2025 Summer
Raiffeisen Bank Philosophy
“Our clients reaffirm every day through their choices how important it is for a brand not only to serve them, but also to invest in the society it is part of,” summarizes Veronika Yalcinkaya, Raiffeisen Bank’s Director of Marketing and Communications, regarding the bank’s social engagement in Hungary.
In our interview, we sought to understand what goals a financial institution considers important today. “We believe it is our responsibility to choose partners whose support allows us to achieve the greatest possible impact,” stated Veronika Yalcinkaya.
In recent years, the bank has supported numerous initiatives: in addition to sports, it has made a significant mark in the cultural scene through its support of the Hungarian State Opera and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. It is also an unrivaled supporter of business initiatives as a sponsor of the show Cápák között (the Hungarian version of Shark Tank).
Habemus papam!
“We have a pope!” – came the long-awaited announcement from the Vatican in the early evening of May 8, followed by the ringing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica, signaling that an American cardinal, Robert Francis Prevost, had been elected as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He has officially become the 267th pope and the first ever to come from the United States. The Holy Father, born in Chicago, is 69 years old. From now on, he will serve as Leo XIV, leading the world’s 1.4 billion Christians. It is widely believed that he will follow the path of Pope Francis, who supported him throughout his ecclesiastical career. He is considered a modern pope who aims to prepare the Church for the challenges of the digital revolution. Open to the outside world and active on social media, he also makes use of these platforms. His relationship with the world is marked by a strong commitment to peace, and a core principle of his philosophy is the protection of the vulnerable.
Humility, perseverance, diligence
A portrait of László Takács at fifty – a true hospitality professional. Hospitality was a family tradition for him. At the age of fifteen, he started working at a pub called Villamos, while continuing his studies at the Taverna Hotel. Then came the Castle, and Aranyhordó. After his mandatory military service, he began working at the Robinson restaurant. „That’s where my real career began.” He later moved to the Columbus boat, followed by the Spoon boat, where he took on the role of restaurant manager. Then came independence. In 2011, they founded Riso at the foot of the Castle Hill – mainly offering Italian cuisine, but with their own unique style. Humility, perseverance, diligence – these are the three essentials for him. For László, hospitality isn’t a job – it’s a passion. Meanwhile, his eldest son also joined the hospitality industry. Today, they run Hugó, a Mexican bar they reopened on the site of a oncelegendary spot, the Nagy Fregatt. If the opportunity arises, they’ll open another place. If not, they’ll stay just as they are – happy, close-knit, and following their own path.
A True Gem
The summer magic of Lake Balaton captures the hearts of those who seek the harmony of relaxation, sport, and nature—year after year.
Located in the heart of Keszthely, right on the lakefront, Hotel Helikon welcomes guests as a modern, family-friendly destination for active relaxation, following its complete renovation in 2023.
As General Manager of Hotel Helikon, András Csere places special emphasis on quality and sustainability. He is committed to continuously enhancing the guest experience and values close cooperation with the local community. Under his leadership, Hotel Helikon has become not only a prime summer getaway, but also a year-round hub for leisure and community life in Keszthely.
Hotel Helikon is more than just a place to stay—it’s a summer destination full of experiences, where relaxation, sports, and gastronomy meet in perfect harmony on the shores of Lake Balaton.
Nosy Be
We can once again enjoy a travelogue from Dr. István Tóth.
“More than ten years ago, during a major Indian Ocean cruise, we reached Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, as well as the island of Nosy Be, which has since been built up with countless hotels and is rightly considered one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. We don’t really have the proper words to describe it—only vague notions—because existence here is so completely different. Perhaps the term ‘Fourth World’ fits, but even that means nothing to someone who has never experienced it. It doesn’t resemble any other land, even though we’ve traveled to over 150 countries.
It’s a bit like returning home—to Paradise.
And the sea—this is the real Indian Ocean! So warm, smooth, and embracing. Unbelievable… A gift. An undeserved gift for us—the hurried, the insatiable, the eternally dissatisfied.
The water embraces you, its silence is endless, it radiates peace, it rocks you gently—it would even lull you to sleep, if you let it.”
