1

Keynote Speakers

An Experiential Exploration:

The Fertile Void and Creative Indifference

EAGT Gestalt Conference 2019 19-22 SEPTEMBER, 2019 • BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

2

Welcome

opportunities, global economic concepts based on greed and exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery, and this list has no claim to be complete.These complex problems in a globalized world have led to enormous challenges to our de-mocracies to find generally accepted solutions and a serious balance of interests for all stake-holders in our societies.As psychotherapists in common and as Gestalt therapists in particular we have taken on a re-sponsibility to play our part in the development of a humane and livable society. Creativity, inspiration, courage and strong presence is what we as Gestalt therapists have to offer and can rely on. To develop new ideas and to find a common voice to express those ideas we need to provide a fertile space, which helps us to move forward to create a re-in-spired world for future generations.Being together with our colleagues and friends here in Budapest in this very moment can pro-vide this space, this „fertile void” as a common ground for what happens creatively within ourselves and between us in the co-creation of the situation. This conference offers us the privilege to listen to our distinguished keynote speakers and their thoughts on these topics. We will also have the opportunity to choose from about

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted and honoured to welcome you all to the 13th EAGT Conference in Buda-pest. It is a beautiful tradition that this gath-ering is convened every three years.The tri-annual conference is a core event of the EAGT. It is organised by an individual NOGT who offers to host this meeting in its country and puts its specific stamp on the program. At this point we would like to extend our thanks to our colleagues from the Hungarian Gestalt Association (HUG) who have taken on this huge challenge.The aim of the conference has always been to bring the Gestalt practitioners from all over the world together in Europe and to enable them a moment of meeting for the develop-ment of Gestalt therapy.

„Fertile Void” and „Creative Indifference” are the two main topics of our conference. Both fertile void and creative indifference are ways of looking at the challenges of our world today to find answers for the difficult questions we all have to face either globally or locally. We find ourselves faced with topics of climate change, global warming, both environmental as well as humanitarian challenges. Sufferers of conflicts and wars are fleeing their own coun-tries to search refuge in Europe, confronting us with topics of distribution of wealth and

150 workshops with a wide range of approach-es towards the conference topic. Beside the high quality professional program and lively process groups we can enjoy each others’ com-pany, nourishing not only our intellect but also filling our hearts with the joy of meeting each other and being together.We want to express our gratitude to the or-ganisers who have put a lot of effort into the preparation of the conference, as well as to many volunteers who have helped the HUG to make this dream come true.We thank the keynote speakers as well as the workshop presenters for their effort to put a figure to the ground of our conference theme. Last but not least we thank all of you who come and participate in this joyful cele-bration of Gestalt therapy!

We are looking forward to meeting you in Budapest,

Beatrix WimmerPresident of EAGT

Judit Stefany-Tóth President of HUG

Dear colleague,

I am happy to welcome you to the Budapest EAGT Conference!By being here, you are actively contributing to a process of learning from each other, of dia-loguing, of meeting and - of course - having fun!We are mutually the novelty for each other, and so you offer me the chance to grow. And vice versa.But there is more.All together we are creating a meaningful po-litical experience. In the moment when we fear differences, we can witness the richness emerging from such a meeting: a meeting of different stories, lan-guages, cultures, hopes and backgrounds.I wish that during this conference we can expe-rience the blossom of our potentialities. Nourished by the dignity of every person and the respect for every difference.This is the culture of the EAGT, more and more precious in the contemporary world.

So, dear colleague, bring your difference to make this field fertile and enjoy the conference!

Gianni FrancesettiEAGT Past PresidentCo-convener of the AAGT and EAGT Taormina Conference, 2016.

Welcome

3

Our Goal & Conference Theme

Our Goal

The conference is a unique opportunity for anyone interested in the Gestalt approach to meet in person, to learn with and from each other, and to develop personal and professional relationships. Our intention is that together, we can build bridges and create connections between colleagues: professionals and non-professionals, teachers and students, therapists and organisational prac-titioners, and also between different perspectives and polarities! Let’s spend time together in Budapest experiencing these bridges in a state of creative indifference.

AN EXPERIENTIAL EXPLORATION: THE FERTILE VOID AND CREATIVE INDIFFERENCE

In Budapest we aim to co-create with you a fertile space in which we can all connect, share and explore ourselves and each other and find new possibilities in the flow of our creative energies and in the emergence of new understandings.

Conference Theme

AN EXPERIENTIAL EXPLORATION: THE FERTILE VOID AND CREATIVE INDIFFERENCEGENERAL FRAMING

The ability to stay in a state of not knowing, and to trust in the flow of life is fundamental to ge-stalt theory and practice, as is the belief that the creative energy flows from experiencing the emptiness of being, and that new understanding manifests continuously. The fertile void is the undifferentiated field from which everything emerges. Emergent figures take shape and begin to evolve through a dance between the polarities. When balanced, feelings of separation become illusory, and it becomes possible to gain deeper insight into the process of the organism, and for new, previously invisible opportunities to become manifest.

During the conference we would like to give space to explore the fertile void and creative indif-ference from these perspectives:

• Scientific and methodological• Social and political• Existential.

4

SCIENTIFIC AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS

In 1918, writer and philosopher, Salomo Friedlaender, wrote about the state of creative indiffer-ence in consciousness, thereby stimulating the Perls’ thinking. According to Friedlaender, creative indifference is the manifestation of consciousness, which does not position itself emotionally or conceptually at either polarity, but holds a balanced zero point, which enables the release of clear forces and energies in the field. There is an opportunity in creative indifference to direct our at-tention to a more holistic perspective, which exists far beyond the polarity of figure and ground.

The Gestalt therapist’s attitude of creative indifference supports the emergence of a fertile void in the therapeutic situation, thereby releasing creative energies, so that new meanings and self-supporting consciousness can emerge.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS

In current times polar forces appear to be in the ascendance. Societies are becoming more polarized, with extreme positions intensifying, and the imponderable nature of events becoming more prolific. There are no obvious answers. Dualities define our world and opposing poles urge us to make stark choices. What has worked in the past is no longer effective. We do not know what is happening, or what to do. We need courage, faith, deep knowledge and consciousness in order to be able to hold a state of not knowing and sensitisation. Not reacting and not moving does not equate with powerlessness and separation. Not knowing does not indicate a state of cluelessness. Rather, it is a unique opportunity to respond innovatively, by living in today’s chaotic energies with creative indifference. Staying in the fertile void with creative indifference allows us to see the polarities, and at the same time liberates us from making habitual or forced choices.

EXISTENTIAL ASPECTS

Sooner or later we all arrive at a period in our private life when there are no clear answers and when the only thing we are aware of is the certainty of our not knowing. This place is the fertile void, which can lead to our greatest personal development. This is a unique opportunity, to re-connect to the deeper meaning of being ourselves without polarising, opposing forces. Here, we may connect with our own core, which can take in all that is, and from which place the creative self without form can emerge.

