What were you planning to do after graduating from high school?

At high school I gained experience both in PR and online marketing thanks to being Samsung’s ambassador, but at first, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to study. Later I realized that I would love to work with artists, supporting them with branding services. I was looking for a university course accordingly, but Art Management was only available as a Master’s degree. Despite being a very practical person, I applied for Theories of Art studies. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get in, and as an 18-year old, I took it as a huge failure. Looking back, I think it was one of the best things that happened to me, because, without that, I wouldn’t have gone to Scotland and Australia, where I could study branding off the cut.

What do you do now?

I work for an advertising agency called Artificial Group as a content creative, meaning I am responsible for strategies, creative concepts and contents. Among others, I work with clients like Telenor, Rossmann and Allee. This might be a smaller segment of branding, but I really enjoy it. I learn a lot, I love this environment. The world of agencies is very interesting.

Thanks to the Kind Notes project the whole country got familiar with your name in 2017. How did it all start?

Even as a teenager, I tended to get caught up in social media frenzies right away; I registered to Instagram as soon as it was available. After a while my profile became a kind of diary, in which I started sharing my thoughts. I always enjoyed doodling and encouraging people, and slowly it got to me how great it would be if we would come across inspiring thoughts offline too. In 2017, the theme of Worldwide InstaMeet was “kind comments”, and I knew immediately that after many years of planning, it was time to realize my ideas. First, I wrote the messages alone and stuck them everywhere, and then the right people found them at the right time, promoting the story. It was then that I started to feel like it is more than a one person project.

More and more people joined you.

I decided to organize a Kind Notes event in Budapest and informed a café that 50-100 people would write notes there. However, when I created the Facebook event, I saw thousands of people confirming their attendance! The initiative has grown enormously.

Nowadays you have been creating Hungarian GIFs.

This project started last year, and the reason is very simple: I could not find good Hungarian GIFs for Instagram stories. Since then, I try to make relevant ones on a daily basis, which I myself would also like to use. It created a wave as well: more brands, a lot of Hungarian artists and many agencies started to make GIFs, the sticker store got filled. I really enjoy that I could have a role in kick-starting this whole craze.

What do you think, are you also an influencer on a certain level?

I like the original meaning of the word “influence” very much; in that sense, everyone is an influencer because we all have some kind of an effect on each other. From the marketing perspective, this expression has a rather negative meaning, thanks to those “content hussars” who do not necessarily use their power for a good purpose. Hence I do not use the word influencer when referring to myself, because unfortunately, it lost its original, deep meaning. I like to call myself a creator, as well as the people who I’m following on the platform. Despite the fact that I don’t like the word, the topic is very close to my heart, because there’s something magical in consciously creating something that we will later share with people. My aim is to show that online surfaces can be used for a good purpose.

What is your message to those who choose a profession similarly creative to yours?

First, everyone should start creating something that they love, because that is the way we can develop and after a while, it might become a passion we can’t keep just for ourselves. And when you share your art with others, considering that we, humans have so many things in common, it is guaranteed that there will be someone who can relate to it. If you put your heart into something, your creation will grow into a love project that will bring you job opportunities.

The Dogs of the University of Veterinary Medicine

Located on the umbrageous campus of Budapest’s University of Veterinary Medicine (founded in 1787, the university also functions as an animal clinic), sculptor Gábor Benő Pogány’s group of statues showcases the nine traditional dog breeds of Hungary, arranged in a circle around a ring-shaped wooden bench. Made of bronze and unveiled in 2016, the canine collective comprises of a pumi, mudi, puli, kuvasz, komondor, Transylvanian hound, Hungarian greyhound, Hungarian vizsla, and a Hungarian wirehaired vizsla statue, but the surrounding parkland gives home to a number of other attractions worthy of our attention, such as the imposing statue of a Hungarian grey cattle bull (sculpted by Béla Domonkos), or Imre Steindl’s Neo-Renaissance brick-buildings.