Hotel Abacus
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, Janos Kovacs, 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, familiar 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.
Dr. Vanda Mayer
Since childhood, she always knew she wanted to become a lawyer. She was certain from early on that civil law would be her field, and she graduated cum laude from the Faculty of Law at ELTE.
After passing her bar exam, she established her own practice. Today, their office is located on the Újpest riverside, where she works alongside two fellow attorneys. They have specialized in a way that allows them to fully meet their clients’ needs in property law, compensation cases, and tax law matters.
Although the office is in Budapest, she needs peace and proximity to water after work. She lives on Szentendre Island, surrounded by the Danube. Her love for the water led her to boating, which naturally brought her closer to maritime law. Both motorboating and sailing are part of her life, but she’s most often found wakeboarding behind a boat.
There are long-term plans in place—the combined expertise of the three lawyers is a great asset. They are constantly developing, growing, and aiming to build a stronger presence on social media.
Ildikó Moldvay, Physiotherapist
Ildikó Moldvay believes that restoring health, preventing injuries, and maintaining peak performance over the long term requires complex teamwork. Whether working with guests or professional athletes, her approach is holistic. As she often says, “There are not just two sides to a coin—there’s also the edge,” meaning many factors contribute to a successful outcome.
She graduated from the Faculty of Physiotherapy at the College of Health Sciences and feels deeply that she is exactly where she’s meant to be.
She began her career at the National Institute for Sports Medicine (Sportkórház), where physiotherapy became not only her profession but also her passion—especially when it comes to working with athletes. She started in 1994, and by the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she had already been invited to join the Hungarian men’s water polo team as a supporting physiotherapist.
She later earned a degree in aerobic sports coaching at the University of Physical Education, followed by a university diploma in human kinesiology.
Since 2008, she has run her own private practice. Her mission is to make physiotherapy a natural and integral part of elite sports.
Sport Bistro
Sándor Tóth’s name is inseparably linked with water polo, the BVSC Sports Club, and now, the Sport Bistro. His professionalism, dedication, and strong work ethic are the cornerstones of his success.
Initially, he focused solely on water polo. In the early 2000s, he began managing BVSC himself. The club rose to become one of the top-tier organizations, and around ten years ago, a highly intensive project began—manifesting in the development of facilities, a new approach to sports and athletes, and improved funding.
The Sport Bistro created a communal space—an eatery fully owned and operated by BVSC for over eight years now. The main goal was to provide athletes with a place to eat on-site.
The Sport Bistro operates as a separate unit, while BVSC functions fundamentally as an entrepreneurial club.
In truth, this restaurant is the heart of it all—a team-building hub where everyone is warmly welcomed.
Cocktail
The art of making alcoholic beverages is likely as old as the history of alcohol itself. Ever since its inception, people have experimented with modifying it through mixing, enhancing the flavors to make them even more enjoyable. During the hot summer months, the consumption of refreshing cocktails reaches its peak.
According to historians’ records, even the ancient Romans mixed their drinks—for instance, children were given wine diluted with water during meals. In ancient times in the Middle East, fruit was used to flavor the local beers, and early civilizations frequently used local spices to make their drinks more interesting.
But how did the cocktail gain popularity and become widely accepted? Where does the term “cocktail” even come from? And what makes a Manhattan a Manhattan, or why is one variation called a Screwdriver?
These are the questions you’ll find answers to, along with a look into the latest trends in the world of cocktails.
Crowns of Flavor
As summer arrives, the grilling season comes to life once more, filling gardens, terraces, and balconies with the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling meats and vegetables over open flames. But grilling isn’t just about smoky flavors or perfectly cooked cuts—it’s also about the details. And among those, sauces play a standout role, not merely complementing the meal, but elevating it to a whole new dimension.
The right sauce can bring out the depth of a steak, tame the boldness of a spicy sausage, or breathe new life into a grilled eggplant.
Classic BBQ sauces—whether sweet, smoky, spicy, or vinegar-based—remain staples of any backyard cookout. But global flavors are making an ever-stronger appearance on the grill scene.
Chimichurri from Argentina adds a burst of freshness, Japanese teriyaki offers a rich, caramelized sweetness, while tzatziki brings a cooling, refreshing contrast to grilled dishes.
