Budapest

Budapest on the Ground!

jj — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:38:00 +02:00

Between 17-20 April 2008 Budapest team will host 5 Babelian journalist who come to our city to discover the hot debated issues of Budapest.
Do not miss to participate in our upcoming debate held on 17th April 2008 from 6 p.m. in Centrál. With our guest speakers we will talk about the future of national minorities in Europe in light of the independence of Kosovo. Come and join us!

Mystic crypts

Csacsillus — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:12:00 +02:00

Pécs is the capital of Baranya County in the

region of Southern Transdanubia, this is the fifth largest town in Hungary. Situated at the southern foot of the
Mecsek Hills. Pécs is famous for its Mediterranean climate,
good wines (wine making has long traditions in the area) and a lot of
historical sights: Turkish slim minaret, excellent Zsolnay ceramics, Csontváry
paintings and Vasarely patterns.

Pécs was the site of the ancient Roman settlement of Sopianae and in 1009 it became a Roman Catholic bishopric. By clicking here you can take a virtual tour in Pécs.

Some places of the city has become part of the World Heritage Site in 2000 by UNESCO, for instance, the crypts from Roman times.

In the 4th century the Paleochristian community built several zions and chapels, mausoleums, tombs in its cemetery.

These buildings have special kind of paintings, they are comparable only with the Roman catacombs’ painting. On the wall we can see Paleochristian symbols: pigeon, Christ’s monogram, the mug and the glass,

and scenes from the Holy Bible: Adam and Eve, Peter and Paul apostles, Maria and Jesus, Daniel prophet at the cave of the lions, The Three Kings, the story of Jonas. By these wallpaintings we can follow up how developed the culture of the Christians is.

Online media becomes much more important even for diplomacy

jj — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:20:00 +01:00

Budapest, 11 March 2008, 5.30 p.m.

Despite being Tuesday afternoon and the fact that for many our last debate has started long before the end of their working time, around 30 young people, journalists, researchers and students interested in foreign affairs gathered in Cafe Petit Vian, a cosy downtown café.

Participants and especially members of the Budapest team were on pins and needles till the arrive of their special guest, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State for Public Diplomacy Colleen Graffy, since it was her personal wish to meet Babelians living in Budapest during her visit in the Hungarian capital.

Shortened version of the discussion is available on video:

Besides questions being on the agenda in the US and current issues of the EU-U.S. relations, the debate focused on the role of web-based journalism and online communities in today’s public diplomacy. It was the first time for our moderator Katalin Szalóki to try herself out in such a role but she found the common words from the very first moment both with Ms. Graffy and the audience.

For the first question why Ms. Graffy kept it important to meet Babelians during her short stay in Budapest, she replied honestly that simply because she praised the idea of cafébabel and young people involved in this project. According to her, such initiatives are very important because they ride the crest of a new wave of web-based journalism and transborder communities. She added that the State Department also uses such online tools. Nowadays they are essential for facilitating people to people communications and to reach target groups anywhere. She mentioned as a good example the blog called ‘dipnotes’ available on the site state.gov launched by diplomats on their everyday work, that is quite popular.

Answering a question from the audience on the influence of international media on diplomacy and politics, DAS Graffy noted that the increasing role of web-based media in international affairs could be a constructive influence bringing, greater awareness and transparency to important issues of the day. Talking about today’s diplomacy, she added that owing to the much more complex and changing international environment, public diplomacy has undergone significant changes during the past decades. For instance, there is not simply a press agency working behind a ministry for foreign affairs but there is a team of experts and psychologists assisting diplomats and politicians to communicate their acts and decisions. Furthermore, there are film-stars, sportsmen and well-known artists operating as cultural ambassadors who have the mission to communicate the U.S. culture all around the world.

She disproved our feeling that young Americans are not interested in international affairs. Moreover, she explained that students spending couple of semesters overseas are always much more opened to politics, they follow current issues being on the agenda even in Europe, and they are often more critical than their fellows stayed at home. She highlighted that the wide-spread use of Internet has certainly contributed to the change of young people’s attitude perceptible nowadays.

Reflecting to the Hungarian example that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has launched a public debate and collaborated with various think tanks, intellectuals and NGOs in the work out of the new strategy of foreign relations of Hungary, she noted that there are no such a concrete example in the U.S., but there is a tendency that think tanks and the public have growing influence in shaping foreign policy. Concerning the current presidential elections, she explained that although the campaign starts to look like a reality TV show, she is happy that it is broadcasted 24 hours a day world-wide because it reaches more and more people and provides the possibility to communicate not only about the candidates but the U.S. itself.

At the end of the discussion - what I would rather call a chat then a debate- , attendants felt free to pose questions on hot topics like the Visa Waiver Policy, the current situation in Iraq, the U.S. policy on climate change, energy security, and the relations with China and Russia. Despite the foul and drizzling weather participants went home with the experience of a conversation of pleasant atmosphere.

Cafébabel Budapest thanks the U.S. Embassy for much assistance and making possible organizing the debate.

Report on Ms Graffy's visit in Budapest is available in dipnotes.

Happy Easter!

Csacsillus — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:10:00 +01:00

Easter – a moveable feast which follows
the cycle of the full moon, situated between 22nd March and 25th April – is one of the most important religious feasts when we celebrate the ressurection of Jesus.

At the first part of the passion week women usually clean the house, on Thursday evening girls get water from the stream for next morning (called rosewater). On Friday the worshippers represent their mourning.
On Saturday they celebrate the ressurection: have the procession and hallow the fire and the food. In connection with the fire there are many beliefs, for instance to put live coals into the water of domestic animals cause health. And Sunday is the end of Lent.

The most popular habits are related to Easter Monday. Many non-religious cultural elements have become part of this holiday, and those aspects are often celebrated by many Christians and non-Christians alike. We decorate eggs which is the symbol of fertility. Then in the early morning men spanke women because a legend says that women should be spanked in order to keep their health and beauty during whole next year.
Furthermore men douse us with cold water.

