Budapest: A Cultural History

by Bob Dent

The views of Budapest by the River Danube are unparalleled in Europe. On one side the Buda Hills reach almost to the riverside, with Castle Hill and Gellért Hill offering outstanding panoramas. Pest, linked to Buda by a series of imposing bridges, with its mixture of late nineteenth-century Historicist and early twentieth-century Art Nouveau architecture, is still very much a "turn-of-the-century" city.

For more than fifty years prior to the Second World War, Budapest was one of the outstanding cultural capitals of Central Europe, on a par with, and in some ways ahead of, Vienna and Prague. Now no longer "hidden" behind the Iron Curtain, much of that old atmosphere has returned. With its rich and often turbulent history, its unique thermal baths, its excellent public transport system, its street cafés and broad-ranging cultural scene, Budapest is a captivating metropolis, currently being rediscovered as one of the liveliest cities in the region.

* City on the Danube: Straddling the majestic river, Budapest's setting is unique; bridges and baths, cafes and squares; an architecture than recalls the pre-1914 era.

* City of fusions: Bartók and Kodály fused folk and classical; the tradition continues with Budapest's vibrant mixture of live folk, gypsy, klezmer and jazz.

* City of the unknown: Breaking through the barrier of the Hungarian language, often described as impenetrable, presented here are writers and poets deserving international recognition.

Genres: History, Hungary, Travel, Nonfiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kalliope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic first book to read if preparing a visit to Budapest. It is a mix between a guidebook and an introduction to the history and literary traditions of Hungary. From this book one can proceed on the one hand onto a proper guidebook for further practicalities of the places one has decided to visit. And on the other to more complete historical accounts and literary works.

It has chapters on its Baths, its Food, its Music (classical and folk), its Cafés, but also on its Topography, Heroes, and overall Identity.

Although Dent has to remain on somewhat a superficial level on his account of the History of the city, he has a good grasp of the myth-making ability of the Magyars regarding their past. His discussion on how the Jews were treated somewhat differently, at first, during Nazi times, I found particularly fascinating. The Jewish population had assimilated to a much greater degree than in other central European countries because the Magyar minority needed a weightier representation versus the other, more oppressed, minorities such as the Romanians, Croatians etc…. The migrant Jews, with their abilities to organize urban centers, and who became very nationalistic, were a very welcome community for the more agrarian Hungarians. After the frontiers were redrawn with the Trianon Treaty in 1920, their presence became more suspect and nastiness followed.

I have also discovered more writers that I should explore, such as Magda Denes (I plan to read Castles Burning: A Child's Life in War), Tibor Déry etc. I also enjoyed hearing more on its classical music scene, with not only Béla Bartok but also Zoltán Kodály (Bela Bartok and Turn-Of-The-Century Budapest is another book for my TR list).

Anyway, this was exciting reading, and I have now an exciting trip ahead of me.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non sapevo cosa aspettarmi esattamente da questo libro: stavo cercando una guida della città e, d'impulso, ho preso anche questo... saggio? Letteratura di viaggio? Fate voi.
Leggere è stato come camminare in anteprima per la città. Ho apprezzato tanto la narrazione quanto le fotografie, i capitoli coprono argomenti ben definiti e permettono di saltare di tema in tema: non è necessario leggere ogni pagina, potete andare dritti a ciò che vi interessa.
Personalmente consiglio la parte sulla letteratura ungherese. Ho cominciato da poco a leggerla e il piacere di avere un buon libro che ti consiglia altri buoni libri è una bella sensazione. Credo che comincerò da Il cimitero della ruggine, a seguire Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts.

[Orsolya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I am a first-generation citizen of the United States; my nationalism for my homeland of Hungary is spectacularly high. I am quite proud of the 100% Hungarian blood coursing through my veins, my famous Hungarian- author father, and my equally famous writer/economist grandfather. One would assume that I know everything about the country of Hungary. But, to be honest – I don’t. Hence, my desire to learn more about my country and heritage. Enter: Bob Dent’s “Budapest: A Cultural History.

Dent’s Budapest” is a unique piece that stands on its own effortless merits. Combining elements of a tourist guidebook (focusing on the Hungarian capital-city) with a social and cultural portrait sounds like it could be a recipe for disaster and potentially result in a clunky mess. That is certainly not the case with “Budapest” as Dent is an expert at seamlessly presenting information in an enjoyable, informative, and entertaining way.

“Budapest” breaks chapters down by location/attractions and cultural highlights, describing what one would actually see when stepping foot in the various sections of Budapest. The text then dives deeper showcasing the history of the people, places, buildings, etc; in a way that is not dry. In fact, “Budapest” is an incredibly well-paced text great for both newbies to Hungary and those familiar with the country. Dent’s research is palpable and his passion for the subject is undeniable. “Budapest” runs the risk of being insulting to Hungarians based on biases but Dent presents Hungary and Budapest in an objective but positive viewpoint.

