#15thmarch

It's Snake's first year of having his birthday celebrated!

I am preparing a post trying to identify all of his snakes but didn't make it in time for his birthday! So instead, I felt like I should share these personal edits. They're very Spring time evoking, quite floral. I hope you enjoy them, I put a lot of love into them.

The days are becoming longer and the flowers want to blossom beautifully once again. ˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀

I've been very much absent from the community but I've been quietly enjoying the older Black Butler chapters and musing over my own thoughts and theories. I'm looking forward to the animated Green Witch arc! I've used the pattern of one of my snakes, Isabella, for the colouring of the snake in this edit of Yana's art (White Day 2017). I'm not very good at editing but I enjoy doing it. This pattern is the product of more recent mutations that did not exist in Victorian England. If you've interest in royal python's genetics and are wondering about the gene combination for this pattern, it's butter, ghi, fire and leopard.

I hope you have a wonderful 15th of March! ♡ Spring is coming! (... to some of us at least...)

There is more than the reflection you see in the mirror, and yes, it might take time for you to realise it, but healing is a process. May this be you DAY ONE, not your ONE DAY!

There is life beyond your eating disorder.

Love yourself.

2nd Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party Peace March  

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The Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party is a joke party which was founded in 2006, but was registered as an official political party in 2014. Their aim was to make innocent jokes about the Hungarian politics but lately they got more serious and critical about Viktor Orbán’s government. They really started to express their opinion by organizing parody events and funny gags and they also uses ironical messages to “fight”, only as I’m saying their weapon is humour. Their peace march was a reaction to the official Peace March. It was organized as a caricature, a big stand up comedy show for all the people who wanted to stand up for their views and laugh at the same time.

Aga

A crowd of people gathering in the middle of the street. Young people, students, large families with children, walkers with dogs. Lots of people of all ages. Some of them go alone, others come with friends. A lot of people hold flags and banners in their hands. These banners have different slogans – funny, serious, dramatic. The weather is not favorable for celebrating the national holiday, but it reflects the mood of the demonstrators. Rain, clouds and cold make the demonstration seem to be a silent procession. However, when you participate in it, you are going with the others, you feel the warmth that results from the will to change – change for the better.

I have never participated in any demonstration or protest before in my life. It always seemed so risky when I watched on a television report of protests, during which a crowd of people destroyed everything what it came across along the way. Safety, noise and lack of ideas – that’s how I imagine Polish demonstrations. The one I attend in Budapest on March 15 is completely different. People talk to each other, one of the participants plays drums, knocks out a rhythm and shouts something loud, but for me it is still a quiet and peaceful demonstration. There are no unnecessary special effects. Most people are dressed in dark clothes, they walk slowly and seriously. Still, with hope and purpose.

The closer to the end of the demonstration, the more jokes are. It’s totally true. Unfortunately, I don’t understand most of the slogans spoken by the organizers or subtitles on the banners, but I know (and trust) that the participants are satisfied with the final result. At the end, when we stop near Astoria, where the joyful music starts to play, the organizers make one big satire and everyone is laughing. Even I smile because I feel energy that comes from people who want change. People who aren’t passive, they participate in the life of society and in this way use a day off work.

Laura

This was the first demonstration (if it can be called like that) of my life too. I am happy about it because it wasn’t the experience I had been afraid of.

We arrive just in time, the crowd has already gathered and about to start marching. I know that this is a parody event, I see the funny messages on the cardboards, there are balloons and stickers with two-tailed dogs on them, a lot of young people, groups of friends. The atmosphere is good nevertheless there is something that makes this marching serious.

I’m thinking about how amazing it is that so many people gathered here. Even if it’s only a “joke”. They came because they desperately needed a place where they can feel that they are not alone with their opinion and it also can be heard. We are walking together through the roads of the city centre, we have something in common and somehow we all know that it is important. And we have the ability to laugh. We dare to laugh and that’s what makes it an exceptional event. 

‘Stand up Hungarians!’  – Common oppositional demonstration

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With the upcoming parliamentary election the opposition is getting active too. This demonstration was organized by some collaborating left-wing parties and it ran under the name of Gergely Karácsony, the prime minister candidate of the party MSZP-Párbeszéd. It is clear for a time now that the fragmentation of the left-wing opposition is a big problem in Hungary at the moment. That is why they organized the demonstration saying that it is for all the Hungarians who want change in this country.