Miniart

One can walk past the statues of Ukraine-born Hungarian sculptor Mihály Kolodko every day without even noticing them. The reason? They’re extremely small. Kolodko’s first miniature statue, portraying the worm Főkukac from the Hungarian cartoon series A nagy ho-ho-horgász, was planted in front of 15 Bem rakpart in 2016. Since then, the sculptor has erected more than a dozen statues citywide, including the scaled-down model of a travel-ready Franz Liszt at the Budapest Airport, a tiny Rubik’s cube located opposite of the Parliament on the side of the stairs leading from Batthyány tér to the Danube, a squirrel who committed suicide hidden neatly behind the statue of detective Columbo in Falk Miksa utca, and the rabbit with checkered ears at the top of the Castle Hill Funicular.

Wooden Monsters

On the opposite extreme to Mihály Kolodko’s miniature sculptures, you can find the monumental public animal installations of Gábor Miklós Szőke. Besides Budapest, the works of the world-renowned Hungarian artist can be found in Italy, the United States, Austria, Russia, Bahrain, Slovakia, Croatia, and Romania. To get a comprehensive look at Szőke’s unique style (characterized by the use of hardwood and stainless steel, and a dynamic blend of French romanticism and industrial chic), pay a visit to his studio at the former factory grounds of Csepel Művek. You can also spot the sculptor’s beastly structures in the courtyard of downtown ruin bar Doboz, inside the lobby of Hotel Clark, in front of Várkert Bazár, and the Epreskert Art Colony in District VI.

Woman On the Balcony

If you’re strolling along Thököly út and have a sharp eye, you can easily catch the figure of a young woman, leaning over the railing of 61 Thököly út’s first-floor balcony and gazing into the distance with a yearning look on her face. The eerie sculpture has been frozen in a state of constant alertness since the 1912 construction of the 4-story high apartment building, designed for the wealthy sewing machine magnate Manó Pápai by Lajos Ybl, the nephew of renowned architect Miklós Ybl. According to one legend, the statue depicts a woman watching on as his husband leaves for WWI. She would spend hours every day for the next few years leaning over the balcony in hopes of spotting her returning spouse. When she received news of her husband’s death, the woman dropped dead instantly. The death notice proved to be wrong, and when the husband came home from Russian captivity he set up his late wife’s statue and walled off the balcony. The truth, of course, is a little bit less poetic: the statue was inspired by the stone women of the Bourges Palais, whose photograph was shown to the architect by his son, Ervin.

Anonymous

Opposite of City Park’s fairy-tale-looking Vajdahunyad Castle, a hooded, faceless man sits on his heavy, white marble throne, holding a pen in his right hand, his legs positioned nonchalantly and covered by his wrinkled cloak. It is the sculpture of Anonymous, the famous medieval notary of King Béla III, and author of the Gesta Hungarorum, a book about the origins of the Magyars and their conquest of the Carpathian Basin. The statue was created in 1902 by Miklós Ligeti (born Móric Lőwy), a follower of Rodin, and the same person who later on sculpted the above-mentioned leaning woman of Thököly út. Donated to the Hungarian nation by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph, this enigmatic and ominous piece of metal is one of the most iconic sculptures of Budapest, as well as a popular site of pilgrimage: writers from all over the world stroke the shiny tip of his pen for inspiration or to become better at their craft.

After its launch, the founders of the company looked for the most-known dog-friendly locations in the country, starting with only 30 hotels and restaurants. Thanks to their enthusiastic efforts more and more suggestions were brought to their attention. As of now, more than 700 dog-friendly locations and nearly 100 service providers can be found on the website.

If you are planning to spend a long weekend somewhere, wish to dine or drink a cup of coffee accompanied by your four-legged friend, want to do sports or do the grocery shopping, look around on www.kutyabarat.hu! There you’ll find a search box with a map, just use different filters to find certain service providers.

Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages too for dog-friendly content and news so that you can gather first-hand information about the opening of a new restaurant or hotel, as well as the trendiest dog-friendly bars in town.

They are extremely proud to be first to promote not only accommodation and restaurants but also the idea of a dog-friendly workplace in Hungary. The number of joining offices, community houses and stores is continuously growing, spreading their slogan: “Everywhere together!”

Are you ready for dog-friendly adventures?

It is a known fact that you were picked to play József Béres’s character without having to audition. How did you take it?

It was a very interesting moment, because it rarely happens that you get a role without going through a casting process. At first, I was very happy and felt lucky, but later, the idea that I am going to play József Béres, one of the greatest Hungarians of the last third of the 20th century scared me a bit.

Did you have any memories about him?

I was a high school student when his trial began and since only one TV channel and two radio stations existed at that time, we listened to the news in the evening and discussed how Béres drove another little wedge in the crackling socialism the next day at school. Like every young people, we rooted for him. It was hard to imagine then that the system could ever change. This is why József Béres was such a prominent figure in the last decades of the 20th century: his down-to-earth character and love for the nation carry an important message to the youth to this day.

Do you think you could identify with his character?

Let the audience be the judge, but I think we could show something about the essence of József Béres’s life that was very important in the past and is still actual now. I could probably convey his perseverance, endurance, trustworthiness, humour, and love for people. He was a very complex character with a quality life in the countryside. He did researches, worked on the field, listened to opera, went to theatre, experimented with mice, and dealt with people. For me, he is still an outstanding example. I kept this memory of him even though the film was shot two years ago.

The Inventor’s cast tells a recent, meaningful story to the viewer. Did that influence the atmosphere during the shooting of the film?

Of course it was lingering in the air, because we did not shoot a mild love drama that could take place anywhere from Buenos Aires to Tokyo, but a story about a Hungarian man and the Hungarian society. The whole cast knew that we were to show a slice of Hungary’s past that was very important, and started something that later evolved into a regime change.

Who is The Inventor addressing?

Many people will come to watch the movie who were personally involved in József Béres’s drama because of an illness, maybe they were his frequent visitors, or a family member of theirs were in direct contact with him. I would be happy if, between two American movies, young people would also come see this really up to par Hungarian film in which not only the story and the actors are Hungarian but the music and filming locations too. The film really makes you feel good for belonging to this country.

You’ve portrayed more than 200 characters throughout your career. Where is József Béres in the imaginary list of your favourite roles?

Earlier I said that I felt very lucky to be cast. I would like to add that when we were shooting the film, I was 60 years old. At 60, one usually feels that his life and career aren’t on the rise, but I’ve been given an amazing gift. I intentionally do not want to make a list because whichever role I am thinking or talking about is my actual favourite, but I can assure you that this film is definitely in my top 3.

One thing you shouldn’t forget is that training your dog never ends. Even when dog school is over, you must keep disciplining, because it might happen that your pup misbehaves when it feels you let your control loosen. Look at the rules that you need to follow every day!

#1 Walking your dog

Always aim for a nice, balanced walk, define its duration, mode and direction. Never let the dog pull the leash. Other dogs, moving objects and cars should be ignored by your furry companion at all times.

#2 Feeding

It is your responsibility to define the time of feeding. Your dog should sit calmly and wait. In case you want to take the food away, your pup shouldn’t growl or snarl. Do not leave the leftover food in front of them. No begging at the table.

#3 Love

Express your love towards your dog without them having to beg you for it. When they nudge your hand for petting and you do what they want, you let them take control over you and that’s never good.

#4 Playtime

It’s important to play a lot with your dog, because otherwise they will find other things to occupy themselves with. Believe us, the outcome won’t make you thrilled. While playing, take control. They shouldn’t jump on you or play aggressively. A daily 15-20 minutes playtime will already make your relationship more balanced.

