Event guide to the Hungarian capital

GERHARD RICHTER. TRUTH IN SEMBLANCE

FROM AUGUST 27 IN THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS – HUNGARIAN NATIONAL GALLERY Budapest is hosting an exhibition of works by the world-renowned contemporary German master Gerhard Richter, who turns ninety next year. Entitled Gerhard Richter. Truth in Semblance, the show is the artist’s first comprehensive exhibition in Hungary, featuring almost 80 works from Hungarian and international public and private collections, and representing every period in his career. The works range from his iconic photo-paintings of the 1960s, through the color-rich abstract pieces for which he is perhaps best known, to his most recent, intimate pencil drawings. The latter were produced after his announcement in the autumn of 2020 that he had finished his painted oeuvre – a fact that lends the Budapest show particular significance, according to the website of the National Gallery. Gerhard Richter. Truth in Semblance is the fourth in the series of exhibitions organized by the Museum of Fine Arts – Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest to showcase the trends in German art since 1945. The series began in 2012 with Material Becomes Picture, presenting the works of Günther Uecker, and continued in 2014 with an exhibition of works by Jörg Immendorff, entitled Long Live Painting! The third artist included in the series was Georg Baselitz, whose exhibition Preview with Review was held in 2017.The aim of the Hungarian National Gallery is to present to the public the diverse art phenomena and defining trends in Germany since World War II by focusing on the most emblematic and internationally celebrated figures from the German art scene.

mng.hu

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 BARBA NEGRA MUSIC CLUB Since Bullet For My Valentine formed in 1998, the Welsh metallers have become one of the most popular bands in metal, selling over three million albums worldwide as well as defining British metalcore with their now classic debut album ‘The Poison’. Following the success of their last album, 2018's Gravity, the band announced their selftitled, seventh album, ‘Bullet For My Valentine’. It will be released on October 22, 2021 as the band’s heaviest, fiercest album so far. They have created an album that will cement their place at the very top of modern British metal. This time, the band went back to basics. Bullet For My Valentine is packed with wailing solos and huge riffs that will delight fans old and new. Hungarian fans will get the chance to hear the new music live on February 13, 2022 in Barba Negra in Budapest!

livenation.hu WORLD TOURING CAR CUP (WTCR)

AUGUST 21-22 AT THE UNGARORING The World Touring Car Cup first arrived to the Hungaroring in 2011, attracting huge crowds year after year, thanks to the spectacular side-by-side battles and the Hungarian drivers in the series. The Hungarian round is known for the best atmosphere and the biggest support from the stands. Mostly thanks to Norbert Michelisz, who claimed the championship trophy in 2019 achieving the biggest international success of Hungarian motorsport. Several young Hungarian drivers started to follow Michelisz’s footsteps, like Attila Tassi competing in a factory team and the talented young drivers of Zengő Motorsport. PURE ETCR is the world's first all-electric, multi-brand touring car championship, and uniquely gives the world's biggest and best-known brands the opportunity to compete for the official manufacturer title. Not only are the cars brand new, but so is the event itself, with a Hungarian team and driver on the grid. To get the maximum out of the high-powered 500kW PURE ETCR vehicles, each car must compete in a short, sharp, wheel-to-wheel battle, each driver must push their car to the limit without conserving energy. In the PURE ETCR series weekend, there will also be an electric car exhibition at the spectators’ area.

hungaroring.hu

SABATON

MARCH 13, 2022 IN THE BUDAPEST ARENA In Spring 2022, SABATON will be visiting 26 cities in 17 countries, bringing their groundbreaking modern metal to the people and delivering breathtaking live shows in a setting that will once again set new bars for concerts of this kind. Good news for Hungarian fans is that the brand new ‘The Tour To End All Tours’ will stop in Hungary: SABATON will be live at Budapest Arena on Sunday, March 13, 2022, will be supported by Mongolian rock band THE HU and Finnish heavy metal veterans LORDI. SABATON is undoubtedly one of the most important modern heavy/power metal bands today, rising to the top with confident speed. Their latest album, ’The Great War’, has reached the Top Ten of the charts in 11 countries, and the number one spot in Switzerland, Germany and Sweden. SABATON have spent the period of closure working hard, resulting in this grand tour; and a new album, which has been in the works since February.

livenation.hu

The ANTL brand, focusing on the hospitality sector, pays homage to its founder, Antal Dreher, with its first two beers: the Vienna Style Lager is a modern interpretation of the beer style that earned Antal Dreher, the moniker ‘Beer King’, close to two hundred years ago, and the English Style Summer Ale recalls his study trip to England, which led to the knowledge sharing that came to characterize Dreher.

