Photo gallery

PHOTOS: Buda Castle hosts luxurious Indian wedding

Indian weddings are a real feast not only for the eyes but for all your senses with their colourful cascade of desi attires, unique customs and rituals and exquisite array of exotic dishes, not to mention the endless dancing and singing that goes on way-beyond wee hours. And all that fun is multiplied when it’s the son of one of the most influential Indian families who decides to tie the knot. We at Daily News Hungary had the honour to attend the first-ever Indian wedding held in Hungary and share exclusive photos of the ceremony.

Travelling with 500+ guests, plus flying in hundreds of staff, including top-tier chefs and celebrity make-up artists and stylists, is not out of the ordinary for a high-profile Indian wedding. The influential, Dubai-based Vachani family spared no expenses and left no stone unturned when it came to hospitality and guest experience. All elements, from the beautifully intricate decoration to the exquisite array of Indian and international dishes were detailed at micro level.

The Vachani family

The father of the groom, Mr Kamal Vachani is the group director and partner of the Al Maya Group, one of the leading retail chains in the UAE and the GCC countries. Apart from his keen business mind, Mr Vachani also boasts impressive skills on the dancefloor, which he demonstrated both at the ceremony and in an earlier YouTube video uploaded of the businessman. The only son of the Vachani dynasty, Lakshay Vachani and the bride Alia Mahtani, daughter of Ravi and Poonam Mahtani first crossed each other’s path at a Monaco wedding back in 2018. Lakshay asked Alia to be his girlfriend at the 2019 India vs Pakistan World Cup cricket match in Manchester. Alia’s response was “if India wins and it doesn’t rain, I will go out with you”. On that day, there was an 82% chance of the game being washed out. However, it all worked out and 5 years later the couple decided to enter the next chapter in their life together.

According to an insider with close ties to the family, the venue was picked by the couple randomly poking at the map, eyes covered. However, since both of them had visited Budapest previously, they were pleased with their pick. Besides, they aimed for a new European wedding venue, one that had been relatively unexplored so far. In 2022, the most popular Indian wedding venues in Europe included Paris as well as Lake Como and Amalfi Coast in Italy.

It is no wonder that Buda Castle is becoming a top wedding destination as it has recently made it to an international list of the most imposing castles in Europe, leaving behind such stunners as the Palace of Versailles in France.

Endless celebrations

indian wedding budapest — Sangeet ceremony at Kiosk Budapest. Photo: Badal Raja Company

The lavish, multiday celebrations kicked off on Monday with a welcome dinner at the exclusive fusion restaurant Kiosk, in downtown Budapest. It was followed by the Sangeet held at the Eiffel Art Studios, another important pre-wedding event leading up to the big day. The Sangeet consists of traditional dances performed by relatives and friends of the bride and groom, sharing toasts and anecdotes of the in-laws, all aiming at strengthening the bond between the two families.

The illustrious Buda Castle served as a picturesque venue for the cosmopolitan yet culturally rooted wedding reception on Wednesday. The ceremony began with the Baraat, the groom’s great entrance, as his entire family and friends led him to the wedding altar. With the vibrant crowd moving to energetic Punjabi hits and the surprise performances of famous international singer Ne-yo and Bollywood super star Sukhbir, the procession was a truly rousing spectacle. After walking down the aisle accentuated by an array of wedding sparklers both sides, the couple exchanged floral garlands that symbolised their wholehearted acceptance of each other. As seen in the photos below, the bride was turning heads with a stunning carmen gown with embroidery work done all over while the groom was sporting an elegant pink jacket and fitted trousers.

Indian wedding reception

Hindu weddings typically take place outdoors under a bridal canopy known as a Mandap, whose four pillars represent the four parents. As part of the lengthy function, the couple exchanged vows and walked around the sacred fire four times, with each turn representing the four major aims of human life: Dharma, morality; Artha, prosperity; Kama, personal gratification; and Moksha, spirituality. In the meantime, a series of prayers and verses were chanted by the priest and the close family while the live musicians were playing traditional bridal tunes. This part was followed by the most pivotal Hindu wedding rite the Saptabadi, or seven steps or circles that represent the seven principles and promises the couple makes to each other. While Lakshay and Alia were completing their rounds, family members were blessing them with rose petals and rice.

As the final part of the ceremony, the groom applied a red vermillion powder on the forehead of the bride and placed a dazzling jewellery piece with diamond pendants around her neck that signifies the groom’s devotion to his bride and the bride’s new status as a married woman. The reception ended with a spectacular firework show followed by a luxurious buffet-style dinner, where the guests enjoyed a wide range of delicacies from all around the world.