It has more gracious way with parfumes but sometimes we think (and smell) water would be better. Easter has a commercial aspect: just think how much we spend on gifts, greeting cards, sweets or buying rabbits for children.

Hungary is the 17th EU country recognizing the independent Kosovo

Linda — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:30:00 +01:00

March 19, 2008

Hungary has recognized the newly independent Kosovo in conjunction with Bulgaria and Croatia. Hungary, Bulgaria and Croatia issued a joint statement stressing that “all three are interested in furthering relations with an economically developing Serbia that fosters good relations with its neighbors and maintains its European orientation”. The Hungarian government has asked Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz to make a presentation to President László Sólyom on establishing diplomatic relations with Kosovo. If all goes according to plan, Hungary's diplomatic mission in Pristina will be transformed into an embassy.

Serb Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, currently on a visit to Athens, said those countries that recognize Kosovo’s independence cannot count on good relations with Serbia. Serbia sent diplomatic notes of protest to Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria and recalled its ambassadors. The Serbian embassy expressed “deep disappointment” over the decision, saying it could adversely affect bilateral relations. Hungarian Foreign Ministry said in response that the ministry had hoped this would not happen, but was not surprised. Serbia does not currently have an ambassador in Budapest, as the term of Predrag Cudic ended last month, and his successor, Dejan Sahovic, has not yet arrived, as Hungary’s decision was expected. Hungary does not plan to recall its ambassador to Serbia.

István Pásztor, president of the Voivodina Hungarian Alliance, asked the Serb government to guarantee the safety of 300,000 ethnic Hungarians in the province. Police were placed on alert in Hungarian-inhabited areas.

Hungary backs EU majority on Kosovo
February 19, 2008

After the EU foreign ministers decided that the member states can themselves decide whether or not to recognize Kosovo’s independence, Hungary joined the majority group of EU states intending to recognize Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia on Sunday. Only 17 of the 27 member states are prepared to launch the process of establishing official relations. The US was the first country to announce its recognition of Kosovo.

Despite the foreseeable recognition of Kosovo in one or two weeks, the sustained good relationship with the neighboring Serbia continues to be viewed as of prime importance to Hungary.

Hungary to take on leadership role in Kosovo next summer
December 15, 2007

Hungary's role in Kosovo will shift to leading a manouvering batallion in western Kosovo next summer, Hungarian Defence Minister Imre Szekeres said on Saturday, starting a two-day visit to Kosovo. The 370-strong Hungarian unit will take over security, patrolling, reconnaissance and checkpoint tasks in a NATO batallion, working together with Italians and Slovenes. The troops will operate in one-fifth of Kosovo's whole area, Szekeres said.

Szekeres said this was a momentous change, as it will be the first time for Hungarians to lead a multi-national unit in a foreign mission. Costs of the new mission will be unchanged - 500 million forints (about 1.97 million euros) a year.

Kosovo divides Visegrád Four
December 11, 2007

The issue of independence for Kosovo split the four prime ministers of the Visegrád group of countries at their summit in Ostrava, in the Czech Republic. Kosovo is widely expected to declare independence following the failure of negotiations with Serbia.

Slovakia is reluctant to recognise an independent Kosovo, although Prime Minister Robert Fico, who pronounced a categorical No last week, said on Monday that “It would be extremely difficult for Slovakia to accept Kosovo’s independence if it proclaims it by ignoring the wishes of the international community”. Fico said no matter how the issue is solved, the case must be treated as unique.

Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány said Kosovo’s drive towards independence is irreversible. He added that independence should occur with EU assistance, as Kosovo is not a concern of the US. No peace can be maintained in the Balkans without the realistic options of autonomy and independence. The prime minister stressed the need to make further advances towards peace and prosperity in the region. "Kosovo should not be abandoned but we also have to consider Serbia's problems," he said. He believed there was a good chance for the European Union member states to establish a common denominator regarding the future of Kosovo. "This will probably be a compromise which is as it should be," he said.

Czech leader Mirek Topolanek said Serbia must not be left out of decisions, as it is in the EU’s interest to see Serbia feel secure.

U.S. - Hungary has signed a memorandum on visa waivers

Linda — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:21:00 +01:00

March 17, 2008

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in Washington on March 17 paving the way to the introduction of visa waivers for Hungarians from early next year.

The MOU, similar to what the Check Republic has signed recently, is part of a series of agreements to be submitted to the U.S. Congress for approval. The two governments are expected to hold talks in Budapest in the next few weeks on allowing US air marshals on US-bound flights, on cooperation against organized crime and terrorism, and on stolen and lost passports.

Visa exemption will apply only those traveling to the U.S. as tourists or for business purposes. Entry visas for Hungarian visitors will be replaced by an electronic form, similar to the ones passengers are asked to fill on the plane on their way to the US.

“We must reach further agreements regarding practical implementation, and the Americans must have the necessary technical conditions in place,” Ambassador of Hungary to the U.S. Ferenc Somogyi said, explaining that the US wants to electronically register those leaving Hungary.

Krisztina Berta, head of the consular department at the Foreign Ministry, said it is likely that there will be no fees in the new system, she added.

In order for Hungary to join the U.S. visa-waiver programme, the percentage of rejections among Hungarians that apply for visas must fall below 10 percent. According to State Department data released last November, Hungary's visa refusal rate had exceeded the 10 percent ratio by three tenths of a percent in the twelve months from September 2006 to September 2007.

U.S. Ambassador to Hungary April H. Foley said last December that Hungary would certainly fulfil the 10 percent target in 2008.

Visa requirement not quite fulfilled

November 8, 2007

Hungary narrowly failed to reach the threshold for the removal of US visa requirements last year. In all, 10.3% of visa applications were rejected, only slightly above the maximum permitted 10%.

