A Brief history of Hungary
Hungarians are unique within the nations in Europe, in that they speak a language that is unrelated to any other European language. Linguistically are surrounded by alien nations, thus Hungarians felt isolated through much of their history. This may be the reason why after Christianization they became attached to Latin, which in return became the language of culture, scholarship, and state administration-and even the language of the Hungarian nobility until 1844.
"Sailing" in a Slavic-Germanic sea, Hungarians are proud to have been the only people to establish a long-lasting state in the Carpathian Basin. Only after six centuries of independent statehood (896-1526) did Hungary becomes part of two other political entities: the Habsburg and Ottoman empires. But even then Hungarians retained much of their political identity and near-independence, which in 1867 made them a partner in Austria-Hungary (1867-1918). This was much more than the other nations of the Carpathian Basin were able to achieve before 1918.
Accepting Catholicism in 1000 ad, the Hungarians joined the Christianized nations of the West, but they still remained on the borderlands of that civilization. This made them eager to prove themselves and also defensive about lagging behind Western developments elsewhere. Their geographical location often forced them to fight various Eastern invaders, and, as a result, they felt themselves as defenders of Western Christianity. In that role, they viewed that the West owed them something, and when, in times of crisis, special treatment was not forthcoming (e.g., Trianon in 1920), they judged the West as ungrateful.
Today Hungary is wholly Budapest - centered. The capital dominates the country both by the size of its population-which dwarfs those of Hungary's other cities-and by the concentration within its borders of most of the country's scientific, scholarly, and artistic institutions. Budapest is situated on both banks of the Danube River, a few miles downstream from the Danube Bend.
It is a magnificent city, even compared with the great pantheon of European capitals, and it has been an anchor of Hungarian culture since its foundation.
In spite of many national tragedies during the last four centuries, Hungarians remain confident and are proud of their achievements in the sciences, scholarship, and the arts. During the 20th century, many talented Hungarians immigrated, mainly to the United States. Among them were leading scientists who played a defining role in the emergence of American atomic discovery and the computer age.
The plethora of these scientists, mathematicians, economists, anthropologists, musicians, and artists-among them a dozen Nobel laureates-prompted Laura Fermi, writer and wife of Italian American physicist Enrico Fermi, to speculate about "the mystery of the Hungarian talent."
A guide to Northern Hungary
In Northern Hungary there are three world heritage sites and three national parks which are witness to the natural, historic and cultural-ethnographic assets of the Northern Hungarian region delimited by the rivers Tisza and Duna, and to the south by the Great Plain (Alföld). The village of Hollókő, the caves of the Aggtelek karst, and the historic winelands of Tokaj-Hegyalja have been designated as World Heritage Sites.
The beautiful landscapes of Northern Hungary offer plenty of destinations for one- or two-day trips as well as routes for a more lengthy tour or even for a holiday lasting several weeks.
This countryside is perfect for those longing to relax in peaceful surroundings, for hunters and anglers, for sportsmen and women, and of course for lovers of outstanding wines and open-minded gourmets.
Hungary's northernmost region is characterised by the ridges of the Northern Uplands (Északi-középhegység): the hills of Börzsöny, Cserhát, Mátra, Bükk and Zemplén. Here various sizes of basins, hillsides and plains all contribute towards an impressive fullness of scenery. This is not restrained to topography given the enchanting world of speleology with the extended cave systems underneath the karst hills. Hungary's two highest elevations, Kékestető (1014 metres) and Galyatető (964 metres), lie in the Mátra Hills.
Given the richness of natural assets it is unsurprising that there are three national parks in the region. In addition to the parks of Aggtelek, Bükk and Duna-Ipoly, numerous conservation and landscape protection areas have been established over the recent decades to safeguard habitats for the rare flora and fauna.
The main watercourses of the north are navigable by boat and thanks to their unscathed watersides the rivers Tisza, Bodrog and Hernád are increasingly popular for water tours and sports. There are also the shores of several natural and artificial lakes offering further possibilities for recreational activities.
Given the number of its thermal baths Northern Hungary is a prime destination for spa tourism. The most significant spa is the Zsóry Baths on the outskirts of Mezőkövesd though neighbouring Bogács also has its spa. The healing waters of Eger mitigate locomotor disorders while the Salvus spring of Bükkszék is beneficial in cases of stomach troubles and rheumatism. Parádfürdő spa is recommended for curing gynaecological conditions.
Forestry and game management are significant in this region as is the increasingly important tourism which ranges from equestrian to spa and wine tourism.
Last but not least Northern Hungary boasts several wine-growing areas of reknown, such as Tokaj-Hegyalja, Eger, the environs of Gyöngyös, as well as the wine-growing slopes of Bükkalja.
sources:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/276730/Hungary
www.filolog.com
Links about Hungary:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Hungary
http://www.tarkozseg.hu/news.php
December 31
- January 1
New Year's Eve (Szilveszter) and New Year's Day (Újév)
Besides the standard merry-making, there is also a New Year's ball and concert at the
Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest. Stalls on the streets of Budapest sell masks
and noisy paper trumpets.
Early January
- Ash Wednesday
The Ball Season Starts - Kezdődik a báli szezon
Formal balls are held all over the country.