Plenty of useful content is available on Kutyabarát.hu, check out the website!

Have you gained weight? All right, you must cut back on snacking. Are you sweating more? Well, considering how stressful your life is and all the things you eat, it isn’t such a surprise. Are you tired all the time but can’t sleep? Try to think less of work, it isn’t good for you. Did you notice that the hair growth above your lips and on your legs got more frequent? Now this is a problem, but you will use wax instead of the shaving, problem solved. It is really so easy to come up with an explanation for everything, isn’t it?

Hormonal imbalance may be behind it all. If you experience the above mentioned symptoms at once, probably you should consider seeing the doctor, because they might be the signs of insulin resistance. After a glucose tolerance test it will be obvious if your insulin level isn’t ideal, and in case it is necessary, your doctor will suggest you visiting the endocrinologist. Why should you take it seriously?

According Dr. Illés Balogh, Dr. Rose Budapest Plastic Surgery Institute’s experienced endocrinologist, the untreated condition can lead to diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are irreversible. He also added a surprising fact: mobile phones are often responsible for the development of insulin resistance. They are always within reach, and we are flooded with information day and night. Constantly being available puts a pressure on us that increases the stress hormone level and fortunately, it is something we can balance out with a proper diet and exercise plan. However, if we do not rest and exercise enough, and our diet isn’t healthy, the hormone level remains high constantly, which leads to diabetes.

Avoid the development of insulin resistance, or get professional advice on how to treat it! Book an appointment on budapestplasztika.hu or call +36 1 354 08 00.

Sources first mentioned it in 1094, but it only became extremely popular in the modern era, especially among the European aristocracy. The carnival was usually organized on Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) where balls, theatre shows and concerts took place.

The event series started with a fancy parade lead by oxes wearing flower crowns. On the last day of the carnival participants said farewell to the symbol of winter and evil spirits, the Prince (aka a straw dummy) that they ritually burned.

Would you like to see what the carnival is like nowadays? Visit Venice this year! If you are lacking of funds, contact Y Generáció student employment agency that offers diverse student jobs.

Mikszáth tér

Located in the pedestrian-friendly heart of Budapest’s Palace District, laid-back Mikszáth tér bears the name of popular Hungarian author and politician Kálmán Mikszáth, whose novel St. Peter’s Umbrella was admired even by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Intersected by the Szentkirályi, Krúdy, and Reviczky streets, the rectangular-shaped square is reminiscent of a northern Italian piazza (especially during the warmer months, when it’s filled with the chitter-chatter of students of nearby universities), mainly thanks to the castle-like, red-brick building of 4 Mikszáth tér complete with a timbered Juliet balcony, a central fountain, and the ornate SOTE Central Library, designed in Venetian Gothic revival style. Teeming with restaurants, cafés and little shops, and lined with fine turn-of-the-century architecture, Mikszáth tér is a true hidden gem.

Corvin tér

Situated just a stone’s throw away from Buda Castle yet still undiscovered by the tourists, cozy Corvin tér is one of the best kept secrets of the city, offering visitors an almost medieval atmosphere, with a number of landmarks located in its immediate vicinity, including the imposing Toldy Ferenc High School, the gorgeous Szilágyi Dezső tér Reformed Church, the recently refurbished Budai Vigadó event venue, and the Batthyányi tér market hall. In addition to the square’s pastel-coloured townhouses and a historic-looking fountain (erected in 1904), Corvin tér has one more thing going for it: in front of the building of the Budai Vigadó, you can find the footprints of a Paleolithic woman and child, which survived the past 30,000 years being embedded into the sediment of the Danube, in a depth of more than three meters.

Fő tér

The cobble-stoned Fő tér and its continuation on the other side of Árpád híd known as Krúdy Quarter are the last remnants of historic Óbuda which used to be its own town until it was merged together with Pest and Buda in 1873. Fő tér makes up for its out-of-the-way location with its Baroque buildings, vibrant cultural life (Kobuci Kert is one of the city’s most popular outdoor concert venues, the Vasarely Museum is a must for all art lovers, while there’s always something interesting going on in Esernyős), enchanting Christmas markets, and renowned restaurants.

