On the path of intellectuals
People here are snobbishly proud of the marvellous intellectual heritage accumulated through the centuries, the relentless vibe, the coffeehouse life of which Budapest is the catalyst, the crown, the motor, the centre, the flame – whatever you like.
Let’s see some curiosities, starting points for exploring high-culture Budapest.
First and foremost, let’s start the day with a strong espresso in Centrál Kávéház; an iconic place, where poems, novels were born, editorial sessions of literary magazines were held at the beginning of the XXth century, from where political and social movements evolved. The hangout for painters, architects, sculptors, journalists, theatre staff, photographers, musicians, university professors. After a long pause, the place reopened in 1999 to offer the scenery for the reviving old fizzle. Centrál used to be the ultimate symbol of the city’s coffee house life.
Slightly more youngish and real spot, more frequented by locals, is just around the corner: Alibi Kávéház, right next to the Faculty of Law. Don’t miss their mascarpone - blueberry pie!
Slightly more youngish and real spot, more frequented by locals, is just around the corner: Alibi Kávéház, right next to the Faculty of Law. Don’t miss their mascarpone - blueberry pie!
To become intellectual, people have to go a long way, paved by books and large lexicons. Refreshed by the strong coffee, right next to Centrál, visit the palace to humanities, the Library of Eötvös Loránd University. More than 400 years old (its present building was erupted later, in the 1870’s), it is the national scientific library for philosophy, history of the Middle Ages and partly that of the Modern Age. The University Library stocks more than 1,5 million printed books and periodicals. Discover the main reading room, decorated with stunning wall paintings and frescos!Even though Hungary has not treasured up a great collection of Asian and oriental masterpieces, a few adventurous travellers headed towards the East and realised a considerable amount of exotic treasures. The Hungarians’ interest toward the East was based on the search for roots, traces of ancestors, and relatives. Like Ferenc Hopp, a nobleman who, during his 4 journeys around the world, made a lot of photos, brought together objects of art and jewelleries. The Hopp Ferenc East-Asian Art Museum, under no. 103 Andrássy Avenue is home to over 20 000 objects from every continent, mainly from Japan and China but also from India, Korea, Indonesia, the Islam world, and Vietnam. This is one of the most charming little museum, located in the area of romantic villas.
Right, I know you would surely visit a bath while in Budapest; I have to add that Lukács Bath has been made famous by the cultural elite spending their leisure time here. According to the legend, after the revolution of 1956, every 1st of May, oppositionists were taken from the sun-deck directly, just for a couple of days, so as to avoid them “getting into trouble”.
The perfect end-of-the-day cannot befall elsewhere than in Fészek Artists’ Club. The name of this cultural centre (Fészek – ’nest’ in Hungarian) is an acronym: F – Festők (painters); É – Építészek (architects); S – Szobrászok (sculptors); Z – Zenészek (instrumental musicians); E – Énekesek (singers); K – Komédiások (comedians, i.e., actors).
Downtown but still far enough from glamour and glimmering luxury; cosy though hosting over the top, unique high-quality events; eclectic in style, cosmopolitan if not international guests, Hungarian hosts, intellectual and cultural sophistication with welcoming, open-minded, fascinating intellectuals of every generation. (PS: Every second Saturday, fish stew is cooked in cauldron in the restaurant’s garden)
Ujj Orsolya
http://budapestgolocal.blogspot.com/2010/10/23-october-revolution-against-sovietes.html
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