Polo in Hungary is still regarded as a rarefied sport in which few partake. The roughly 200 guests invited to the recent La Estancia Polo Picnic 2011 in Etyek had the chance to see for themselves what it is all about. International polo tournaments have been held on the ground there since 2003. Continue »

Every summer the Habsburg Eilika Foundation holds a training camp for young equestrian vaulters in the first week of the summer holidays. A total of 25 children are taking part and training hard for the upcoming international tournament in Kaposvár. In keeping with tradition, five children from Transylvania have travelled to Sóskút with their trainers and horses.  Continue »

Chinese fast-food restaurants, the Four Tigers market and myriad products in countless shops: many things and a lot of people in Budapest seem to be “made in China”. Some wonder where all the Chinese have suddenly come from, while others have been going to school with them, doing business with them or have been married to them for years. Nevertheless, the lack of knowledge about the immigrants from East Asia is great. The Hungarian and Chinese communities often live parallel to one another rather than together, a fact that easily gives rise to prejudice. To learn more about the Chinese minority in Hungary, Lisa Weil spoke to Tian Yang Zhang, one of the editors of the radio programme Csodálatos Mandarin on Tilos Rádió, and Dr. Gergely Salát, director of the centre for Modern China Research at the Confucius Institute of Eötvös Loránd University and the editor of Konfucius Krónika.  Continue »

The international community came together on Friday 5 November to raise HUF 1.5 million (EUR 5,468) for charity – over twice the amount donated during the Bonfire Night charity event last year. Stephen Linfitt, the event organiser, took the occasion of the 10th anniversary of XpatLoop.com to put on the event for The Smiling Hospital Foundation. More than 250 people attended, including many distinguished locals, ministry officials and media personalities. Expats  including several ambassadors, senior diplomats, leading business figures and a whole variety of socialites all joined in the celebration. Continue »

Corporate Budapest was out in force last Friday night, raising approximately HUF 15 million (EUR 54,000) towards safety school programs aimed at Hungarian children, taking place at the iconic Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal Budapest, United Way Hungary’s Annual Gala Dinner and Charity Auction.  Continue »

Smiling Hospital Foundation brightens sick children’s day. The Smiling Hospital Foundation aims to make life more bearable for hospitalised children in Hungary. It is, however, relatively unusual for a whole family to dedicate itself to bringing smiles to the faces of such children through music,  arts and crafts. The Budapest Times spoke to Magdi Veres about why her family supports the foundation, the work itself, and its importance. Continue »

The diplomatic community was putting on the ritz last Wednesday for a gala evening benefiting local charities that contribute to improving the quality of life for those in need or in harm’s way.  Continue »

Sándor Csányi, the chaiman-CEO of OTP and one of Hungary’s richest men, has accepted a request from the Hungarian Football Association (MLSZ) and will be nominated as president of the governing body. Continue »

Three-time Hungarian player of the year Zoltán Gera scored the winning goal to put English Premier League side Fulham in the final of the Europa League last Thursday, securing a first ever European final appearance for the 131-year-old club.  Continue »

Cricket is not a sport commonly associated with Hungary.  But the
Hungarian Cricket Association (HCA) is set to change our perceptions. 
In just three years, the Association has established a national team, a
developing squad and even a national girls youth team. Cricket in
Hungary is expanding exponentially and the HCA has high hopes that in
years to come the national team will be able to compete on an
International level.  I spoke with Mr. Andrew Leckonby, the Technical
Director of the organization, to find out exactly how the HCA plans to
achieve such an aspiration. Continue »