Xpat Interview: Lászlo Fazekas, Former Head of Digital, Palace of Arts Budapest

  • 10 Sep 2014 12:00 PM
Xpat Interview: Lászlo Fazekas, Former Head of Digital, Palace of Arts Budapest
Laszlo Fazekas, Head of Digital @ Művészetek Palotája (Palace of Arts) was born in 1980 in Budapest. During his 10-year advertising career he has been working in several types of positions, such as Account manager @ Oditech Studio, Client Service Director @ Sensation Event Marketing, Social Media Manager and later Head of Interactive @ Hat Integrated Brand Communicatons Agency, Head of Digital and later Account Director @ HD Group Communications Agency.

In early 2014 he joined the marketing team of Müpa (Palace of Arts) as Head of Digital, where his responsibilities include to manage and oversee all professional, strategic and operational work of digital development and communications.

1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Budapest. I was born in the 13th district but I spent my childhood and teenage years in the 21st district.

2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
I would choose a nordic country. For example Iceland or Norway. I've been to Iceland a couple of months ago and I really liked it.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
My family and my friends. Maybe that is why I have never thought about leaving Hungary.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
They must try public baths and fine restaurants in Budapest (Bock Bistro, Taverna Dyonusos, Trattoria La Coppola, Gerloczy Cafe, Robinson Restaurant, Kispiac, etc). They should take a walk beside the Danube on both sides. Visit and enjoy a great show at Müpa (Palace of Arts).

5. What is your favourite food?
Anything my wonderful wife cooks for me. I like especially Italian cousine.

6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?
I used to do martial arts in the past for about 8 years and thats why I still like watching fight sports. Nowdays if I do sports then I run or swim most of the time.

7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
My second home, Hódmezővásárhely. My wife is from this city and it is always a pleasure to be there. I also love the cities around Lake Balaton and the famous wine regions of Hungary (like Tokaj or Villány, etc)

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I love my job, but if I had the chance I would run my own restaurant.

9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
Anything monotonic or requiring no creativity. I would hate it from the first moment.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Iceland. It was really inspiring. I recommend it to anyone.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
We are planning a trip to Luxembourg.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Band: Metallica
Film: The Godfather Trilogy, the Star Wars Trilogy and the amazing Le Grand Bleu
Hobby: Playing basketball and computer games

13. Apart of temptation what can’t you resist?
Delicious food, a glass of Arvay wine, Threadless T-shirts and checking my e-mails/notifications on my smartphones.

14. Red wine or white?
It depends on the season. Fresh rosè during autumn, red for the winter, but nothing suits better spring and summer than white wine.

15. Book or movie?
Movie. Sadly my life is too fast for having time to read as many books as I would like to. A year ago I bought a Kindle and now it's a bit easier to carry a book with myself, so I can read for example during my coffee break. But actually I am a huge fan of great movies so I watch more movies than reading books.

16. Morning person or night person?
It depends on. I like the silence of the night very much and I like to travel or take a walk at night, but I also like the feeling of a starting day... there are always so many things to do and create.

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Unfortunately there are too many causes to care about, but the most miserable feeling is being unable to help them all.

18. Buda or Pest side?
I like Budapest as a whole city. I don't like if someone separates it to two parts.

19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?
I was given the chance to train kids (martial arts) for a couple of years and I really liked it. I am proud of that they also liked it and some of them still training with my former master. It's a wonderful feeling to teach something to someone. I am also proud of my awarded professional projects. It's good to see if something you create is working and effective.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"Egy lépés több, mint egy életút ígérete." / "One step is greater than a promise of a lifelong journey." This quote is from my dad.

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