13th August 2011
This morning the British Embassy swimming team all successfully completed a 1500 metre crossing of Lake Velence (the third largest in Hungary) to promote the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. Colleagues Andy, Kata, Melinda, Anna and Geory were joined by 2 Hungarian international paralympic swimmers, Tamas Toth and Judit Tarjanyi. Dani drove and took […]
12th August 2011
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 […]
5th August 2011
This morning I was at the Budapest Holocaust Museum to meet the new Director and then attend a ceremony and exhibition. The Museum covers a grim topic but is one of the “must-see” venues in our city – a British Parliamentarian (of Jewish origin) visiting last year called it “magnificent”. Not only is it an […]
27th July 2011
A year to go to the London Olympics! And all is on track for a great Olympics and Paralympics Games in 2012 – 90% of venues (and all the major ones) are complete and the Olympic Park will be delivered on time and within budget. These are sustainable and cutting-edge designs too, that will ensure […]