Our editorial team wishes the newlyweds the very best of luck, health and happiness in their married life ahead. Besides, we hope that Budapest and its countless wonders will continue to serve as breathtaking backdrops for many international weddings to come.

Below, you can check out exclusive photos of the wedding ceremony:

indian wedding budapest luxury weddings — Photo: Badal Raja Company

indian wedding — Photo: Badal Raja Company

June 30, 2023

Night of the Museums gets under way in Hungary

The 21st Night of the Museums programme involving some 2,700 programmes in 450 institutions nationwide started on Saturday afternoon and will run until the small hours on Sunday.

Veszprem, in central Hungary, is a focus point of the event as a European Capital of Culture, culture and innovation ministry parliamentary state secretary Eszter Vitályos told a press conference. The event’s motto is “We are on Trend”, and some 380 programmes explore whether there is such a thing as a lasting trend, and if so, which trends can be said to be lasting and which trends tend to pop up for shorter or longer periods.

Besides exhibitions, the Night of the Museums offers performances of music, dance and theatre, in addition to 480 programmes for children and 80 gastronomic events, Vitályos noted. Last year, the Night of the Museums registered some 330,000 visits, and that number is expected to grow, she added.

Here are some photos of the best moments of the 2022 event:

June 24, 2023

PHOTOS: Most beloved Hungarian dog breeds

Hungary is home to several kinds of dogs. From small to large, energetic to lazy, short-haired to fluffy, the palette is very colourful. While many of them differ in characteristics, they are all still adorable and lovable regardless. Here at Daily News Hungary, we have made a list of the most well-known domestic dog breeds, and what’s important to know about them.

Komondor

The komondor is a large, powerful and dignified breed of dog known for its unique corded coat. It is one of the oldest and most renowned Hungarian dog breeds.

Komondors are known for their loyalty, independence and protective nature. They are calm, confident,and highly devoted to their families. Due to their strong guarding instincts, they are excellent watchdogs and make formidable protectors

Komondors require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks, play sessions and opportunities to run in a secure area are essential to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.

The Komondor is generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of about 10 to 12 years.

Hungarian vizsla

The Hungarian vizsla is a versatile and athletic dog breed known for its hunting prowess, gentle nature and striking appearance.

They are affectionate, gentle and highly devoted to their families. They thrive on human companionship and have a friendly and outgoing nature.

Vizslas have a long history as hunting dogs in Hungary. They were originally bred to be versatile hunting companions capable of pointing, retrieving and tracking game. They have a keen sense of smell, excellent stamina and a natural instinct for locating and flushing out game birds.

Furthermore, they are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. They have a lot of energy to burn and thrive in homes where they have ample opportunities for physical activities such as jogging, running or playing fetch.

Vizslas are a healthy breed with a lifespan of around 10 to 14 years.

Hungarian Hound

The Hungarian Hound, also known as the Magyar Agár or Hungarian Greyhound, is a sighthound breed that originated in Hungary. They have exceptional speed, agility and keen hunting abilities.

Hungarian Hounds are known for their independent, intelligent, and determined nature. Furthermore, they are highly driven hunters with a strong prey drive. Providing them with ample opportunities for physical activities, such as regular off-leash running in a secure area or participating in dog sports like lure coursing or agility, is important to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.

Hungarian Hounds can form strong bonds with their families and are often loyal and affectionate. While they are primarily hunting dogs, they can adapt to family life and enjoy being part of the household.

They are generally a healthy breed with no known breed-specific major health issues.

Mudi

The Mudi is a versatile herding breed originating from Hungary. It is a medium-sized dog characterised by its intelligence, agility, and devotion to its family.

Mudis are known for their versatility and strong work ethic. They are alert, active and highly trainable. They form close bonds with their family and are devoted and protective. You can read more about the breed here.

Mudis were developed as herding dogs, primarily used for livestock management. They are not only skillful herders but also excel in various dog sports and activities, making them successful competitors in sports like agility, obedience and flyball.

While Mudis have a strong herding background, they can adapt well to family life when given appropriate mental and physical outlets. They are loyal and affectionate with their families and can get along well with children and other pets.

They benefit from activities that challenge their intelligence and physical abilities. Long walks, jogging, interactive play sessions and training exercises will help keep them physically fit and mentally engaged.

Mudis are generally a healthy breed without any breed-specific major health issues.

Source: Wikimedia Commons/Taru T Torpström

Puli

The Puli is a distinctive and ancient herding breed known for its unique corded coat and lively personality.

Pulis are intelligent, energetic and highly adaptable dogs. They have a lively and playful nature. Despite their small size, they have a strong herding drive and may try to herd children, other pets or even their owners.

Pulis were originally bred for herding and protecting livestock, particularly sheep. Their corded coat not only provides insulation but also protects them from bites during herding. They have excellent agility, speed and problem-solving abilities.