A Chronicle of a Summer’s Day
There are those evenings when you slip into bed knowing that tomorrow is yours. No work commitments, no household chores—well, those are always around, but they can wait—and no obligations weighing you down. You fall asleep already dreaming of the sweet art of doing nothing.
We imagined a day just like this, pairing it with a selection of delightful wines—from morning all the way into the night.
On a carefree day like this, there’s room for indulgence: calorie counting takes a back seat, and even a more relaxed attitude toward alcohol is allowed—provided you’re not planning to get behind the wheel, of course.
A warm summer morning, however, is not the time to start with a bold, full-bodied red. Instead, it’s better to explore the lighter side of the wine spectrum. From the offerings of Streit-Zagonyi Winery in Villány, you can put together a diverse wine selection to accompany you throughout the day—ensuring that everyone finds their personal favorite along the way.
Animal “Love Stories”
We could go on forever listing the countless whirlwind romances that have sparked on Hollywood film sets. Take Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, for example—they fell in love during the filming of Green Lantern, and the chemistry between them has been electric ever since. Or Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, who grew close while working on The Place Beyond the Pines.
It’s no surprise—film shoots create the perfect environment for sparks to fly. Movie stars spend weeks or even months (and in the case of TV series, years) working closely together day and night with the cast and crew.
But not all cast members walk on two legs. Many productions feature a good number of animal actors as well. And sometimes, these four-legged co-stars steal the hearts of the actors so completely that, when the final scene is wrapped, they simply can’t say goodbye.
When the opportunity arises, they choose to adopt them instead.
Chills in the Cinema
This summer, escape the heat and catch a chill in the cool darkness of the movie theater with the latest exorcism horror film, The Final Rite. But it’s not just horror fans who are in for a spine-tingling season.
The Final Rite brings to the big screen America’s most well-documented exorcism case.
Death Runs in the Family
Final Destination returns to cinemas, along with the fear and dark humor that fans have never forgotten.
No Jurassic film is complete without new dinosaurs—just like the fan-favorite velociraptors, who regularly return in large packs. And of course, there’s always one standout prehistoric creature that steals the show.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is expected to break records, with a projected $100 million opening weekend for Tom Cruise’s latest blockbuster.
Ballerina is a 2025 American action-thriller directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten. The script earned a spot on the prestigious Black List at the end of the year.
The Means of Expressing Politeness
The choice of linguistic forms for initiating and maintaining private or business relationships is primarily the result of individual decisions made by the communicative parties. At the same time, these choices are also influenced by societal norms—both explicit and implicit rules. Consider, for example, the issue of informal (tegezés) and formal (magázás) address in our own culture, which in itself provides a framework for any given conversation.
In any communicative process, beyond conveying information, the basic function of creating and exerting influence plays a crucial role. Therefore, a key requirement for maintaining harmonious and smooth social relationships is the consideration and appropriate use of various forms of politeness and polite expressions. Improper use of these can often lead to misunderstandings or even cause others to avoid further interaction.
Politeness is essentially a general way of showing attentiveness and respect toward others.
Zema in Japan
ZEMA Hungarian Porcelain and Jewelry House made its debut in Japan for the very first time. With a population of 123 million, Japan is widely open and receptive to diverse art forms and cultural traditions.
As a representative of Hungarian culture and fashion, the brand took part in the Hungarian Pavilion’s exhibition space at the OSAKA EXPO, where visitors could admire the handcrafted porcelain pieces throughout an entire weekend.
There was also significant interest in the opening of the Tokyo exhibition, held at the Liszt Institute. A curated selection of ZEMA’s hand-painted porcelain artworks and the corresponding jewelry collections will be on display there until the end of August.
Social life
Through our society column, we aim to offer our readers an inside look at various high-quality, exclusive events, parties, openings, film, theatre and fashion shows, exhibitions, concerts, and sporting events—at least those we consider truly exceptional.
The list is endless, but all these occasions have one thing in common: quality, elegance, and style. From issue to issue, we strive to report on captivating happenings and programs that spark interest and inspire.
