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1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?

I am from Slovakia, but my nationality is Hungarian. I came to Budapest in 2009 to study at ELTE. I graduated with a degree in Art History. But I regret a little that I didn't have the courage to study music or fine arts. Now I'm trying to make up for it by learning to sing and taking guitar lessons. 

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

No. But I have done voluntary work in the USA. I've been scouting since I was a kid, and in 2016 I had the opportunity to be active in the Hungarian American community, participating in two children's camps. 

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

Although I consider Slovakia my home, I also feel at home in Hungary, I've been coming here a lot since I was a kid, and I knew I wanted to come here for university when I was in high school. The city was not such a surprise anymore. 

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do? 

I would definitely show the extremes of the city. The exciting pubs and art venues of the 8th distric, but also take them for a walk in the castle district. Budapest is a city with a thousand faces, and tourists often only see the fancy places. For many years I have been working for Hosszúlépés company as a guide. They are dedicated to showing the thousand faces of Budapest to the people who live here.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

I love Hungarian cuisine, but it doesn't matter where you taste it. Hungarian food is full of paprika, garlic, and meat, so you have to be careful with the ingredients. But the cottage cheese dumpling is probably one of my favourites!  

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Not Hungarian, but Olives. 

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

As my first language is Hungarian, it is a really hard question to answer.  As a singer-songwriter I like words that have their own rhythm, their own sound, like: bársony, holló, hepe-hupa, lángnyelv. 

8. What do you miss most from home? 

The mountains, the quality of dairy products and the retro feeling of Czechoslovakian way of life. 

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I would love to be a set designer for a theatre or design my own clothing brand. I'm a big lover of contemporary design clothes, and I follow the local scene to some extent. I definitely want to put together my stage look with the help of a designer.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?

I'm a curious person, I would certainly try anything, but in the long run I imagine I wouldn't be able to stand the monotonous work. 

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

I was on holiday on the island of Sardinia with my husband, it was our honeymoon. We really love Italy! 

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?

We would like to visit Georgia, but I don't know if we can do it this year. But I'll go to the Balaton Highlands or the Tatras any time! I'm also a big skier, so it's a dream of mine to go to the Alps every year, but unfortunately I don't get to every year. 

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

Waffles! 

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

I started listening to Nirvana straight after Britney Spears, which was very influential in my teenage years. That's one of the reasons I started playing guitar, which led to building the musical career I have now. I watch a lot of films, but one of my favourites since I was a teenager is the Back to the Future trilogy. 

15. Red wine or white?

Both! It depends on the dish I have with. 

16. Book or movie?

Both! 

17. Morning person or night person?

My husband is a big night owl, so if I'm still playing music at midnight, it doesn't count as an owl! I basically feel in between. If I have to get up at 7am, I'm suddenly a morning person. 

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Education! 

19. Buda or Pest side?

Definitely Pest! I've lived in Pest for 13 years, most of them in the 8th district, which is my favourite. 

Photo by Viktória Dányi