Pulis can make great family pets and form strong bonds with their owners. They are typically good with children and can get along well with other pets.

The corded coat of a Puli requires regular maintenance to keep it clean and healthy. The cords need to be separated regularly to prevent matting, and bathing and drying can be time-consuming due to the dense coat.

Pulis are generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years.

Source: Wikimedia Commons/Anita Ritenour

Do you know any other popular Hungarian dog breeds that we should have mentioned? What is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!

June 23, 2023

Stunning sight: Ghost hotel in Visegrád, Hungary – PHOTO GALLERY

Visegrád in the Central Hungarian region is famous among Hungarians and foreign tourists alike. The town’s castle, which consists of a lower castle and a citadel, is of great importance. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important residences of the Hungarian kings. Later, it was the site of the 1991 meeting of the Visegrád Group (V4). However, this article is about something that is a bit different: a ghost hotel in Visegrád.

The construction of the hotel started in 2006. However, the contractor left the site in autumn 2009, Sokszínű Vidék writes.

There are 230 rooms on 12 floors and a 32-metre high andesite rock in the lobby. The Visegrád hotel started life as a five-star hotel 17 years ago but has not been completed ever since.

The ghost hotel is still half-finished. Krisztián Borbély (Ambient Lights) recently took some breathtaking shots of the “haunted” building. The photos were made available to Daily News Hungary by the photographer: check them out below!

Photo gallery

Find Krisztián Borbély/Ambient Lights on Facebook HERE, and on Instagram HERE.

June 23, 2023

PHOTOS: Millenia-old charter with the oldest Hungarian text has been relocated

The Founding charter of the Tihany Abbey Hungary

The transfer of the ancient document was carried out with special care. The Pannonhalma Archabbey, where the Founding charter of the Abbey of Tihany was kept until now, hired a specialised security company for the procedure. You can have a look at the important relic in the Abbey of Tihany until 31 August.

According to Múlt-kor, the founding charter dates back to 1055 and contains the first written Hungarian words. It was kept in the Pannonhalma Archabbey for 500 years. The pages were written on parchment, so they need special protection. It is not only a symbol for the Benedictine monk community of Tihany but also for the entire Hungarian nation.

In a statement, the abbey expressed its commitment to present the history of the charter, the monastery, the abbey’s estates, its people and their colourful artwork to the wider public during the summer. Needless to say, the charter will serve as the centrepiece of the interactive exhibition, which is now open to visitors. The artefact was installed in a separate room, displayed in an artfully designed case, which is equipped with special lighting.

Charter with the oldest written Hungarian words

The document was written in Latin and contains 58 Hungarian words. A few examples are Fehérvár (Székesfehérvár mentioned as FEHERUUARU), hadiút (military road mentioned as HODU UTU) and vár (fort used as UARU). Do you want to learn some basic Hungarian? HERE you can master some useful words and phrases.

The charter was signed by King Andrew I (1046-1060). The co-signers were leaders bearing Slavic, Hungarian and German names. That makes the document a unique symbol of how different nations and cultures co-existed in Hungary a millennium ago. Interestingly, the king’s remains were found in the crypt of the Benedictine Abbey of Tihany.

The museum and archives of Tihany prepare with unique programmes in July and August to present the charter to the public. For more information, you can visit their official website. History buffs should not miss our earlier post written about a rare, 500-year-old Ottoman-era treasure found in Hungary. Click HERE to read the full story.

June 18, 2023

PHOTOS: Hungary gain creditable goalless draw in Montenegro

Both sides cancelled each other out in a competitive yet attritional ninety minutes in which any efforts on goal came mainly from long distance.

Montenegro 0-0 Hungary

Montenegro: Mijatovic – Vujacic, Savic, Tomasevic – Vesovic (M. Vukcevic, 72), Scekic (Raickovic, 61), Savicevic (Loncar, 82), Jankovic, A. Vukcevic – Krstovic (Osmajic, 72), Jovetic (Haksabanovic, 82).
Hungary: Dénes Dibusz – Ádám Lang, Willi Orbán, Attila Szalai – Bendegúz Bolla (Endre Botka, 88), Ádám Nagy, Callum Styles (Zsolt Kalmár, 72), Milos Kerkez – Dominik Szoboszlai, Martin Ádám (Barnabás Varga, 59), Roland Sallai (Kevin Csoboth, 58).

Here are some photos:

Foreign minister: Hungary strengthens Montenegro consular service for Euro 2024 qualifier

Hungary is strengthening its consular service in Montenegro for fans attending the Euro 2024 qualifier between the two countries on Saturday, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said. All 500 tickets set aside for Hungarian fans by Montenegro’s soccer federation have been sold, Szijjártó said on Facebook.

