The call it the most western country of theEast.
Some know it by its history as a part of the Austria-HungaryEmpire.
Others may recall the 2014 West Andersonfilm, The Grand BudapestHotel.
And most recently is under a lot of media attention in China as Chinese President Xi Jinping is a state visit to thecountry.
Hello I'm Limeing and this isRoundtable.
Today with New Hulling and Joshua Cotroy we find out what's worth our attention aboutHungary, a European country with a unique culture which has actively opened to theEast.
So a quick test to all ofyou.
I mean I think this is a test that I will lose forone.
I haven't been to Hungary evenonce.
But I know there are two winners on thegame.
Yay! One point forme. I've beenhungry.
I enjoyed it quite somuch.
Alright andJosh?Yes, a point for me aswell.
I have been to Hungary justonce.
I want to get your impression about this country because in my homework I learned that this is so called the most western country of theEast.
So I want to get youropinions, youknow, both of you one being from the East and one being from theWest.
How do you look at this country which is East or CentralEuropean?
Yeah, well I guess how Hungary is geographically placed in Europegives, we'll give it this title to somedegree.
So I think geographically it is also sort of physically in the eastern area and but you know culturally I think and politically Hungary is more closer to the Western Europeannations.
I think that my impression of it is certainly a very goodone.
I mean I actually only went to Budapest so I by no means an expert on this country and I haven't travelled around it but even going to Budapest itself it really is one of the most beautiful cities that I've ever been to in my life and a lot of cities inEurope.
There's a lot of good competition for that title I think but really you know it's got so many landmarks and like the Hungarian Parliament building and the Fisherman's Bastien and there's the Chain Bridge aswell.
There's all sorts of things there and also I love history and Hungary has a very interestinghistory.
It had quite a turbulent history during the 20th century so there's a lot of really interesting museums there to walk around and explore if you enjoy that aswell.
So for me excellentimpression.
Ten out often. What aboutmusic?
Because there's a lot of misunderstanding about the music inHungary.
A lot of musicians composed for instance the Hungarian Rhapsody but they were mostly based on a gypsy stylemusic.
So there was a lot of misunderstanding concerning the music styles from Hungary but you being a musician yourself what's your impression of the local musiclandscape?
Well the local music landscape I don't have an experience in that country but I think you're quite right that Hungary has a rich musical history and I think probably I would just agree with you that most famously it would be folkmusic, Hungarian folk music is pretty famous and characterized by very distinct melodies and they often use likeflutes, types offlutes, different types of flutes and stringed instruments as well but it's quite easy to distinguish when you hear it and also classical music of course as youmentioned.
There's a lot of famous composers I think predominantly Franz Liszt and others although I think I might pronounce some of their names wrong but I'm not a classical music expert or all I make sort of like indie electronic music but yeah when I studied music back in school we spoke my teacher was often talking about Hungariancomposers.
Oh definitely Hungarian folk music incorporates a range of influencers includingsyllabic, Germanic and Turkicelements, traditional Hungarian dance reflects both lively and disparate style of Eastern European dances and the more composed dances of the west and I myself when I was in Budapest actually I visited this little telly I was dining inside and all of a sudden performers started to dance around and play live music and they would even play I'm not really sure if it's a plate or a bowl or just some drops on my head and they were dancing and I was supposed to move with the music I mean I didn't know what I was doing but I enjoy the experience quite so much and that left me great impression on Hungarian music folkmusic.
At the same time when we talk about Budapest we know the city is one of European's most picturesque cities divided by the Danube River intoBudapest.
Budapest on the west bank is characterized by hilly terrain and includes historic sites like the Budapest Castle which offers sweeping vills of the city and theriver.
Past on the eastern bank is the flatter region where you'll find the Hungarian parliament building that Josh has mentioned one of the largest parliamentary buildings in the world and the bustling downtown area and Budapest was the reason that I enjoy the kind of pleasure steam or traveling in the river on the ship of course and viewing the city it was quitestunning.
Alright so both of you have shared your personal observation of the country ofHungary.