Aga

Politics is always an exciting topic. It is even more exciting when it is used during the national holiday. Then it’s like a fire that nothing can put out. The third event that takes place on March 15 is related to the current government and the current presidential campaign. Free day of work and college aid a large attendance among participants. Many people gather on Fővám tér as before – at different ages but with undying hopes and faith in the presidential candidate who organized the demonstration.

Getting to Fővám tér was a great challenge for those who had previously taken part in the celebration of the holiday next to the Parliament. Crowded metro and trams and the weather unfavorable for walks. Nevertheless, a crowd of people is already waiting on the square. Within 2 hours we are participants in a musical performance and encouraging speeches by politicians. Their speeches aren’t quiet and polite. They are very loud, full of rebellion, but also faith that after the elections they will be able to make a real good change in Hungary. There is no end to the applause. People applaud during and after speeches. They are shouting, crying and waving the flags. They show that they trust and support.

What am I doing – unaware of what politicians are saying? I’m standing among Hungarians. I forget that I’m stranger, that I’m not from here. I watch people with courage, take out the camera and take photos to capture every emotion in the picture. I’ve never participated in an event related to the presidential campaign. I have never felt part of such a community before. It’s an amazingly interesting feeling and experience when you are able to forget about your strangeness. People’s enthusiasm is taking. It makes at the end of the event, when everyone is clapping, singing and cheering, I put the camera away and start applauding. Like everyone around me to feel fully what they feel.

Student Protest – ‘Demonstration for our future’

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Thousands of Hungarian students protested over the last months to demand reforms in the Hungarian education system. The Independent Student Parliament organizes these protests and the one on 15th March was the third in the row. Their aim is to start reforms in order to build up a just, democratic system that prepares young people for life in the modern world. However the government hasn’t replied to any of their requests yet.

Laura

I am a student so  it seems obvious that I went to the protest. I don’t think it’s self-evident. Even if I agree with the protesters and share their thoughts I can absolutely understand the people who don’t want to go to events like this. My opinion is that students should be interested in a question like this but they can show their support in many other ways. However it wasn’t a bad experience for me at all. 

Aga and I have already separated, she went to the oppositional demonstration and I am here in front of the Opera House where the commemoration and the student’s speeches will take place. I am with a crew because our intention is to make interviews with the protesters and also document everything that happens during the evening. The demonstration starts slowly, it’s quite calm and well-organized. We try to convince as many people to give us interview as we can. Young girls and boys, parents and grandparents are willing to speak to us, tell us their opinions and it’s really inspiring. Especially the younger students surprise us. It becomes clear to me that people from a young age (younger than 18 years old) can have clever and valuable views about topics like social issues and politics. It is sad that their voices are rarely heard, even in schools.

Time passes, it’s getting darker and the protest goes on. We start marching, there is music and the mood is getting more intense. It seems like all of a sudden the number of the protesters doubled. We go to the National Museum where we recite the National Song and someone reads up the student’s demands, the 12 points. Everything is just like back in 15th of March in 1848, 170 years ago.

I truly believe that this protest wasn’t the desecration of the national holiday. It was commemoration, one that moves more people than the compulsory ceremonies. I’m not saying they can’t be good, it’s just that I, for one, feel like this event made me really remember of our history and even understand it more deeply. One day we will be history too, and who knows, students in the future may learn about today’s events and it may all look different from their perspective but I hope they sense the connection of the things as I did sense today.

About us

Two girls from Hungary and Poland with friendly faces and cameras in our hands. We are planning to go to the four most important events on the 15th of March in Hungary.

Coming up…

Yes, we are going to talk about politics, about the past and the present, about emotions and different attitudes… but most importantly we are going to talk about people and our own experiences. So don’t worry we won’t overwhelm you with heavy politics. We will simply “just look around” hoping that our observations will give you a broad and interesting overview spiced up with our personal stories and feelings about the day.

About 15th of March

The 15th of March is one of the most important national holidays for Hungarian people during each year. What is this day about? How do the Hungarians commemorate this day? And finally, is it more about the history or does it have more to do with the present Hungarian political and social atmosphere? Especially with the upcoming elections can it be said that this year’s commemoration was more of a presidential campaign?

