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issue 2, year XVII, 2010 |
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HUNGARY: A COUNTRY PROFILE
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H.E. DR. PAL SCHMITT, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY: WE SHOULD BUILD A SOCIETY BASED ON KNOWLEDGE
Exclusively for Europe 2001 Magazine
Interview by Valentin Kostov
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H.E. DR. JANOS MARTONY, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY: IMPROVING THE IMAGE OF HUNGARY IS MY PRIORITY
Exclusively for Europe 2001 Magazine
Interview by Valentin Kostov
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H.E. JUDIT LANG, AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY TO BULGARIA: THE INTERESTS OF HUNGARY AND BULGARIA COINCIDE IN MANY SPHERES
Interview by Valentin Kostov
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HUNGARIAN-BULGARIAN ECONOMIC RELATIONS
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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The economy of Hungary is open, export-orientated. The statistic data shows that since the second half of the 1990s Hungary registers comparatively high growth rates of more than 4% yearly.
As far as attracting foreign investment is concerned, Hungary has a significant advantage due to its central position in Europe and high-quality infrastructure. Four international transport corridors pass through the country.
The bilateral economic relations between Hungary and Bulgaria have been developing steadily due to the traditional economic cooperation.
HISTORY OF HUNGARY
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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In old times the Hungarian tribes left the area of Volga River and after several hundred years of wandering, they reached the Carpathian Basin. In 1000 King St. Stephen converted the country to Christianity. In 16th century due to the occupation by the Ottoman Empire the country was split into three parts - the Habsburg governed the western part of the country, the central area was ruled by the Turks, and only the south-east Transylvanian principality remained Hungarian. In 1867 the Hungarians concluded a compromise with the Habsburgs and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was established. After World War II a short democratic period was followed by Communism era. In the 1990s after the abolishment of Communism Hungary's democratic development includes NATO and EU full membership.
HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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Hungarian is a Uralic language in the Ugric language group. Hungarian is the majority language spoken in Hungary and also by Hungarian communities in the seven neighbouring countries and by diaspora communities worldwide. Hungarian is the official language of Hungary, and thus an official language of the European Union. Hungarian is also spoken in Vojvodina (Serbia), Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria. Approximately 14,5 million people speak Hungarian among which 10 million people live in Hungary.
THE BULGARIANS IN HUNGARY
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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In the past Bulgarians and Hungarians often had close contacts which is the reason for the positive relations between the two people until today. Bulgarians have lived in the Hungarian lands for centuries. In the past together with their families they often settled in the suburbs of the towns and were famous for their fruit and vegetable growing skills. It is believed that Bulgarians brought the eggplant in Hungary.
In 1916 the Society of the Bulgarians in Hungary was established and its mission is to preserve the ethnical characteristics of Bulgarians until today. Folklore music and dance groups, schools, magazines and festivals of the local Bulgarian community bring it together.
LAJOS KOSSUTH (THE KOSSUTH'S EMIGRATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BULGARIAN NATIONAL REVIVAL)
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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Among all the places with Hungarian monuments abroad, probably one of the most special is the one in the Bulgarian city of Shumen. The most influential Hungarian XIX century politician Lajos Kossuth spent only three months in the city. However, the statue of him today is situated in the city centre and the house in which he lived is turned into a museum. This is the only place abroad where this kind of respect exists without a strong and long presence of Hungarians.
The Hungarians who emigrated along with Kossuth played an important role in the introduction of the objective and cultural aspects of the European culture in the "stuck and frozen" Balkan world.
HUNGARY: 1100 YEARS IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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The territory of Hungary is less than 100 000 sq. m, its language is spoken nowhere else in the world, its folk songs resemble no other songs and, however, the Hungarian nation has lived in the heart of Europe for more than 1100 years. In spite of the sometimes disastrous changes in its history, the country has spots which attract people from far away places.
The country is famous for its thermal springs, spa and wellness hotels and attractions which are spread all over the country. Each of the country's regions has much to offer like history, culture, castles, nature and local traditions.
THE CHURCHES SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTRY UNTIL TODAY
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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Nowadays there is a full freedom of religion in Hungary. The majority are Catholics but there are also Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Muslims. In the recent years exotic religions such as Budhism and Hare Krishna Community have increased their followers in Hungary.
