Maybe it was the year without rain or the fact that he is no longer merely a half a dozen Billboard Music Awards baby-faced teen pop star, which prompted Canadian singer Justin Bieber (17) to tattoo the name Yeshua, alias Jesus, in Hebrew on his felt.

Hungarian catholics have allegedly condemned his actions calling it blasphemy. “That kid will do anything for another billion,” said a high ranking Catholic priest, who asked to remain anonymous.

Many inter-denominational Christians however welcomed his act, claiming that Jesus could reach out to millions of Bieber fans even through a skin-deep tattoo. Yet real tattoo fans argue that Bieber is merely a softie with his two tattoos (the other ink is of a seagull) and bet that the teenager could easily learn a thing or two from the infamous Motley Crue metal-maniac drummer Tommy Lee.

Bieber’s girlfriend Selena Gomez allegedly is wild about his new tat. She is even considering getting one herself. Gomez and Bieber are very popular in Hungary, especially following her visit to Budapest last year to shoot the film Monte Carlo. Clips of the Hungarian capital can also be seen in Gomez’s latest videos.

World famous Hungarian-born Hollywood Film Producer Andrew G. Vajna granted this exclusive interview with XpatLoop.com in Budapest. He shared insights with us about his childhood in Hungary, his love for cooking with fresh Hungarian ingredients, and his dream of experiencing life in the time of the Pharaohs. Mr. Vajna was open, witty, and friendly in nature. He was also refreshingly candid in his answers to the standard 20 Xpat Interview questions. Given his experience it made sense to ask a few extra questions too, and we continued chatting for a while after his PA signaled his next appointment was due.

Now an American citizen, András György Vajna (b. 1944) emigrated from Hungary to the U.S. over 50 years ago. After studying photography and cinematography, he soon set about making a name for himself in the film industry. Vajna is the man behind such classic as the Rambo series, Tombstone, Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Nixon, and recently, Terminator: Salvation. Andy didn’t meet with us to plug a film though; he was keen to share his story and love of Budapest.

Hollywood is an ever-changing landscape where the social and professional topography is as unpredictable as a movie’s opening numbers. A town and a business, Hollywood propagates the reputation of an impossibly glamorous wonderland, one of success and excess, but also one of unlikely odds for those hoping to “make it big”. This Hungarian native stands out as someone able to break through. Here’s how Andy started out, his secret wish, along with other personal stories seldom shared.

1. Where did you grow up?
I spent my childhood in the hills of Buda, in the 12th district, and I went to school there, as my parents and I emigrated from Hungary to the US in 1956 when I was only 12 years old. Although I do not remember my school’s name, I still know where it is.

2. When you’re away from Hungary, what do you miss the most?
In the last two years, I spent half of my time in Hungary and half in parts of the US, so I am present in both places. I cannot say I miss either place as I am always focused on what I am doing at that moment, although I feel very comfortable in Budapest.. I have good friends and important businesses in both places.

3. What Hungarian traditions bring back fond memories of your childhood?
My favourite memories of my childhood in Hungary are those of when I could play with my friends in the streets and the fields around our homes, as in those times parks did not really exist. One of our favourite games was “számháború”, or “the war of numbers”. I am also fond of those summers we spent at Lake Balaton in Tihany on vacation with my parents, sometimes running out of money and eating crackers and jam. I remember that Christmas, too, when my grandfather gave me a violin, but later I stepped on it by mistake and that’s why I never became a violinist myself.

4. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
Hungary is a very exciting and diverse place with treasures that are found exclusively here. The vibrant capital, old Visegrád in Duna-kanyar and the picturesque Esztergom, charming Lake Balaton and the flatness of Hortobágy: all are exquisite. But for my heart, Budapest remains the closest, where I am most comfortable.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
It’s funny. It is a rather well known story that at a ”language-contest” the participants wanted to persuade the jury about what is the most beautifully-sounding language by all saying the phrase ”I love you” in their own language. The Englander said, “I love you“, the Frenchman “Je t’aime”, the German ”Ich liebe dich”, and so on. The Hungarian participant was Frigyes Karinthy, who found himself in a big trouble. He thought that the Hungarian word ‘Szeretlek’ would sound like frog’s croak to the others, so he said instead the smoothly sounding word ’fülolaj’, and he won the contest. So now you know what my favourite word is.

6. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend, what must they absolutely see and do?
Recently, Robert De Niro, one of my very good friends, visited Budapest and I had the opportunity to show him around the capital. He was greatly impressed by the citys traditions and architecture. Even though De Niro, unfortunately, only stayed for two days, he managed to visit most of the important sites and cultural heritage buildings like Hero’s Square, the Parliament, the Castle District and the famous and renowned Gellért and Széchenyi Baths. This city has a secret potential, as it is old, spectacular and unique. We had the honor of visiting the Hungarian Prime Minister, Orbán Viktor, who kindly showed us around Parliament, and the view from his office of the Danube and the Castle District, which was truly impressive. As food is also an important part of a country’s culture, we dined one night at Rosenstein Restaurant, where we had the opportunity to taste excellent Hungarian-Jewish food. We simply ordered everything and had a rich, tasteful experience. The second night was reserved for Nobu.

7. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
I’ve always found Hungarian food very good and tasty, and I dearly remember my mother’s dishes. At the same time, I have to say I am rather disappointed with the restaurants here in Hungary as they are rather average, not offering anything special. Nobu Restaurant is a great, unique place in Budapest that opened recently and offers a fusion between Japanese and South American cuisine, a very exciting experience for everybody. I opened Nobu here, as I believe in Budapest’s potential as a cuisine capital alongside Hong Kong and Milano. I am sure Nobu will succeed here and, as I am rather a perfectionist, we will offer the best service and the best quality food at Nobu. My favorite dish is one that unfortunately I cannot have any more: my mother’s Chicken Paprikás made according to our family recipe. In addition, I really miss the traditional Hungarian ‘főzelék’ that is very hard to find nowadays.

8. What is never missing from your fridge?
Hopefully, nothing is missing from my fridge. I love cooking, as it really comforts me. It is extremely relaxing. I love everything that is related to cooking, and a good dish begins with buying all the right ingredients. I like to go shopping around and have everything at hand. Here in Hungary, I go to the market more often because the fridge is smaller.

9. Where did you spend your last vacation? Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
In the last 2 or 3 years I’ve had no time for vacation, but my last holiday was in Thailand (Phuket and Bankok) and Hong Kong. I do not like to plan too far in the future; however, I think that my next shorter vacation will be skiing in Aspen, as winter is coming.

10. What career other than yours would you love to pursue, and what’s a job you would definitely never want?
I’ve thought about this and I believe I would have gladly been a conductor or a successful composer because music is a moving experience for me. I would definitely never want to be a coal miner.

11. What can’t you resist?
A beautiful woman, a good movie, and a funny joke. To laugh spontaneously, and films with Bill Murray.

12. Red or white wine?
I do not drink at all. I do not really like the taste of alcohol. So I prefer mineral water, with no bubbles.

13. Favorite form of exercise?
Although I do not have a favorite way, I like skiing because it is great to be outdoors, oh and tennis.

14. What were your favorite music, film and hobby as a teen?
As a teenager I loved photography. It was my hobby, and I studied it at school.When I went into cinematography in college, I briefly thought that I knew more about filming than all of my teachers, as most 19 year-olds would think. Then, shortly after, I realized it was not exactly true. Films were really fun for me back then. I remember once I sneaked in to the L.A. premier of the blockbuster Mad, Mad, Mad World. And of course in those times what else could have been my favorite music other than The Beatles and Elvis.

15. Favorite movies of all time?
My three favorite movies are Cabaret, with its brilliant coreorgraphy and music. The second could be Amadeus, and the third one is an old, black and white film, A Thousand Clowns, starring Jason Robards. I think nobody has heard about the last one.

16. And your favorite actors?
Oh, it is a hard question, as I’ve worked with so many of them. Robert De Niro is a truly exceptional actor, always able to show a new side of his personality and always able to come up with a unique performance. Antonio Banderas and Madonna were amazing in Evita, it was made for them. It was a great experience to work with Anthony Hopkins in Nixon. It was interesting to see how he transformed from an actor who believed that he could not possibly perform authentically in the movie into someone who emotionally and physically, particularly in the body language, resembled so closely Nixon himself.