Because most fans are travelling to Montenegro by car, Hungary has strengthened its consular presence at the border crossings, the minister said. The Hungarian embassy in Montenegro and the foreign ministry are also sending staff members to the stadium for any Hungarian fans who may need help, he added.

June 18, 2023

ASTONISHING: Renewed Budapest Chain Bridge in decorative lighting – VIDEOS, PHOTOS

The new decorative lighting system of Budapest’s illustrious Chain Bridge was tested this Thursday successfully. Mayor Gergely Karácsony and Budapest’s transport company, BKK, shared videos about Hungary’s oldest stone overpass’ beauties.

The official testing of the decorative lighting of Budapest’s symbolic Chain Bridge took place on 15 June. Furthermore, 1.5 months before the deadline, experts started the technical handover of the Chain Bridge, iho.hu wrote. As a result, from August, pedestrians will be able to cross the bridge on the sidewalks.

During the Chain Bridge revamp project, not only the street lighting system of the overpass was renewed and modernised but also the decorative lighting. Thanks to that, both systems became energy efficient. For example, the 1,180 old luminaires were replaced with modern LED lights. Furthermore, the colour of the decorative lighting can be changed. For example, during the national holidays, it will shine in red-white-green.

The revamp project of the illustrious overpass began less than two years ago. On 15 June, the technical handover began weeks before the 3 August deadline. As a result, pedestrians may cross the bridge from August on the sidewalks. Until then, the bridge will remain a work zone, and you can cross the bridge only with the buses commuting between the Clark Ádám Square (Buda) and the Széchenyi István Square (Pest).

Meanwhile, Budapest residents will decide on the final traffic order of the Chain Bridge on an 18 June summit, the so-called Budapesti Lakógyűlés. Currently, buses, taxis, motorbikes, bikes, scooters and ambulances, police and firefighters can cross the bridge. Below, you may check out the two videos shared about the new lighting of the Chain Bridge:

June 17, 2023

She is the most beautiful in the country, here is the new Miss World Hungary – PHOTOS

On Sunday evening 11 June, the final of the Miss World Hungary beauty pageant took place. Boglárka Hacsi emerged as the winner, and thus she will represent Hungary in the international competition.

The competition returned in 2023 after a short, forced break. In mid-May, they introduced 20 contestants, but four of them were eliminated soon after. This left only 16 participants to advance to the final, writes Index.

Miss World Hungary

Miss World Hungary is a national beauty pageant held annually in Hungary to select the country’s representative for the prestigious Miss World competition. The pageant aims to showcase the beauty, talent, and intelligence of Hungarian women and provide them with an opportunity to make a positive impact on society.

The organisation responsible for organising Miss World Hungary is Magyarország Szépe Kft. The competition follows a rigorous selection process that begins with regional castings held throughout the country. Contestants from various cities and regions compete in these preliminary rounds to earn a spot in the national final.

The new winner

This year in the national final, the jury was made up of three personnel. It included the likes of Cecília Rogán and Kata Sarka, the directors of the competition, as well as Róbert Kárász, the creative director of Duna Media Services.

According to the rules of the beauty pageant, the contestant with the highest score wins the title of Miss World Hungary. Furthermore, she gains the opportunity to participate in the final of the international Miss World beauty pageant. The winner holds the title for one year and also becomes the face of the Pest County Research and Rescue Service (Pest Megyei Kutató-Mentő Szolgálat) as part of their charitable work.

In addition, this year they also announced the winner of the Audience Choice Award. This allowed viewers to vote for their favorite contestant via a premium phone number, even from abroad. Overall, sixteen ladies participated in the final. Eleven contestants fell out on Sunday evening, resulting in the final round with only five participants remaining. These were: Patrícia Koncz, Orsolya Szabó, Boglárka Hacsi, Zafír Bella Novák, and Lilla Csasztvan.

After that, they announced the winner of the audience vote, which was Zsanett Hegyi. The second runner-up was Zafír Bella Novák, and the first runner-up was Orsolya Szabó. This year, Boglárka Hacsi claimed the crown, thus she will represent Hungary at the international Miss World competition. The headpiece was presented to her by Lili Tótpeti, the winner of the 2022 Hungarian competition, who currently works as a weather presenter at ATV.

June 12, 2023

Budapest is the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Site

The British website Weloveholidays.com ranked the top 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites hinge on tourist evaluations. The rankings are based on the number of five-star ratings on TripAdvisor and the number of positive tweets shared in the past six months.

Each cultural site received a maximum score of 100 points based on these factors, with higher scores indicating higher rankings. The Hungarian capital is in itself an official World Heritage Site. Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue topped the popularity ranking with a whopping score of 53.8 points, writes Mandiner.

