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12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival Day 3 (part 9)
British Sea Power are on stage with some fir trees – not sure where they fit in, but that’s probably my ignorance. Earlier on we visited the Head of the new Tom Lantos Institute in Budapest (he was a Holocaust survivor and US Congressman and the Institute was launched by his family a few weeks […]
12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival (The British Council)
Following on from my latest blog last night, today this blog is guesting Simon Ingram-Hill, Director of the British Council in Budapest who writes the following on Pilot night: “ Well, starting before midnight the hugs were there, and we set to work with our mobile British post box – where we catch our interviewees’ […]
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12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival Day 2 (part 6)
I’ve just spoken at a press conference organised by Vodafone. The UK is one of the biggest foreign direct investors in Hungary and Vodafone are one of the most visible and sizeable British companies here. They are also a major sponsor of the Sziget Festival and many fans here are using their products. There’s a […]
12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival Day 2 (part 5)
At the European Meeting Point we meet the Ambassador from Kosovo, who is talking to a group of foreign affairs enthusiasts linked to Corvinus Univesity and the International Centre for Democratic Transition. We (my colleague Levi and I) complete a quiz based on Europe’s newest country – which he wins by one point…. Then off […]
12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival Day 2 (part 4)
Just arrived at the the Sziget Festival today and right away we bumped into our two British bobbies, Ross and Adrian, who are patrolling in uniform (and are therefore in high demand with fans who want to be photographed with them). This is the 4th year British police with Glastonbury Festival experience have come here […]
12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival Day 1 (part 3)
And it’s another year when British bands dominate the Pop-Rock Main Stage at Hungary’s Sziget Festival – 14 out of a total of 25 acts this week are from the UK. All evidence of the continuing strength of our creative industries. Last band up tonight is Pulp. And for those of you still going strong […]
12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival Day 1 (part 2)
I’ve just helped open the Budapest Eurogames tent at Sziget. The LGBT Eurogames take place here in 2012 and should be a good earner for the city. The organisers have kindly asked me to be patron of the Eurogames 2012 and are displaying the British Embassy’s publcity materials for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. […]
12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Sziget Music Festival Day 1 (part 1)
It’s Sziget Festival time again. The Maccabees are playing on the Main Stage and I start at the European Meeting Point, greeting the Mayor of Budapest and the main Festival organiser en route. Consular assistance is available here and at the police HQ for any British fans in trouble. But hopefully there won’t be many […]
12th August 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
An IT conglomerate sharing space with bats and butterflies
In Mumbai, a city of about 18 million heaving with offices, accommodation and traffic, you don’t expect to find a sanctuary of calm less than 15 minutes from the international airport. But on a recent visit to call on the Global Chief Executive of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Mr Chandrasekharan (Chandra), that is precisely what […]
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12th August 2011 Islamabad, Pakistan
The worst of Britain brings out the best of Britain
Over the four nights this week people across the world have seen images of riots, criminality and looting taking place in the UK. These images have been shocking and sickening for anyone like me who cares about the UK’s reputation. And no less shocking has been the loss of life this week of three young […]
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