I wonder as a representative of the east and the west I mean what is can you say something can you comment on what people of your country in general would perceive the country because really it's something that's caught in themiddle.
I think based on my experience watching the movie the Grand Budapest Hotel which I enjoy so much I get it that it's somewhat of a rather exotic place both for people from the east and from the west and the architecture the culture they all stand out in itsown.
So Josh you mentioned your teacher would bring up Hungarianmusic.
Well are people of your country in general familiar with the Hungarian culture and what is the image of this country where you comefrom.
So I guess if your question is more about the overall general impression that people have of Hungary in my own country I think definitely music is one of the first things we would think of and I think the overall impression I think is that Hungary is more closely aligned with western Europe to be honest and I think that although geopolitically and just geographically it is a sort of crossroads quite literally between eastern and western Europeright.
Hungary definitely is known as a country that sort of used to be part of the Soviet block I think that's the correct term but then transitioned into democracy so I think this is probably why and also usually it's quite easy to travel there from the United Kingdom as opposed to countries that are further east things like visas and stuff like that so it's become a tourist destination especiallyBudapest.
So there's frequentflights, cheapflights, hotels they speak really good English generally in Budapest so it's very easy to get around and I think maybe this is why we have this impression but it's quite difficult to answer your question I feel and when I read this before the show I actually found it quite challenging to answer it I mustadmit.
I understand I mean despite this location in the middle of the east and the west it is traditionally not so easy to travel there although things have improved over the past fewyears.
Here in China I think one thing that make Chinese people feel familiar is the way they name their people I mean because in the west like from just Josh Cotero I believed Cotero would be your name your family name whereas if the same name is given to a Hungarian people in the Hungarian style then Josh would be your family name because they have a way of putting their surname at the front which is quite similar to what we do here in this country and I imagine that someone who is not familiar with their culture might easily make a mistake on very importantoccasions.
Yes and actually for someone who is interested in language and having a language sharing show I did a little bit research on the languages of both countries aswell.
For example Chinese Mandarin is a tonal language where the meaning of a word can change based on its tones and while not tonal in the same way as Chinese actually Hungarian stress and intonation patterns plays a very important role in communication as well and when it comes to measure words I know for a lot of people measure words quantifiers in Chinese can be a headache because you do not know which quantifiers matches with which nouns whereas in Hungary actually Hungarian also uses a form of classifiers when discussing quantities of certain nouns and there is also a rich set of pronouns in Hungarian and the absence of gender and articles also happen in both languages so I guess for some people who is learning Hungarian they would find little bit similarities if they also learnChinese.
And the position really plays a role in giving and presenting a lot of opportunities to the country and itspeople.
Hungary being in the middle really has a lot of choice with regard to the business opportunities and cooperation opportunities wherever they would like to pursue and here in China we were glad to learn that ever since more than 10 years ago the country has adopted an opening to the East policy and that has allowed more people to have access to this country and they have a visa free policy with the Chinese peopleright.
And also Hungary has joined initiatives like China's Belt and Road Initiative which aims to enhance trade links between Asia and Europe and to be frankly all around theworld.
This includes infrastructure projects like the upgrade ofBudapest,Belgrade, Real Welline and funded largely by Chinese and in terms of culture exchange Hungary has hosted numerous culture activities and events showcasing Eastern cultures particularly Chinese institutions like the Confucius Institute inHungary,Facilidad, Cultural and Education orExchange.
And I did a little bit research and I realized all the way back to 1953 actually a Chinese film festival was held in Budapest so far back and between 1954 to 1955 there is a Chinese national football team visits in Hungary aswell.
So many cooperation many cultural exchanges have been happening between these two countries and apparently this long lasting friendship has benefited a lot of people along theway.
In the meantime when it comes to trade and economic development according to Hungarian statistics in 2023 by lateral trade between the two countries exceeded 13 billion USdollars.
China's direct investment in Hungary reached a 7.6 billion euros accounting for around60% of total foreign direct investment in Hungary creating over 10,000jobs.
Hungary has been China's top investment to destination in the Central and Eastern European region for several consecutive years aswell.