Runner-ups

The creators of the list counted over 124,000 positive tweets and 4,393 five-star ratings on TripAdvisor for the attractions.

Lübeck, a German city, claimed the second spot. The town received 1,355 five-star ratings on TripAdvisor. Moreover, with over 127,000 positive tweets, the Hanseatic city surpassed all other destinations on the list and scored a total of 51.5 points. The third place on the podium went to the Tower of London, with more than 45,000 five-star ratings on TripAdvisor and around 20,000 tweets.

The top ten also included notable sites such as Antoni Gaudí’s works in Catalonia, the Alhambra, Generalife, Albaicín in Granada, as well as the Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens in Vienna.

Outstanding beauties of Budapest

Let’s take a look at some of the most picturesque parts of the Hungarian capital city.

Buda Castle District

Fisherman's Bastion Budapest — Source: Unsplash/Emma Fabbri/[Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest]

Fishermans Bastion — Source: facebook.com/spiceofeurope/[Fisherman’s Bastion]

Source: https://www.facebook.com/matthiaschurchofficial/[Matthias Church]

Instagrammable Destination - Budapest or Prague — Buda Castle

Source: https://www.facebook.com/budavaripalotanegyed/[Buda Castle]

Parliament Building

Hungary Budapest Parliament Danube Buda Castle — Photo: Unsplash / Mihály Köles/[Parliament]

Budapest Parliament Hungary Danube — Photo: Unsplash / Liam Arning/ [Parliament]

Hungarian Parliament — Source: Unsplash/[Parliament]

budapest parliament pixabay — Source: Pixabay/[Parliament]

Andrássy Avenue and Heroes’ Square

Andrássy Avenue3 — Photo: https://www.facebook.com/terezvaros.hu/[Andrássy Avenue]

Source: https://www.facebook.com/spiceofeurope/[Andrássy Avenue]

Margaret Island

Margaret Island Margit-sziget 5 — Source: Országalbum / NIKZSIG / [Margaret Island]

June 5, 2023

Obsessed search for mystical Hungarian Medieval general’s grave – PHOTOS

Pál Kinizsi is one of the greatest Hungarian heroes of all time. He was a historic person one of the leaders of King Mathias’s (1458-1490) ‘black army’. However, nobody knows where he rests. Now, his body parts may be recovered. But first, scientists need to find his descendants. Thankfully, they discovered an option to do so and solve one of the greatest mysteries of Hungary’s medieval history.

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, even the late descendants of Pál Kinizsi’s former enemies take part in the project meaning Albanian and South Slavic volunteers are working on the excavations. Kinizsi (1432-1494) is one of the legendary Hungarian military leaders. Some tales say he danced around the fire with Ottoman soldiers between his teeth. Others praise his unbelievable physical strength and bravery in battle. His greatest victory against the invading Ottoman forces was near Kenyérmező in 1479. We wrote about a rare Ottoman era treasure discovery HERE.

Excavations in October 2022:

However, nobody knows where Kinizsi was buried. We know when he died and, according to his testament, he was laid to rest in the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit’s monastery in Vázsonykő. However, his tomb was sacked in 1708, his bones thrown out with the remnants of his widow and her second husband.

The remains of the monastery in February 2023:

Medieval hero lost

The Zichy family buried what remained in the graveyard of the local Szent István church. Therefore, Kinizsi’s remains are probably in the ground somewhere, but they are difficult to identify. Searches started last August with professional supervision and the help of enthusiastic amateurs. The group includes foreign volunteers from 16 countries whose task is to dig and clean.

Kinizsi remains — Photo: https://www.facebook.com/vazsonyko

We only know about Kinizsi that he was around 160 cm tall, the archaeologists told Blikk. That is not enough information to identify one’s remains. But there is something that might help them. Kinizsi’s younger sister was the grandmother of Gábor Bethlen, the well-known prince of Transylvania (1613-1629). And his descendants are still among us today. Those in search of Kinizsi’s earthly remains need to find his late descendants, ask for some DNA and identify the bones they will find in the ground near the Szent István church in Vázsonykő. It is not an easy task, but it is not impossible either.

The fortress of Vázsonykő from a bird’s-eye view:

Vázsonykő on a misty October morning (are we in England…?):

June 3, 2023

Europa League final in Budapest: Sevilla claims victory! – PHOTO GALLERY

Budapest temporarily became the football capital of the world for tonight. The Europa League final kicked off at 9 PM in front of a sold-out stadium. Sevilla and AS Roma fans started warming up for tonight’s match last night. Sevilla claimed victory tonight.

