Bob Dent is a British writer, researcher and editor. His latest work,
'Budapest 1956 - Locations of Drama' has just been published in both English and Hungarian by Európa Publishers, Budapest. The book examines the 1956 uprising by taking a look at the places in Budapest where something significant happened. It is both a historical guide and a guide to history. His previous publications include 'Budapest for Children', 'Blue Guide Budapest' and 'Blue Guide Hungary'. His forthcoming 'Budapest', a cultural guide, is due to be published in October in the 'Cities of the Imagination' series issued by Signal Publications, Oxford.
Bob has has lived in Budapest since 1986. He has written extensively about the country's history, politics, economy and culture for a variety of British and local
publications. He has reported on Hungary for a number of radio stations and has acted as a research consultant for TV crews filming in Hungary.
He currently works as a copy editor of translations, researcher, writer, occasional tour guide and as a Hungarian resources coordinator for an international school.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
November 1982, as a freelance journalist. Moved here in 1986.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
That, at the time in 1982, it wasn't a police state.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see
and do?
Visit the Statue Park, sip coffee somewhere 'historical', visit one of the
baths, maybe Széchényi, walk the streets.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Gulyás
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Decent pálinka.
7.What is your favourite Hungarian phrase?
Mindig van egy kis kapu.
8. What do you miss most from home?
Decent beer.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Historian ... though getting there.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Long-distant truck driver - 'romantic', but I've tried it.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Slovakia.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Liverpool.
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Film: 'Blue Collar'. No favourite band or hobby.
14. What can't you resist?
Trying to crack ironic jokes.
15. Red wine or white?
Neither, I'm a beer person.
16. Book or movie?
Both, with preference for books.
17. Morning person or night person?
Rather morning than night.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Both - from experience.
19. Buda or Pest side?
Buda for living; Pest for history.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Let's not jump to conclusions.