The market conditions which major world economies have been experiencing over the past 3 months have battered even the most experienced investor. The ‘perfect storm’ of mortgage-backed investments, falling real estate prices, failing retail and investments banks, and imploding equity markets, has once again reminded investors that markets can turn, and turn quickly. more »

Greater competition and new opportunities will arise in the CEE retail sector, according to a recent survey of property consultant CB Richard Ellis. more »

Adéle Eisenstein reviews the exhibition of contemporary photographer Thomas Ruff. more »

Russian-American violinist Alexander Markov performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Budapest Concert Orchestra (MÁV) on December 12 to a full and enthusiastic house at the Academy of Music. more »

Another violin virtuoso who does, in fact, have the subtlety, refinement and good taste to make real music is the young Japanese woman Akiko Suwanai, who was the youngest-ever winner of the Tchaikovsky Violin Competition when she was only 18. She will play Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Iván Fischer, at the Palace of Arts on Saturday, December 27 and twice on Sunday, December 28. more »

Young writers from all over Hungary will once again take centre stage in the Fourth Annual Short Story Writing contest. Last year, over 300 students from both International and Hungarian schools entered their own short stories, in English. more »

Open-air exhibition: Gergely Rónay, former photographer of The Budapest Sun, has been working on a photo reportage for years. more »

Budapest Christmas Market Dec 1-24: Masters of folk and applied arts sell their Christmas wares made from natural materials using traditional techniques. The right place to hunt for Christmas presents, even in the very last minute. Visitors can find a merry atmosphere and a number of well-produced entertainments, exhibitions and other supporting programs. The main market is at Vörösmarty square (Pest, Disctrict V), but you can also find similar bazaars on Liszt Ferenc tér and Jókai tér (near Oktogon, Pest, Disctrict V). more »

Kids’ workshop, art fair, family programs, Dec 20-21, 27-28, 30: Christmas present- and decoration making with the help of folk artists, a Christmas fair, ginger bread making, playful programs and more. 10am-5pm, Agricultural Museum, Városliget (City Park), Vajdahunyad Castle, Pest, Dist XIV. Tel: 363-5099. more »

Europe’s largest open-air ice rink: City Park’s open-air ice rink, Mûjégpálya, has been around since the middle of the 19th century. Those who don’t own a pair of skates can rent them at the small skate shop inside, but check if they haven’t run out of your size before you pay the entry fee. more »