Our Goal & Conference Theme

5

Keynote Speakers

and Psychotherapie Forum. In 2016 I edited the book Timeless Experience: Laura Perls’s Unpublished Notebooks and Literary Texts 1946-1985, which was published in Spanish and German in 2017; a French edition is in preparation. I co-edited the anthology Creative License: The Art of Gestalt Therapy, in 2003, which was later published in German, French and Italian. My début novel, Case Unclosable, was published in 2013; the German translation, Und niemals ein Ende, was published by Edition Tandem in 2015.

“How can a void be fertile? Implications of Friedlaender’s theory of Creative Indifference for the contemporary practice of Gestalt therapy.”

Fritz Perls’s reflections on Friedlaender’s the-ory of creative indifference and differential thinking, beginning with “Ego, Hunger and Aggression”, will be discussed. This approach emphasizes working with polarities and the zero-point (pre-difference), the significance of contextualization of our patient’s suffering, and meaning-making. “Not-knowing” is an es-sential aspect of this attitude, which allows the uniqueness of every therapeutic situation to be explored and encourages experimenting and the re-organization of a dysfunctional field. If we are able to give up what is familiar to us, we may become anxious and uncertain, but then we can enter a “weighty world of nothingness” from which infinite and surprising differentia-tions can emerge.

Experiencing this fertile void, or phase of pre-difference, is crucial to the creative process of change. Novel insights and realizations are generated, and we become aware of new mean-ings. This is the “middle mode”, in which we are both active and passive, both doer and done to.

Nancy Amendt-Lyon,

Dr. phil., M.A.

http://www.amendt-lyon-gestalttherapie.at/

I was born in New York, NY, and studied psy-chology in the United States, Switzerland, and Austria, earning an MA and a Dr. phil. Since 1978 I have been in private practice and work in English as well as in German with adults, either individually, as couples, or in groups. My training is in Gestalt therapy and group psychoanalysis. I work and live in Vienna, Austria.

I have chaired the Austrian Association for Gestalt Therapy (ÖVG) since it was founded in 2007, hold membership in the Austrian Associ-ation for Psychotherapy (ÖBVP) and the Euro-pean Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT), and draw on many years of experience training Gestalt therapists, group psychoanalysts, and supervisors in Austria and abroad. At the Czech training Institute Gestalt Studia (www.gestalt-studia.cz) and the International Institute for Gestalt Therapy and Psychopathology (www.ipsig.it) in Turin, Italy, I am an external trainer. My publications include numerous articles and book chapters in both of my working languages on topics relating to Gestalt therapy, gender, and issues of sociopolitical relevance, and I have served on the editorial boards of several pro-fessional journals, currently Gestalt Review

6

Kathleen Höll, MA

Gestalt psychotherapist, supervisor and coach in private practice.

Living and working in Vienna since 1972.I was born 1945 in Wuppertal, then Western Germany. I studied Political Science and So-ciology in Hamburg and Stuttgart, where I also worked as a programmer in an industrial com-pany to raise my daughter. I graduated in 1973 with a MA in Stuttgart.

Already in 1972 I had moved to Vienna, to complete postgraduate studies of Empirical Political Science at the Institute for Advanced Studies. I made first experiences with Gestalt Therapy with Werner Arnet while working as a research assistant at the Institute of Sociology/University of Vienna.

I started my training in Gestalt therapy 1976 in an Austrian group under the direction the Fritz Perls Institute Düsseldorf, continued by the direction of the Institut für Integrative Gestalttherapie Würzburg and finally – 1987 – graduated from FS Integrative Gestalttherapie/ÖAGG. I have had a lot of experiences with body therapy, with generation work and system constellations.

Since 1982 I am working as Gestalt therapist. 199 I was registered in the Austrian psychother-apist list. I am individual member of the EAGT.

I did trainings und seminars in different fields and led different courses at the university.

1995-2007 I was teaching therapist for „Integrative Gestalttherapie“ (ÖAGG),2006-2008 for the Akademie für Psychother-

apeutische Medizin der Ärztekammer Wien2008 I was a founding member of the Aus-

trian NOGT of EAGt, since the I am member of the board.

Several times I was a member of the jury at the graduation competition of the DACH conferences. I have held numerous lectures at congresses (ÖVG, DACH, EAGT):

Wien, München, Prag (Keynote), Athen, Berlin, Zürich, Kassel, Taormina, Basel.

I sometimes was member of the organizational committees.

I published numerous articles eg on the political aspects of Gestalt therapy, on the specification of the theory and the contribution of Salomo Friedlaender.

I am married to an Austrian political scientist, feel close to familiy and nature and experience great joy from my two grandchildren.

Contact: Josefstädterstrasse 14/15, 1080 Wien, 43 1 9421951 kathleen.hoell@chello.at

7

Keynote Speakers

Lynne Jacobs, Ph.D

Lynne Jacobs, Ph.D., lives in two psychotherapy worlds. She is co-founder of the Pacific Gestalt Institute and also a Training and Supervising analyst at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. She is co-author (with Rich Hycner), of The Healing Relationship in Gestalt Therapy: A Dialogic / Self Psychology Approach (1995). She and Hycner co-edited Relational Perspectives in Gestalt Therapy (2010). She has also written nu-merous articles for gestalt and for psychoanalytic publications. She has abiding interests in furthering our understanding of relational factors in the ther-apy process, and in understanding the centrality of Euro-ethnicity and its implications for clinical work.

Ideas such as the fertile void and creative in-difference are complex and rife with paradox. When we speak of the fertile void, do we forget the polarity of the complex ground from which such a moment emerges?

There is not one without the other. And when we speak of creative indifference do we ignore the polarity of such things as therapeutic intention? The therapeutic intention is the ground that makes creative indifference meaningful in the therapeutic situation. The humility of a dialogic attitude, one in which the patient and the therapist learn from each other is an ethic that provides a background sup-port for flexible responsiveness to these polarities.

Friedlaender: The polarity principle and the “revolution of egoism”

The lecture deals with the connection of the three main aspects of the topic: the methodological, the existential and the social aspect.

The methodological aspect of Friedlaender’s principle of polarity is about how the individual can cognitively and emotionally orient him/her-self best in the world. The basis is the realization that we can only recognize what is different from something else. Therefore, we describe the world through pairs of opposites and also capture our feelings through pairs of opposites. We can be neutral by staying in the middle. This indifference creates a fertile emptiness. It helps us as humans and as gestalt therapists to look for solutions without getting lost in one of the two opposites. The Tao states: do not cling.

The existential aspect means that by this we can connect with the deeper levels of ourselves and of life. By attaining an inner attitude that does not cling to opposites and extremes, which leaves behind the outer layers of judgment and prejudice we can turn to the deeper layers of feeling and consciousness. Here we find the deeper concerns of being human. It’s about a devotion to humanity and the world as a whole. Here, the individual and the world also turn out to be polarities. The dualistic separation of what belongs to me and what does not can be overcome. Friedlaender called this a “revo-lution of egoism”.