Some other countries in the bid for a visa waiver with the U.S. have managed to meet this requirement, among them Greece (1.6 percent), Cyprus (1.8 percent), Malta (2.7 percent), Estonia (4 percent) and the Czech Republic (6.7 percent). Poland fared much below the threshold at 25.2 percent and Romania had a 37.7 percent rejection rate during that period.

Diplomats expect Hungary can pass under the 10 percent mark by the autumn of 2008, the paper said.

The European Union has demanded a visa-free regime with the U.S. for all of its member states, but the actual installment is subject to negotiations.

New U.S. law brings us closer to the Visa Waiver Programme
August 29, 2007

Hungary hails the new U.S. law, including the option of extending the Visa Waiver Programme to Hungarians, as a major step forward, Hungarian Foreign Affairs Spokesman Gyorgy Odze told MTI. Odze commented the bill U.S. President George W Bush signed into law, which, according to the White House release, allows greater flexibility to bring some of the U.S.'s closest allies into the programme.

Hungarian diplomacy has been lobbying the U.S. administration and legislation consistently and for long to promote lifting the visa requirement to bring Hungary to equal platform with other close allies of the United States in combating terrorism, the spokesman said. Regarding a timeline the spokesman said it was yet hard to say exactly how soon would Hungarians be able to travel without a visa to the United States but expressed hope for the legislation procedures to be completed within one-and-a-half or two years.

He also expressed the conviction that Hungary would soon be able to meet the requirement the law retained for granting the visa-free status, namely that the annual ratio of rejected visa applications should stay below ten percent. Last year U.S. authorities rejected 12.7 percent of Hungarian visa applications, whereas the visa-refusal ratio has constantly been dropping over the past few years.

Commenting the law to MTI, U.S. affairs professor Tamas Magyarics expected no breakthrough in scrapping the U.S. visa regime for Hungary and other EU-member central and eastern European countries over the next one-and-a-half years. He argued that legislation procedure in the U.S. administration took time and politicians were anyway focused entirely on next year's presidential and congressional elections. In his view, it would be hard for the CEE countries to find a partner for speeding up the process since they are considered relatively light-weight even as a bloc. A visa-free status, even if granted, would not necessarily facilitate entry into the United States as authorities there would even in that case employ other techniques to obtain the data they need, he said. In all, neither Hungarians nor the citizens of other EU newcomers would threat the political and economic stability of the United States. The true challenge the U.S. has to meet is the inflow of tens of millions of immigrants from Latin America and the Far East, said Magyarics.

End of reforms?

jj — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:44:00 +01:00

Last Sunday Hungarian voters have called the government to curtail its economic reforms by heavily backing a referendum that demanded abolishment of health and university fees.

A referendum initiated by the opposition Fidesz party has been attracted a surprisingly high proportion of voters, around 50% of them. This was the most visited referendum since the famous ‘four yes votes’ referendum taken place in 1989 in the phase of the democratic transformation of the country.

According to the final results more than 3 million voters backed to end the fees, including an admittedly large number of left-wing supporters. Fees have been introduced by the socialist government in June 2006 following their re-election in order to decrease budget deficit, to meet the demand of the EU for consolidation, and to hit targets set by the convergence programme.

Though win in of the ‘yes’ votes has been forecasted by pre-referendum polls, a ratio of them was far above expectations (around 80%). It seemed to be common that people are not willing to pay even a small sum (around 1.2 euros) for things that has been always free before - like visiting the doctor. On the other hand, it is typical of human nature that people usually does not like paying taxes. Especially if they are obliged to pay an extra, while a large proportion of their salaries are transferred to the national health care insurance each month.

Recent opinion polls shows a support of 15 % of the government that questions the ability of the socialists to push ahead with more reforms. It still remains open, how losses of the budget could be compensated after the abolishment of the fees that has generated around 20 milliard HUF extra-income for the health insurance found during the past year, strongly contributing to the decrease of budget deficit. The Prime Minister has already announced that the fees would be abolished on 1 April 2008, but the government has no funds available to replace the income-lost. At the same time, Viktor Orbán leader of the opposition, talks about the need of government resignation and a risk of putsch against the Prime Minister. In september another referendum is expexted to be hold for the initiation of Fidesz in order to arrest liberalisation of the health care insurance system that is to be introduced from 2009 according to a bill passed in february. Economic analysts warn that from the investors point of view outcome of the referndum may risk accomplishment of srtuctural reforms and enhance political risks that might as well hold them back from bringing their money into the country.

Following the referendum two political research institutions, the Political Capital Institute and the Századvég, has initiated a public debate on the reform and rethink of the institution of referendum. They think there is a risk that the too frequent initiations of polls make the institution of referendum become a tool of parties’ campaigning. Furthermore, they have stated in their declaration that the die-hard political competition carried out in Hungary has been becoming simplified to a zero-sum game that could has ’incalculable consequences’ on the economy and society of the country.

Sexy commercials

Csacsillus — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:57:00 +01:00

Today media is often called as the 4th arm of power.
It’s always present in our everyday life and admittedly
has an influential power on us

- just think of the thousands of children left in front of the TV every day.
In advertisements the society is often visualised by patterns,
some say the world shown in advertisements is similar to reality.
On the other hand there are many being on the opposite opinion.

Nowadays it’s becoming rife that commercials focus on sexuality, but it’s quite dangerous as they have the ability to confirm (or destroy!) among others the stereotype of sexual functions.

Sexist commercials can be divided into three major groups:

- the motto is: sex sells! That is to say when only harsh sexuality appears and this is the only way.

- the other type is when only a part of a female / male body appears like a simple object.

- maybe the third one is the most popular, when we can see a man or woman in a traditional (~patriarchal) position.

These advertisements make stronger the classic stereotypes and help to still exist those archaic differences between males and females (a man is also able to wash the dishes after lunch, isn’t he?). As we watch advertisements we assist to the imaginative world to seep into our life. We start to believe that personal success depends on our perfect skin, shiny hair, dazzling white theets and of course on bifidus essensis. In this way we lead up to mental problems such as anorexia and bulimia.