BUDAPEST
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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Contemporary Budapest was established in 1873 after the city of Pest (situated on the east bank of the Danube River) was united with Buda and Obuda (situated on the west bank). On January 1, 1950 the closely situated near the city settlements had also been united with the capital and the so called Great Budapest was set up. Its population in 1980s reached 2,1 million people. Among the attractions of the city you will find UNESCO cultural heritage sites, old bridge, the "cultural boulevard" and, of course, thermal water sites.
PECS 2010: EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
By Stefka Hrusanova
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Along with Essen and Istanbul, Pecs was chosen for European Capital of Culture 2010. The city is famous for its rich cultural life, which is a result of the traditions and customs of the different nationalities that live in it and its surroundings.
The Pecs 2010: European Capital of Culture program is a unique opportunity for Pecs to present its cultural heritage to the world, as well as its creativity and innovation abilities.
SZEGED
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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One of the most important events in the history of the city of Szeged is the flood that occurred in 1879 and destroyed most of the buildings. The old destroyed buildings were replaced with new and modern ones, in different styles. Today the city is an important cultural, transport and university center.
SOPRON
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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Sopron is situated near the west Hungarian border at the foot of the Alps. Thousands of years of history have been accumulated in the city - a Roman forum, a Middle Ages' fortress, Baroque and Renaissance houses. Gothic and Baroque churches, Middle Ages' synagogues and castles from XIX century.
KÎSZEG: THE HUNGARIAN PEARL
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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At the crossroads of east and west, at the east foot of the Alps, on the bank of a small river the most charming city of western Hungary is situated - this is Kîszeg. It is impossible to find straight streets there, while the doors and windows of the Baroque buildings in the historical center have preserved delicately centuries-old stories and fates of people and nations.
THE MUSICAL HERITAGE OF HUNGARY
By the Hungarian Cultural Institute
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Hungary is the homeland of many of the great composers and musicians of XX century, to mention just a few of them - Ferenc Liszt, Ferenc Lehàr, Zoltàn Kodàly, Imre Kàlmàn
If you visit Hungary, do not miss to look at the concert posters and if you are lucky, you will be able to enjoy the music of some of the mentioned in this review composers, musicians and singers.
THE TREASURES OF CENTURIES-OLD ART
By the Hungarian Cultural Institute
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The few pages dedicated to art do not allow us to present the whole centuries-old treasure of the Hungarian art which significantly contributed to the artistic life of Europe and the world. We offer you to get acquainted with some world famous artist - the painter Rippl-Rînai, the ceramic sculptor Margit Kovàcs, the graphic artist Båla Kondor and the postmodernist Attila Csîrgî.
THE HUNGARIAN CINEMA MODEL
By Vera Naydenova
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During the last two decades the Eastern European countries transformed their cinema in line with the new social and economical conditions, however, at different rate. As a person who is closely observing this process, the author of the article states the Hungarians has made this transition in the fastest and most successful way.
The success according to her is connected to their efforts and ability to preserve the heritage from the past. Certainly with a strong renovation.
HUNGARIAN SPORT
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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The most popular and loved by Hungarians sport is football, although today's Hungarian football does not resemble the one of former times. Among the other popular sports in the country are water polo, handball and all the Olympic sports, where Hungarian sportsmen have had great success for the last decades.
VIBRANT TRADITIONS, FOLKLORE CULTURE
By the Embassy of Hungary in Sofia
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Hungarians have rich traditions, culture and cuisine. You can see the traces of traditions in the open-air museums and the ethnographic houses, but they are still alive also in the villages, in the lifestyle of the local communities, the traditional crafts and the folklore arts, dances, music.
FAMOUS HUNGARIAN PERSONALITIES
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TIVADAR PUSKÀS
ALBERT SZENT-GYÎRGYI
JANOS NEUMANN
EDE TELLER
FERENC PUSKÀS
IMRE KERTÅSZ
ISTVÀN SZABÎ
ERNÎ RUBIK
PHOTOATELIER PRESENTS:
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PETER KORNISS
ATTILA LORANT
LITART PRESENTS:
ANTAL SZERB
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SPIRÎ GYÎRGY
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ATELIER PRESENTS:
STEFAN KATSAROV
By Ognyan Stamboliev
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IVAILO PETROV
By Sir Richard Harper, Bart
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| Translated by Maria Angelova |
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