The social and political aspect results from this: to recognize the social and political problems as a result of the convictions and intentions of all past and present people. Instead of wrong and dangerous thinking in opposites, understanding the polarities can provide new solutions because reconciliation is in the middle.

8

Keynote Speakers

John Leary-Joyce

Co-founder and thought leader of Systemic Team Coaching, Executive Chair and Founder of the Acad-emy of Executive Coaching (AoEC), and Author of Fertile Void: Gestalt Coaching at Work

John worked for 18 years in psychology and group facilitation – having a clinical practice and training Masters level psychotherapists at the Gestalt Centre London. From being Managing Director at the Gestalt Center he moved into the business arena working as a Gestalt consultant, trainer and later a coach with senior leaders, directors and partners providing leadership development.

In 2000 he set up Academy of Executive Coach-ing, to provides a route for coaches to develop advanced level coaching mastery. He has rap-idly establishing the AoEC as coaching brand of excellence accredited by ICF, EMCC, AC and Middlesex University. The AoEC delivers many coaching programmes inside companies as part of developing a ‘coaching culture’ initiative. John works regularily in Europe, Asia, Africa & Amer-icas to pioneer Individual, Team and Gestalt Coaching and as a result AoEC has developed licensed partners in a many countries that now deliver their programmes.

Alongside growing the AoEC with his team, John continues his coaching / facilitation work, supporting leaders and managers in a wide range of companies to develop their leadership and team skills. He is a Professional Credentialled Coach with the International Coach Federation and is a highly regarded and qualified supervisor.

„I was 19 when I first experienced Gestalt and this has been an underpinning philosophy in my life, my work as a psychotherapist and now an executive coach. Over the years I’ve honed my style and approach to include many other meth-ods but working in the moment in relationship to my coachee is the most exciting and creates powerful change.

My book ‘Fertile Void, Gestalt Coaching at Work’ has given me the chance to pull together 40 years of experience in this field and share my learning with those enthused by this enlivening approach.” I’m now studing and practicing Bud-dhism as a route to deeping my experience of the ’here and now’ and the richness of the fertile void.

9

Keynote Speakers

Robert W. Resnick

Robert W. Resnick, Ph.D., Clinical Psycholo-gist, has been a Gestalt Therapist and Couples Therapist for over 50 years and an international trainer for 50 years. Trained (1965-1970) and personally certified by examination (1969) by Drs. Fritz Perls and Jim Simkin, he was chosen by Fritz Perls to introduce Gestalt Therapy to Europe in 1969. He has been doing training in Europe and worldwide several times each year now for the past 50 years. Along with Fritz Perls and Jim Simkin (and some others), Bob is a founding member and first president of the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Los Angeles (1969). Since 1997, he has been Core Faculty of GATLA (Gestalt Associates Training Los Angles) along with Todd Burley, Ph.D. and Rita Resnick, Ph.D. He is also a founding member of AAGT.

Bob’s interest is in integrating, distilling and evolving individual Gestalt Therapy and, ex-panding Gestalt Therapy (from a field theoret-ical and dealing with difference point of view) to building (along with his wife and colleague, Rita Resnick, Ph.D.) a Gestalt Therapy informed Couples Therapy – reflecting our field theo-retical, phenomenological and dialogic pillars.

In addition to his 30-minute Gestalt Therapy Theory Synopsis (free on Vimeo.com/onde-

The Fertile Void – Gestalt in Action

From the age of 20 when I first encountered Ge-stalt I was captivated by this notion of the Fertile Void: the paradox that someone or something could be simultaneously both empty and full.

I had an intuitive grasp that this was feasible, fleeting experiences where I felt totally at peace doing nothing yet everything was alive and pos-sible. At night, lying under the stars, looking with awe at the vast emptiness of space and knowing it was so full of energy.

Then seeing and experiencing over and over again in Gestalt groups, that ‘trusting the process’ and staying-with the ‘not-knowing’ of the void allowed the space and time for something new and amazing to emerge. It links to the Buddhist notion of emptiness or nothingness from which springs a new awakening and creative energy, which I’m currently studying.

Fertile Void also captures the aspect of Gestalt which is about embracing polarities. To speak and be heard we need silence, to be energetic we need rest, to feel full we need to experience being empty.

Four decades later I have gradually found how to integrate this concept in my life and work. Trusting that the flat and empty periods are the precursor to something new and unknown. In this keynote I want to focus us on this aspect of Gestalt, to share my learning and experiences; to invite you to be in the ‘here and now’ and see what emerges in the fertile void together.

As it was with writing this book, many times sinking into apathy and flatness and rising again with different ideas and perspectives. The temp-tation is to keep adjusting and refining, but the time has come for the gestalt of this book. I hope you will find within the covers the confidence to believe in your fertile void.

10

Keynote Speakers

Gestalt Therapy. Dialogue embodies the co-cre-ation of experience (and awareness through difference) with the therapist surrendering any strategic stance (e.g. fixing) to the “fertile void” of not knowing – and not attempting to contour the outcome. Honoring the “not know-ing” of the fertile void allows for the discovery of new organizations of meaning making and understanding, the awareness of which, can dissolve interruptions (obsolete formerly cre-ative adjustments that have become fixed, i.e. character) to healthy self-regulation within the person’s present environment.

mand/gestaltfilms) and eight Individual Gestalt Therapy Demonstration Films (with subtitles in 9 languages with 7 more to follow), he and Rita have recently produced a series of contempo-rary Couples Therapy Demonstration Films.

Rita and Bob, along with their international faculty, run the premier GATLA European Sum-mer Residential Gestalt Therapy Training Pro-gram which is now in its 48th year – the oldest annual psychotherapy training program in the world with 100 participants from 30 different countries – where 80% of participants return for an average of 5-6 years.

Some thoughts on the theme of the conference:

In recent years in some pockets of contempo-rary psychoanalysis and Gestalt Therapy, there has been much about the “relational turn”. In actuality, one of Perls’s self identified three most important theoretical contributions (some eighty yeas ago in the 1930’s) was that in order to understand any living organism, you must look at that organism’s relationship to it’s en-vironment – what he called “the organismic/environmental field”. This is essentially Ecology

“the branch of biology that deals with the rela-tions of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.”

Biology, Field Theory, Phenomenology and Existentialism, all contributed to the dialogic relationship occupying a fundamental place in

11

Keynote Speakers

Gordon served for many years as CEO of the Esalen Institute in Big Sur California, con-tinuing to serve now as longtime President of the Institute, a fertile center for fifty-plus years for the development of relational Gestalt theory and practice, lifelong personal growth and education, spiritual practices and spiritual activism, and the evolution of consciousness studies. With Nancy Lunney Wheeler, Gordon has developed Gestalt Relational Constellations as a client- and challenge-centered method for understanding supports and constraints in hu-man systems. Nancy and Gordon have a large blended family and make their home in Santa Cruz and Big Sur California.

