1. A Fascinating Country with a Tumultuous Past by William Ryan Hungary is an increasingly popular travel destination known for more than just goulash. 1

2. What does it mean? tumultuous  involving a lot of violence, confusion, or disorder goulash  a dish of meat, vegetables, and paprika that is slowly cooked in liquid.  paprika [pæ ˋ prikə] a red powder made from a type of SWEET PEPPER, used to give a strong taste to food 2

3. 12/18 The Eastern European country of Hungary has had a stormy history. It was Christianized around 1000 AD and remained part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867 to World War I. The war devastated the country, resulting in the loss of two-thirds of its land and population.  destroy much or most of (something) : to cause great damage or harm to (something) 3

4. Hungary declared neutrality during World War II, but it owed Hitler a political debt because he returned some of its former land. This fact made it practically impossible for Hungary not to align with the Nazis. After the war, Hungary was under the control of the Soviet Union.  the quality or state of not supporting either side in an argument, fight, war, etc. : the quality or state of being neutral  to join a group that is supporting or opposing something  to join a group that is supporting or opposing something 4

5. In 1956, a popular revolt against Soviet rule was met with massive military intervention and subsequently crushed. As the Soviet Union became more open during the Gorbachev years, Hungary moved gradually toward democracy and a market-based economy. rebellion = ? the act of intervening in something such as an argument or activity to influence what happens =? 5

6. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Hungary aligned itself with Western Europe, joined NATO in 1999, and then became part of the European Union in 2004. The country has seen an ever- increasing number of tourists since then, and for good reason. 6

7. Hungary is a great country to visit, and the lively capital of Budapest occupies both sides of the Danube, the second largest river in Europe. The city offers some of the best travel values anywhere, and seasoned travelers claim it rivals Prague, long considered by many as the most interesting city in that part of the world. experienced=? to fill or be in (a place or space)=? 7

8. Budapest Danube 8

9. Andrassy Avenue is Budapest's main shopping boulevard and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's lined with attractive Neo-renaissance mansions and townhouses as well as numerous cafes and boutiques. ?  a wide and usually important street that often has trees, grass, or flowers planted down its center or along its sides ?  a small store that sells stylish clothing or other usually expensive things 9

10. Elsewhere, another must-see is Buda Castle, an ancient estate built in the 13th century that was once home to Hungarian Kings. ? 1 or 2  [count] : a large piece of land with a large house on it  [count] Brit : a group of buildings that were built for a particular purpose (such as housing or industry) on an area of land place where something normally or naturally lives or is located =? 10

11. Also not to be missed in Hungary is Holloko, a Paloc ethnographic village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you've ever thought about traveling to Europe, Hungary is well worth your consideration. 11

12. 12/19 Hungarians love to celebrate, and Budapest likes to call itself the Festival City. Budapest artfully combines centuries- old tradition with the sophistication of a modern metropolis. Regional festivals and events combine with various national holidays to complement the mostly Christian holiday calendar. There is never a shortage of events to take in (quite passive, kind of consuming it ). 12

13. The Budapest Spring Festival is the most important cultural event of the year and draws in (= get sb involved = attract) the best artists from around the world. Venues all over town host over 200 events, including chamber and orchestral concerts, jazz gigs, contemporary dance performances, and film screenings. the place where an event takes place  ? classical music written for a small number of musicians  ? a job for a musician, an actor, etc.  ? an event in which a movie is shown to an audience  ? 13

14. The Budapest International Wine Festival held in September is another top draw (= attraction ) in Hungary. However, the country's biggest jazz festival doesn't take place in Budapest but in the country's second biggest city. The Debrecen Jazz Days attracts top musicians from around the globe each December. 14

15. Hungary also has its share of special and unusual festivals. Each May, Hungarians usher in the summer season with the Balaton Festival, an odd mix of classical music concerts and local and international pop and rock acts, along with plenty of jugglers and street performers of every persuasion. to happen at the beginning of (something, such as a period of activity) and usually to help cause it  ? one of the performances in a show  ? a particular type of belief or way of thinking  ? 15

16. It takes place in Keszthely on Lake Balaton, Hungary's largest lake. July marks the celebration of the Winged Dragon International Street Theater Festival. The normally quiet little town of Nyirbator is taken over (=invaded ) by fire- eaters, chainsaw jugglers, assorted clowns, puppeteers, and musicians playing strange instruments for a whole week. 16

17. chainsaw jugglers puppeteer 17

18. Hungary's Busojaras Carnival is an alcohol- fueled, six-day party usually held in February. Parades, spectacular costumes, traditional hairy masks, and, of course, dancing into the night are what it's all about. Fireworks annually light up the night on the banks of the Danube on August 20 to honor the first king of Hungary. 18

19. St. Stephen's Day is an important national holiday that also commemorates the formation of the Hungarian state. All these festivals definitely make Budapest and Hungary the places to be for a great time. to do something special in order to remember and honor (an important event or person from the past)  ? something that is formed or created  ? 19