As we reported, fans arriving to Budapest were not too well-behaved. First, some fans clashed in Budapest’s 14 district, Zugló. Then, fans destroyed the Liszt Ferenc Square and left vomit and garbage everywhere.

Fans of the two teams received 15,000-15,000 tickets from the organisers. The remaining 16,800 tickets were available to anyone drawn by UEFA. The Puskás Arena has a total capacity of 63,000 for the final, with the remaining tickets going to the press, organisers, broadcasters and sponsors, Index reports.

The two starter teams

Sevilla: 13 Jasszin Bunu, 16 Jesús Navas, 44 Loic Badé, 6 Nemanja Gudelj, 3 Alex Telles, 20 Fernando, 21 Óliver Torres, 10 Ivan Rakitic, 55 Lucas Ocampos, 15 Jusszef en-Nesziri, 25 Bryan Gil

AS Roma: 1 Rui Patrício, 23 Gianluca Mancini, 6 Chris Smalling, 3 Roger Ibanez, 19 Zeki Celik, 4 Bryan Cristante, 7 Lorenzo Pellegrini, 8 Nemanja Matics, 37 Leonardo Spinazzola, 21 Paulo Dybala, 9 Tammy Abraham

Photo gallery

europa league final — Source: MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt

June 1, 2023

PHOTOS: Unique Hungarian castle garden opened

There are a lot of unique and astonishing castles and castle parks in Hungary. But the Esterházy Castle of Fertőd offers something special for each visitor. Below, you may find more details and photos.

The Rose Garden of the Esterházy Castle in Fertőd, Western Hungary, close to the Austrian border, opened its gates on 26 May. You can walk along hundreds of meters of arbours and check out various fragrant domestic, English, and German-bred rose varieties. Like in fairy tales, roses bloom in the castle garden, travelo.hu writes. The popular rose types of the garden are already in full bloom by mid-May. There are even the so-called Mami roses with huge blossoms, having a colour gradient from butter to pink. Other roses dazzle visitors with colours from red (Futótűz) and deep burgundy (Crimson Glory) to orange (Rozália).

Rose Garden Fertőd Esterházy Castle — Photo: facebook.com/fertod.esterhazykastely

Prince Miklós Esterházy, 4th of his name, and his wife, Countess Margit Cziráky, established the rose garden. Built between 1902 and 1908, the garden was partly desgined with the help of Anton Umlauf, one of the most famous gardeners of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The rose garden was named after the late countess. However, after WWII, it was almost destroyed. The roses died, the support systems collapsed, everything went wild, only the pavilion remained as a “memento of the good old time”, the castle’s official website cleared.

A beautiful Hungarian castle

Thankfully, in 2015, the garden was restored following scientific documentation of the previous one. Ever since, visitors can enjoy the splendor of nearly 8,000 different roses. The cross-shaped arbour lined with roses has been renewed, with the pagoda-like pavilion in the middle. The garden walkways have also been renewed. As a result, the new road surfaces highlight the beauty of the blooming roses even more.

The garden houses a collection of Hungarian rose varieties. To provide a stronger fragrance, the castle supplemented the domestic types with continuously blooming ones bred by German and English experts. The Cziráky Margit Rose Garden in Fertőd is open every day except Mondays from 10 AM to 6 PM. The full-price entrance fee is HUF 1,000 (EUR 3), and HUF 500 per capita when purchasing a family ticket. Below, you may find the announcement of the opening on the official Facebook page of the castle with all information needed for a visit:

Finally, HERE you can check out the most beautiful Hungarian castles with photos.

The Fertőd Esterházy Castle from a bird’s-eye view:

Castle interior:

May 28, 2023

Azerbaijani independence celebrated in prominent Budapest villa

On May 26, 2023, with support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Embassy of Azerbaijan to Hungary organized a reception and concert dedicated to the Independence Day of Azerbaijan and 100th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in one of the prominent buildings of Budapest – Ybl villa.

Representatives of the National Assembly, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Defense and other governmental institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the scientific and research organizations, political parties, press, Azerbaijani diaspora and students attended the event. Reception started with the national anthems of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Hungary.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Hungary, H. E. Mr. Tahir Taghizade delivered welcoming remarks and talked about H. Aliyev’s historic role in Azerbaijan’s path towards sovereignity. T. Taghizade mentioned the most important developments in bilateral relations in 2023, including the official visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Hungary.