Egyetem tér

Egyetem tér takes its name after the Faculty of Law of Eötvös Loránd University, whose Neo-Baroque building is located right in the center of the square, tightly glued to the Baroque Church of St. Mary the Virgin, commonly referred to as the University Church, erected in 1742 in place of a demolished mosque. Currently, the church is undergoing its first large-scale restoration in 60 years, so save your camera for another day, but you can still enjoy the square’s creative book-shaped fountain, its sculptures, benches, and wide-ranging culinary offerings, from the Nordic-inspired bakery products of nor/ma to the creamy shakshuka of Hummus Bar.

Rózsák tere

The history of Rózsák tere (Square of the Roses) dates back to the 18th century, when it was used to host livestock markets. From the 1870s to 1932, it was known as Szegényház tér, named after the district’s largest poorhouse. St. Elizabeth’s Parish Church, the square’s majestic centerpiece, was constructed between 1895 and 1901 based on the plans of Imre Steindl, the designer of the Hungarian Parliament building. Named after the 13th century saint Elizabeth of Hungary and built in the Neo-Gothic style, the church is 76 meters high and seats close to 2,600 people, making it one of the city’s biggest ecclesiastical buildings. The well-kept, green churchyard is surrounded on all sides by buildings from the second half of the 19th century, offering you an oasis of peace just a few corners away from busy Rákóczi út.

Ever since we can remember, ladies desired to be what we call an ageless beauty, willing to be confident in their own skin and attract men’s attention. Men on the other hand used to be totally ignorant regarding their look, not caring about the signs of aging. What’s more, they considered them as symbols of strength and power. In the last decade though, this tendency started to change and it became important to men to retain their youthful look. They consider good looks a huge benefit both in their personal and professional life.

In their thirties men are physically on top of their game and often wonder how they could enjoy being in this state for as long as possible. Exercising increases muscles’ strength, but the visible signs of aging and inherited genetic traits can’t be fought this easily. Today’s men want to look young, and grey hair doesn’t bother them as much as wrinkles do. A well-chosen reconstructive procedure, or an aesthetic facial could do wonders, because the results are visible but not in an unnatural way. It makes the patient look like he has spent a month relaxing. The confidence boost after an aesthetic treatment helps build a successful career, says Dr. János Gacs, Budapest Plastic Surgery Institute’s plastic surgeon.

Nowadays plastic surgeries aren’t rare among men, hence private hospitals like Budapest Plastic Surgery Institute have special aesthetic services designed for them. According to Dr. Gacs, most men want a not too striking change with as less pain as possible. Armpit botox for underarm sweating and anti-wrinkle treatments are popular among men to whom personal networking is part of their job. These procedures take less than a lunch break and doesn’t require going under the knife. Of course, in some cases like gynecomastia (enlarged breasts), surgery is the only option.

Whatever you do, do not skip sledging! When in Pest, head to Népliget, a lesser known and at the same time less crowded place for enjoying winter sports. If you don’t mind the crowd and prefer Buda anyway, visit Gellért Hill, Normafa or Tabán.

You’re more into ice-skating than sledging? City Park Ice Rink awaits visitors in the winter season! Even if you don’t know how to ice-skate or feel safer outside the ice, you can still munch on heavenly chimney cake or sip on hot red wine while just getting immersed in the festive spirit.

We totally get it if heated galleries and museums seem much more alluring to you. Budapest boasts art institutions, so you’ll just need to pick the one closest to your interest. The Funzine Favourite pick this season is the Rubens, Van Dyck and the Splendour of Flemish Painting exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts, on display until 16 February.

For some pocket money, contact Y Generáció student employment agency that offers diverse student jobs during the winter break too.