Bodor Ferenc: Coffee-Houses - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)

Körtér (circüs)

The misspelt neon sign between the pastry shop and the café (at one time much abused) shed light upon Dr Péter Hack, the sincere and serious face of Dr Gábor Fodor, and the stiff, set portraits of the photographer on the mezzanine. They say the Körtér was once a meeting-place of ill-repute. Today it is simply music café No. 1168, with a tiny summer garden. Between the mirrored glass pillars reminiscent of the best interior decorating of the thirties are comfortable chairs, spaciousness, cleanliness, tranquility. The blueish giant poster of the Móricz Zsigmond körtér intesifies the patriotic feelings of the inhabitants of Lágymányos. A pianist with a Mozart-like haircut hides behind his instruments, softly sprinkling the bright green space with the notes of his music. Punch- coloured tablecloths cover the tables, the waitress is brisk and polite. The sign offers geistige getränke to German tourists happening to drop in. Couples are multiplied in the mirror into groups. Arab boys reluctant to lose their illusions arrive with lambadized, earringed girls painted fluorescent colours and take the tooting slot-machines in hand. Out in the square a gigantic neon sign tries to persuade passers-by of the advantages of saving — promising that thrift pays, in the end.

4 MÓRICZ ZSIGMOND KÖRTÉR, XI.

KÖRTÉR

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