A woman as housewife is the former stereotype in the history of commercials: washing powders, instant soups, nappy, etc but latterly women appear as a sexual object. Blissfully we can see male stereotypes: man with beer, man in the car, man with his chums.
By the way, does anybody think why is this so simply?

If we estimate what a woman wants and what a man wants we get the answer: a man wants a woman, a woman wants a man (I’ll try to disprove the latter part of the sentence a few lines later). Making an advertisement for a man is easy: you need a pretty woman. If she’s nice, you sold your product (or service).
But for women what are the important things? Romanticism, intelligence, power, just think about… it’s more complicated than commercials for men.

Advertisement corrodes the sexual identities, it turns into a kind of fashion and the boundaries between genders get more and more blurred so the products can be sold for both genders which is a double profit. But a woman still feminine if she wears jeans, drives cars or drinks beer whereas a man immediately turns into non-masculine if he pushes the baby carriage even if he cries.
I think Marlboro Man had been left alone, today a man only can be important if he has a Coca Cola Light but a woman can be valuable on her own (just remember for the commercial with a naked topmodell or the commercial of Christina Aguilera’s parfume). So today women in advertisement not only for ornamental usage. They use the product, and actually they buy them.

Advertisements are based on codes, panels and symbols. We have max. 30 seconds for decoding and the advertiser’s interest is to let the consumer catch the message, that’s why they need symbols which are often equal with stereotypes.

Invitation - Debate on 11 March 2008

jj — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:00:00 +01:00

Are you following the hottest issues of EU-US relations?
Would you like to know how could new technologies of the 21st century become tools of public diplomacy?
Would you like to put your questions directly to a high level representative of the US?

IT'S YOUR TURN!

Come, and join us in the following programme of cafebabel.com from 5.30 p.m. on 11 March 2008, where you can get answers to all of your questions!

The Budapest team presents

IT'S YOUR TURN!

Come, and join us in the following programme of cafebabel.com,
where you can get answers to all of your questions!

In course of the debate our guest will be

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Press and Public Diplomacy

Colleen Graffy

Department of State, United States of America

Venue: 'Petit' Cafe Vian

(Budapest, 5th district, 21 Hercegprímás u.)

Date: 11 March 2008, 5.30 p.m.

You will be our guest for a cup of coffee and some snacks!
Do not forget, registration is a must!
Contact us through e-mail on budapest@cafebabel.com.

See you!
budapest team of cafebabel.com

Hungary is holding a referendum on Sunday

Linda — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 11:42:00 +01:00

March 2, 2008

The main opposition party Fidesz and its ally the Christian Democrat Party (KDNP) initiated a referendum one and a half year ago on banning tuition, visiting and daily hospital fees. Due to the long official procedures, the referendum is scheduled to be held only on Sunday, March 9. According to the opposition, the so call "social referendum" represents the rejection of the government’s “reform rampage”, including the major heath care reform. Fidesz also claims that a successful referendum will be symbolic and “could mark a new political era. Prime Minister Gyurcsány insists though that the referendum will not affect the essence of the reforms and that parliamentary elections were not due until 2010, so the outcome was immaterial.

MSZP and the Socialists’ led cabinet launched an intense PR campaign promoting the health care reform (including the positive outcomes of the visiting fee and the daily hospital fee) and the introduction of the tuition fee in higher education. Their main reasoning says that the “the lack of any effort cannot result a strong Hungary”. The Socialists attempt to rationally persuade their supporters in the name of “common sense” and will not want voters to regard the referendum as a vote on the government and the Prime Minister. The goal is clearly to calm the general mood and keep turnout low. Their declared strategic aim is to have as low a defeat as possible, an unusual campaign message.

Fidesz has launched an emotional campaign. Fidesz is striving to elevate the political significance of the referendum by stressing the potential consequences of a valid Yes vote, such as the fall of Gyurcsány, the collapse of the Socialist Party or a change of government. The party is building on dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister.

The junior coalition partner Free Democrats (SZDSZ) has embarked on a clear negative campaign, saying the rejection of the current reforms would represent the sustention of the communist-era Kádár regime.

Sziget Festival without Cafebabel? Not in 2007!

Linda — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:30:00 +01:00

Translated by Lóránt Havas

The Budapest team of cafebabel.com played an active role again for the second time on one of Europe’s most wanted cultural fora, Budapest’s Sziget Festival. The team organised programmes on 11 and 12 August in the Civil Village drawing the attention of many Sziget-dwellers from all around the world.

Four million. That is the number of visitors the popular festival counts from the beginnings, fifteen years ago, that is. Like in the previous 14 years, the 15th Sziget also hosted a bunch of big shots like Pink, the Chemical Brothers, Franz Ferdinand, Nine Inch Nails, the Faithless, Sinéad O’Connor and many others. Despite the changing weather dotted with rainshowers and the consequent mud wrestling, everybody seemed to enjoy her/his favourite music during the eight days of the festival, no matter if it was rock, pop, classic or world music, reggae, blues, electro, punk, jazz or whatever. Two new Guinness records were also born: 14,902 people (or 7,451 couples) were kissing at the same time on the main square on Saturday and the Guinness stage saw the longest ever concert in the history of music, starting off on 7th August to break the actual world record eight days later, at 9 am on 15th August. There were approximately 70 NGOs represented in the Civil Village, offering a wide range of cultural and less cultural programmes.

