Summer Selects 2008

The weather in Hungary is already sweltering and to top it off, we're overwhelmed by all the great things to do, places to go and people to see. We offer you a haphazard roundup of stuff to do this summer, mostly in Budapest. Click 'read more' for more.

Here's a random collection of stuff going on in Budapest and in Hungary for the month of June, summer 2008 and beyond. Enjoy!

A38 Ship - Fifth Anniversary
6-7 June
Our wonderful Ukrainian music vessel docked on the Danube is whooping things up with some top-name acts to celebrate 5 years of success. The line up on 6 June features Madrid De Los Austrias, while the following night our neighbor from Austria, Peter Kruder promises to drum up the base on deck.
In honor of the A38's anniversary Budapest's contemporary art center, the Mucsarnok, will be featuring foto exhibits, concert films and discussions, presumably about the A38.
A38 Ship

Dagály Thermal Strand - 60th Anniversary Party
7-8 June
The Dagály is a great place to check out Hungary's swimming hole culture: it seems a bit out of the way, but it seems like there's more space than at the crowded Palatinus. As part of the party, enjoy Latin dance and lessons, synchronized swimming, various water sports and cocktails to celebrate 60 years of wetness. Cheap cheap entry: 1000 Huf for adults, 700 for kids.
Dagály Strandfürdo
1138 Budapest, Népfürdo utca 36

Saint Arnold Day
A celebration of beer culture taking place in the gothic courtyard of Buda's castle district on 15 July from 2pm until midnight.
Saint Arnold Day

"Beer on Ice" - Grab a beer at the "Ice Garden", hidden across from the Mammut Shopping Center in Buda (Széna tér). In the winter this space is an ice-skating rink, but in summer it's full of beer-swilling youths and fussball tables. A great place to chill out.
Ice Garden

Body and Soul exhibition - From Kertész to Mapplethorpe
This photography exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts runs from 6 June until 24 August.
More info:
Museum of Fine Arts

"My Quarter Century" - contemporary painting by Gyula Konkoly
If you go to Szentendre (and you should), be sure to check out this exhibition in Szentendre's "Art Mill" (Muvészet Malom), running until 15 June. One of Konkoly's paintings is a contemporary take on Neo-impressionism.
Open daily, 10-6. Address: Szentendre, Bogdanyi u. 32.

Balaton Sound
Big live music festival on the "Hungarian sea". The long lineup this year includes Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, the B-52s and Goldfrapp. Check it out now, funk soul brother. Right about July 10-13.
More info:
Balaton Sound festival

International Jewish Youth Camp
Taking place in the picturesque Hungarian village of Szarvas, participants at the International Jewish Youth Camp learn about Jewish traditions and values and establish a feeling of community and an affinity with that community through discussions, debate and activities.

More info:
International Jewish Youth Camp

Braco Dimitrijevic retrospective exhibition at the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art - 19 June - 14 September 2008 Sarajevo-born French artist Braco Dimitrijević came to international attention in the 1970s with his Casual Passerby works, enlarged portrait photographs of unknown people in public places - building frontages or advertising hoardings. These images confronted the importance of anonymous people and took the production and display of art beyond the traditional venues.

Palace of Arts
H-1095 Budapest,
Komor Marcell u. 1.

Photo courtesy of Tamás Fodor.

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Budapest guide