Budapest, 1989
A young Viktor Orbán at a FIDESZ party event. FIDESZ, most of whose members at that time were young people - it's name is an abbreviation of the Hungarian for the Alliance of Young Democrats - helped Hungary get rid of the old, corrupt Communist political system that had outlived its usefulness. It's now time for another renewal and for his old and corrupt regime to be gone.
Fortepan [ 310619] / Árpád Krizsán
Fortepan has many family photos in its collection many of which, without any accompanying context, can be somewhat uninteresting. But this recently added family photo is an absolute gem. There is a lot of detail to look at it and most people are firmly in focus - there's always one who moves! They seem a well-off and happy family. But it is the two figures at the upper left and right-hand edges that really intrigue me: the maid at the left, arms folded, apart from everyone, but still part of the scene. And the rather ghostly neighbour on the right hand edge, peering into the scene from a distance. Wonderful!
Source: Fortepan [309918] / János Gödény
Hungary, 1961
Outstanding in their field.
Source: Fortepan [309707] / Ferenc Bordács
Budapest, 1957.
Three boys looking at a movie poster outside a cinema.
[Some context to this photo. The film being advertised here is 'Nehéz kesztyűk’ or 'Heavy Gloves' and is about a well-known boxer who is defeated in an international bout but through hard work and diligence returns to claim victory and redeem himself. It featured real-life boxer and legend, László Papp, who had won three Olympic gold medals for Hungary (1948, 1952, and 1956). The film was released shortly after the 1956 Revolution and was designed to foster national pride and a sense of unity. Using a real-life hero in Papp made this film very popular, especially, you imagine, among boys of a certain age shown in the photo.]
Source: Fortepan [191944] / Géza Kriss
Budapest, 1955. Game boys. Not sure what they are playing but I am guessing it is some form of marbles.
Source: Fortepan [191889] / Géza Kriss
Hungary, 1964.
Writing a postcard. A lost art these days.
Source: Fortepan [148142] / Demeter Balla / Donated by Zsolt Hegyi, legal heir
Hungary, 1965
Not too sure what the school play here is. Maybe Snow White and the Seven Dwarves? Or perhaps Aladdin and His Magic Lamp? Anyway, I hope Lenin approved of the performance.
Source: Fortepan [148158] / Demeter Balla / Donated by Zsolt Hegyi, legal heir
( I am featuring photos of Hungarian photographer Demeter Balla (1931-2017) over the next little while.)
Budapest, 1964
The waiter. The photo was taken in Budapest's famed New York Café, once the home of writers and poets. The interior is magnificent and one of the finest examples of Austro-Hungarian pomp and grandeur. Nowadays only tourists go, having to queue to get in, and be able to order overpriced coffee (a cappuccino will set you back $NZ27) from surly wait staff.
Source: Fortepan [148173] / Demeter Balla / Donated by Zsolt Hegyi, legal heir
( I am featuring photos of Hungarian photographer Demeter Balla (1931-2017) over the next little while.)
Budapest, 1958
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau
This photo was taken in District XXIII, Budapest’s southernmost district, on a branch of the Danube.
Source: Fortepan [148162] / Demeter Balla / Donated by Zsolt Hegyi, legal heir
( I am featuring photos of Hungarian photographer Demeter Balla (1931-2017) over the next little while.)
Budapest, 1968
I see you, Mr Photographer!
Source: Fortepan [148162] / Demeter Balla / Donated by Zsolt Hegyi, legal heir
( I am featuring photos of Hungarian photographer Demeter Balla (1931-2017) over the next little while.)
Paul H 