Politics and the Hungarian Media in a Historical Context

Géza Buzinkay is Lecturer in the History of the Press and Journalism at Budapest University. In his speech he will concentrate on current Hungarian issues. Read or download Kis magyar sajtótörténet by Mr Buzinkay here. CV and publications

Punting

, if the weather allows. If really wet, we shall go in to the bar of the nearby Eastgate Hotel. If you want to come, please email Kati Süle. Cost depends on numbers (£2-3).

Ernst von Dohnanyi: A Tribute

Alan Walker gives a speech on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the composer's birth Alan is Professor Emeritus of Music, McMaster University. He is also the author of a three-volume biography of Liszt about which he talked to the Society earlier. Read more about Ernst von Dohnanyi here. Listen to Violin Sonata by Dohnanyi. (RealAudio is needed.)

Hungary in the 1980s: A Personal View

Teacher Marion Merrick and her musician husband moved to Hungary 20 years ago, initially for one year but have stayed ever since, working, living and bringing up children just like the locals. Marion has published a book, Now You See It Now You Don't, about her experiences. She will introduce the audiance to them on this occassion.

"July and August were spent in England. Maybe the strangest feeling after a year away was the simple fact that we could understand everything everybody was saying. It was a relief to sink back into automatic reactions to situations, conversations which required no effort, shops you could buy what you wanted when you needed it and the pervarding symplicity of everyday life. Yet after that initial relief followed a restlessness, an irritation with the grey weather, a feeling that life was too easy, too routine, too 'nice'. It lacked the struggle, the intensity and the colour of Hungarian life. It made no demands on the abilities and reserves of character we had only discovered in ourselves during the previous year, and personal relationships seemed weak in a society where everyone could, and did, manage their everyday lives without the help of their friends.../.../... 'So what do you notice first now that you're back? /../ 'Three smells', I replied, 'Hungarian coffee, Hungarian cigarettes, and the pollution from the cars.'"

Film screening: Meseauto (Dream Car)

The Barna Kabay directed film is a recent light-hearted remake of a classic comedy from the golden age of Hungarian studio films. The story of social respectability,  money and true love is every bit as relevant today. With Eszter Ónodi, András Kern and András Stohl.

From Cigány to Roma: A Brief History

Helen Carr is a Ph.D. student at Wadham College just about to submit her doctorate on The Reconstruction of Roma Identity. During this event she will reveal more about her thesis.

Link to Romapage.hu

Pen, Ink and Paprika: the Life and Legacy of the Anglo-Hungarian Political Cartoonist "Vicky" (Victor Weisz), 1913-66

Mark Bryant talks about the Berlin-born Hungarian Jew who became a famous British cartoonist: Viktor Weisz. Mark is secretary of the London Press Club and author of several books on the history of caricature and cartoon. Read more about Viktor Weisz here.

Historic Gardens of Hungary

Gábor Alföldy, currently a Ph.D. student at York, is also restoring historic gardens for the authority for the protection of historic buildings in Hungary.

Old Proverbs Never Die

Anna Litovkina is a Moscow-born and -educated Hungarian specialist who has taught in Hungary and is the author of several books on this subject.

Hungary : the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Robin McConnachie is the Chairman of the British Hungarian Society, London, and has been part-time adviser to various Hungarian government bodies on fiscal and monetary policy and the financial system since 1991.

Mikulás Party

Our traditional bring-and-share seasonal occasion, by kind invitation of Zoltán Molnár. Do bring family and friends. Contributions of drinks and nibbles also welcome!