More freedom to experiment

In Dreher’s iconic neoclassical brewhouse, a single brew means hundreds of hectoliters of beer, while in the old barrel filling building where the Beer Workshop is located, one brew is just a few hectoliters. The smaller size of the equipment and greater flexibility of the technology gives the brewery team more freedom to experiment. "From its founding day, the history of Dreher Breweries has been one of continuous innovation. First, it was using the Kőbánya cellar system and, uniquely for its day, the artesian wells, to produce the lager beer invented by Antal Dreher. Then, the early use of steam and cooling technologies, and later for example, the pioneering introduction of glass bottling and aluminum kegs. We continued to build on this tradition in recent years through product innovations and fresh collaborations, and to all this we are now adding new momentum with the Beer Workshop and the ANTL brand," the CEO of Dreher Breweries, Gábor Békefi highlighted. Spicy hops and malty sweetness

ANTL launches with two beers initially, with the types of beers changing several times a year. The mildly bitter, unfiltered ANTL Vienna Style Lager is a modern take on the beer style that not only earned Antal Dreher the title of ‘Beer King’, but also brought him worldwide market success. Both its aroma and taste are characterized by the spicy hops in the background, contrasting its malty sweetness. During the young Antal Dreher's European study tour, most brewmasters were reluctant to help the professional development of the future ‘Beer King’. Eventually, the owner of a medium-sized brewery in England brought the young Dreher under his wings. As a result, Dreher decided to keep his factory open to anyone interested in the science of brewing. ANTL English Style Summer Ale is a tribute to this story. With a pleasant citrus and tropical fruit hop aroma, this top-fermented and unfiltered summer ale is characterized by harmonious bitterness, rugged hops, and a hint of malty sweetness. "Our team has had the opportunity to think more freely about new beer styles and recipes before, but we have always had to consider the huge scale of the factory. The Beer Workshop opens whole new dimensions of experimentation for us. We will introduce new brews several times a year, which means continuous experimentation and development for the ANTL brand," Innovation Brewer at Dreher Breweries and head of the Beer Workshop, Máté Mihály added. During the launch period, ANTL beers will be available on tap in limited quantities at more than 50 hospitality outlets in and around Budapest.

With 230 rooms and 13 event spaces, the property will operate only the reception areas and two floors in the first phase of the renovation during the soft opening period, and will open its specialty café ‘Axis Café and Lounge’ to foreign and Hungarian audiences. The entire building on Váci Road will be handed over in December by the owner of the building, Gránit Pólus, which also operates the Westend shopping center the hotel is situated in. The company is spending a total of EUR ten million to renovate the Crowne Plaza Budapest, part of IHG Hotels and Resorts, to meet the needs of the 21st century business traveler. The renovation is based on the designs of the Polish architectural firm Tremend, inspired by the iconic architecture, materials, textures and colors of the adjacent Nyugati railway station. The hotel's Sleep Advantage program, for example, focuses on a good night's sleep through acoustic solutions, darkening, bedding and aromatherapy to enhance the sleep experience. Beyond rest, business travelers want flexibility, an inspiring work environment, prompt service, nutritious food and the technology to get the job done.

That is why the interior design that defines the hotel supports this, from the guest rooms to the co-working spaces in the lobby, which are free to guests and the home audience. Complementing the interior design and deepening the local cultural experience, the walls are decorated with works by leading figures in contemporary Hungarian geometric and abstract art. Axis Café and Lounge, a new-wave café with a terrace on Váci Road, also welcomes the Hungarian public for a delicious breakfast until 2 pm and serves seasonal cuisine all day. Here, the emphasis is on locally sourced, sustainable and healthy food. The suppliers are Hungarian brands that keep up with international gastronomic trends. In addition to local syrups, beers and Hungarian wines, new wave coffee is sourced from Hungarian-born Costa Rican coffee farm owner László Bányai, and guests are served cakes from Hysteria Confectionery, which also boasts the best cake of 2020. Histéria Confectionery is run by a multi-generational family of restaurateurs: grandparents started their careers in railway catering as youngsters and now have five premium bakeries. Interestingly, their cakes are now served on the legendary Orient Express trains. The next step in the hotel's renovation is the opening for guests in a few weeks of a fitness room with stunning views. The next major handover is scheduled for December when the refurbishment of meeting rooms, function rooms and ballroom will be completed, with the opening of the Club Lounge, a terraced community space overlooking the city, and the completion of the Cult, a restaurant with a large rooftop terrace, which will open to the public in 2022.