2020 Winter
USA elected president
It can hardly be debated that the United States of America is the leading power of the world, considerable attention is paid on its important internal changes worldwide, like the Presidential election on 3 November. The challenge of the 2020 voting was whether the 74 year old Republican Donald Trump starts his new – second, according to the law the last – four-year period or the Democratic candidate, the 78 year old Joe Biden moves to the White House as the 46th President of the United States. By the documents Biden is the winner, however Trump did not acknowledge the victory of his rival but mentioning fraud, infringement said: he would turn to the Supreme Court of the United States. Thus as of today although Biden won the election but we may get the official and final answer to the question whether he really won it or not only after lengthy legal fights…
Daring is needed for success
Zoltán Varró – the internationally recognised designer – is a lucky man, as he really does not work because he does what he likes most: have dreams and realises the characteristic „Varró” spaces many people all over the world long for. Who would believe that the career of the popular designer started with an IKEA catalogue he thumbed through the pages like the Bible and with a yellow sofa. By now he has left his name-card in several places of the world and can choose from the assignments. During several years he has created a style recognisable immediately and an international clientele in such a way that he has always remained true to his main principle: you should not speak about design but do it. Undoubtedly, the fact that he has outstanding communication capabilities has contributed to his success. During the conversation with him in Hotel Mystery dreamed by him, the past, present and future were touched, and he said that now at the request of a businessman from Florence he was reconstructing a hotel with 80 rooms at Lake Como so that the guests felt they were walking above the clouds.
Neverland
Walking down the stairs our guests arrive to a world with exceptional atmosphere, the aim of which is to uproot everybody from the usual, grey everyday life and offer complete recreation. Neverland is a unique amusement complex providing several programme possibilities. We have five high-tech escape rooms with different topics, fantastic realistic equipment and authentic requisites. Our premier bar awaits its guests with signature cocktails and unique gin&tonic drinks of Budapest’s largest variety. Our bistro kitchen offers quality Hungarian and international meals for various occasions. The highlight of our venue is the elegant VIP Lounge which can be hired. Neverland is an event venue having a unique design where we can host 120 people at the same time.
They live like royals
It is said that although one can live without favourite pets but it is not worth it. Stars, presidents of republic, royals are aware of this and share their homes with pets that are dear for them, may it be a cat, dog or even a pig. They pamper their favourite ones like us, average keepers. Queen Elizabeth’s Corgi enthusiasm is well-known and thanking to this a new breed was born, as Prince Margaret ’s dachshund was fond of one of the royal corgis and a new breed, the dorgi was born as the consequence of this „marriage”. Who would not be familiar with Choupette, Lagerfeld’s cat who is not only a fashion icon but also a rich heir? It is not sure that the aristocratic cat would get in touch with Hemingway’s six-finger cats who have a free and happy life on the writer’s previous estate in Key West. Maybe they would watch the film about the adventures of Socks, the „first cat”. George Clooney has a „piggy luck” to have chosen a piggy as a partner because Max saved his life.
Energy is getting green all over the world
Green energy is becoming more popular all over the world and the renewable sources of energy are spreading in Hungary too. But what is the connection between a solar power plant and planting trees? The Ten Million Trees Foundation has just planted the fifty thousandth tree when MET Kabai Solar Park started its commercial production. The Swiss-based energy company, the MET Group joined with the volunteers of the foundation and planted the fifty thousandth tree together next to the solar power plant. The action had a message: everybody should do he/she can in the interest of sustainable future. Naturally, it is impossible to stop climate change just by planting trees. According to the foundation to be able to decrease its affects the key is the switch over to the use of renewable sources of energy. The MET Group – which wants to be an important factor in the production of renewable energy in the East-European region too – has bought Bulgaria’s fifth biggest wind park. As a responsible company, bearing in mind sustainability and environmental protection, elaborated the CSR strategy „fYOUture”.