17. How about your ‘Alan Smithee’ film: Burn Hollywood Burn?
I did not want to do it immediately but, as I saw the great number of actors willing to participate in the movie like Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, so I did it. The film was finally made starring Sylvester Stallone, Whoopi Goldberg and Jackie Chan. The Hungarian-born Joe Esterhas wrote the script. The film attempted to show the real face of the film industry in Hollywood, but director Robert Altman made a much more successful movie about this theme, a film called The Player, starring Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis.

18. And you made some horror films too?
Yes, Superstition (1982), Angel Heart (1987) and Jacob’s Ladder (1990) can all be considered part of the horror genre. Jacob’s Ladder is an intellectual horror story based on a screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubbin. It is about a guy who gets murdered during the Vietnam war. In his dying moments he flashes forward to see what his life might have been. Angel Heart is the story of a man making pact with the devil and howhe tries to avoid the result of the deal. This is a horror more in its subject than in its execution.

19. What do you think about Angelina Jolie filming in Budapest? Did you give her any advice?
No, I did not help her directly as she is doing a great job on her own. It is true though that I helped her with the names of a few people who are reliable here. Besides, sometimes she had dinner at Nobu.

20. What surprises you most about Hungary these days?
The negativity of the Hungarian people is something I cannot get used to. The answer is always a no and only afterwards does it become a yes. It is so time-consuming.

21. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about and why?
I really wish to take great care of the place where I live, and I wish I could spend more time on green issues that are nowadays so vital.

22. What’s your secret wish?
Then it won’t be a secret any more. Well, as I’ve been a couple of times to Egypt, I would like to experience life during the Pharaoh times. When I was there, I had the occasion to visit the pyramids at night and, in the semi-darkness that surrounded me, I could feel how insignificant I really was with the pyramids towering over me.

23. What would you say is your personal motto?
Don’t give up!

Interviewer: Stephen Linfitt
Transcribed: Ana Minadora Sbarci
Edited by Ben Brundage

published on BudapestReport.com with the permission of XpatLoop.com

The organizers of ABBA World, an interactive multimedia exhibition (music, video, photographs, memorabilia, etc contributed by the former Swedish pop group ABBA), are planning to bring their exhibition to Hungary after having already displayed it in London, promoters said.

The show, called ABBA World, is expected to hit the Hungarian cultural scene in December 2010. The retired pop group is reportedly pleased that Hungarians and other neighboring countries will be able to enjoy the show as the band had allegedly never performed in the former East bloc during communism. The 1,200 sq m show will most probably be hosted in the town of Gyor, near the Slovakia and Austria borders.

Pitt was said to have been on the casting of his new film “Moneyball”, while his wife was reportedly having a ball in Budapest, having her own secret film-shoot (said to be a Bosnian love story and Jolie’s directorial debut), during the past week and will not be going home soon as the roll requires her engagement in the goulash capital for at least the next two months -keeping all eyes on Budapest, sources revealed.

Her children are reportedly attending a French-language private school in Budapest’s posh district under heavy private security. Residents reported that they had seen Pitt racing in the area in a fancy BMW F800. Pitt had allegedly once tracked down a girl friend in Budapest some time in the 1980s. She was reportedly shooting a Phantom of the Opera movie at Budapest’s Opera House at the time. The fledgling Pitt then hardly had any money and virtually back-packed his way into the Hungarian capital.

The Hungarian Language Museum, located in the tiny village of Szephalom (NE Hungary) has recently opened a permanent exhibition to showcase what it calls the “Secrets of secrets – The past, present and future of the Hungarian language.”

Organizers of the exhibit said that their aim was to utilize the achievements of the 21st Century to create an interactive forum for young and old who are interested in the Hungarian language. They did not hide the fact that they would gladly see the museum as a sort of “pilgrimage centre” for all Hungarians living in the Carpathian Basin.

The museum is reportedly representing the Hungarian culture, tradition and national identity of Hungary, via its various exhibitions. According to statistics there are about 15 million Hungarians world wide. They speak a multiplicity of various dialects. Allegedly the “Magar”, the oldest known tribe of Nepal, also have strong cultural and language relations to the Hungarians.