One of the strong suits of “Budapest” is Dent’s ability to know the perfect ratio of detail to indulge in regarding each topic. Dent doesn’t fall into the habit of running off on tangents. Consequentially, “Budapest” is memorable and the material is ‘sticky’ and begs to be a conversation-starter.

A predominant chunk and theme of “Budapest” is political in nature highlighting the movement, events, and figures that spearheaded and/or influenced the times and development of Hungary. This can be perceived as slightly slow in comparison to other parts of Dent’s text but, yet, it is still firm in its inclusion and message.

Notably, Dent includes addresses of buildings and structures alongside the explanations of historical reference/structure-use rather than a simple guidebook reference. This style represents history well while demonstrating modern environments, resulting in a strong piece.

After going-down the rabbit hole of political history; Dent focuses the last chapters on a more social and art perspective. These pages feel vetted, however, with a strained overview rather than a detailed dive. At this point, the pace is constricted and noticeably not as lively as the former portions of the book.

Missing from “Budapest” is a look at the sports/recreations/pastimes of the city. Although these are briefly mentioned in other sections; a dominant chapter would have fleshed out the thesis of “Budapest” much better. Equally, a section of color photo plates would satisfy readers rather than the sporadic black and white illustrations/drawings/sketches Dent chose to implore.

Dent supplements “Budapest” with a comprehensive list of sources for further reading.

Although not perfect; Dent’s “Budapest” is an overall enjoyable introduction to the Hungarian and Budapest; meshing culture with an informative edge. “Budapest” is recommended for all readers interested in Hungary.

[Servabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the four European capitals located on the Danube - Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade - Budapest is the only one where the river clearly dissects the city in two, running directly through its centre, and is thus an inescapable and central part of the metropolis itself. Add to that the facts that the Buda Hills on the right bank reach right down to the riverside, that Pest on the left bank, in contrast, in flat, and that a series of impressive bridges, each with its own history, span the river, and you arrive at the almost inescapable conclusion that Budapest's Danube panorama constitutes one of the most striking city-centres in Europe, if not the world.

In December 1987 Castle Hill and the entire Danube panorama from Liberty Bridge to Margaret Bridge were added to UNESCO's World Heritage list, alongside such places as the Acropolis in Athens and London's Westminster. From whatever vantage point you choose - the Pest embankment, the Fishermen's Bastion behind the Matthias Church on Castle Hill, or the Citadel at the top of Gellert Hill - the riverside view is breathtaking.

If one view can be said to eclipse all others, perhaps it has to be the one looking south from the middle of Margaret Bridge. Hungary's impressive neo-Gothic parliament is to the left, right by the riverside, Castle Hill with the Matthias Church and the former Royal Palace to the right, while Gellert Hill is straight ahead, towering above the broad sweep of the Danube with the Chain Bridge in the centre.

Given that the wealthier residential areas are on the Buda side of the river and that the main commercial, diplomatic, political, business and related establishments are on the Pest side, the result is that the morning rush-hour often sees the bridges blocked with cars in the Buda-to-Pest direction, and vice-versa during the afternoon rush-hour.

In the last quarter of the 19th century, Budapest was one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, matched only by Berlin. The growth in population was both reflected and generated by a massive programme of urban construction and reconstruction, which to a large extent determined the characteristic features of the central Pest area, giving the city on the left bank an appearance it has maintained to this day. The avenue is called Andrassy ut. The most prominent neo-Renaissance building on the avenue, indeed its most prominent building of any style, is that of the Hungarian State Opera House, which stands on the north side of the avenue in its first section. The facade of the Opera is richly adorned with much sculptural decoration. There are statues of Mozart, Beethovan, Tchaikovsky, Smetana, Monteverdi, Scarlatti, Gluck, Moniusko and Mussorgsky. n corner niches are Terpsichore, Erato, Thalia and Melpomene, representing dance, love poetry, comedy and tragedy.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book before visiting Budapest with my wife in the Spring of 2018. The author introduces Budapest by touring readers through its attractions. However, the author also dives deep by telling the political and literary history of each place. His writing is passionate and observant. I am glad to learn about a few Hungarian writers in this book. I much prefer the approach of this book to that of some other books in this series. The latter narrates the history of a city chronologically, which can be dull when a reader is not familiar with the necessary background.

[Donald Schopflocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for the traveller who wants more historical and cultural context than provided by standard travel guides. Best to have a good map on hand, though.

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't make it very far. The book covers topic very thoroughly. I wanted an introduction.

[Sherry Stouffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the tie between the history and cultural development of Budapest and the geographic areas.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with Budapest 1900: A Historical Portrait of a City and Its Cultureand Once And Future Budapest, this is one of the best cultural histories of Budapest I have read recently. Reading all three together was a very useful experience and each supplemented the other. If you could only read one, though, this might be the best choice--it covers the most ground in and is perhaps the most accessibly written of the three. Excellent biibliography leads to further resources.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A borrowed book; only made it around 1/3 the way through before I had to return it. will have to pick up my own copy, as what I read was really quite good and very informative.