Jimi Hendrix
On 18 September half a century ago Jimi Hendrix, one of the greatest rock guitarists ever with the most significant impact died. He got hardly 27 years of life but his influence, musical heritage will be surely alive for centuries. At least undoubtedly until rock exists. It means – according to the fans of this music genre – forever … – it can be read in the article about his short life story. Hendrix has been more and more known since the middle of the sixties, first in Europe, then in his home country, the United States of America, too. He learnt by himself, in self-educated way how to handle the strings with a lot of practice. He created a school how to use the guitar, to reach euphony and also the way of performance. In such a way that he – being left-handed – played right-handed guitars brilliantly, sometimes burning his guitar on the scene. Unfortunately, alcohol and drugs became an integral part of his life causing his death.
Winery Mörk
We have visited a vineyard in Akali where having a panorama of Lake Balaton and accompanied by a few curious wasps we had a conversation with viticulturist András Mörk, who after giving up the previous life of the family in Budapest moved to a place near the vines. At present the winery has a territory of 5, 5 hectares and use biodynamic methods in winemaking. András considers the viticulturist’s profession as one with a lot of possibilities to develop continuously, as one can always learn many tricks and never runs out of new lessons. For example now he has started to deal with battonage technics when wine is kept on dregs and is stirred up regularly. It is felt e.g. in his Chardonnay wine of 2018 matured in wooden barrel which is especially creamy, so the effect of keeping on dregs harmonises with the taste of vanilla and drupes coming from the barrel. It is worth visiting this winery solely for the sake of this wine.
Gastronomy
The Abacus Business & Wellness Hotel**** Superior is located 25 km from Budapest, in Herceghalom. The hotel’s inspiring atmosphere, innovative environment and uncompromising gastronomical philosophy makes it the ideal place for family vacations, wellness weekends, conferences, business meetings and even weddings. The chef, Ferenc Toth, whose resume boasts with extensive foreign experience, uses simple, local and seasonal ingredients from Zsambek’s basin in his dishes. The majority of the spices he uses are grown in the kitchen’s own garden. Their dishes draw on both international sensibilities as well as the traditional Hungarian sense of taste; all while using modern culinary technology. The combination of gastronomical pleasures with a peaceful, familial atmosphere and modern environment translate into more than half the guests being regulars. Their success was further confirmed when Abacus Business & Wellness Hotel won the title of Best Rural Business and Conference Hotel in Hungary.
Game on the table!
In Hungary you can get the best game, e.g. the loin of venison which is considered to be the Rolls-Royce of meat. The wild boar is a separate section in game gastronomy. While in ancient times the aim of hunting was subsistence, today game has become nearly a luxury product and hunting itself has become the sport of distinguished and well-to-do people. Game serves as the basic material for top gastronomy. Game is highly appreciated for its taste, its nutrients and its low fat content. The complex, diverse, ripe game taste is an essential element of game gastronomy as well as the terroir, because one can feel the land where the animal lived which is decided by the fact what kind of herbs was eating.
GASTSZOLG has 30 years
The 30-year old business has reached a mature age but has a youthful dynamism with many innovative ideas and solutions. Ferenc Tóth, the owner of the firm said to our magazine that it had been established in 1990 by senior Ferenc Tóth but at present he manages it. The first task of the company specialised in self-service restaurants was the canteen of the Hungarian Electricity Private Limited Company. Since then they have opened a dozen restaurants. In 30 years they have become a major figure on the catering market, and it is proved by the fact that they provide a stable living for more than 200 people. Now they will take on an immense job, as they want to realise 30-year professional experience in a very modern, new and innovative bistro: BC 140, the possible flagship of GASTSZOLG can be the new self-service restaurant of the people working in the offices in Váci Street.
Barbara Léber: I offer emergency assistance to women
Fashion designer Barbara Léber with her new lifestyle products aims not only at making our body nice and slim we can wrap in a nice dress but also to beautify ourselves at cellular level. As she said dress designing and the world of nutritional supplements were in close connection, as she saw the difficulties the ladies buying clothes in their salon had to cope with. In the past it was much easier to make plans in their calendar but in the last four-five years the ball invitations are not sent out a few months in advance and several such events are held where you have to just drop in, so you do not have time to prepare your body and soul. These women are standing in the salon, have the fitting and it can be seen that they do not feel comfortable in the dress. Barbara Léber found the 1 week – 1 size programme as a solution for this by which one can lose 2, 5-4 kg a week. So far women were beautified only outside but now inside too.