Because of his criminal history of drunken driving and being under the influence of drugs, the judge has banned Michael from driving for 5 years and an official 8 week jail sentence, of which he has to serve 4 and do another four weeks of community service.

They claim she had know about the diamonds that she calls “dirty stones”. White said that Naomi had been in an ecstasy t was late at night when Naomi Campbell was allegedly awakened by some men at her door and they had given her a large diamond, saying that it was sent by her admirer Charles Taylor. This is the version Carol White reportedly gave the judge when being questioned by the International tribune investigating the alleged blood diamond scandal involving the Liberian ex-dictator.

The South African Police Service’s special task force, known as the Hawks, is now questioning former director of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund as to why had had only now handed over the diamonds after the scandal broke whereas he had allegedly been given them 13 years earlier by Naomi Campbell, who referred to the diamonds as ” dirty stones. “

French model Karima Menad, had allegedly spilled the beans on Canalis revealing how they snorted coke together at a fancy nightclub. Milan prosecutors are believed to have closed down the club after investigations showed that the owner had been providing services for affluent clients off the premises. The issue doesn’t seem to bother Clooney, who may now be considering the re-make of the film Pretty Woman with Canalis.

Naturally her aids deny everything, but couldn’t explain how some alleged paparazzi pictures hit the pages of international tabloid magazines. Eventually the official version became, Paris Hilton and the billionaire are just friends.” It turns out that the billionaire has a knack for both Paris and her sister, Nicky and has reportedly been very generous with both ladies.

Some of the topless pictures appearing of Paris lead to presume that she received silicon implants to enhance her chest. But then how Low can you go, as the playboy is such a big spender that he reportedly fit the bill for one night of boozing worth USD 160,000 at New York’s Avenue club. He is also reportedly being very generous to convicted actress Lindsay Lohan.

If you want to meet the rich fat cat, why not pay a visit to the Pink Elephant club, where he frequently wastes USD 50,000 a night.

Berry, who is believed to have brought her two-year-old daughter Nahla along with her to South Africa, allegedly plays the role of diving instructor Sara who enjoys underwater stints with handsome males in shark-infested waters.

South African shark conservation authorities are complaining that they have reservations about the movie and its mixed messages being sent to the un-savvy general public. The region is heavily infested with sharks and now and again there are fatal shark attacks along the South African coast.

In January 2010 a Great White shark ate an undisciplined swimmer near Fish Hoek, up the road from Simon’s Town despite the fact the shark flag had been raised, telling swimmers to stay out of the deeper water. Berry’s producers have hired a local team of marine professionals and stunt men and women to support the cast. A lot of the shoots were made on and off the coast of nearby Seal Island, a famous feeding spot of the Great White sharks.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela spent 27 on Robben Island (as a political prisoner during the Apartheid white supremacist fascist regime) off the coast of Cape Town, where authorities intentionally fed and bred sharks to keep the prisoners from swimming across.

The owner has imported pedicure experts in the form of so-called Doctor Fish and placed these into the tanks to treat their patients. Some 200 tiny fish diligently nibble away at the clients’ feet as they suck the dead skin cells off their feet in a procedure that proves to be more effective than exfoliation. Reportedly these fish excrete a healing enzyme from their mouths as suck and clean the feet.

The ticklish treatment has become so popular that clients are now allegedly standing in a long line on the waiting list.

This has prompted the owner to open at least 5 more such centre in the British capital. Participants in the treatment are said to have also turned to the British National Health Service (NHS) in an attempt to convince them that they should be allowed to have such treatments included in the British Health Service so that medical benefits should cover the part or all of the cost of these treatments.

He died from an overdose of prescribed drugs just as he was due to engaged in an absurd 50-concert tour in the British capital, London. Ironically Jackson was never a door-mouse and squandered a lot of the millions he made during his height of his fame. He allegedly announced bankruptcy and was compelled to close down his fantasy-land children’s playground called Neverland.

In an independent survey almost 300 female university students were allegedly to point out which of the handsome university studs they find attractive on the 25 photographs they were asked to review. The effect was allegedly instantaneous when almost all the ladies pin-pointed those wearing red shirts.

