I have just returned to Denmark from the EUROPEA Agricultural Education Conference in Kaszo, Hungary. I set out at about 5.30 on a frosty Danish moning to catch the bus to Slagelse then the intercity express to Copenhagen airport (Kastrup) where I waited under the information sign in of terminal 2 to meet Henrik Dethlefsen who is the Danish Ag Educator I have been emailing. Henrik and I then travelled with Swiss Air to Zurich and then to Budapest where we met up with delegates from other European Countries and then went by bus more than 4 hours to the south east of Budapest (in the direction of Croatia), first on a major freeway then through small villages until we reached the end of the road in a Kaszo village (Kaszo Puszta). The village is a forestry town of about 300 people with a hunting lodge run by the forestry company. Walking into the lodge was amazing!
The stuffed animals were everywhere inside the lodge (except in the rooms - thank goodness). The delegates were from most European countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg, France, Austria, Belgium, Spain (including the Canary Islands), Italy, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania, UK and of course Hungary). English was the common language and it is the policy of Europea to use English even though many of the delegates struggle with it.My impressions of the Hungarians? They are very proud people - proud to be a nation again after the years of Communism and very proud to be a part of EU. Most men are very strong and well built (they would make a great Rugby nation!). One day we were given lunch which was very nice. Many of the delegates commented to the hosts that it was wonderful to have an authentic Hungarian Goulash. The host replied that it was not a goulash but "Vilde Boar Stew", and for the next few days we had soup that had as its base the "Vilde Boar Stew". Entertainment was provided by local boys from the forestry school on violin, accordian and double base (with 3 strings) playing, singing and dancing traditional music.
On the last night a few of the local boys introduced the farewell dinner with a bugal call.
This photo shows the EUROPEA meeting with delegates from Sweden and France and the flags of Luxembourg and Denmark.
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| The owner and farm manager of the forestry company with their suits. |
The team spent an afternoon at a forestry training school. It was good to see how they went about their practical training.
