Downtown: The Strange Familiar – Urban Walk

We begin a promenade in the heart of Budapest, reflecting on the city’s transformation into a metropolis, its international connections, and everyday life interwoven with revolutionary ideas. The walk discusses revolutionary ideals and those whose voices rarely reached the public. Questions arise about the opportunities available to those from lower social classes, the poor, or what the period terminology referred to as ‘invalidus’. How could they live in today’s city centre, in a parallel reality enclosed by walls? Why did the ice cream crunch in Budapest’s first ice cream parlour, and which flower shop launched Pest’s rose? Walking among buildings once considered scandalous, a familiar and homely cityscape emerges, where we can hear the stories of those previously silenced. The walk also highlights how conscious design has shaped a city’s history over centuries.

About the Organiser:
Since 2016, Lilla Bálint has worked as a trainer and, since 2019, as a tour guide, to help people better understand themselves, each other, and the city they live in. The walks, based on interdisciplinary knowledge and recent research, help interpret the period and neighbourhood in a broader cultural context, encouraging active social participation, whether in fostering intergenerational connections, conscious use of public spaces, or environmental protection. The methodology of the walks and other educational programmes draws on nearly 10 years of international experience and the cultural best practices of over 30 countries, focusing on social and environmental sustainability and female representation. It connects urban planning, literature, horticulture, art, and design in an interactive format.

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