Gordon Wheeler, PhD

Gordon Wheeler is known internationally for his teaching, training, and writing in relational psychotherapy, coaching, developmental the-ory and education. His written work, including more than a dozen books and over 100 arti-cles in the field, has focused on the evolution of Gestalt theory as the basis for relational and developmental self theory, integrating the body of Gestalt psychology research with the Gestalt therapy tradition, attachment theory, and contemporary neuroscience.

In this context he has focused particularly on relational development, self and shame, trauma and support, couples and intimacy, multi-cultur-al issues, gender and men’s issues, leadership and coaching, and lifelong integral education, as well as post-Holocaust issues and Systemic Constellations work.

His most recent book is Gestalt Therapy, (APA book series Major Theories of Psychotherapy).

Gordon is longtime President of Esalen Insti-tute in Big Sur, California, where he also served for some years as CE0. His current writing proj-ects develop the potential of the longevity rev-olution to provide new cultural capital through a new vision of later life stages; and in models of manhood and society reflected in Homer’s Iliad.

12

Keynote Speakers

Program Overview

Day 0 19th Thursday

Day 1 20th Friday

08:00 – 10:30

08:00 – 17:00

10:00 – 11:3011:30 – 12:0012:00 – 13:3013:30 – 14:3014:30 – 16:0016:30 – 17:30

17:30 – 18:30

18:30 – 19:3020:00 – 22:00

08:00 – 10:30

09:00 – 10:00

10:00 – 11:00

11:00 – 11:3011:30 – 13:0013:00 – 14:3014:30 – 16:0016:00 – 16:3016:30 – 18:0018:00 – 19:0020:00 –

Pre-conference and Conference RegistrationConference Registration

WorkshopsCoffee break (on your own)WorkshopsLunch (on your own)WorkshopsConference Opening Ceremony, Pátria HallPlenary Session, Pátria HallKeynote: Nancy Amendt-Lyon, Dr. phil., M.A.Process GroupsWelcome Dinner

Conference Registration

Plenary Session, Pátria Hall Keynote: John Leary JoycePlenary Session, Pátria Hall Keynote: Bob ResnickCoffee breakWorkshopsLunch (catered)WorkshopsCoffee breakWorkshopsProcess GroupsFree Time

Day 2 21st Saturday

Day 322nd Sunday

09:00 – 10:00

10:00 – 11:00

11:00 – 11:3011:30 – 13:0013:00 – 14:3014:30 – 16:0016:00 – 16:3016:30 – 18:0018:00 – 19:0020.00 – 20.30

20.30 – 22.00 22:00 – 02:00

09:00 – 10:00

10:00 – 11:00

11:00 – 11:3011:30 – 12:30

Plenary Session, Pátria Hall Keynote: Kathleen Höll, MAPlenary Session, Pátria Hall Keynote: Gordon Wheeler, Ph.DCoffee breakWorkshopsLunch (on your own)WorkshopsCoffee breakWorkshopsProcess GroupsHungarian Children’s Folk Orchestra “Magonc” (no late arrivals)Gala Dinner, Pátria HallMusic, Dance

Plenary Session, Pátria HallKeynote: Lynne Jacobs. Ph.DConference Closing Ceremony, Pátria HallCoffee breakProcess Groups

13

Pre-conference Program

Spagnuolo Lobb, MargheritaThe healing “dance” that emerges from the fertile void: aesthetic relational knowledge and reciprocal movements between therapist and client. A research based model.Bartók II.

Zeyts, VonThe Void Shop - Experience your void now!Bizet

14:30-16:00

Hodgson, DiMeeting on the Bridge of DifferenceBartók II.

Kountanni, MairaGestalt and social changeBizet

Midttun, Beate - Bolghaug, AnitaTalkshop - a high impact intervention based on the Norwegian 3 part work modelBrahms I.

Pota, László - Hansen, SilkeSociety fails in dealing with anomalies among children and young people! Yearning - addiction - addictions - modern media to cannabis blessing or poison? Bartók I.

Vattay, DanielIMPROVing our way into the Fertile VoidBrahms II.

19 SEPTEMBER 2019, THURSDAY

10:00-11:30

Alexander, RonaldClinical Applications of Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness & Somatic Experiencing for Deepening Non Dual AwarenessBartók I.

Horosz, RékaLiving spaceBrahms I.

Jacobs, LynneHopes and fears and balanced betweenBartók II.

Kallner, HelenaWorking with Anorexic Process - A Relational and Somatic ApproachLehár I.

Konstantinidou, AntoniaCreative indifference in supervision: when fertile void needs supportBizet

Parlett, MalcolmNavigating the ever-changing field: An additional ‘whole intelligence’ mapBrahms II.

12:00-13:30

Beermann Zeligson, JudithNeither idealizing nor pathologizing - an invitation to a Dynamic Gestalt Diagnostic Model and Navigation Flowchart in the FieldBrahms II.

Burrows, RosieCompromised Earth, Compromised Integrity and Creative Indifference: how radical relational gestalt can heal self, other, and environmentBrahms I.

Darvasi, DávidFrom roundabout to seesaw

- Gestalt therapists working with partners of addictsLehár I.

Jára, MartinThe dream in a relationship, the relationship in a dreamBartók I.

14

Conference Program

20 SEPTEMBER 2019, FRIDAY

11:30-13:00

Burrows, RosieCompromised Earth, Compromised Integrity and Creative Indifference: how radical relational gestalt can heal self, other, and environmentApartment 916

Cannavo, Michele - Alaimo, SilviaDream and Phototherapy: Fertile void’s experience in a group dream work told by picturesLiszt III.

Celis, Annemie - Hendrick, SaraBurning outBartók I.

Elyn, Bernard - Dusendschön, AstridCrafting conflicts to empower situationsMozart II.

Francesetti, Gianni - Gecele, Michela - Vazquez Bandin, CarmenObsessive compulsive experiences from a Gestalt Therapy Perspective (book presentation)Liszt II.

Gillespie, JohnA brief exploration of Time, Gestalt and SpiritualityFortuna

Kallner, HelenaWorking with Anorexic Process - A Relational and Somatic ApproachMozart I.

Kolesnikov, Yevgen - Goncharuk, YevgenSkype-gestalt: restrictions and opportunitiesApartment 914

La Rosa, RobertaFemininity and fertile void: Gestalt Therapy with sexual sufferings.Strauss

Lasaja, ElenaThe fertile void in the fertile field of postpartum depression.Lehár II.

Lubyanitskaya, Nadezda - Rumanov, SvyatoslavFrom the awareness to new experience in a group contextMozart III.

Marriott, MaggieTouching the void - experimenting with our phenomenology of the Gestalt cycleBizet

Mesic, Margareta - Bratina, Sanja“When bad things happen to good gestaltists” - experiential exploration of good and badLehár I.

Meulmeester, FransSacred cowsLiszt I.

