village of Europe
Balatongyörök won gold and Siófok won silver medal and a special prize in the European Flowery Towns and Villages (Entente Florale Europe), travelo.hu wrote.
This year, the awards ceremony of the competition was held in Bristol, UK on September 18. Hungary was represented by Balatongyörök and Siófok, the winners of the 2014 For Hungary environment-beautifying competition.
According to the communication of the Hungarian Tourism Zrt., Balatongyorok won gold medal in village category, while Siofok won the silver medal in town category and the Jury President’s special prize for the most beautiful town square.
In addition to flowers, environment protection, ecology, environmentally conscious education, preservation of natural and cultural heritage, modern waste and energy management and landscape protection are also included in the competition’s requirements system. The jury members pay particular attention to the cleanliness of the settlement and the graffiti-freeness. The field is very strong, the participants are countries with a high environmental standard like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, but strong the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Ireland are also strong competitors, travelo.hu wrote.
The jury composed of the participating countries’ representatives visited Balatongyörök and Siófok between September 3 and 5.
In the European competition, the Hungarian settlements have received – including the most recent ones – 9 gold, 23 silver and 10 bronze medals, and a further 10 were rewarded with Europe Prize.
Entente Florale mobilizes nearly 50 million people a year and provides a link between 25 thousand settlements to create and protect a harmonic environment. In 1990, the prospect of accession was opened for the Eastern European countries as well, and Hungary used the option first.
translated by BA