FAKRO
FAKRO can look back on its past one year short of thirty years. The huge international company started its development as a small Polish family business and nowadays is considered to be the second largest roof window producer of the world. Its affiliated firm, FAKRO Hungary LTD. established two decades ago who’s CEO, László Kovách attributes the market successes mainly to the very strong and continuous innovation activity. According to his explanation 70% of FAKRO production is exported, its products can be bought in more than fifty countries and has its representatives in several places. In 2012, at the end of the world crisis the turnover in Hungary reached 300 million forints and today it is already two billions. The extremely intensive progress is owing to the high quality of the products and the 130 developers of FAKRO and numerous reliable professional partners contribute to this.
Spa Trend
Spa Trend, the company of Roland Vezse producing massage pools and exclusive garden furniture has grown to become a business worth of billions during 17 years. It was able to develop even during the world economic crisis and the COVID-19 emergency period. The crisis of 2008 hit them in the worst time: they just took out a loan of a big sum to buy a new company estate. They could not sell even a pool in half a year and Roland came with the bright idea of Spa Trend Expo which has been held every year ever since. Within a month after the fair they sold all their stock. Roland has taken a brilliant measure in the beginning of this year, during the coronavirus lockdown. They have been working on their more and more perfect online presence since January. They shot videos, tutorials and it became possible to take a 3D walk in their showroom. The staff workers switched over to phone contact from personal sale.
Attila Kun has 22 “stepdaughters”
Attila Kun in addition to his own two daughters has 22 „stepdaughters”. The deputy director responsible for professional matters of Győri ETO Handball Club has been in touch with handball for several decades. This is his work and hobby at the same time, as it turns out in a conversation with him. The 52 year old specialist had worked as a physical education teacher in Miskolc for 17 years and had been the head of a sport school before moving to Győr where he has educated the most talented young people, by number 22 born in 2002-2003 for eight years. Members of the national team of their age group also play in his team, the most excellent ones could introduce themselves in the world-class club team of Győr which defended its title in the Champions League and also in the senior national team of Hungary. Attila Kun together with several of his handball stepdaughters contributed to the victory of the Hungarian junior national team at the World Championships and to the victory of the youth national team at the European Championships.
Top-quality footwear
Masters working in „Tóth Művek” have been conjuring for nearly half a century. Day by day unique and decorative footwear is the result of the masters’ handwork. István Tóth, continuing the family traditions founded his company in 1976 and they have managed their business with his son, Zoltán for more than a decade. They are well-known at international level, too and the ongoing orders received from abroad prove this. „While keeping the traditions, we make each product with special care using excellent leather, taking into consideration the individual and sometimes unique wishes to a great extent.” – said Zoltán Tóth, adding that in addition to the traditional black Budapest model the boots worn by jockeys and polo players are also popular. „There are more and more online orders on our website www.lovaglocsizma.hu but we are working on a new one to make online orders even simpler, also in English.” – he added.
Lower insurance fees are needed
The coronavirus pandemic spread all over the world affects the insurance business, too. „In the last months using cars has decreased to a great extent which influences the car insurance, too.” – said the well-known insurance expert, Csaba Szekeres to our magazine. We are speaking about a matter which concerns many people, as 5, 7 million cars run on the roads of our country with Hungarian registration books. According to the expert during the pandemic people did not use their cars much, this is why there were hardly any damages. In spite of this it is compulsory to pay the car insurance. The question is: how much? The Hungarian National Bank supervising this field suggested to the insurance companies to rethink the matter and fix more acceptable insurance fees. „Generali Insurance Company makes an effort to offer favourable fees to its clients in each section, so that the fees were proportionate to the payment of damages.” – said the expert.
