Day 2 – Thailand Phil European Tour Diary

 27 August 2022 Budapest, Hungary

St. Stephen’s Day, Hungary’s most prominent National Holiday and official commemoration of the founding of the state by King Stephen I – is celebrated on the 20th of August, but has been moved to last Saturday, 27th; traditionally complemented with fireworks in Hungary’s national colours of red, white and green. Bad weather forced this year’s event to be postponed, wherefore Thailand Phil was able to be part of the occasion!

Budapest – Hungary’s capital city – has a history of local traditions, amazing culinary cuisine and interesting sites, especially the Old Town. The famous Danube River divides the city into two parts: Buda and Pest. Pest is recognized as the more flat and modern part of the city whilst Buda is the hilly, ancient historical part. The lather sits on a hill and is called “Castle Hill” with many historical sites from the medieval times, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle and Matthias Church. Budapest’s Old Town is essentially a pedestrian zone.

A laidback and local vibe is memorable and sets this Old Town apart from other small European villages.

The Holocaust Memorial Centre in Budapest reflects the history of the Jewish people in Hungary. “From the Deprivation of rights to Genocide” is the name of the permanent exposition at the Holocaust Museum which remembers the more than half a million Hungarian Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis.
A beautiful synagogue that has been meticulously restored thanks to nineteenth-century photographs is the last attraction that visitors can explore.

The Italian Cultural Institute of Budapest – hosting the first concert of Thailand Phil’s European tour – aims to disseminate culture through the organization of cultural events for promoting the circulation of ideas, arts and sciences.

Thailand Phil was hailed by the Hungarian audience which concludes a successful and fulfilling first concert!

Story by: Hannelore Vermeir, Principal Clarinet, Thailand Phil