Mstibovskyi, IlliaFertile Void in Individual and Group Gestalt Therapy: Practical Work ModelsApartment 918

Nadirashvili, Dimitri - Gogotishvili, Téa“I”- Background Conflict. Symptoms and Prevention (Gulliver Complex Phenomenon)Strauss

O’Malley, ChrisDe-void of opinion; exploring and communicating certainty and uncertainty in Gestalt TherapyBrahms II.

Orlando, GasparePANIC ATTACKS Base relational model (MRB), Life Cycle and Clinic in gtkBrahms I.

Pappa, Exarmenia - Mihailidis, KostasCall me with your nameLehár III.

Robine, Jean-MarieHow gestalt therapy is embedded in the aesthetic paradigmBartók II.

Roubal, JanThe process of change in Gestalt therapyBrahms I.

Spagnuolo Lobb, Margherita - Levi Dr, Nurith - Jacobs, Lynne - Van Balen, Daan - Chidiac, Marie-Ann - Savin, AntonSupervision in contemporary Gestalt Therapy: the fertile void that brings to recognitionKodály

Theodorou, PetrosBody: the fertile bridge from nothing to somethingApartment 950

15

Mavridou, Maria - Giaglis, GeorgiosTherapist self-disclosure: not-knowing what/when is appropriateBrahms I.

Palmou, Paraskevilgbtqi+ Affirmative Gestalt TherapyApartment 918

Philippson, PeterCreative Indifference: a Western TaoiamFortuna

Pizzimenti, MarianoYOU, ME AND OUR SEXUAL DISORDER. - a gestalt therapy approach to sexual disorderLiszt I.

Pregrad, Jasenka - Hrgovan, LanaWhat is scribble good for?Mozart II.

Repossi, AlessiaFraternal intentionality in the post-modern age: the crisis of verticality in relationships as a fertile void for new forms of horizontal connectionStrauss

Resnick, BobIndividual Gestalt Therapy Film Screening And DiscussionBartók II.

Roubal, JanNot to stand in the way of change: competencies for applying field theory in practiceKodály

Winghart, OlivierDyad meditation: The experience of the fertile void togetherBrahms I.

Winkler, ChristinaQi Gong of full presence and occurrence for therapistsMozart III.

Zeyts, VonThe Void Shop - Experience your void now!Lehár III.

14:30-16:00

Amendt, GerhardExploring the fertile void of intimate partner violence.Lehár I.

Amendt Lyon, NancyThe Excitement of Finding Your Voice as a WriterLiszt III.

Appel-Opper, Julianne - Francesetti, Gianni - Kallner, HelenaTwo bodies in the fertile void: Conceptualizing and exploring bodily processes within a theoretical gestalt frameBartók I.

Asherson Bartram, ClaireThe Yellow Brick Road - a Gestalt Perspective on Heuristic ResearchApartment 916

Bezic, IrenaHow to maintain the creative indifference in the frame of loving relationshipBizet

Bongers Dr, Dieter - Levi Dr, NurithLooking back in Anger: Jewish and Socialistic Roots of Gestalt and the damage that antisemitism causedLehár II.

Bos, MartenThe Power of DiversityMozart I.

Grigoryeva, LenaCaring of Those Who Cannot be Heard: sexual rights of patients with psychic disordersStrauss

Ievleva, PolinaGestalt approach to dependent behaviorsBrahms II.

Krom, Abby - Albert, AngelaGestalt Therapy and Improvisation: Building Radical Self-Trust in The Therapeutic ProcessLiszt II.

Lekareva, MariaDialogue, process and experiment: three basic concepts in gestalt therapy, their compatibility or inconsistenciesApartment 914

Manolaki, Katerina - Kato, JoannaAloneness and being with – exploring the fertile voidApartment 950

16

Conference Program

16:30-18:00

Alaimo, SilviaTo fill not to feel. From relational emptiness to creativity of the contact in the Binge Eating Disorder treatment

Brahms I.

Appel-Opper, JulianneTwo living bodies as two orchestras in the fertile void: Exploring rhythms, melodies with a gender and development perspective both for therapy and supervisionKodály

Balliou, Despina“Mother Nature is Suffering: The Eco – Phenomenological Approach in Gestalt Therapy”Bartók I.

Asherson Bartram, Claire - Dr. Scheinberg, Sari - Stevens, Christine - Marriott, Maggie - Burrows, RosiePassionate engagement and creative indifference; the art and politics of Gestalt practice.Bizet

Beja, VincentThe Phenomenological Attitude in a Field PerspectiveBrahms I.

Carrette, TimThe between of the between: The creative void.Apartment 914

Cerný, MartinUnified gestalt theoryApartment 916

Chidiac, Marie-Anne - Denham-Vaughan, SallyThe Warrior and the Sage: Courage and the concept of Ethical PresenceMozart II.

Corko Mestrovic, Irena - Milcic Horvat, AnaLeaning on the Fertile Void in DialogueLehár I.

Feinstein, GailCherishing Our Bodies, Transforming the WorldLiszt II.

Kato, Joanna - Klaren, Guus - Levi Dr, NurithBook Presentation: Supporting Human Dignity in a Collapsing FieldApartment 950

Leary-Joyce, JohnTango/Gestalt the art of Leading and FollowingBartók II.

Maggio, Fabiola - Tosi, Silvia - Bronzini, Monica - Cannavò, MicheleFERTIL VOID: A CO-CREATED DYNAMIC THROUGH MOVEMENT.Fortuna

Meeus, WilIncreasing body awareness through Colombian hypnosisStrauss

Mondok, ÁrpádSeeing in the dark: Embodied experience of creative indifferenceBrahms II..

Osborne, LyndaThe Presenting Past and the Presenting FutureMozart I.

O’Shea, LeanneFat is a Therapeutic IssueLehár III.

Petrova, ElenaEnergy of anxiety. Steps forward or steps backward?Liszt I.

Poli, Piergiulio - Hughes, GerrieEmptiness to New Resource: A JourneyApartment 918

Rafael, CortinaFailure to Launch, Addiction and Trauma the Current Crisis of our YouthLehár II.

Roubal, Jan - Francesetti, Gianni - Bloom, DanNeither Inside Nor Outside. Psychopathology and Atmospheres (book presentation)Bartók I.

Skottun, GroHow to create a therapeutic relationship?Mozart III.

Toncheva, Desislava - Atanasova, MariyaFood Therapy: A Basic Experience of ContactStrauss

Wirth, WolfgangPoweranimalsLiszt III.13

17

Conference Program

Kolanović, Nina - Bratina, SanjaSpirituality - a quest for integrity and meaningBrahms I.

Kountanni, MairaGestalt and social changeApartment 916

La Rosa, Roberta - Tosi, SilviaResearch in Gestalt Therapy: an experience of awareness and change for the therapistBrahms II.

Lisi, RosariaWhen the void becomes a longing for confluence. Hysteria and Gestalt TherapyLehár I.