After last year’s success, our team got invited again and prepared with colourful events to continue the cafebabel story on the Sziget. Voilà!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

BRUNCH WITH ÁGI SZALÓKI

The first cafebabel event took place on Saturday morning on the Civil Playground. It was a chat-interview with the singer __Szalóki Ági__, moderated by Bori, a member of our team. It quickly turned out that, though she sings it a lot, Ági is not a classical folk singer. Her music combines Hungarian, Transylvanian, Gypsy and other types of folk music with Fado, jazz, often with children’s music and many more. That is how she already performed with many different bands, such as the Ökrös orchestra (folk), the Besh o Drom (Gypsy music, she became a well-known singer with them, by the way), Makám (folk), the Balázs Elemér Group (jazz), Szakcsi Lakatos Béla (jazz), Palya Bea (folk singer also well known in France) or with Herczku Ágnes (folk singer). She likes to sing best for children. Not only because they are enthusiastic, but because they are really open to everything, including Gypsy culture. These encounters with the youngest generation always fill her up with energy, she claims. Ági has the Gypsy culture in her veins as her mother is of Roma origin. It was her mother who first introduced Ági to the world of Gypsy folk music which had an effect on her from the first moment she got to listen to it. Nevertheless, Ági is not only the honorary ambassador of Gypsy music, she also supports many civil initiatives. She is a well known local patriot and protector of the cultural heritage and the natural environment. Besides, she also campaigns for fair trade, and was, therefore, very happy when cafebabel treated her to some fair trade coffee with the support of the Be Fair! Foundation. When speaking about the accession to the European Union, Ági generally welcomes the move, and hopes that this would encourage Hungarians to think even more European, especially when it comes to the protection of environment. Her aim in music is to get closer to people who are open to her music and get her message through to them. As she very much likes experimenting and would like to stay open to the different musical streams, she told us that she didn’t want to stick to any precise style. This might be great as an artist, however, managing someone without a clear profile is not so easy. For the moment she can live with the situation. She is, as she put it, like a “laboda”, a plant that has few needs and can survive winter and summertime as well.

After the pleasant brunch with Ági, we set up our already well-known giant board symbolising the EU monster, attracting a fair number of visitors again, who got to know cafebabel.com better and could also talk about their fears connected to the EU with the members of our team. In exchange of the opinions and comments put on the EU monster, we gave the Sziget-dwellers our very practical and user friendly invention, the Sziget dictionary. The dictionary , just like a year ago, became a huge success with its funny and catchy phrases translated into eight languages making socialising a lot easier for the inhabitants of the Sziget.

Topping up our fabulous Saturday, the team went to the World Music Stage to see our following day guests, the Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra (PASO) in concert. After the frenetic show the guys put on we could hardly wait the next morning (well, early afternoon) to have a brunch with at least some of them.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

BRUNCH WITH PASO

Two members of the __PASO__, the singer Tóth Kristóf A.K.A. “Krsa” and Benkő Dávid (keyboards) were our tired guests for the brunch on Sunday. While Verus asked the questions and moderated the discussion, the tired audience was shaken up by the zippy sounds of the PASO, some fair trade coffee and the freshly baked patisserie of the Kolosy square bakery. Our plan to involve a lot of people was quite successful as by the end of the brunch one could not find a place to sit before the stage.

The PASO is quite used to the crowd as their concerts also attract many people. They are well known participants on festivals, where they usually play for thousands, but they give club-concerts as well. Their popularity is not surprising if we know that they are one of the leading ska groups in Hungary. The band (or better to say the orchestra) has ten members, all talented young musicians coming from different underground groups who play together since 2003. They released a number of albums, the last in the autumn 2007. Their own style matured and became really peculiar during the years. When one of their early songs was played, they both started laughing and told that they wouldn’t play this kind of music nowadays. Yet their style is still changing, influenced by the members’ individual taste and ambitions. The combination of these musical tastes makes up the original PASO sound, a music that is somewhere between dub, reggae and ska.

Krsa and Dávid told us stories about their concerts in other European countries. It is really important for them to be able to show their music to many people and become well known with the help of it. The sky is the limit – as they said. Even though they don’t have a manager, PASO is already a known name in the international ska community. However, music for them is “only” a hobby, most of them have a university degree (Krsa has a degree in economics for example). Having seen them on the stage it seems unnecessary to stress that their motivation is not mone, they do it for the fun of it and enjoy playing their music until the very last sound.

What does Europe mean for the PASO? Dávid explained that they think it is through the music that the different people can really communicate and that it is music that unites them. It does not matter that you are playing music with Hungarian folk elements in the Netherlands, once the crowd grasps the rhythm you immediately feel that you are speaking the same language and the party is just as good as it would have been in Hungary. Most of their songs are written in English in order to help people understand them better and to pave the way towards world fame. Well, what can we say? Go PASO go! These guys deserve it a lot.

DISCUSSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Later on that day a more “serious” programme was on stake: a discussion on climate change, animated by the German language editor of cafebabel Katharina Kloss who arrived directly from Paris for this programme. This was her first time in Hungary. We also invited Maria Khovanskaia (Regional Environment Centre), Hasznos Erika (Hungarian Ministry of Environment and Water Protection) and Rohonyi Péter, member of Greenpeace to join our discussion. The debate was in English and attracted many Sziget-dwellers from all around the globe, providing for a very lively discussion between the audience and our guest experts.

Maria Khovanskia started the discussion with introducing the audience to the scientific concept of climate change. This was followed by the clash of the views of the Ministry and Greenpeace, yet they were of the same opinion in many matters, for example they both pointed out the dangers of the negative climatic changes took place recently and advocated that a more responsible and environment-friendly approach is desirable on the level of individuals and of the society as well.

Nevertheless, Mr. Rohonyi blamed the government for its bureucratic attitude and that things take always ages to be done in the ministry and environmental investments are still at a low level, he added. He did not deny the results already achieved, yet he stressed that they are not at all fulfilling and claimed that the government was responsible for the lack of political coherence in the field of environment and for the inapt communication as well. He called our attention to the Greenpeace analysis on the effects of climatic change to be issued in the future containing the concrete tasks to be executed for the years to come.

In her reaction Ms. Hasznos outlined the strategy of the ministry and talked about a possible „road show” to be organised by them on the topic of climate change. She pointed out that despite the criticism coming from the civil society, only a limited number of companies care to answer and to provide data for the calls of the ministry and that it does not help their job. She also reminded us to the “Climate Agreement” adopted at EU level, intended to cut the emission of carbon-dioxide and other toxic substances by 10-15% in the next 15 years. This instrument seems to have achieved a globally shared responsibility, contrary to the famous Kyoto Protocol that has not yet been signed by some important global actors.

