I play the piano and am a cellist in the school orchestra; music is a very strong part in my life, and runs in the veins of the country. Hungarian music ranges from the rhapsodies of Franz Liszt to Roma and folk music. Although today’s Hungary is rife with newly developed pop-bands, and modern groups, Kodály Zoltán and Bartok Béla are among the most famous Hungarian musicians who displayed the best of the Country’s folk culture in their music. The characteristics of Hungarian music, as well as other aspects of the culture are influenced by the Hungarian language which derived from Finno-Ugric. For example the language, which is invariably stressed on the first syllable, lends a strongly accented dactylic rhythm to the music. Hungary’s music is characteristic of accelerating rhythms and unique folk instruments: the Cimbalom (the picture: a bit like a harpsichord) and the Duda (a kind of flute). Gypsy music is very famous in the Hungarian entertainment industry, distinctive for huge orchestras of violins e.g. the Száz Tagu Zenekar – but they aren’t all gypsies.
Hungary is well known for its water sports, e.g. swimming, canoeing, and water polo. Gymnastics also won Hungary many medals in many world competitions including the Olympics: one of the most famous Hungarian gymnasts is Magyar Zoltán who was the first person to execute a (stunning) routine on the pommel horse.
Education and knowledge are very important parts of the culture here. Many important mathematicians such as János Bolyai and Paul Erdős were Hungarian. Hungarians are proud of their inventions such as the match, ballpoint pen, electronic railway engine, the discovery of Vitamin C: Noble prize winner Albert Szent-Gyorgyi and the theoretical background of the hydrogen bomb (independently of its questionable result).
Hungary has a great literature, with many poets and writers, although not many are well known abroad due to the limited prevalence of the language – it’s a very strange tongue, and you have a hard time getting around if you don’t speak it. The most famous authors were Jókai Mór and Mikszáth Kálmán, while the most famous poets were Petöfi Sándor (writer of Talpra Magyar-a strong symbol of freedom) and Jozsef Atila.
Hungarian cuisine includes many pork and beef dishes, particularly goulash: a beef soup (gulya means a herd of cows) or a stew known in Hungarian as pörkölt. Dishes are often flavoured with paprika-very hot peppers, and hot onions. Hungary also produces wine, including the distinctive Tokaji from Tokaj which is often reffered to as the Wine Of The Kings: And The King Of The Wines. Also when in Hungary, one should most definitely not forget to visit the elaborate cake and sweet shops, which serve some of the Country’s finest cakes such as Gundel Palacinta (a flaming pancake!).
