{"id":13648,"date":"2023-02-17T04:21:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T04:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/?p=13648"},"modified":"2023-02-17T04:21:03","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T04:21:03","slug":"min-on-music-journey-no-65-hungary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/13648\/min-on-music-journey-no-65-hungary\/","title":{"rendered":"Min-On Music Journey No. 65: Hungary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Min-On\u2019s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Hungary in Japan welcome you to Hungary, located in Central Europe.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9European Best Destinations<\/em><\/p>\n

Hungary is a landlocked country one-fourth the size of Japan and surrounded by seven others, but the majestic Danube River runs through the middle of the country, and cities dating back to the Roman era have flourished on its Western plains. Western Hungary is also home to the biggest lake in Central Europe. There are also countless thermal springs welling up throughout the entire country, and Hungary’s thermal baths are famous across the globe.<\/p>\n

Hungary has the four distinct seasons typical of a continental climate. While its summers are hot and dry, its winters are not especially cold and the snowfall is light, even though it’s located at a higher latitude than Hokkaido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel guide for Hungary:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30fbEnjoy the view of the starry sky over Budapest on a dinner cruise on the Danube
\n\u30fbMelt away the fatigue from your travels in the Sz\u00e9chenyi Thermal Bath, one of Budapest’s best thermal baths
\n<\/span>\u30fbMeet some of Hungary’s fascinating creatures, like the woolly pig mangalica, or puli and komondor dogs
\n<\/span>\u30fbSee the traditional folk art of Hungary, like Kalocsa and Maty\u00f3 embroidery<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Hungary’s main roads and railroads radiate in all directions from its capital Budapest, so it’s only natural to use Budapest as our home base for today’s music-filled journey across Hungary.<\/p>\n

The capital of Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The capital of Budapest consists of two halves separated by the Danube River: the Buda District on the west bank and the Pest District on the east bank. Many of the buildings from the period of great economic development and social stability under the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the second half of the 19th century still remain here. The beauty and historical value of the entire city earned Budapest the nickname “the Pearl of the Danube” and its title as a World Heritage Site. UNESCO registered the city in 1987 and later expanded the boundaries of the site to encompass “Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andr\u00e1ssy Avenue” in 2005.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency<\/em><\/p>\n

The Hungarian Parliament Building, a fusion of architectural styles<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Hungarian Parliament Building was completed in 1902 and is known for the majestic appearance that resulted from blending several styles of architecture. The central dome is in the Renaissance style, while the spires are Neo-Gothic and the interior is Baroque. These styles are expertly balanced with each other, creating a structure that’s known as the most beautiful parliament building in the world.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency<\/em><\/p>\n

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Bold measures to reverse the declining birthrate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hungary is also known for the remarkably bold measures it has taken to increase its birth rate and remedy its shrinking population, which had been decreasing since 1981. These include many striking, sweeping policies like three-year parental leave, total exemption from income tax for life until retirement for those mothers who have four or more children (plus proportionately reduced income tax for those who have one to three children) and financial aid for real estate purchases for families with one child or more.<\/p>\n

Concrete results have started to steadily appear as a result. For example, the number of Hungarians who desire children has doubled in the past ten years, the number of married individuals reached a 35-year high in 2021.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\nThe Sz\u00e9chenyi Chain Bridge, a national symbol of Hungary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not only is the Sz\u00e9chenyi Chain Bridge an indispensable bridge connecting the Buda and Pest districts, but once the sun sets and the bridge is illuminated, you’ll see why it’s known as a national symbol of Hungary and one of the jewels of Europe. At night, the chains of the bridge light up and look like glowing strings of pearls. A dinner cruise on the Danube River with a perfect view of the bridge and surrounding Budapest makes for a luxurious evening.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency<\/em><\/p>\n

The Sz\u00e9chenyi Thermal Bath, a place of healing<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a city well-known for its thermal baths, Budapest has some of the best in the world, for example the Sz\u00e9chenyi Thermal Bath, which uses water sourced from a natural hot spring more than 1,000 meters below ground. It’s one of the largest baths in Europe, and its vast facilities include three heated swimming pools and fifteen indoor baths, each offering different water temperatures.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Former Hungarian National Tourist Office<\/em><\/p>\n

Although it’s a thermal bath, bathers must wear bathing suits, making it feel more like a swimming pool resort. Here, families and couples all relax and unwind together amidst the beautiful architecture and surrounding scenery. In the heated swimming pools, it’s a popular custom among the locals to enjoy a game of chess while half-submerged in the pool.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency (left)\u00a0\u00a9G\u00e1bor Erd\u00e9lyi (right)<\/em><\/p>\n

