Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1988. július-december (42. évfolyam, 27-48. szám)
1988-08-18 / 30. szám
Thursday, Aug. 18. 1988. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO 11. A WORD IN EDGEWAYS The Adidas sportswear firm opened its own retail outlet in the centre of Budapest last year. For several months afterwards it was impossible even to see what was on offer because of the huge crowds around the window, and one had to queue for some time to get inside. The last time I was in Britain I bought a pair of simple pumps, made in Taiwan. I was wearing them on my return and a young Hungarian aquaintance of mine immediately shouted "Adidas" as soon as she saw the label. This company knows that through advertising and promotion its brand name can command attention even before its products have been examined, though as every firm also knows, in the long run a brand name on its own is insufficient. A good reputation can only be maintained by good quality and good service. Adidas must be aware of the relative scarcity of the latter in Hungary. A friend of mine recently had to return a track suit to their shop in central Budapest. He was utterly amazed that there was absolutely no problem and that the cash was refunded without difficulty - something which in his experience was quite rare. Perhaps there is no problem in reselling returned track suits as they are so popular in Hungary. Almost everyone I know here has one. They are worn not so much for sporting activities as for lazing around at home, gardening, washing the car or doing other odd jobs. Even the literal translation of the Hungarian word for track suit betrays their wider function - "free time suit". Foreign manufacturers might not realize that there is a huge market here for such "sportwear". Maybe the popularity of track suits without necessarily engaging in sport is a hangover from the post-war years of "mass sports". In those days people were encouraged to collectively participate in and enjoy sports. Public investment in sport was huge. A good example is the construction, between 1948 and 1953, of the massive People's Stadium in Budapest. Costing millions of forints it was regarded as a great achievement of the early years of economic planning. Such a massive public investment in sport might be difficult to repeat today. Partly it’s simply a financial question, but also times have changed. Mass collective sports, easily supported from central funds, have given way to a greater variety and diversification of sporting interests. The system of funding has also therefore changed. In a curious way the changes currently affecting sport might be seen as a reflection of the wider changes in the economy as a whole, which are regarded as both necessary and beneficial - the shift from extensive, centrally-planned development to a more intensive, diversified and more market-oriented approach. Bob Dent REVAMPED TIMETABLE i The MALÉV timetable has been redesigned to conform with international standards and make it clearer. The cover is an eyecatching one in Hungarian national colours (red, white, and green). The format is broader, as more data has been placed on each line. On the inside cover there's a calendar and on the first pages detailed instructions and information. The languages are Hungarian and English. After the signs and symbols list comes a table of the time differences between Budapest and 110 cities. This is followed by the codes for 19 transfer cities, 36 types of aircraft and 47 airlines. Then come the flights: flight number, validity (dates and times), the flight each week, classes, route, departure and arrival times, meals on board and flying time. The tables include both MALÉV and other airlines' flights which can be taken at the transfer cities to the desired destination. Additional information can be had from MALÉV offices in Hungary and abroad, whose addresses and telephone numbers : are given as well. So are various other MALÉV facilities such as the credit cards accepted, a list of useful telephone numbers for passengers, and the transfer facilities between the two terminals at Budapest Ferihegy Airport and the centre of Budapest. The inside back cover shows the MALÉV route network. It is interesting to note that in June 1988 the draft schedule coordination conference of the International Air Transport Association was held again in Budapest Ten thousand spectators watched Figaros from 25 countries compete in Budapest at the European Hairdressers' Championships. There were 200 stylists, male and female, conjuring up the creations. part of the work will be the construction of the bridge over the Danube which will be started at the pillars of an already existing r bridge. One of the new bridge's pillars has already been fully built. So far about 20 per cent of the whole work has been completed. SPORTS COSMETICS Clothes cover much of us, but sports and exercise also mean taking special care of the skin. Who wants to look like Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer after a game of tennis? But there's more to it than warding off sun and wind. One of the best established preparations here is Richtofit sports cream, made by the Chemical Works of Gedeon Richter out of five different herbal extratcts. It helps to loosen up the muscles and heal minor bruises and abrasions, and it's also recommended for warming up. You'll find Richtofit in the kitbags of the Hungarian pentathletes who've won so many international competitions. Just recently, a whole range of sports cosmetics has been produced to keep the active looking youthful and trim. The makers are Caola of Hungary, and the brand name's Panatta, after an Italian tennis star of a decade ago. The packs with a yellow tennis ball on a green ground will attract your eye as it did ours. Panatta products make excellent gifts, and they're not as expensive as you'd imagine. The scent in them is suitable for any or every member of the family. There are deodorants for men or women, soap, sports cream, foot freshening spray, freshening spray, conditioning cream, massage cream for muscle relaxation (containing the active ingredients of natural medicinal water), - moisturizing cream and sun cream to protect your skin while you play (particularly recommended for skiing, surfing and yachting). That's all so far, but if you're back in Hungary towards the end of the year, you'll be able to pick up Panatta lip salve and anti- perspirant powder as well. HUNGARIANS OF THE WORLD! Help the Transylvanian Hungarian Refugees fleeing to Hungary from Romanian oppression and miserable circumstances! There are more than 20,000 Hungarian Refugees from Romania seeking freedom and human life in Hungary, and their number is growing. There are estimates, that this number will grow rapidly and soon reach 100,000; to provide them with food, clothes, accomodation is an enormous burden to Hungarian people. That's why we ask for your urgent HELP!!! Your charity will ease the refugees' lot! Association of Friends of Hungarian Culture Committee for Refugees Account number: MNB 401 7647 131 01 PLEASE SPREAD THIS APPEAL AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS - ANYONE WHO CAN HELP! Important news for foreign tourists visiting Hungary by car is that the MO Budapest motorway ring construction is on schedule. At the moment the construction work is being done at the section between highway M5 and Dunaharaszti, south of Budapest, over a 7 km length. The most spectacular