Lommatzsch, Alexander - Terzi, CaterinaFertile void and contact cycle - Feeling, thinking, acting - the contact cycle in a phenomenological perspectiveKodály

McAuliffe, LuciaHow fertile is your void?Apartment 920

Picó Vila, DavidBeing seen doing: a relational approach to stage fright and social phobiaMozart II.

Pota, Laszlo - Hansen, SilkeSociety fails in dealing with anomalies among children and young people! Yearning - addiction - addictions - modern media to cannabis blessing or poison?Apartment 918

Smolin, GeorgeAnxiety and Hope - two sides of a coinLiszt I.

Wallin, AgnetaOut of nowhereLehár I.

Wendt, EvaThe other(s) story, meeting the other in playful explorationLiszt III.

Wimmer, Beatrix - Levine Bar-Yoseph, TaliaEAGT and AAGT - Taormina as an experiment, what lies ahead?Lehár III.

21 SEPTEMBER 2019, SATURDAY

11:30-13:00

Alaimo, SilviaEmbodied spirituality in gestalt therapy as fertile void and creative indifference’ experienceBrahms II.

Beermann Zeligson, JudithNeither idealizing nor pathologizing - an invitation to a Dynamic Gestalt Diagnostic Model and Navigation Flowchart in the FieldLiszt II.

Bloom, DanOut of the Night before Being: the Other and creative non-indifferenceBartók I.

Chíanáin, BrídAr scáth a chéile a mhaireas na daoine - It’s in each other’s shelter that people liveApartment 914

Denisenko, MariaBetween Joy and SadnessFortuna

Evers, RalphInto the VoidStrauss

Falconer, NickeiSharing Common GroundLehár II.

Francesetti, Gianni - Gecele, Michela“The world in a grain of sand”. The phenomenal field in clinical work as an expression of wider social fieldsApartment 950

Gartner, JoelleFertile Void? Creative Indifference? A field-theoretical exploration through group processBizet

Gunaketu Bjorn, KonstadtGestalting Theory U - Presencing in the fertile void to create differencesMozart I.

Jacobs, LynneHopes and fears and balanced betweenBartók II.

Kallner, HelenaMovement - our first languageMozart III.

18

Conference Program

14:30-16:00

Amendt Lyon, Nancy - Stevens, Christine - Francesetti, Gianni - Gutjahr, Lothar - Zielke, Olaf

“What Can New Phenomenology Offer Gestalt Therapy? A Discussion of the Risks and Possibilities.”

Liszt II.

Blend, JonGraceful Ways of Engaging Children and Adolescents in Therapy: Winnicott’s ‘Squiggle’ and Oaklander’s ‘House, Tree, Person’.Liszt III.

Eberstein, AnnWorkshop: Meet your inner critic!Strauss

Gecele, Michela - Wimmer, BeatrixSex and the City, Grace and Frankie - or?Mozart II.

Harris, Belinda - Lane, DeborahWhere the self meets the Other: Embodying Creative IndifferenceLehár II.

Hodgson, DiUsing your Voice with AwarenessKodály

Hreckha, VadimBeyond wordsLehár I.

Kato, Joanna - Klaren, GuusSupporting human dignity in a collapsing field’ by the Human Rights and Social Responsibility Committee EAGTApartment 950

Kincel, AdamThe fertile void of social and cultural identityMozart III.

Kondurov, SergeiFrom emptiness to fertile void: glance on a depressive experienceMozart I.

Moldován, Edit‘I have no time for Void’-A fascinating journey through our existential pressures meeting the Void.Apartment 918

Parlett, MalcolmNavigating the ever-changing field: An additional ‘whole intelligence’ mapBartók II.

Popova, RezedaTo be enchanted and not disappear:

“dance” with a psychotic patientApartment 914

Porting, John EwansHow to Identify, Open and Work on the Deeply Hidden Themes for Creating Dynamic and Healthy Awareness to Change Processes in the Relational Field.Fortuna

Replin, AleksandraGESTALT PERSPECTIVE IN AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT AND DANCE AS BRIDGE TO INTEGRATIONBizet

Salonia, Giovanni - Conte, ValeriaThe dance of the chairs and the dance of the pronouns. The Theory of Self and Family Therapy in Gestalt TherapyLehár III.

Scheinberg, SariResearch based activism

- How can we better manage the Forces and Energy needed to sustain resilience – as we develop the well-being in our communities and ourselvesBrahms I.

Spagnuolo Lobb, MargheritaThe healing “dance” that emerges from the fertile void: aesthetic relational knowledge and reciprocal movements between therapist and client. A research based model.Liszt I.

Stamatis, George“Fertile Void” in Organizations. From “Terra Incognita” to “Terra Ferrax” (Fertile Land)Brahms I.

Stelingis, RytisTherapy without the self: exploring the fertile void and selfing process from Gestalt therapy and Buddhist perspectives.Brahms II.

van Baalen, DaanOverwhelming experiencesBartók I.

Verbnik Dobnikar, Tatjana - Pelc, JulijaComing homeApartment 916

Wakelin, KatyAuthentic Muddle: what does authenticity mean and how is it relevant to psychotherapy?Brahms II.

19

Conference Program

Hwee Boon, TohConstructing the Gestalt HouseBrahms II.

Klaren, Guus - Zielke, Olaf‘Knitting an inter-net’ using the fertile void to tell our storiesApartment 916

Konstantinidou, AntoniaCreative indifference in supervision: when fertile void needs supportMozart II.

Prato, Monica - Ferrero, PietroWe are the Others…Apartment 918

Resnick, RitaResnick Couples Therapy: A Unique Gestalt Field/Process Model With Difference as Connective Tissue From A Fusion Model To A Connection ModelBartók II.

Spagnuolo Lobb, Margherita - Meulmeester, FransBasic principles of the gestalt approach in organisationsBrahms I.

Stevens, ChristineStaying with not knowing: Using Clay as a Therapeutic Assistant in Gestalt PracticeLiszt II.

Tomaszewski, VeroniqueGestalt as experiential field in higher educationApartment 950

van Den Houwe, Catho - Sadat, DalidaFertile Void & Leadership Development in OrganisationsBrahms I.

Vidakovic, Ivana - Wimmer, Beatrix - Francesetti, Gianni - Roubal, Jan - Beja, Vincent - Avramovic, MisaSpecific competencies of gestalt therapists, their relevance and application in gestalt psychotherapy training programmeLiszt I.

Viga, OrsolyaWhat awaits you inside when there is nothing outside? A personal journey through Authentic MovementStrauss

Wallin, AgnetaGetting lost for beginners, a basic guidance to chaos & failure for cowards and control freaksMozart III.

Yiamarelou, Yianna“Echo and Narcissus in a Fragmented Field”Lehár I.

16:30-18:00

Alexander, RonaldEntering the Fertile Void of Core Creativity: New Integrations in Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness & Somatic ExperiencingBartók I.