Diversity rejoices
The cars shown in our winter issue prove what models of the car industry are best-sellers. The first one is Peugeot 208, the representative of the traditional cars, which won the title of „Car of 2020”. This car is impressive even with a standard equipment. Especially with its comfortable suspension which was the best among the tested cars… It is true for the model 2008 built on the same basis which is a cool SUV. On can easyly associate with the new SsangYong Korando, a SUV with the best price-value ratio. This is the model everybody should take into consideration, as it is one of the best offers of the market. The KIA XCeed hybrid combines the jeep appearance and environmental protection. The new version of Nissan Juke may be the favourite of city youth. The Nissan novelty competes with its rivals having a less divisive appearance and many driving support devices.
Bianchi Lif-E
Bianchi Lif-E electric bicycles with a state support of 150.000 forints! Use the opportunity of pre-order not to miss it!
When tradition and experience of 130 years meets innovation and inspiration, the result is always very exciting. The Bianchi LIf-E was born like this, its electric mobility programme is a new world which reflects the new lifestyles and mobility trends. The Italian bicycle factory aims at such buyers with its electric bicycles for whom cycling is part of their way of life, who believe in sustainability and make every effort for the world to become a better place. The E-Spillo models (Luxury, Active) may make your going to work, shopping and comfortable city transport easier, with a timeless style. Those who look for adventures and want to discover peaks without any obstacles can choose from the new generation electric mountain bikes of Bianchi T-Tronik Sport.
Furever
If we dream about a really unique flat decoration, the best choice is to trim the living-room with a unique original fur pillow and a hugging coverlid. At Furever only our imagination sets a limit to our possibilities. Their unique products are handmade by the furriers working for them and practically they can make any item of fur. Their most popular artefacts are decorative pillows, blankets, wall carpets and headboards. They are not only special but completely natural, contain not a bit of plastic. The customers like the objects made of rabbit, mink, lamb and musk but many people look for extra fur like chinchilla, fox, marten and sable. They are not only beautiful but also long-lasting: they can be the decoration of our flat for 10-20 years. Furever provides assistance to the buyers even after shopping: they undertake to carry out the special cleaning, the conservation and winter storage of the fur coats and ornaments.
Social life
Through our social events column, we want our readers to gain insight into various, in our opinion high level and exclusive events, parties, inaugurations, film, theatre premieres and fashion shows, exhibitions, concerts, sports events, etc. The list is endless but the various events have something in common: the high quality, high standard and style. Our aim is to inform you about interesting activities and programmes in each issue of our magazine. In our winter issue we met beauty queen Anett Garami, the winner of Miss Universe Hungary ’99, attended the Bitter Cup polo match and took part at the opening ceremony of a planet-friendly shop.
Zema in castles
Zema Jewel House which makes its porcelain objects 100% by hand, exhibits them at such places where the environment, the visitors and the atmosphere are the most suitable. The castles – where the atmosphere requires elegant exhibits – are just like this, as where can the characteristics of elegance, exclusivity and specialty be emphasized better than in such an environment. The objects have artistic features, the motives of the „golden epochs” appear both externally and in the content of the jewels, in versions aesthetic for today’s eyes. They are not for the lovers of the extreme but rather the all-time classic fashion, arts combined with considerable extravagance. It is a mutual force and content having influence on each other, the brand and the castles.
Uma Thurman, the multicultural movie icon
One can speak about the exciting mixture of sense and sex appeal in the case of the multicultural actress who has joined the group of people over 50. Once she was proclaimed to be a temptress like Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich but her nature is the opposite of any diva’s character. Nowadays you can hear more about her daughter, Maya Hawke born to Ethan Hawke who has become an actress than Uma herself. Uma Karuna Thurman born in Boston started life with a name coming from the Sanskrit culture, with noble Swedish and German predecessors, with colourful family and cultural background. Her myth was created in Hollywood by Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill series. She will soon shoot again the revenge campaign of the female killing machine in Kill Bill 3 of Quentin Tarantino, the director making her a star.