Scientists dealing with the research of color had earlier believed that only women donned red were considered to be sexier than their peers. Incidentally Father Christmas as we know him today was reportedly originally dressed in green, but the American-based Coca-Cola company had allegedly run a similar experiment with women who unanimously voted that would prefer to buy the soft drink if it was advertised with the handsome old fart in red, than in any other color.

Since then the fat jolly old guy is saying ho-ho-ho dressed in bright red and not green, while Coca-Cola sales have seen profits skyrocketing and have never looked back.

Lady Gaga was born (to Hungarian parents? No, I’m only joking – ed) Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (on March 28, 1986). She reportedly started her pop career in New York City’s East End and signed with Streamline Records, where she allegedly was as a songwriter for various artists, but caught the eye of singer Akon, who signed her to his own label.

Her debut album (The fame, including singles Just Dance and Poker Face) was released in 2008 and reportedly reached poll position in all German and English speaking countries. The following year she released her second album (The fame Monster, including the single Bad Romance).

The wedding is said to be hosted at a small chapel on Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of California. The pop stars mother is reportedly not satisfied with her new daughter-in-law to be, but then who says Field likes her mother-in-law to be?

Allegedly, the couple are getting married in such a fever that neither William’s mom, nor their friends or family were informed about the wedlock until the very last moment. Williams allegedly met Ayda in 2006 and the singer made his marriage proposal on air during an Australian radio interview last year.

This year the original stand-up of Williams’ former band ‘ Take That ’ is said to go on tour again with him, to promote their new album, following 15 years of silence.

British Black Beauty Naomi Campbell reportedly claims she had received one larger polished diamond and a pouch of “dirty stones.” She claims that she didn’t know what they were (silly girl – ed) , but admitted receiving the blood diamonds from Liberia’s ex-warlord and dictator Charles Taylor, but (like Eve in the garden of Eden – ed) gave three of the dirty stones to a Jeremy Ratcliffe, who at the time happened to be the head of Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund at the time 1997).

Ironically the benevolent male has now – only after 13 years -admitted having received the blood diamonds from Campbell and is said to have handed over the three stones to the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Aug 6, 2010. Police are still curious whether other fancy guests at the party thrown by former South African President Nelson Mandela reportedly on September 26, 1997, had also received similar free-bee pouches of dirty stones.

These guests included celebrities Naomi Campbell, Mia Farrow, Jemima Khan, Tony Leung and Quincy Jones, who had allegedly accompanied the blood dictator on South Africa’s moving five-star hotel – the historic luxury Blue Train. Taylor is currently in custody and is to appear before the International Tribune in The Hague.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has reportedly requested heightened security during her hearing as a court witness at a human rights tribunal in Sierra Leone. Photographers have been banned from the establishment. Prosecutors allegedly want the supermodel to defend herself in the witness stand that she had not received any so-called blood-diamonds (stones illegally mined in war zones and countries ruled by dictators like Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe) from former Liberian president Charles Taylor, who is currently on trial at The Hague Tribunal for war crimes.

Campbell’s lawyers have reportedly requested protective measures to ensure the supermodel’s privacy and safety during her testimonial on Thursday (Aug 5, 2010). The blood diamonds allegedly given to Campbell were from the batch reportedly used by Taylor to buy weapons from the ANC-led government of South Africa in 1997.

That’s when Campbell had allegedly been given the large uncut blood diamond by Taylor, following a dinner hosted by international icon Nelson Mandela. Taylor stands trial for 11 charges, including instigating murder, rape, mutilation, sexual slavery and conscription of child soldiers during wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in which more than 250,000 people were killed.

It weighs 20kg and eats about GBP 80 worth of green groceries each month, but Ralph the rabbit from Uckfield, East Sussex in Great Britain is not your ordinary pet.

It’s owners have made headlines for the past six months as their “British Continental Giant” rabbit is constantly posing for cameras and television crews from all over the world. It is reportedly the world’s biggest rabbit after exceeding it’s own mother’s weight.

All the neighbors in the tiny village are sympathizers and reportedly contribute to their national hero’s healthy by donating vegetables and dry bread.

Owner Pauline Grant (73) claims the rabbit loves to munch on apples, biscuits, cabbages, carrots, rabbit food, sweetcorn, toast and of course weetabix.