Bar-Yoesph Levine, TaliaFamily businesses - an inherent complexityLiszt III.

Bronzini, Monica - Tosi, Silvia - Maggio, Fabiola - Cannavò, MicheleThe fertile void in the intercorporeity between adolescent and adultFortuna

Burovski, Angelika - Hossein, Shelly - Ristovska, Frosina - Taylor, JessicaExploring diversity and inclusion, power and privilege in gestalt organizational development - raising awareness of a vital part of the fertile voidApartment 920

Esteve, ClaudiaBelonging/Not belonging. The discomfort of being “othered”. The experiences of a mental health therapist in a school settingLehár I.

Estrup, LivFlying Without Wings - The story of Arnold Beisser (author of Paradoxical Theory of Change)Kodály

Falconer, Nickeian experience of working as a Gestalt Therapist after a mass shootingBrahms II.

Falgas, ClaudeQi Gong practising and Gestalt approchBizet

Feuerbach, JohannesGoing Zero - Inquiries for twoMozart I.

Flajs, TomazUse of Metaphors in Gestalt TherapyLehár II.

Giaglis, Georgios - Ballx, JánMedication and Gestalt Therapy: is there a middle/common ground?Lehár III.

Halász, PéterMoveMen(T) - Dance between your own polaritiesApartment 914

20

Conference Program

Conference Centre Floor Plan 1

Indicating:Main Entrance, Information Desks, Pátria Hall for Ceremonies and Plenary Sessions, Workshop Rooms, Catering Area

Mirror CorridorEntrance to Patria Hall

Catering Area

Fortuna (entrance level)

Pátria Hall

Mirror corridor

Entrance level

Gallery (gallery level)

Main Entrance& Registration

Gallery Level

Gallery LevelII Floor

Entrance to Patria Hall Gallery

Entrance to Patria Hall Gallery

Entrance to Patria Hall

Entrance to Patria Hall

Main Entrance

Main EntranceI Floor

Mirror CorridorGround Floor

Passageway fromHotel Novotel

i

i

Apartments 914, 916, 918, 920 and 950 are located in the Hotel. Please use the elevators near the Hotel reception

and go to the 9th Floor. Information boards and hostesses will help you find your way.

AulaGround Floor

i

21

Maps

Bizet

Bartók I-II

Kodály

Aula

Lehár I-III

Brahms I-II

Liszt I-II-III

Arcade

Board room

Cyber terrace

Mozart I-II-III

Strauss

Côté Jardin Restaurant

Information Deski

II

I

I

I II III IV

I

I

I II III

II

II

II

III

III

Conference Centre Floor Plan 2

Indicating: Process Group Sessions

Process Group’s locations

PG 1 to 19Conference Centre Gallery Level

PG 29Bizet

PG 35Brahms 2

PG 41Board Room

PG 47Apartment 914

PG 20 and 21Conference Centre 1st floor

PG 30Bartók 2

PG 36Brahms 1

PG 42Mozart 1

PG 48Apartment 916

PG 22Conference Centre Mirror Corridor Ground Floor

PG 31Bartók 1

PG 37Liszt 3

PG 43Mozart 2

PG 49Apartment 918

PG 23 to 26Conference Centre Chambers I-IV.

PG 32Lehár 3

PG 38Liszt 2

PG 44Mozart 3

PG 50Apartment 950

PG 27Conference Centre Pátria Hall Stage

PG 33Lehár 2

PG 39Liszt 1

PG 45Strauss

PG 28Corridor in front of Bizet Room

PG 34Lehár 1

PG 40Kodály

PG 46Fortuna

Process Group’s on Gallery Level

Apartments 914, 916, 918, 920 and 950 are located in the Hotel. Please use the elevators near the Hotel reception

and go to the 9th Floor. Information boards and hostesses will help you find your way.

22

Maps

Information for your help

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

The Registration Desk is opposite the Main Entrance on the 1st Floor. Registration is open on 19 and 20 September, for more info see the Conference Program (page 1).Registration will be organised by names in alphabetical order. Please stand in the queue relevant to the 1st letter of your surname.In the registration process, you will receive a welcome pack including a printed copy of our conference brochure and a badge with a neck holder. Please write your name on the badge and wear it clearly visible during the whole conference. This will help us remember you when you leave and return to the conference facilities.If you choose to be in a process group, the number of your group will also be written on your badge.

ORIENTATION ON SITE

There are 3 Information Desks on site, please find them on the map on Page 21, where you will always find someone to help you regarding locations and the program.Our volunteers can be found not only at the Information Desks but also around workshop rooms and have all necessary information. Look for special badges, and do not hesitate to contact them. They are available to help workshop holders and presenters as well.Hotel hostesses will also help you to find your way around. So you simply can’t be lost.In any other cases please turn to a therapist. :-)The Info Board right beside the Main Entrance also includes basic information, like potential changes and news, contacts and process group information.

CATERING

Catered coffee breaks, lunch and dinners, as specified in the Conference Program (see page 10), will be served in the Catering Area. Please check the map on Page 21.If in your registration you have chosen a special meal type please keep to it and look for the relevant designated special catering section, such as “vegetarian”, “gluten free” or “vegan”.Clear Water dispensers will be available for your service during the conference.

Lunch on your own As you will see in the program, not all lunches and dinners are catered. In such cases we advise that you either use the hotel’s restaurant, or, a faster and cheaper option, step out to the MOM shopping center to have a quick bite. It is just a block away from the conference venue, and has several restaurants and cafes to meet your needs. Some of our favorites are

“Cserpes” (in MOM wellness), Fruccola, Vapiano, among others in the MOM shopping center.

Gala Dinner Wine, beer and soft drinks are included in the Gala Dinner. After dinner (from 22:30) drinks will be available at the bar accepting cash only (HUF).

PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT

One of today’ s greatest problems is the state of the environment. We as organisers have beendoing our best to keep in mind how we can harm our planet the least. We have used recycled paper and tried to avoid plastic as much as possible. Not to use plastic glasses, please bring your

23

own water bottle, or a take glass from the catering area or from the workshop room to fill with water from the dispensers. We especially thank those who join us in this effort, for example choose ways of transport with smaller carbon footprint.

COLLECTING DONATIONS

We are collecting donations for various causes. Please find more info on the causes and the

donation boxes at the Info desks and the EAGT (or Human rights) Table.

PARKING

If you arrive by car you can find pay parking in front of the Budapest Conference Centre.

CLOAKROOM

Free cloakroom service is available right beside the Registration Desk.

NO PHOTO

If you don’t want to be presented on our photographs, please ask for a No Photo tag during registration, and wear it visibly during the whole conference.

GOING OUT AND RETURNING

Please always wear your conference badge visible, our volunteers may ask you to show it upon return or at catering.

GARDEN

There is some lawn around the Conference site, which may be attractive for small group meetings, or for relaxing. Please note that furniture cannot be taken outside the building. We will have some blankets and/or cushions available for you at the Information Desks near the entrance to take out when going out. Please make sure to return those after use so others can take advantage of them, too.

