Night of Cafés combines Budapest’s literary heritage with contemporary coffee culture

Going back in time to the turn of the century here in Budapest, it would have been completely normal to spend a few hours or even an entire day reading a book or a newspaper at a coffeehouse. Discussing literature and culture accompanied by light music was the daily routine for writers and poets back then. Names such as Dezső Kosztolányi and Frigyes Karinthy authors of the Golden Age and editors of Nyugat literary magazine were regulars as well as Paris returnee symbolist poet, Endre Ady, who composed a lot of his works in Budapest cafés.


Though the Night of Cafés can't provide a time machine, it will still allow you to get a feel for the café culture which extended beyond the Golden Age to include Communist-era writers such as János Pilinszky, a friend of Ted Hughes.

There's also a chance to learn about Hungary's most famous cultural journal of the earlier 20th century, Nyugat, and about the development of Hungarian literary media, at readings and concerts. Talks will include topics such as contemporary literature and female authors of today as well as women’s role in the artistic world.

Hungary’s murkier past will be summoned by the discussion about the slightly lighter form of Communism here while Budapest Jazz Club will host an evening of improv theatre.

While many of these events will be held in Hungarian, for non-Magyar speakers at least they will be accompanied by specialty coffee, with guided tastings at local new-wave cafés and revived classic ones such as Hadik and Centrál. Baristas will reveal the secrets of what makes decent coffee and how to discern between the good, the bad and the indifferent.

Children can take part in cake decorating, bag painting and lots of other playful attractions. Most of these activities are free but require registration (Hungarian-only).