February
Carnival Season - Farsang
Costume parties and carnivals take place all month long to mark the end of winter,
especially on the last Saturday in February. City festivities usually include carnival, parade
and open-air music concert.
February 14
March 8
Women's Day - Nőnap
Men give flowers to women both at home and work.
March 15
1848 Revolution Day - 1848-as Forradalom és Szabadságharc
The "Hungarian spring" - a bloodless fight for freedom against
Habsburg domination which later led to war against Austria and its allies
(at the time: the Croats and Romanians).
The main demands of Hungarians were: freedom of the press, and the
establishing of a Hungarian parliament in Pest with its government.
Revolutionists also demanded freedom of religion, a jury, a national
bank, a Hungarian army, and the withdrawal of foreign military presence
from the country.
In 1849 Russia intervened on the side of Austria, and won. The Austrian
retorsion included the execution of 13 generals of the Hungarian
revolutionary army and of 5 civilian leaders of the short-lived independent
Hungary. One of them was the first prime-minister, count Lajos
Batthyany.
Each year on March 15, the Hungarian tricolors of red, white, and green
are prominently displayed all over the country.
April
Easter Monday
Easter Sunday and Monday - Húsvét
Easter is an important religious holiday in Hungary. The day before families with children
paint easter-eggs of all styles and color. Children find small gifts beside their beds early
Sunday morning. A traditional breakfast follows of easter-eggs, ham, braided cake bread,
horse-radish and hot chocolate. Many families go to church this morning to celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On Monday, many people carry on the tradition of "sprinkling". While once young men
used to pour buckets of water over young women's heads, today they spray perfume or
water and then ask for a kiss and a red egg. Painted eggs as well as chocolate-ones are
exchanged.
First Sunday in May
Mother's Day - Anyák napja
Mothers receive flowers, sometimes hand-picked, and other presents, usually handmade
from their children on this day.
May 1
Labor Day - A munka ünnepe
Workers unions organize a celebration in Városliget (Budapest's City Park) with
speeches, acrobats, clowns, food and music.
Last Sunday in May
Children's Day - Gyermeknap
Parents take children on special outings to places such as the Zoo, fun fairs, or on family
nature walks (kirándulás) in the Buda hills.
Early June
Whit Monday
June 30
Withdrawal of Soviet Troops - A szovjet csapatok kivonása
This day marks the final withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary in 1991.
August 20
St. Stephen's Day - Szent István napja
In the year of 1000, Hungary's first king, the Christian St Stephen, was crowned this day,
and the Hungarian (Magyar) state was founded.
Traditionally, the first bread from the new harvest is baked for this day
In 1949, Hungary (then the "Magyar People's Republic") accepted its constitution.
Parades and music are among the festivities, and an impressive fireworks show is
launched over the Danube at night.
October 23
1956 Uprising Memorial Day - Az 1956-os forradalom emléknapja
This national holiday commemorates the outbreak of the people's uprising against Soviet
domination in 1956.
The new prime Minister, Imre Nagy withdrew from the Warsaw Pact of "communist"
countries. Soviet troops invaded. Hungary appealed for UN assistance against Soviet
invasion, but only received verbal help. Holland & Spain withdrew from Olympics, to
protest Soviets in Hungary. UN demanded USSR leave Hungary. In November, after lots
of bloodshed, the Hungarian revolution was put down by the powerful Red Army of the
Soviet Union. Imre Nagy and many other leaders and participants were executed by the
soviet regime. Soviet troops stayed in Hungary until 1991. More details and pictures
about Budapest, 1956
The country also celebrates Hungary's new constitutional status in 1989.
November 1
All Saints' Day - Mindenszentek napja
People remember their deceased loved ones by lighting candles at their graves in
cemeteries.
While Halloween is not celebrated in Hungary, you can find several expat-inspired events.
December 6
Santa Claus (St. Nicholas') Day - Mikulás
Children put their clean boots on their window-sills the night before. In the morning, "Good" children find candy, nuts and fruit, sometimes even small toys in their boots, while "bad" ones get bunches of twigs (virgács). Mikulás, however, never finds entirely wicked children in Hungary.Most kids then receive both candy and virgács.
December 24, 25, 26
Christmas - Karácsony
The traditional family Christmas celebration, dinner and exchange of gifts takes place on the eve of December 24th. The 25th and 26th are public holidays when relatives visit each-other. Hungarians set up their Christmas tree on the 24th, and leave it on until it lasts. Vörösmarty tér features a large Christmas tree, and there is a cheerful and cosy outside Christmas market there. Live music is often heard in the city.
Namedays
Namedays - Névnap in Hungary are special days celebrated on a day designated for a person's name. Small gifts are given. It is like a small, low-key birthday celebrated in the workplace, where people will usually not know when their college's birthdays are. Namedays are also celebrated among friends and family.
The traditional gift for women is a flower arrangement or bouquet, and men are usually given a bottle of wine. Children will enjoy an inexpensive toy, a few books or chocolate bars.
source: www.filolog.com
Links about Hungary:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Hungary
http://www.tarkozseg.hu/news.php