Russia's hybrid war exposed
Ukraine's Ambassador to Hungary Liubov Nepop and her Embassy in Budapest have marked the Day of Defender of Ukraine in the Hungarian capital for the first time. This day is a state holiday in Ukraine…
Socialist statues' last stand
The clouds have turned grey and the wind has become chilly – not normally a welcome change in the weather but today just perfect. For this is the open-air Memento Park, dumping ground for the obsolete…
A touch of France
The scent of French baguette, the sight of colourful macarons and the smell of freshly baked croissants – whose mouth doesn't water? Nerella Chauvin-Némethy – affectionately called Neri by her…
E-visas for St. Petersburg
Nationals of 53 foreign states including Hungary may now be granted an e-visa to enter the Russian Federation through air, naval, automobile and pedestrian checkpoints in the territory of Saint…
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Expect fireworks
Xpat Charity Gala: Bonfire Night Party, Marriott Ballroom, Saturday November 2Three Hungarian children's charities will benefit when the Xpat Charity Gala…
Great life isn’t a closed book yet
"Churchill: Walking with Destiny" by Andrew Roberts (published by Penguin Books)At very nearly 1000 pages – and over that number when you include the…
Top-notch biography, in and out of the bedroom
"The Mountbattens. Their Lives and Loves" by Andrew Lownie (published by Blink)Rarely does the pace flag or is the narrative less than compelling in this…
Bloody hell
It’a a mad, mad, mad, mad world out thereIt's not all bad news at the World Press Photo exhibition 2019 – just the great…
Bill Gates writing book on climate change
Allen Lane to publish vision for world in June 2020American business magnate and humanitarian Bill Gates is writing a book about…
Strangers in a strange land
"The British in India. Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience" by David Gilmour (published by Penguin Books)An oft-heard quote is that India was the "jewel in the crown" of the British…
Making hay while the sun still shines
"Welcome Back to Budapest" party at Kempinski Hotel CorvinusSummer is behind us and the restaurants in the city are returning to life again,…
Masterpiece in the frame
JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London"Every Picture Tells a Story" sang Rod Stewart in 1971, and his picture is one…
Comics and the power of drawing
An honest woman without fear, expressing herselfChilean comics artist Marcela Trujillo's work has gone on display at Budapest's…
51 years in a wheelchair, so far
"Born on the Fourth of July" by Ron Kovic (published by Canongate)The Vietnam War was an American disaster. Iggy Pop, who performed in Budapest…
European office of Turkic Council opens
Meeting of Foreign Ministers in BudapestThe 10th Extraordinary Meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the…
Four-star innings
Danubius Hotel Regents Park, LondonWhere to go and have a look first? Lord's Cricket Ground, the home of the sport,…
Concise look at a complex history
"India: A Short History" by Andrew Robinson (published by Thames & Hudson)Andrew Robinson's book covered a whopping four millennia of Indian history in…
The other Balaton
The capital with the eye of an expatI'm writing this from Balaton. Not the Balaton but the one and only Balaton in…
Gentle as a lamb
Dreamy vocals and a chilled-out vibeLamb are an English electronic music duo from Manchester, consisting of producer…
Ghost bring Death
Swedish rockers headline shows after supporting MetallicaFollowing the coveted Special Guest slot on Metallica's 26-date summer European…
Fish out of water
Up to the neck in it during a day at the bathsIt's a late summer day in Vancouver, Canada, the kind of day where you can feel…
Ostalgia on wheels
Fleet of 40 Trabants reminds of communist daysThe Trabant was as affordable and modern as cars got for most people in the…
Unwanted but not unloved
Volunteer saddened – and dog tired – helping out at animal shelterHerosz Animal Welfare Association takes in orphaned or abused animals. Only with…
The powerful warrior princess
Stuntwoman and world traveller Stephanie AndrewsLong red curls, fair skin, a petite nose (which would make Cleopatra jealous),…
Let battle commence
Tarlós, Karácsony open mayoral slugfestHungarians will go to the polls on October 13 to elect mayors and municipal…
'Priority number one' to stop Russian aggression
New-look Ukraine speeding up reforms: ambassadorUkraine's celebration of its Independence Day each August 24 was taking place…
Still time to enjoy Capital of Culture 2019 festivities
Plovdiv provides in Europe's oldest cityPicturesque Plovdiv in central Bulgaria and second city to the capital Sofia, is…
Silent film comes alive
Pianist plays as action unfoldsElaine Loebenstein is an Irish classical pianist who has honed her craft as a…
New manager to lead into the 2020s
Dutchman takes over at InterContinental BudapestInterContinental Budapest’s new General Manager is a Dutch national, an avid…
Feeling well, after heading for the hills
Going up in the world at Selfness Hotel Vadvirág, MátraszentimreBody and soul both need a touch-up from the sensory overload of the city…
They visited, we follow
"Great Cities Through Travellers' Eyes" Edited by Peter Furtado (published by Thames & Hudson)The concept is simple enough: historian Peter Furtado has compiled various…
Tango time on Andrassy
The most fun in public without getting arrestedTango is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists of…
A thrill a page
"Alfred Hitchcock. The Complete Films" Edited by Paul Duncan (published by Taschen)The editor Paul Duncan is a film historian with literary pedigree, his Taschen…
Dane has won top awards
Bille August to be guest of honour at Miskolc Film FestivalDanish Academy Award-winning director Bille August will be guest of honour at…
A surprise in every corner
Mystery Hotel Budapest is a place of mystery, magic and adventureMystery Hotel is a name that cannot be ignored or misunderstood. It makes other…
Death of an ogre leaves no one sorry
"Maigret and the Wine Merchant" by Georges Simenon (published by Penguin Books)We read somewhere once, and we just wish we could remember where, that the final…