The Hungarian Fulbright program brings all the Fulbrighters in Hungary together on the First Friday of the month for cultural experiences. Our day in Budapest began somewhat differently. We gathered at the Fulbright offices first to meet with the new U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. Our Ambassador has been in Hungary for 4 weeks. She said one of the delightful experiences are the water parks that her young children enjoy. She asked Fulbrighters why they came to Hungary and we asked her questions about U.S. policy!
From the Fulbright office we took a tram to the Metro, and then the Metro to a stop along the Danube where we walked to the Hungarian Academy of Science. We were welcomed with an overview of the Academy, its work and its history. The Academy began in the early years of the 19th century. Recently I had learned that Lincoln was the president who started the Academy of Science in the United States. Perhaps this was one of the sources of that good idea. The Academy includes persons one might think of as scientists, but also poets and other representatives from the arts, too.
We then were divided into two smaller groups to visit one of the libraries. I by random numbering went to the Oriental Library. I think I was lucky. This was so interesting. I learned about a famous Transylvanian Hungarian, who among other things, in a very distinguished career, wrote the first Tibetan-English dictionary. These books were right on the table in front of us.
We then were taken to explore other parts of this beautiful building.
Our next site was the art gallery. This held paintings of academy fellows and paintings by artists admitted to the Academy. Following this we were treated to an elegant and tasty lunch in the Akademia Club Restaurant. Here's where the Hungarian champagne turned up again. I'm certain this is the very first time I've ever had champagne for lunch!
Next we caught a bus across the Danube to the Castle Hill on the Buda side. Our destination was the Institute of Musicology. We were given a guided tour of a Haydn exhibit. The curators have truly developed an interesting and novel exhibit. Each room is dedicated to a certain area such as church music or chamber music. Each displays original scores by Haydn, but then also objects related to music or the particular function. For example, the church music area also had an 18th century altar. Two objects from other rooms that I particularly liked was a very unique clock and a table that can be opened in a music stand for a sextet.
We then went to a conference area and met a Hungarian woman who four years ago had done a Fulbright experience in Tallahassee, Florida, to study the work of a Hungarian composer, Donanhayi, who sought refuge in the United States after WWII. Thousands of people will come to Castle Hill this summer, but I'm sure none of them will have such a unique experience.
As mentioned below, with the excellent Budapest transportation system, I was able to go from the site up on Castle Hill in Buda back to my hotel in the middle of Pest in only 20 minutes. Then I was on my way to Keleti station and back to Pecs.
If you haven't already done so, please read the long blog entry below about Fulbright orientation.
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