Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
10. Getting Involved - Community Centres
GETTING INVOLVED 79 Municipal Cultural Centre [Fővárosi Művelődési Ház] 47 Fehérvári út, Bp. XI. tel: 181-1360 (Nos. 18 and 47 trams from Móricz Zsigmond körtér.) Home of the Folklore Theatre (11) and the “Muzsikás” folk ensemble. From autumn to spring, on Tuesday evenings, the latter play at a children’s folk-dance club, where children are encouraged to join in and learn traditional dance steps. On Wednesdays there is a Balkan music and dance club. On Saturday mornings there is a children’s (nonfolk) dance club where beginners are welcome. Almássy Square Leisure Centre [Almássy téri Szabadidő Központ] Just a short walk from Erzsébet körút in the heart of Pest. Folk dance clubs (for children) organised here, too, on Fridays. Sunday morning sees a family handicrafts session. Regular “courses” include English, jazz- ballet and handicrafts for kindergarten-age children, and drawing for school-age children. There is a swimming pool here which is open to the public early in the morning and later in the evening. This centre organises a lot of stage shows, particularly ethnic folk festivals and the like (tel: 142-9711). Marczibányi Square Cultural Centre [Marczibányi téri Művelődési Központ] (10 minutes from “Moszkva tér” metro along Lövőház u., or no. 11 bus from Batthyány tér—four stops then down Ribáry u. tel: 135-9917) A large and very active centre with many stage performances. Of note also are the cartoon-film workshop (12-14 yrs), the morning creative handicrafts sessions (4-6 yrs), the late afternoon music workshop (3-7 yrs., English spoken), special yoga classes for the 6-14s who have asthma, a karate club for 10+yrs, plus summer-time English- language “camps” for 3-6 year-olds. There is also a Moldavian dance club, an Indian music club, an Israeli folk-dance club and Latin dance and music events. Every so-often the centre becomes the “Crufts” of Budapest with dog shows and a dog market.
