Introducing Budapest Pride

So, today is the day of the CEU NGO fair. I've just read back the post that I published some days ago and realized that I have not written anything about Budapest Pride. 

I joined the organizer team last autumn, especially those coordinating the press. Later, when it turned out that I'm originally an art manager (or something like that), they convinced me to help the culture group arranging the events. I said ok, I welcomed this job because the Pride is an example how a cultural festival can highlight the importance of "colorfulness". The fight against homophobia and discrimination takes shape in a week-long cultural event with film screenings, exhibition, theater plays and of course the pride march. Its political message is inevitable -- due to the quite worrisome situation in the country -- but I think we should rather focus on the cultural values of such. It is more important to show that the festival is not only about saying "fuck off, I'm gay, get used to it", but about how diverse the lgbtq community is. 

I do enjoy working with them though it is not at all easy. I've already started contacting with gallery spaces, ruin bars, cafés -- wanted to find out who is open to exhibitions dealing with queer art. Meanwhile, I've also started a consultation with music artists, bands. We will see...

CEU NGO Fair

So, the Central European University is about to organize its 8th annual NGO Fair. The aim is to provide a platform for NGOs to present their organization. It is also an opportunity for those interested to join either by financial support or volunteer work. 

We are also participating in this event. As representatives of the Budapest Pride we are planning to give a short presentation about us: who we are, what we do (programs we organize), how you can help etc... Whoever is interested: from 11am to 2pm @ CEU (Nador utca)

Desperate students

No matter what the weather is like, desperate students protested against the educational laws in Budapest. This time organized by Hallgatói Hálózat (Student's Network), a demonstration, a march. Would-be and already university students (finally) stood up for their rights - our rights - and said no to the changes in the higher education system: dramatic cut on frame numbers, doubling and tripling of tuition fees, abolishment of government support. What's coming next is what remained unknown.



I  I took half of the article from politics.hu about a previous protest: 

"Students’ union HOOK has turned to the European Commission over Hungary’s new higher education laws, chairman David Nagy told a gathering of demonstrating students in Budapest on Wednesday evening. 

Nagy said that a clause in the new laws requiring students who receive state financing for their courses to stay in the country for some years for work is “no solution to the problem of brain drain”. He told a group of about 200 gathered in central Deak ter that the solution would be creating work conditions and wages on par with the rest of Europe and restoring the prestige of knowledge and getting a degree. He said students demand that the government reverse recent drastic cuts in certain areas of study based on professional considerations. He mentioned economics and law as two areas which unjustly took the brunt of the cuts. He cited Hungary’s basic rights ombudsman as saying recently that applicants’ rights were seriously violated over the past few months and pushing the deadline for applications forward did not help this." 

Continue! Continue! Continue!

United Nations Human Rights fb status

Well, I've just read the facebook status update of United Nations Human Rights: 

 “Today, many look to the world of social media. The majority of those who use it are women – and the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook is a woman. Yet many are asking: Why are there no women on the corporate board of Facebook, Twitter or other young, dynamic companies? I believe that’s a fair question.” – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 16 February 2012

Valentine's Day

It is a symbolic day... the 14th of february... I don't personally celebrate that, but I do hate those who just share negative comments about that. What's the point in that? If you hate Valentine's or simply don't have anyone to spend with than just leave it that way... but it's quite disappointing that when I log into facebook most people desperately post how pathetic it is to celebrate the day of love. We all hate sexism, homophobia, labeling etc but saying that it is just another stupid heterosexual habit makes no difference...

Anti-Putin March in Moscow

It's the 4th of February, 2012, the place is Moscow. The temperature in the streets is around minus of 18-20 degrees of Celsius. Amazing crowd, thousands of demonstrators marched through downtown Moscow in order to keep up the pressure on Putin one month before a presidential election that would possibly extend his rule for six more years. All occupy movements have a message in common: protesters demand that their voices can be heard. And... it's right.

Launching Facebook Page

Oh, I nearly forgot to tell: we already launched a Facebook page (click here!) for the Amnesty International Hungary Women's Group -- whoever is interested can follow us, read what we publish, comment on our work etc. By the way, you can make comments here is as well, I gladly welcome recommendations!