arf 119.AVI I arrived in Budapest, or the “Paris of the East” as it has been known, on August 18th to spend time with my family who lives there. After sleeping off the jet lag, I found myself in the middle of one of Hungary’s biggest national holidays, Saint Steven Day, which is every year on August 20th. Saint Steven was the first King of Hungary from 1000-1038 c.e. and is credited for dually establishing the Kingdom of Hungary and converting the country to Christianity.
During the day, I visited Buda Castle, which proudly overlooks the Danube River. The castle held a cultural festival with craftsmen, cooks, dancers, and musicians all displaying different aspects of Hungarian culture throughout the country’s 1000 year history. My eyes could hardly focus on one sight there was so much to take in. At night, I went to see the annual fireworks on the Danube river (the fireworks were shot off of barges on the river). It was breathtaking to see three synchronized fireworks shows blasting brilliant colors into the night sky all along the elegant Danube. It is truly remarkable to experience another culture’s day of celebration.    

Location: Budapest