And for those of you who are listening who are currently actually in Hungary there's one interesting tip that I like to provide that is there is a Hungarian bilingual primary and secondary school that's been playing an important role in the relations between the two countries especially in culture because most students previously were from Chinese families living and working in Hungary but now the school has 12 grades and 20 classes with more than 500 students with the majority being nativeHungarians.
They are studying Chinese language and Hungarian language they share or they enjoy cultures from both countries and we see that 12 universities in China offer opportunities to learn the Hungarian language aswell.
So again if you're in Hungary and you're interested in having your kids or yourself being rode in such schools there is the chance and if you're in China and interested in Hungarian of course you would find your place togo.
Here we go something interesting about the country of Hungary as Chinese president Xi Jinping is paying a state visit there to enhance the mutual bilateralrelationship.
You'll listen to round table coming up some Chinese office workers take to planting fruit plants in theworkplace.
Looking forpassion? How about fierydebate?
Wanna hear about current events in China from differentperspectives?
Welcome back of offices are sometimes not only the place we go to work because as facet we spend more than 7-8 hours a day or weekdaysthere.
We spend significant portion of our life there and as such it makes sense for us to devote some of our interest and attention to the place where we spend so much time and it used to be the practice of people planting certain plants like what's the key forthat?
DuoZhou. These cute lovely plants with chubbyleaves.
Yeah. I couldn't find the word forthat.
Me tooleaves.Yeah, that was the trend or the popularity when it comes to having greenery in the officeplace.
But apparently nowadays Chinese people are adopting new trends and new habits or having their workplace forage in favor of fruit bearing plants including pineapple tomatoes andpersimmon.
Soserious, serious fruit plants and some of them even sell the bananas that they grow in their officeonline.
Not toeat. Not toeat. But for others who want to actually grow some bananas in their offices as well and it has been a trend not only in real life but also on social media if you go to the lifestyle sharing platform Xiao Hong Shu you would find the hashtag of growing fruit plants in your office and I have to admit I didn't use to be a fan of such idea but being able to appreciate the pictures they're basically transforming their workstations into a little jungle and hiding in greenery sounds like a pretty fun ideanow.
And how do you dothis? Do they bring soil and water and insects and fertilizers into theoffice?
I mean I wouldn't want to work in the office like that because it sometimes smells if they really seriously usefertilizers.
Ohno, they do not really have to dothat.
Actually all you need would be some water and some proper non-smelling fertilizers if Imay.
Josh how do you like theidea?
Is this something that you would accept for instance I mean maybe you work at home and would you plant a you know a lemon tree where youlive?
Yeah,absolutely. Whynot?
I think it soundsgreat.
And I think although you know the plants they do require fertilizers it really depends on the type and I don't think that it has to be sort of like industrial farming you know and I think that more I wonder though I'm all for it I think that it's great to have plants as many plants as possible you know we know the benefits of them right we know it's good for our mental health and it cleans the air etc but I wonder is it more in this instance they're actually growing things to eat right and I wonder is it more because of the food or is it because of the aesthetics you know and if it's just for I would guess that it's maybe more for the aesthetics and the ritual of taking care of the plants is good to have in the office and I wonder if this is maybe more beneficial than the actual produce of the plant itself in which case it doesn't really matter does it if you eat it or not I don'tknow.
I don't think they're looking for you know bananas or pineapples that they grow for themselves I mean I think the thing began withbananas.
It would have to be quite hotter I think in theoffice.
It has to be the diversion from work from the stress because the whole thing began with bananas because bananas here in China is Shang Zhao and Zhao really sounds pretty much like Zhao Li Zhao as in Zhao Li so there's a little punhere.
They're finding a really strange way to express that while I'm at work I am quite anxious so yeah I mean it's not that difficult to understand I have no green finger like none so I cannot growanything.
Oh ten of themnone.No. It's just not at home not in theoffice.
I appreciate greenery is for sure but I myself is not a good cultivator when it comes to having theseplants.
Not the decorative ones not the current fruits not the mid-tea leafones.