In our summer edition, we covered the Klimt interactive exhibition, fashion shows, a business party on the Danube, and even a birthday celebration.
A Passion for Cars and Challenges
Ildikó Márton graduated in the early 2000s from the College of Foreign Trade in Budapest. Though she initially aimed for a career in international trade, life led her down a different path—she began her professional journey at an oil industry company. In 2005, she transitioned into the automotive sector.
Her first role in the industry was with the Nissan brand at its Central and Eastern European headquarters in Budapest, which acted as the importer for four countries. Following that, she spent seven years in Paris at Nissan’s European commercial headquarters.
She returned to Hungary in 2018 and has since worked for the Emil Frey Group, applying the knowledge and experience she gained abroad to her role within the company. As of January 1st this year, she has taken on the position of Fiat Car Brand Manager.
Her new role is highly complex, officially encompassing both product and brand management. It includes responsibility not only for their three main brands—Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep—but also for the smaller lines, such as Fiat Professional and Abarth.
Ideal Travel Companions
In our summer issue, we showcase the following cars:
The BMW X3 is the ideal companion for discovering the world, combining premium comfort, versatile usability, and the dynamic driving experience typical of X models.
The BMW M35i xDrive offers the perfect balance of dynamism and style.
The DS 4 delivers a unique experience for those who won’t settle for less than the highest level of elegance and advanced technology.
The new Mustang, the legendary American muscle car, takes driving excitement to a whole new level.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E carries forward the legacy of the iconic Mustang into a bold, all-electric future.
Whether navigating bustling city streets or venturing into remote, nature-filled getaways, the brand-new Hyundai SANTA FE feels right at home in any environment.
The new Kia XCeed GT-Line is more than just a car – it’s a lifestyle.
And the new Kia EV9 marks the beginning of a new era in electric driving.
LocalDrivesMe
Attila Takács worked as an IT engineer for 20 years before a chance event steered him away from dull office meeting rooms onto the roads of Europe. He quickly grew fond of the freedom and the opportunity to meet people from the other side of the world. Gradually, he shifted his career focus and obtained the necessary licenses.
He bought a new car, took a deep breath, and passionately guided guests from English-speaking countries around Hungary and neighboring countries until the COVID period. His most common destinations were Vienna, Prague, Krakow, Zagreb, and Ljubljana.
Of course, the momentum paused during and after the pandemic, but since last year, a dedicated team has reorganized, completing hundreds of trips with positive feedback and millions of kilometers behind them.
The 78th Cannes Film Festival
From May 13 to 24, the world’s attention once again turned to the charming southern French town of Cannes, where, as usual, the cream of the film industry gathered. Although no Hungarian film received an award this year, the one-and-a-half-week event was packed with exciting star-studded moments.
This year, the Cannes Film Festival was presided over by the world-renowned French actress Juliette Binoche. Perhaps thanks to a fresh breeze of change, the festival introduced an unexpected new rule: a strict dress code was enforced, effectively banning excessive exposure—in other words, no more nudity allowed at Cannes, which stirred quite a controversy.
Of course, the star-studded event on the French Riviera also featured some Hollywood heavyweights. Right at the opening ceremony, the audience honored a true legend: 81-year-old Robert De Niro was awarded a lifetime achievement honor, receiving an honorary Palme d’Or.
Chasing Eternal Youth
Fortunes have been spent in the pursuit of halting time—going under the knife in an effort to defy aging. But despite glass-smooth skin, the results are, at best, questionable. Can these world-famous women truly regain their youth by constantly submitting to surgery?
With her constant lack of self-confidence, Demi Moore became the perfect example of someone relentlessly chasing physical perfection in a Hollywood that thrives on appearance and glamour.
Pop queen Madonna, now nearing her 67th birthday, has become almost unrecognizable due to excessive plastic surgery—what remains is barely a trace of her original self, and her current image has turned into a parody of who she once was.
Linda Evangelista has been trying to reinvent herself after a cosmetic procedure went terribly wrong in her case.
Sharon Osbourne and many other famous women feel compelled to conform to whatever the current beauty ideal happens to be—even if, unlike actresses, their careers don’t depend directly on their looks.
