Streets of Budapest

The Hungarian Higher Education Act is attacked at international level, too

We have already reported about new developments in the Hungarian higher education. The scary draft of the new law on higher education did not leave any other choice for students than marching to the streets and protesting for their rights. Probably most of them did not even think that people beyond our borders share their outrage – but this was proved wrong by Allan Päll, president of European Students’ Union and Stephan Stainbach, advisor of International Bureau of Austrian Student Union who both attended the demonstration on 27th October and made speeches before the crowd of around ten thousand, beside their Hungarian counterparts.



Although the jokes referring to Rózsa [Rose] Hoffmann and the rose metaphor were quite lame, the transparents at the demonstration were actually a lot more creative. According to the organizers, approximately ten thousand people came together in front of the building of the Ministry of National Resources in Budapest (housing the State Secretariat of Education) to express their discontent about the controversial points of the new law on higher education, such as the obligation to work in Hungary, the (hidden) tuition fees and limitations on student self-government. Students’ dissatisfaction appeared on a national level, which was shown by the participation of representatives from universities and colleges from around the country.

The importance of the case is highlighted by the fact that student governments from abroad provided their understanding and support for Hungarian youth on international level.

Written by Ili Puskás, translated by Mária Ballai

Instead of moaning about spending the most delightful season in the city and not lying on the beach we should think about ways of making the most of city life. The summer months are perfect for letting little personal allowances become luxurious ones.

The future of Tűzraktér and Trafó is still in question

Written by Ráhel Németh, translated by Mária Ballai

Ruin-pubs are indisputably among Budapest’s biggest tourism attractions which often serve as cultural workshops too. Many institutions of this kind are nowadays in danger of closing. Certainly everybody has heard about the story of the popular Tűzraktér in Terézváros in the last few weeks, but few people know that Trafó in the 9th district is also in peril. The causes of these two situations are similar: the present owners of the buildings need returns.

Despite financial crisis the sun is still shining and the temperature is rising high. There’s no doubt about doing something to survive – as soon as possible. To avoid the swelter here are some ideas how to find a purse-friendly, cool, memorable and last but not least enjoyable solution. What are the opportunities in Hungary in 2009?

Budapest is the winner of The European Mobility Week 2008. The Hungarian capital came before the Portuguese Almada and the Croatian capital, Zagreb.

The seventh European Mobility Week was held from 16 to 22 September 2008 and more than 1000 cities have joined in. The keyword is ’Clear air for all’ what says lot about the aim of the project. The goal is of course to find - instead of cars - alternative solutions for transport moreover, to see how citizens and politicians can work together on the issue. It is also important part of the program to find minimally one politician in every city as a leader for the good cause.