The natural environment and traditional handicrafts of Hungary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hungary has countless sightseeing destinations throughout the country, and all of them are worth visiting at least once. For today’s journey, we’ll visit a few noteworthy places first to the southwest, then to the south and then to the east of Budapest.<\/p>\n

Southwest Hungary: The emerald green Lake Balaton<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lake Balaton lies about 130 km southwest of Budapest. It is Central Europe’s largest lake and has beautiful, emerald green waters. The surrounding area has become a luxury resort area surrounded by vineyards, and savoring the local wine while gazing down at the lake’s surface is a truly special experience.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency(left)<\/em><\/p>\n

Southern and Eastern Hungary: Kalocsa and Maty\u00f3 embroidery<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Hungary, each region has its own unique embroidery traditions. Kalocsa embroidery, which is from the historic southern town of Kalocsa, is known for the way it arranges colorful flowers and plants on white cloth.<\/p>\n

Maty\u00f3 embroidery, which originates from the north-eastern part of Hungary, especially from the town of Mez\u0151k\u00f6vesd, uses techniques passed down over the past 200 years. UNESCO registered Maty\u00f3 traditions as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9M.KATSUTA (left) \u00a9Ministry of Agriculture, Hungary (right)<\/em><\/p>\n

East Hungary: Hortob\u00e1gy National Park, a place to encounter rare animals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hortob\u00e1gy National Park encompasses about 800 square kilometers\u00a0of Europe’s finest grasslands and is another of Hungary’s World Heritage Sites. Several species of rare animals not found anywhere else in the world inhabit this park.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency<\/em><\/p>\n

One of the most well-known is the racka, an ancient breed of sheep brought to the area by the equestrian ancestors of the Hungarian people when they migrated from the southern foot of the Ural mountains. Their defining trait is their fierce appearance that runs contrary to the docile look you’d expect from sheep.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Agroinform<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Hungary’s fascinating creatures\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Hungarian fruit spirits and traditional cuisine<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most essential ingredient to Hungarian cuisine is paprika. The distant ancestor of paprika is the chili pepper from South America, and after it was brought to Europe, was introduced to Hungary around 1500.<\/p>\n

As a result of selective breeding in Hungary, a non-spicy type of paprika was produced, which then became a widespread ingredient, along with the spicy type. Dried and powdered paprika in particular became an indispensable seasoning for traditional Hungarian cooking. Fresh paprika, on the other hand, is a breakfast staple and is also widely used in dishes like stews.<\/p>\n

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\n\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency<\/em><\/p>\n

One other important example of Hungarian food culture is the Hungarian fruit spirit called p\u00e1linka. It’s made from fruits like apricots, pears, plums and cherries. It’s known for its rich fruity flavor and its aroma that is so luxurious that it’s described as “perfume you can drink.”<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a9Hungarian Tourism Agency (left) \u00a9M.KATSUTA (right)<\/em><\/p>\n

Hungarian music culture<\/strong><\/p>\n

Min-On has enjoyed taking part in many cultural exchange events with Hungary, including the concert of The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble and The Hungarian Gypsy Ensemble.<\/p>\n

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\nThe Hungarian State Folk Ensemble (1977) (left) Hungarian Gypsy Ensemble (1993) (right)<\/em><\/p>\n

Musicians from Hungary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hungary is the birthplace of many great musicians like Ferenc Liszt (1811\u20131886), who captivated all of Europe during the 19th century, and B\u00e9la Bart\u00f3k (1881\u20131945) and Zolt\u00e1n Kod\u00e1ly (1882\u20131967), who studied and collected folk music.<\/p>\n

Hungary is home to many great musicians who are still active today, like Roby Lakatos (1965\u2013present), a phenomenally talented violinist who bases his music on the Romani style.<\/p>\n

The Hungarian State Opera, established in the capital of Budapest in 1884, is one of Hungary’s iconic cultural institutions. The opera house holds performances from many groups, including the country’s oldest orchestra, the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, as well as the Hungarian National Ballet and world-renowned singers.<\/p>\n

Please enjoy this video recommended by the Embassy of Hungary that shows the extensively renovated Hungarian State Opera after it reopened in March 2022.<\/p>\n

The refurbished Budapest Opera House<\/strong><\/p>\n