Mr. Rohony, while fully endorsing the EU initiatives, expressed his doubts about the future impementation of the EU regulation. He underlined again that we have no time to waste, steps need to be taken soon following a strict strategy altering our lifestyles in every possibly ways.

The participants agreed that the emission-trade is not a good solution to the environmental problems, it only delays the emergence of the problems a bit. During the discussion light was shed on the possibility to use nuclear power on a broader scale, on the responsibility of the individuals, the importance of the promotion of positive attitude and of the powers of the nature (wind, sun, biomass, etc.). There was a small confrontation between the partisans of nuclear power and the representative of Greenpeace, but at the end they all agreed that nuclear power can be seen as an alternative substitutive element, only its place on the list is a matter of choice.

The cafebabel team had quite a good media coverage. We gave two TV interviews: Eszter to a cable TV channel – Echo TV, and Linda to the Hungarian Television about the magazine and our programmes organised on Sziget.

Our presence on the Sziget Festival proved to be a success again, we got our message through to many people from many coutries, making cafebabel even better known worldwide and we enjoyed ourselves a lot! See you next time on Sziget!

Green light to introducing the multi-player health insurance system in Hungary

Linda — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:51:00 +01:00

February 19, 2008

After long and heated debates, several public demonstrations and two votes in Parliament, President László Sólyom legally authorised the multi-player health insurance bill as he ran out all the constitutionally provided to tools to prevent it. Although he continues to have reservations about both its content and the way it was passed by Parliament.

The Health Minister announced that 22 health insurance funds will be established in a matter of weeks and by the end of 2009 are expected to merge into between seven and ten funds. She asserted that the insured “will enjoy a right to free of choice from February 15, 2009.”

Violent demonstrations followed the approval of the health insurance bill February 12, 2008

Yesterday evening the Parliament voted again on the health insurance bill that has been sent back by the President for reconsideration. Prior to the voting, five MSZP MPs’ home were attacked with Molotov cocktails by extremists during the weekend in order to persuade them to vote against the bill on Monday. No serious personal injures occurred. As predicted, the law was eventually passed by a ballot of 203-173. Only one MP from the Socialist Party (MSZP) voted against the bill claiming that it is against every social-democratic principle he believes in. He later has to face party’s ethical committee for breaking the faction rules. President Sólyom has no option but to sign the legislation within 15 days.

A group of 1,000 peaceful demonstrators gathered last evening to protest against the health insurance. The group of demonstrators later had been infiltrated by around two dozen people with face-masks and hoods. After the MPs' approval of health insurance law near 7 p.m., the group of protesters started to pelt fire-crackers at police officers and pulled down a 150-metre section of the barrier set up around Parliament Building. Riot police deployed dogs and tear gas spray to disperse the crowd and force it out of Parliament square.

Later, demonstrators gathered at various locations in downtown and were being dispersed by police, who split larger formations into smaller groups.

In her final speech before the balloting, Health Minister Ágnes Horváth said everyone will have access to necessary health care services as the health insurance funds will not be able to choose their clients.

President Sólyom returns health insurance bill to House
December 27, 2007

President László Sólyom sent the health insurance bill back to Parliament for reconsideration on December 27, declining to send it to the Constitutional Court for review. If the House passes unchanged the legislation introducing multi-player health insurance, then Sólyom will have no choice but to sign it into law.

In a statement, Sólyom said he agrees that changes are needed in health care, but warned that such large-scale reform cannot be successful without support and confidence from the majority of doctors and others working in the health care sector, or else the whole nation will become the subject of an experiment whose outcome is uncertain. He asked Parliament to address serious shortcomings in the legislative procedure and eliminate excessive risks.

Intellectuals against multi-player bill

A total of 62 intellectuals and public figures have published an open letter urging voters to persuade their MPs of the importance of rejecting the business-based health insurance system planned by the government.

Accusing the cabinet of abusing its power and causing significant damage to the whole country, the signatories say society should resist the return of methods used in the single-party era. They argue that experiences of other countries show that the privatisation reduces equal opportunity in health care, lowers its performance and makes health care services more expensive.

If the bill enters into force, the letter states, then changes will be irreversible, Hungarian health care will be subordinated to international economic law and by the time the multi-player, business-based model falls, it will be practically impossible to restore the single-insurance system.

The letter asserts that the government has resorted to dictatorial methods to fulfil its business plan and has pushed through the legislature measures intended to determine the long-term future of the nation. It has ignored nationwide protests, the well-founded opinions expressed by professional and scientific bodies and forced many governing MPs to vote against their conscience. It claims that the final text of the bill was reached in backstage bargains between the governing parties and insurance companies by skirting social consultations, and that even MPs were only given the final version of the text directly before voting on it.

The signatories include former President Ferenc Mádl, sociologist Zsuzsa Hegedűs, Gödöllő mayor György Gémesi, Liga Unions leader István Gaskó, József Sípos of the social policy section of the Socialist Party, András Lányi of the NGO Élőlánc, the Civilian Lawyers Commission, architect Imre Makovecz and TV personality Sándor Fábry.

MPs approve gov't health reform bill
December 19, 2007

Despite the strong public opposition, Hungarian MPs passed the government's health reform bill on Monday with 204 votes for, 168 against and a single abstention. The measures to introduce an element of private funding into the health-care system were seen as a major test of the Socialist-liberal governing coalition.

