The Budapest Bardroom’s Mikulas Csomag of Literary Cheer on December 3
November 20, 2009
Like Saint Nicolas arriving with his switches for all the naughty literary types of Budapest, on December 3, the Bardroom will be introducing new books by two local writers.
Colorado-born journalist Marisa Beahm Klein is a veteran open mike organizer and slam poet, and will be reading from her debut volume of poetry Opened Aperture; while artist-writer-explorer-of-life-around-the-world Aubrey Ramage-Lay will share parts of his new book, Walking as Saints, and South African (by way of London) singer-songwriter Rachel Hammond will entertain the audience with her up-beat melodies.
In addition, you’ll have a chance to win the usual sort of unique, local treasures when hosts Steve Carlson and Kalman Farago test the audience’s knowledge on a range of obscure literary topics of a Santa Claus-nature as the Budapest Bardroom Quiz runs throughout the evening. For all potential bards, be prepared to participate in the poetry writing contest. The night’s best poem (determined by audience reaction) will also fill your sock with a valuable prize. Furthermore, aspiring writers can claim spots for open mike reading.
Time: 19:30 – 21:00
Venue: Treehugger Dan’s Bookstore, Cafe & Lounge/Discover Hungary
Address: VI. District, Lázár u. 16. M1 (Yellow Metro Line) station Opera, just off of Andrássy Ut., behind the Opera House.
Five questions for Zaid Sethi
October 13, 2009
Zaid Sethi was born in Pakistan and emigrated to England with his parents at the age of one. He has been writing and traveling for the last 15 years, spending time in Central Asia, the Caucuses and St Petersburg. he has lived in Hungary for three years.
In 2009, Zaid published his first book of short stories, entitled The End of the World. According to Zaid, “this is a collection of short stories in which characters enter a world where fairness and understanding count for nothing. These stories are about the relationships that inspire us as human beings to strive to achieve more than any sense of reality would allow.”
1. What was your first (poem / piece of writing), and how bad was it?
Socialist drivel but penned and executed with passion. Thirteen, and lots of people to show off to. “Oh look, it rhymes, isn’t he a clever lad!” and thinking that Elliot would be glad he was dead when I was finished with poetry and I would tell any latter day Ezra Pound to get stuffed!
But then in that quiet place we all find ourselves in when there is no-one to show off to I read Journey of the Magi and wept, there isn’t anything worse than living long enough to find out that you are a fraud!
2. Are you currently working on anything, and why’s it taking so long?
A novel. I feel I have to write one because that is the only chance I would have to find a publisher, so I’m told. I keep being asked that I need to have something to say. Really! If that were true why are there so many who get away with nothing very much. I have something to say but am afraid that it isn’t dramatic or interesting enough, you know like cutting off a hand to be free or being crucified. I suppose that is my excuse because I am not able to write like Dan Brown.
3. Do you actually have moments of inspiration or is writing just a process of slogging day in and day out?
Gosh, I wish it were a slog, day in day out. Can you imagine doing an interview and saying ‘well, I work for about 8 hours a day, disciplined, ordered, productive. Producing 500 words or was it 1500 words a day.’
No, for me it is an intellectual pregnancy the gestation of which drains any capacity for emotion that I could have left and then when it is done I bleed, I mean I write and when I have finished I can’t believe anyone could attribute the words to me. I have too many moments of inspiration that die exposed to time and inattention but then I find one that consumes me when there is nothing to distract me.
4. Please define irony.
Me, a writer.
5. What’s the worst thing about writing a book?
Finding someone to publish it so that you don’t have to worry about finding people to read it.
Alas, the night grows long, the days grow cold and the leaves change color. Come and celebrate your melancholic literary side with us and enjoy the works of some of Budapest’s notable contemporary writers. And win prizes! On October 15, we will be treated to three local artists. Zaid Sethi will read from his new collection of short stories, The End of the World, with his uniquely universalistic impressions of people from around the world. New Orleans-based poet, Stephen Tribell has recently made Budapest his home and will be performing his poetry, and Stephen Ladek will be rounding out the evening with his own music.
In addition, you’ll have a chance to win some unique, local treasures when hosts Jeff Taylor and Kalman Farago test the audience’s knowledge on a range of obscure literary topics as the Budapest Bardroom Quiz runs throughout the evening. For all potential bards, be prepared to participate in Poem of the Evening. The night’s best impromptu poem (determined by audience reaction) will be selected from audience submissions collected throughout the evening.
Date: October 15, 2009
Time: 19:30 – 21:00
Venue: Treehugger Dan’s Bookstore, Cafe & Lounge/Discover Hungary
Address: VI. District, Lázár u. 16. M1 (Yellow Metro Line) station Opera, just off of Andrássy Ut., behind the Opera House.
The Bardroom Returns to its Roots on July 8th
June 29, 2009
The Bardroom brings back two beloved local authors to present their new books and will also feature singer/songwriter Grayson who’ll be promoting his new album. The event, on July 8 at 7:30pm, will also be a return back to the old home of the Bardroom, the Nyitott Műhely at Ráth György utca 4 (near Déli Metro station).
Bob Dent, who has already published a number of books and guides to Budapest as well as having been recently honored with the Budapestért prize given the municipal government for outstanding service to the city, will be reading from his new Every Statue Tells a Story- Public Monuments in Budapest, a fascinating cultural study of the city’s public sculptures and their historic and artistic importance. Adam LeBor, who has already published numerous books, including a critically-acclaimed investigative work on Swiss Banks, a biography of Milosevic, and a historical tableau of the city of Jaffa, now presents his first fiction work, The Budapest Protocol, set in the intrigues of wartime Hungary. Singer/Songwriter Grayson will be performing live acoustic works in promotion of debut album, Somewhere In The Night.
The event will feature the usual audience-pleasing quiz questions and prizes, as well as the traditional poetry-writing contest.
Poetry winner: An Estonian tune
December 11, 2008
How does Gabor Mandy so often manage to win the poetry competition? At our last event (Nov 29) we award him our special grand prize – a rubber chicken Elvis. (Please don’t ask.) Here is Gabor’s winning submission:
Dawn at the sea.
Here
there’s nothing to hear
except the waves.
No whales,
no birds,
no words,
just the wind is whispering.
Suddenly a girl starts singing
what is, I assume,
an Estonian tune.
The girl is cute,
I’m in my Baltic mood.
I’m wondering – whether
Estonians and Hungarians
are like sister and brother?