Deputy speaker of the National Assembly H. E. Mr. Sándor Lezsák, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, H. E. Mrs. Gunay Afandiyeva, and First deputy director of Heydar Aliyev Center, Mr. Fargan Novruzov, delivered their speeches in the official part of the event.
After the speeches, members of the “Karabakh” folk group headed by Mansum Ibrahimov and members of “Seven beauties” music group representing Turkic countries headed by Turan Manafzada performed Azerbaijani songs. Here are some photos:

Photos: Azerbaijani embassy

May 28, 2023

PHOTOS: Illegal migrants brutally attacked Hungarian police, impaled car

Police car impaled by illegal migrants at the Southern border

Hungarian police patrolling the Southern border of Hungary, where the pressure of illegal migrants is the highest, were brutally attacked. They deliberately damaged a police car with a concrete iron stick. Thankfully, nobody was injured.

This is not the first time

According to Szeretlek Magyarország, a police car was almost impaled with a concrete iron at the Southern border of Hungary. The person who took the photos of the horrific events said that such attacks are common there. So it is fair to say that border guards are exposed to life-threatening conditions on a daily basis while patrolling. The fence was erected by the Hungarian government to keep illegal migrants away from Hungary and the Schengen zone.

It is not the first time such a concrete iron was pierced in a police car’s door or windshield. The event was reported by a Facebook page regularly publishing news about Hungarian law enforcement bodies. They said such attacks committed by the illegal migrants trying to leave Serbia and travel to the Western EU member states via Hungary are never reported by the Hungarian police. Below you may check out the photos. You can see there are protective elements placed on the police car. But they could not have prevented serious injuries provided the perpetrator had aimed better.

The photos were sent to a Facebook page, the police do not talk about such attacks

The person, who sent the photos to the “A kék sisakos megmondja” Facebook page, added that the shocking incident took place near Szeged. He told the page the strike happened on Thursday evening. Illegal migrants standing on ladders on the Serbian side threw the concrete iron into the windshield. Thankfully, nobody was injured. The car was patrolling between the two fences. That is how the Hungarian fence looks like: between the two lines, there is the ‘no man’s land’ for patrols.

Illegal migrants keep Southern borders under pressure

Illegal migrants are swarming in Serbia, mostly in the Northern areas of the Balkan country where the Hungarian communities reside. They cannot get past the fence erected by the Orbán government in 2015-2016. Therefore, there is constant tension which triggers violent attacks among the migrant groups or directed to Hungarian law enforcement forces in the region. We reported about a clash between Afghan and Pakistani migrants close to the Hungarian border, leaving one dead HERE.

Meanwhile, people smugglers are still active in the region and Hungary. There is not a week when police do not catch a truck or a lorry packed with illegal travellers heading towards Austria. HERE is the latest news of Asian refugees found in a cargo truck. Hungarian authorities are also known for their degrading treatment of migrants. As a result, the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights condemned Hungary last week.

May 14, 2023

PHOTOS: One of Hungary’s most beautiful castle district opened for visitors

The Veszprém Castle was the scene of many moments in Hungarian history, Regional Development Minister Tibor Navracsics said at the official opening of the castle district in the western Hungarian city on Friday.

The castle was home to Hungary’s first higher education institution, and though it is not Veszprém’s highest point, it stands out from the city, the minister said. Navracsics added that Hungary’s Christianity also made the revamp of the Veszprém castle district important. Gyorgy Udvardy, Archbishop of Veszprém, said work in the castle district was not yet complete, but at a stage where the completed upgrades could be shown to the public.

After the speeches, professionals of the archdiocese talked about the renovations and the Work in Progress 2023 exhibition aimed at presenting the millennia-old spiritual heritage to be preserved by the archdiocese. The Archdiocese of Veszprém is set to renovate 18 monument buildings in the Veszprém castle district with government support between 2020 and 2025, according to a handout given out at the opening.

Here are some photos:

May 13, 2023

PHOTOS: Hungary recycles plastic to make irrigation tubing

Recycling company Green Technologia inaugurated a 250 million forint (EUR 668,000) machine manufacturing irrigation tubing using recycled plastic in Lébény, in north-western Hungary, on Friday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Agriculture Minister István Nagy noted that a network of a hundred collection sites for old greenhouse film was set up with government support in 2021. The next step will be to install agglomerator machines next to the collection sites so the finished agglomerate will only need to be transported to the product processing sites, the minister said. Managing director Lajos Nagy said the equipment has capacity to make 50kms of polyethylene tubing per day. Green Technologia had revenue of 538 million forints in 2021, public records show. Click HERE for the photos or check them out below.

May 7, 2023

5+1 Best Hungarian movies to watch on Netflix now

The Hungarian movie industry has been on the rise in recent years. Budapest serves as an important and well-liked shooting location for many Hollywood productions. Now, slowly but steadily the domestic supply is also increasing. More and more Hungarian movies are appearing on the big screen. In this article, we would like to introduce 5+1 Hungarian movies, which you can also watch on Netflix with English subtitles.