The government plans to introduce a multi-player health insurance system generated rarely seen public reactions around the country. Thousands of people staged several demonstrations in the last few weeks at Parliament and around Budapest to protest the health reform bill submitted to the Parliament by the governing socialist-liberal coalition. The collective hostile attitude of the public towards the reform bill unified the otherwise fragmented society. People from different political and social groups staged demonstrations together including the main opposition right wing party Fidesz, leading intellectuals from socialist groups, the country’s major unions, the chamber of Hungarian Physicians and several NGOs (Védegylet, Élőlánc etc.). A total of 21 organizations have announced that they will take part in a strike of unspecified duration and a further 30 organizations have declared support for the action. Even some Socialist MPs expressed their disagreements towards the reforms including the Speaker of the House Katalin Szili (member of the Socialist Party).

Eventually Parliament passed the bill on the transformation of the health insurance system Monday evening with the votes of the governing parties, prompting the strike organizers to call off their industrial actions “of indefinite duration” after only one day.

The pass of the health reform bill was great relief for the socialist-liberal cabinet as their coalition was obviously shaking lately along with the historically law popularity rates of the governing parties. Following the votes, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány stated that he is very proud of his party for passing the bill as this has been the most far reaching decision of the period since the change of regime, terminating the remaining vestiges of the Kádár regime.

János Kóka, leader of the junior governing liberal party SZDSZ, told journalists following the vote that the new law struck the right balance between the positive benefits of the market and security provided by the state. "The new law will ensure the continuity of national solidarity but it will also give people the chance to select the health insurer that best serves their interests," said Koka.

Health Minister Ágnes Horváth (SZDSZ) also hailed the new law, a compromise between the two coalition parties, saying, "The law will facilitate major changes in health care, providing people with benefits without doing any harm."

Tibor Navracsics, parliamentary group leader of the main opposition Fidesz said that the government was only interested in "squeezing the bill through parliament" rather than improving the nation's health.

Parliament now awaits the decision of President Laszló Sólyom, who may sign the bill into law, send it back to the House for reconsideration or seek a constitutional review if he deems it as containing major faults.

Details of the new health reform bill:
The legislation maintains a state body to oversee health insurance and guarantee the universal provision of services and allows private businesses to buy minority stakes in 22 new regional funds with the aim of enhancing efficiency and stimulating competition. If a region fails attract a private investor then the state will operate the fund. The size of the social insurance contribution will continue to be set by parliament and contributions will be collected by the tax authority, as is currently the case. Hungarian citizens will still be able to choose their GP and pediatricians. Each regional fund, a closed company limited by shares, will be set up with equity of 20 million forints (EUR 800,000) and each fund will be required to recruit half a million members. Individuals will be able to choose among the funds, but if they fail to do so they will be automatically drawn into the fund of their region. Every year patients will have the chance to change insurers.

Defective Hungarian healthcare system

jj — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:18:00 +01:00

Written by Oosi

After having seen Michael Moore’s film SICKO I began to wonder: are we really living in that healthcare heaven the author/director introduced? Midst the turmoil and uproar on introducing Hungarian healthcare reforms I think it is worth to stop to think about the issue at hand.

The film made me wonder if in United States it is so difficult to be treated or simply to be insured what are all the series such as E.R, Grey’s anatomy, Scrubs, etc. based on? You see the latest technology and the best surgeons and qualified nurses and doctors on the screen. I know, I know it is all fiction, but the technology and the terminology exist. Yes, it is sugarcoated but somehow it shows the basis of a system in operation.
Not to mention the thousands of dollars spent on the series to make the hospital and the equipment look real.

Why do we always see the grass greener on the other side?

In Hungary healthcare is free – if you are not paying health insurance. For the people working legally there is an 11% social security fee automatically deducted, not to mention the obligation of the employer to contribute a certain amount after every employee – which is quite high and is the main reason for illegal workers. Healthcare certainly has a price tag on it.

Also there are special fields where inevitably we prefer to go to a private practice such as dentist or for women the gynecologist. Even if you are insured you still have to pay a fee to see the doctor preferably in a more comfortable atmosphere with a fixed appointment.

If you happen to enter the clinic where the healthcare service is ‘free’ you will still end up pushing a little something into your dear doctor’s pocket, or if a hospital stay is necessary you will have to put that little less something into the nurse’s pocket as well respecting the levels of healthcare hierarchy.
At this point we can conclude healthcare is definitely not free.

More interestingly I saw a show that aired on Hungarian State Television showing that in the Czech Republic they introduced the same reforms as in Hungary: the visit fee, the daily hospital fee and even a prescription fee and shockingly it is the governing right wing party who is responsible for introducing them and the socialist party who is opposing them. In Hungary it is the other way around. Is it a political battle or is it some kind of an answer to illegal employment and the ever aging population of Europe? I think it is the latter.

The truth is always somewhere in the middle, we cannot say comparing two systems that one is better than the other; every system has its weaknesses and strength. They are simply different. Each country is trying its own way to adapt to the challenges of today. In the USA the liberal views enable the citizens to choose whether to be insured or rather not. In Europe the mixture of post welfare states and ex-socialist countries have different solutions and ways of dealing.

Rába River in Hungary is still foaming despite the Austrian promises

Linda — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:01:00 +01:00

February 6, 2008

Austrian authorities are not honoring the bilateral agreement signed last summer on cleaning up the Rába River, Environment Minister Gábor Fodor told reporters in Szentgotthárd on Tuesday. Our patience is at an end, he declared.

Pollution is continuing to flow along the Rába because the Wollsdorf tannery has not upgraded its technology to reduce pollution emissions, as promised, Fodor said, unlike other tanneries in Jennersdorf and Feldbach.

Fodor remarked that Austrian authorities have failed to disclose any information neither about the expected pollution nor about what measures they had taken against the polluters, contrary to an agreement signed last summer. He said he will take up the issue with his Austrian counterpart.

On another matter, Fodor vowed to turn to the EU if an Austrian waste incinerator is built near the Hungarian border.

Last May, President of the Republic László Sólyom described Austria's 6 year long negligence to halt the pollution on Raba as intolerable and cynical. He also underlined that this long lasting incident damages the bilateral relationships.

