Summer School 2015
Welcome to the page of the Hungarian group 2015 of the Danube Summer School, one of the Global Citizenship summer schools at University College London.
“In the mid-1970s, I was teaching design at the Academy of Applied Arts in Budapest. I was searching for a way to demonstrate 3D movement to my students and one day found myself staring into the River Danube, looking at how the water moved around the pebbles. This became the inspiration for the cube’s twisting mechanism. The fact that it can do this without falling apart is part of its magic”. -Ernő Rubik, inventor of the Rubik’s cube, quoted in this May 2015 article in The Guardian.
What could better demonstrate the physical, cultural, and creative importance of the Danube and the possibility for global implications emanating from the local level than these words by Ernő Rubik, one of Hungary’s most famous names?
A London Marathon competitor dressed as a Rubik’s cube.
Welcome to the page of the Hungarian group of the Danube Summer School, one of the Global Citizenship summer schools at University College London.
In the same way that Ernő Rubik reflected on the attributes of the Danube, or Duna as it is known in Hungarian, this site explores and reflects upon the way in which citizens of the Danubian region have – past and present – contributed to London’s status as a global city.
Hungary is a land rich in its own unique language, culture, and history, but it is also a very international country with links around the world.
The Danube flows through the heart of Hungary and its capital, Budapest. It is a waterway which has sustained and supported numerous national groups in Hungary for hundreds of years. Now, many Hungarians also live and thrive in London alongside a different river – the Thames – where their citizenship of a wider world becomes even more vibrantly apparent.
Navigator: Rebecca McKeown
Crew: Ben Nabnian, Cristina Puscas, Imogen Clarke, Irene Alexandra Chirtas, Kai Xiang Lim, Kate Balding, Maria Bormaliyska, Tamiza Tudor, Yasmin Hoover, Zhen Jie Low, Alex Gordeev.
A journey through Hungarian music – from Liszt to Locomotiv.
It quickly became apparent as I began my journey into Hungarian culture and Hungarian language, ‘magyarul’, that music holds an inseparable role within the nation’s identity. Before getting on to some thoughts on the music itself though I will first give you a quick overview on the more historical side of the custom. Perhaps the … Continue reading A journey through Hungarian music – from Liszt to Locomotiv.
‘Words are all we have’ – A Hungarian linguist in London
Ádám Nádasdy, a professor of English Linguistics in Budapest, visited the Danube Summer School this week and gave a very interesting lecture, and I believe many of his points are definitely worth sharing. This blog entry therefore is perhaps more like a cabinet of language curiosities than a particularly detailed narrative, but I hope it … Continue reading ‘Words are all we have’ – A Hungarian linguist in London
Dark times: Selected literature by Hungarians of the last century
Attila József (1905-1937), poet József was born into an extremely poor family in Budapest. Poverty led to him and his siblings ending up in foster care, which did not make their lives much better. Eventually his education was provided for by his well-to-do brother-in-law. He published his first poems at the age of 17. He … Continue reading Dark times: Selected literature by Hungarians of the last century
Paddling Upstream? Trial and Triumphs for LGBT citizens in Hungary
There is often a false representation in the media of the attitude and rights of LGBT citizens in Eastern Europe. It is often assumed that LGBT rights are neglected in the countries in the former communist bloc, however many countries such as Budapest have a vibrant gay scene. It is important to consider both sides … Continue reading Paddling Upstream? Trial and Triumphs for LGBT citizens in Hungary
The ‘new orange’ and the rise of the Hungarian Film industry
Hungary has had a prominent cinema industry from the start of the 20th century. The Hungarian film industry initially emerged after the First World War. After the communist nationalization, the only company allowed to produce feature films was the Hungarian National Filmmaking Company. Control over film production was centralized and overviewed by authorities to specify … Continue reading The ‘new orange’ and the rise of the Hungarian Film industry
Budapest and its Historical Tourist Sites
Budapest – the capital of Hungary, a small yet colourful country in the heart of Europe. It is often called “City of Spas” or “Queen of the Danube” as the Danube river flows through this city which is famous for thermal baths, splitting it into two halves. Budapest derived its name on 17 November 1873 when … Continue reading Budapest and its Historical Tourist Sites
Brighter smiles – Dental tourism in Hungary
In recent years, there have been an increasing number of people from the UK flying to other countries for dental treatment, usually combined with some sightseeing tours. Some of these destination countries include Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and even Asian ones like Thailand. Amongst other source countries, the UK ranks the first when it comes to … Continue reading Brighter smiles – Dental tourism in Hungary
Danube on Thames 