5. Így vagy tökéletes (Perfect as you are)

This romantic movie was released in 2021 and stars Ernő Fekete and Márta Béres in lead roles. Directed by Péter Varsics, the plot revolves around the story of two writers, who get entangled in a web of lies, emotions and love. Boasting a relatively good average rating of 6.3 stars out of 449 reviews on IMDB, the film made its way to the list of current top 10 movies in Hungary on Netflix. It currently occupies the third spot at the time of the writing of this article.

PrtSc from the trailer of Perfect as You Are

4. Szia, Életem! (Be my dad!)

Directed by Gábor Rohonyi and Csaba Vékes, this Hungarian comedy released in 2022 stars Szabolcs Thuróczy in the main role. The protagonist is a once successful, now burnt-out writer who struggles with a creative crisis and is on the verge of being fired from his publisher. One day an old ex-girlfriend shows up and presents him with a surprise: their six-year-old son, whose existence he had no idea about. He then has to fend for this unwanted child while his mother is away. As time passes, however, the ice starts melting and the two start developing a bond. The show currently holds an average rating of 6.5 stars on IMDB with 931 votes.

3. Blokád (Blockade)

This 2022 drama directed by Ádám Tősér tells the story of a real-life historical event that happened in Hungary in 1990. Six months after the fall of communism, the first democratically elected prime minister József Antall faces his biggest crisis yet. First Budapest, then the entire country is immobilised by a huge gathering of taxi drivers, protesting against fuel price increases. Dealing with illness while facing economic hardships, the challenges of democracy and a hostile citizenry, Antall attempts to regain the trust of the people. The movie currently holds an average rating of 5.9 stars on IMDB based on 1.3 thousand votes.

2. Nagykarácsony (Christmas Flame)

Nagykarácsony is a Christmas-themed romantic comedy released in 2021. Directed by Dániel Tiszeker and starring András Ötvös and Emőke Zsigmond, it tells the story of a firefighter who not only suffered a heartbreak but at the same time lost the ability to do his job. Demoted to oversee a Christmas market, he finds hope again thanks to the schoolmistress organising the festive children’s show. This light-hearted and fun romcom earned a rating of 6.2 stars on IMDB out of 1.3 thousand votes.

PrtSc from the trailer of Christmas Flame

1. Toxikoma

This 2021 adult drama is based on a biographical book of the same name by famous Hungarian actor, Győző Szabó. It documents the part of his life when he struggled with drug addiction and his eventual recovery. The movie is directed by Gábor Herendi, and stars actors Áron Molnár and Kelemen Barna Bányai in lead roles. The main plot revolves around the conflict and relationship between the drug addict alpha male celebrity and his psychiatrist with a God complex. It is the highest-rated movie on the list with 7 stars on IMDB with an overall vote count of 2.5 thousand.

+1. Kilakoltatás (Eviction)

We picked this movie as plus one because the editorial staff got many recommendations about it. Eviction is a Hungarian dramatic comedy released in 2021, directed by Máté Bence Fazekas. It stars Ákos Orosz and Mari Nagy as the central characters. The film shows us the imaginary story of an eviction procedure gone horribly wrong, as the occupant of the house constantly outsmarts the authorities. This epic showdown depicting the clash between morals and ethics, family troubles and numerous comedic situations earned an IMDB rating of 6.6 stars out of 560 votes.

Read also:

April 30, 2023

PHOTOS: Hari Raya Celebation 2023 held at the Malaysian Embassy in Budapest

Malaysian embassy Hari Raya Celebration 2023 Budapest

The Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E. Francisco Munis, hosted Hari Raya Celebration 2023 for Malaysians living in Hungary and also Friends of Malaysia. The magnificent event took place at the Malaysian Embassy’s garden in Budapest yesterday. The number of partakers were approximately 200, and the Ambassador delivered a speech for the special event.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated by Malaysian Muslims every year after Ramadan, the fasting month. Celebrated as a two-day nationwide holiday, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a celebration of victory in completing the fast and overcoming personal struggles during the month of Ramadan, as well as a time of forgiveness and strengthening of bonds amongst family members and relatives.

Uniquely, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri is also celebrated by all Malaysians regardless of their backgrounds, as can be seen from the participations of Malaysians from all walks of life during the event held at the Embassy. In the spirit of Malaysia’s multi-cultural identity, cultural and religious festivities are embraced by Malaysians as a whole and celebrated nationwide. In Malaysia, Malaysians will pay visits to their friends during festivities such as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Harvest Festivals of Kaamatan and Gawai, Christmas, Deepavali and so on. Such is the unity and harmony shown by Malaysians in line with the concept of the Malaysian Madani promoted by Malaysia.