June 12 2007, Greenpeace activists inundated the entrance of Boxmark tannery with foam in order to demand the end of pollution.

Click here to read the history of foaming Raba in Hungarian

Budapest wishes happy birthday

jj — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +01:00

Watch the video!

Our favourites from the Film Week

jj — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +01:00

As we have already reported Hungary's main film festival has already been started and lasts till the 5th of February. But what films are nominated and which has chance to get the Golden Reel?
Here comes the selection of our favourites

The 39th Film Week has been opened by Béla Tarr's film, The Man from London that has started its career at the 60th Cannes Film Festival as cafebabel.com has been reported in a brunch with the director. The film itself is an adaptation of a Georges Simenon crime story and tells the story of a switchman at a seaside station, Maloin. Answering cafebabel.com's question on his adherence to poorer, socially disadvantaged characters Tarr explains: 'I always had this social sensitivity. People living on the moral and existential edge interest me more than anything else. Their conflicts are much more real. They can be better expressed in this segment of society than in the bourgeois, well-off world, where it's usually swept under the carpet. Of course, that is also an interesting universe, but not for me.'
Kornél Mundruczó – Delta
The new film of Kornél Mundruczó, author of several award winning shorts and documentaries, has been come a long way till it has been finally completed in 2007. Since Lajos Bertók, actor shaping the main charatcter died before recording the final scenes, Mundruczó had nothing else to do but find another person for the leading role and reshot the whole film again. The story of the film is based on Shakespeare's Hamlet and Euripides' Electra and describes...
"The man of nature.
The nature of man.
The battle of wind and water.
The power of nature.
The nature of power. Benedek Fliegauf - Milky Way
Benedek Fliegauf’s meditative ambient film won the Golden Leopard in Locarno last summer. It is reputed to be rather a series of installations than a film. The director admits as well that this is not a typical film. In an interview given for origo.hu, a Hungaraian portal he sums up the story in one sentence: “Everything is the same differently and at the same time different in the same way." Róbert Alföldi - A nyugalom (Tranquillity)
Tranquillity is an adaptation of the highly successfull novel of Attila Bartis with the title Calmness/Resting|http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2006-02-27-rakusa-en.html|en] (Die Ruhe in German). It is the first feature of the director, Róbert Alföldi who has been known so far for his theatrical acting and directing.

Gábor Dettre: The tableau The film originally titled Roma cop and Ant burning is based on Ákos Kertész’ novel, The Price of Hatred. The screening of the film was cancelled in the last minute before the 38th Film Week, thus it could be among the nominees only this year. The film is a grotesque social cyclorama shown through a thrilling crime story. Attila Till - Panic
Attila Till’s first feature film tells a story of woman, Zsuzsi being in her thirties. She has everything: good job, own car, a life of her own, even a lover...but one day when having a heart attack, everything changes. Tough being a first film of the director it is of a high standard owing to the professional team working behind Till.

Our favourite from last year:''
György Pálfi - Taxidermia
Following the great success of Hukkle (2002), Pálfi has come out with a big film again. The film based on Lajos Parti Nagy's short novels tells a story of three generations through the life of a grandfather, father and a son.
This film has won prices in Chicago, Brussels, Mexico, Porto, Tallinn and has been nominated by Hungary for the 80th Oscar in the category 'Best Foreign Language Film'. Unfortuately finally it did not managed to get on to the final list of nominated ones, though it should have done to do so.
---

5 February 2008

And the Golden Reel goes to:

Kornél Mundruczó: Delta

Well done, we should have bet for his win! Congratulations!

We are in Top 10!

jj — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:16:00 +01:00

According to cafebabel.com's yearly blog review of 2007, Budapest got the 9th place - 4th among babelian cities!
Thanks for your work guys, namely: Linda, Csacsillus, Agrimald, Oosi, Nori, Lorant and verus!

Here are the list of our best posts. Do not miss to read them, if you had not do that yet.

„TB-BUSTERS” advocating for the privatisation of health insurance by Linda

Legal alien - a Trinidadian in Hungary by Oosi

and

Finally tied the knot by Oosi

Hungary's main film festival (January 29-February 5)

Linda — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:57:00 +01:00

January 28, 2008

Some 103 productions will be featured at the annual 39th Hungarian Film Festival opening in Budapest on Tuesday. The week-long festival which ends on February 5, 18 features, 33 documentaries, 3 documentary-style features, 36 experimental and short films and 13 science and education films will be competing in their own categories.

The main competition this year will be for the festival's main feature film prize, the newly renamed Golden Reel.

The international jury of the festival will be chaired by Klaus Eder, General Secretary of the International Federation of Film Critics.

On the sidelines of the festival, several film-related events will take place, including a roundtable discussion of filmmaking, public meetings and an exhibition entitled "100 Years of Hungarian Film" at the Budapest KOGART museum.

Outside the capital five other cities and towns will host screenings of titles selected from this year's festival programme.

Hungary, Spain co-operate on nuclear research project

Linda — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:21:00 +01:00

January 22, 2008

While Hungary and Spain are rivals in a competition to host the headquarters of the European Union's Spallation Source ESS Project, the two countries have agreed to co-operate in certain fields. The third contestant Sweden rejected the idea of cooperation.

The ESS centre, to be built in the winning country, will employ a total of 4,000 researchers over a 40-year period. The European Spallation Source is slated to become the world´s most powerful neutron source available to researchers in fields such as materials science, nanotechnology, biosciences and engineering.

Under the agreement, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Ferenc Mezei has been requested to head the joint Hungarian-Spanish programme, which will be presented in Brussels on January 24.

To see the animation of the future ESS project, click here

Winter in the City

jj — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:55:00 +01:00

Tough according to the calendar we are coming closer to spring from day to day, winter still remains to rule the streets of Budapest.

The biggest open-air icerink of Europe, Városliget

Margaret Island (Margit sziget)

The Icy Danube

Preparing for Christmas - The "honey-cake house" before the building of Parliament