Bibliophilic islanders, this will make your book-loving heart beat a little faster. The Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library – a network of local libraries throughout the Hungarian capital, check out www.fszek.hu – will have a tent at the Sziget Festival, with, as you’d rightly expect, stacks of books, audio books, periodicals and newspapers (in several languages!), which you can either read (or listen to) on the spot, resting your behind on a bean bag or borrow after having registered with one of the librarians. And with your Sziget membership card, you can also get a discount on membership at any Ervin Szabó Library after the festival.
Also, there will be plenty of quizzes and competitions where you can test your knowledge and creativity in a fun way (in English, French and Hungarian) as well as an exhibition and roundtable discussion on Hungarian book culture in commie times. While there, why not stop by the Literature Pub as well, where you might even have a chat with a notable writer or philosopher.
On the weekend, check out the cool events, recommended for the whole family – test your Geography knowledge on a magnetic Europe map, make eco-friendly goodies or walk on stilts. Also, on August 15th (between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.), you can try your hand at Manga, courtesy of the Hungarian Anime Society – the best drawings will be exhibited and awarded at the AnimeCon at the end of August!
And did we mention that the tent of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library is the only place on the whole island where you can grab a copy of FUNZINE?