We can point out that a lot of things were going on. Let’s see.

The Peace March

On 15th of March Hungarians officially commemorate the 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs. It is well known that Hungarians are quite proud of their history even or especially because it is very tormented. We are proud to still being able to be here.

This year’s so called “Peace March” was organized by the leading government of Hungary, namely the Prime Minister, Viktor Orban and his party. The last Peace March was held four years ago and it is said that this year the government wanted to demonstrate in support of the Fidesz party before the parliamentary election. Thousands of supporters took part in the mass walk which ended on Kossuth tér (in front of the Parliament) with a little show and the Prime Minister’s speech. It was a very controversial event and even more interesting for us.

Aga

I didn’t know what to expect from this national holiday. I had my projection about the 15th March, because I have this kind of holiday in Poland as well several times a year. Naturally, it doesn’t look the same in every country. I believed that although I don’t understand the Hungarian language, I don’t know the history of this country very well, I will be able to feel the atmosphere of this holiday. Fortunately, it was like that.

After the demonstration (2nd Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party Peace March), we are going to the Kossuth Lajos tér, where the event organized by the government takes place. What is a personal surprise for me? The fact that I meet many Poles in the crowd. I can’t believe my eyes when I see a lot of Polish flags. I feel the same, when I realize that we are also next to the journalists from Polish TV station. I feel literally at home for a while. My knowledge of the Hungarian language is… I won’t lie, it does not exist. However, at the beginning of the speech of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, I understand that he mentions Poland several times. He greets the Poles and assures that he appreciates us. There is a stereotype that says that Poles and Hungarians are like brothers. As it turns out, it’s in some part true.

During the celebration, I feel a lot of different emotions. There sometimes are contradictory. I don’t understand anything – neither the recited poem nor the prime minister’s speech. Even so, I watch the people and the banners. Many of them arouse embarrassment and anxiety in me. I disagree with some of them and at the same time I am surprised by others. I feel some happiness together with the citizens of Hungary, who proudly held national flags in their hands and clapped loudly. The crowd is dominated by older people who turn out to be very kind and helpful people. For instance, they give us space so that we can take pictures. When you are a foreigner, you usually don’t identify with any political party or specific politician. On March 15, I try to be a neutral person. However, being in a crowd which has some point of view makes us finally start to feel the same excitement and emotions.

When I look around, many people brought their own banners. I guess that some are directed against the party, others praise its actions. The ones I understand, because they are written in English, arouse for me more emotions. Being a foreigner we can’t forget about our own views and values. That’s the reason why I can’t be neutral all of the time. When it comes to the national holiday, culture and folklore are important elements. This is also the value. That is surprising, I have the opportunity to enjoy wonderful dance performances and listen to Hungarian folklore songs. It is certainly one of these elements that warm up every person. Politics usually divides people, fortunately music and dance chain people together.

Laura

We are heading to the ending ceremony of the Peace March by metro. It is crowded as the whole city centre is. After the public transport’s crowd there is a very different mass waiting for us on Kossuth tér. There are families with little children, some young faces and of course a lot of elderly people. To be honest it is much more peaceful than we thought it would be. We go right in the middle of the crowd and we are waiting for the show to start.

When I look around I don’t see happy smiles. The people are all really nice and helpful it is almost like we are in the middle of a family meeting with the most adorable grandparents, but their faces are strict and somehow determined. One can sense that there is a lot of tension, I understand that they think there is much at stake. We sing the songs that every Hungarian know and we recite our national anthem. Everyone is in an elevated state. I try to translate as many things as I can to Aga and I enjoy that nobody understands English around us.

It is a good thing when you are part of a group or a crowd that shares the same thoughts and emotions as you, it makes you feel involved. However my opinion is that we always have to ask ourselves: Can I think outside the box? Can I be critical of my own thoughts and views? Can I listen to others who doesn’t share my opinions?

People can learn the most from the new perspectives, not the ones that they already know and agree with. A good article brings information and a point of view that the readers don’t know about yet. For me going out to the Peace March was a whole new experience. I can say that it was something out of my comfort zone. The aim of my writing was to capture this controversial feeling of being interested and critical at the same time, being surrounded by people I don’t necessarily agree with but still try to understand them.