Hearts for Hungary!

As mentioned before, the public transportation here in Hungary has been having strikes recently. This has not been good, because basically there are then too many cars downtown and it disadvantages all the citizens who daily use the public transportation. Yesterday a strike was to begin and last for who knows how long. This was to make a statement in hopes of getting some guarantees for better conditions for the workers. However, the two parties involved were able to come to a peaceful agreement, resolving some issues. Therefore there was no strike today!!!

Elementary Spring Concert

On May 20th, the elementary students performed the Spring Concert. The dress rehearsal the day before went okay, but the energy level was much higher for the real performance. I was really proud of the kids, they did great. This concert was a culmination of what we had studied throughout the semester. We sang songs from Africa, a broadway show, a song the students worked on composing, the 4th graders played xylophones in ensembles and the 5th graders played recorders and chimes. It was a very diverse concert. I think the audience enjoyed it too.

May Day

May Day in Hungary is similar to US labor day. It was declared this in 1958 by the Soviet Union and the Hungarians chose to keep it as a holiday. The celebrations here in Hungary were very fun. During the day there was a festival at Hosok Ter, Hero Square. Each hour there was a new musical dance style presented, then taught to the audience (great fun). Then in between the presentations, there was a group of traditionally dressed people, a man on stilts and musicians playing. They would parade out to the music and tie ribbons to birch trees, the audience helping in this, and then erect them around the square. I especially enjoyed dancing and watching the "rock and roll" dancers. I worked my way into the crowd the 2nd time, and tied a ribbon onto a tree myself. At the end of the night there were fire works and they played Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".