No I cannot do anymore. Or a destroyer of fruits either on the tree or off thetree.
Yeah and the terminator when it comes to fruits or when it comes to plants but I get to see that China's surging market for indoor decorative plants which has estimated to be valued add to more than three billion yuan that is more than four hundred million US dollars in2023.
People do have the needs to do a little bit of gardening even in the office to relieve their stress and it's actually quite beneficial mentally and physically if you're growing a huge banana tree in youroffice.
Well Josh the British people has a way of you know has a thing for gardening in the back yard of course or in the frontyard.
I don't believe they grow anything that's edible there dothey?
Well you're very wrong I'm afraid to tellyou.
The British do grow grow a lot of things that areedible.
In fact most gardens will have something growing in them one of the most common ones isstrawberries.
Strawberries grow in the wild in England and they're quite easy to growactually.
So you'll often find a strawberry plant a plant you can I mixed up flour and plant theirback.
You can also get like rosemary and a lot of rosemary and thyme stuff like this is very commonly grown inside and outside in theUK.
You're right British people are obsessed with gardening and there are gardens everywhere inside andout.
Do you think this business model can be introduced to the UK like the British office workers would be welcoming the idea of planting pineapples and other tropical fruits in theoffice?
Yeah I think so I mean Britain has been quite forward thinking I think and open-minded when it comes to work practices in general I mean we discussed before about the biggest four-day work week experiment in the world happened in the UK and there are a lot of offices in big cities that are experimenting with greenery and greening theiroffice.
We can use greening as a verb right to green something and this is a phrase that is being used more and more youknow.
Don't mislead our co-hosts as well as all of them listeners outthere.
There is a distinction between growing actually out of all plants and growing this kind of fruit plants that are actually for decorativepurposes.
So we know I hope I'm not generalized here but I feel like for the relatively outer generation when they for example try to decorate the little garden they have coming with the apartment they would choose some vegetables they would choose for example mint or basil or chives or lettuce that they can grow and they can actually harvest and caneat.
That is one thing but what we're talking about here this office farming thing is not about that it's about the fact that these plants these fruit plants were never properly appreciated because of their beauty they were mainly appreciated because of the fruits that we can actually have but now they are becoming a new novel choice when it comes to office greenery and that's what they're doing and that's what we're doing here inChina.
I know he's rising in popularity I still you know suspect that some people might have problem adapting to the changing environment because New Holy if you begin cultivating let'ssay.
Do you mean if I begin killing lemons in the office or durian in the office I wouldcomplain?
Yes because there would be problems with insect pests there would be problems with rotting produce and to a certain extent if your banana tree is as tall as the kind of blocking that you need to form a fence between you and all of your co-workers out there then I would assume hydroponic cultivation would not be enough so certainly there could be problems but it all comes back to whether or not you can reach to agreement with your colleagues sitting next to you Iguess.
It can also be a potential security hazard because if it's hydroponics cultivation that's involved then we are talking about plant nutrient solutions which is essentially liquid and you place them in an office where there are computers and laptops and all kinds of digital stuff that is connected to your productivity I personally for one wouldn't have anything that's so dangerous next to my productivity machines you know what are employers opinions about this I mean I think certain employers has bound to come out and the voice certain complain aboutit.
Well I think that it should be a communal thing and whether or not these plants are for decorative purposes or to be eaten or whatever else people do with plants I don't know you know I think that it needs to be communal if it's in an office space because the office space is a communal space so I think that as long as that's the case if there's an area maybe that is can be well maintained and that people can sort of share and enjoy together I think it's okay but yeah and I guess that you do have some sort of autonomy when it comes to your desk space depending on what office you have but usually I would suggest having some sort of discussion about it or something like this I don't know when you would have the discussion or who would attend the meeting but I guess you at least schedule it or something likethat.
So apparently here in China certainly employers are actually on board with this idea of having bananas and lemon trees and perhaps durians planted in theoffice.
Ohno. Some consider this andwatermelon.
That's the final realone.
Some consider this as a company welfare project that everybody can get involved and you know canenjoy.