WIFI

Wifi connections are available both in the Hotel and in the Conference Area without a password.Hotel network: NOVOTELCongress Centre network: BKK

CONFERENCE WEBSITE

www.gestaltconference2019.com

24

Information for your help

GALA DINNER SHOW

Let our feet step forward together,Let our hands rise upward together,Let our hearts pulse and beat together,Our souls sense life together,Our minds perceive thoughts together,Let our ears hear the silence together, Let our eyes focus on one another, fusing our gazes,Let our lips move together to give thanks for the time we have spent together.

What is the Magonc (Seedling) experience about? Creativity! The Seedlings are among the sublime few. Safeguarding our culture, nurturing our roots and passing on our traditions are a lifelong calling. Some may eventually sing these songs to their own children, while others may choose to voice their joys and sorrows, and find comfort, through music. The thoughts and spirit are clearly majestic and I am very proud of them! They have been bold in applying the knowledge I have shared with them. I too, have learned much from them in return, for I respect them sincerely. Together we mould our songs applying attentiveness, patience and love while maintaining their ancient fabric.

Gala Dinner Show

25

HUNGARY

Hungary lies in the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe. The greatest distance from North to South is 268 km, and from East to West, 528 km.

Area: 93.030 km2 Population: 9.879.000 (Hungary), 1.735.711 (Budapest) Capital: Budapest Time zone: GMT + 1 hourOfficial language: Hungarian (English and German widely spoken)

The Hungarian state was founded in 896, after the conquest of the Carpathian Basin by the Magyar (Hungarian) tribes. The people were converted to Christianity by King St. Stephen I, who was crowned by the Pope in 1000 AD. The Basilica of Budapest is dedicated to this great king, and his crown and the royal insignia are on display in the Hungarian Parliament. After the assault by the Mongolian Tartars, Hungary revived in the second half of the 15th century, when the Renaissance King Matthias spread the fame of Hungary. Ruins of his royal residence at Visegrád in the Danube Bend are still fascinating. Ups and downs in the forthcoming epochs, the Turkish occupation for 150 years, the Habsburg domination, the Reform Age, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, World War I and II, the Soviet military supremacy – left Hungarians still keeping their heads up.

Remnants of these eventful centuries can be seen everywhere: Turkish baths, royal palaces, churches, castles, and mansion houses are all fine examples of the various architectural styles. In addition to the charm of the landscape are the historic Danube Bend, Lake Balaton, the romantic national parks of the Puszta with the horse ranches, and the famous wine regions like Eger, Tokaj, Villány, Badacsony, Neszmély, etc.

Hungary is becoming a firm favourite in the meetings industry, a vibrant destination with warm and friendly people, varied and distinct cuisine choices among beautiful buildings and streets. It is conveniently located in the very heart of Europe, and is well served by affordable transport links. It offers a plethora of attractions – bold and intricate architecture, beautiful and varied scenery, and a colourful cultural heritage of music, dance and art. There is a rich culinary tradition too and

26

The City – About Budapest

excellent wines being produced in 22 regions. All major hotel brands can be found in Budapest and beyond to cater for conferences and incentive trips.

CLIMATE

Hungary has a temperate climate, similar to the rest of the continental zone – hot in summer, cold in winter. The temperature is highest in July / August (21,3 °C average) and lowest in winter, January is the coldest month, when it often falls below freezing (-1 °C average). About ten hours of sunshine can be expected daily between April and September. The number of sunny hours a year: 2038The average temperature in April is maximum 16°C, minimum 6°C. The average maximum tem-perature in May rise up to 21°C.

CURRENCY

The official national currency is the Forint (HUF). You can take unlimited foreign currency in and out of Hungary. Exchange facilities are offered to participants at the airport, in hotels and at the banks. Prices are often set in Euros (EUR) or US dollars (USD). Banking hours generally are from Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Currency exchange machines and ATMs operate after hours in Budapest and other major cities. Credit cards are widely accepted.

GETTING IN

Citizens of EU- and EEA-member states may travel to Hungary without a visa. Family members of citizens of EEA Member States may also travel to Hungary without a visa if they received a residence card issued for family members of EEA citizens or a residence permit issued by any Schengen Member State. For detailed information in English, please visit www.mfa.gov.hu

27

The City – About Budapest

WITH PERSONAL ID CARD

Citizens of the following countries may enter the territory of Hungary with a personal identifi-cation card for a stay of maximum 90 days, provided the purpose of their visit is not to take up work or to conduct business-related activities:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

WITH PASSPORT

Citizens of the following states may also travel to Hungary without a visa:Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (applies only to holders of a passport of the special administrative territory of Hong Kong), Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Macao (applies only to holders of a passport of the special administrative territory of Macao), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Salvador, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.For detailed information in English, please visit www.mfa.gov.hu

WHY BUDAPEST?

Budapest is the second best city in Europe according to 1,3 million voters. (Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Award 2014)

… Budapest was awarded the best value for money destination by one of the largest travelling websites, Tripadvisor, in 2014.

… the Budapest Rudas Bath is the fourth most beautiful bath in the World. (thrillist.com)… the restaurants of Budapest received three Michelin stars and achieved amazingly high scores in the Gault&Millau guide. (The owners of the Michelin stars are the Costes restaurant, Onyx restaurant and the Winekitchen restaurant.)

… the Great Market Hall in Budapest is the best market hall in Europe, ahead of the Portobello Road in London, for example. (CNN Travel)

… the Sziget Festival is the Best Major Festival in Europe and also holds the Best European Festival Line-Up award! (European Festival Awards, 2015)

… according to the Lonely Planet guide, the best bar in the World is the A38 boat in Budapest. Also, the third best is Szimpla Kert, also from Budapest.

… one of the ten most fascinating tram lines of the World can be found here. Tram number 2 from Budapest overtook the trams of Lisbon, Amsterdam and Berlin. (National Geographic)

… the New York Café is the most beautiful café of the World. (ucityguides.com)… the Hungarian capital is the second most romantic city in the World! (Foursquare, Spotistic)

28

The City – About Budapest

29

STORY OF BUDAPEST

With its population of over 2 million, Budapest is the capital of Hungary. It was not until 1873 that the twin cities BUDA and PEST united with a third, Óbuda to finally be named Budapest. However its history goes back to the Roman times when in the 1st century AD, the land was a province of the powerful Roman Empire, and Aquincum (on the site of present-day Óbuda) was its capital. The Danube River formed an important natural boundary for the empire. With the Hungarian conquest before 1000 AD and the founding of the state, Buda Castle soon became the residence of the Hungarian kings. The city survived the attacks and invasions of the Mongols in the 12th century, the occupation by the Turks and the bombings during World War II.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries the growing metropolis gained its present image. The charming hills of Buda with its old and elegant residential districts, the beautiful waterfronts of the majestic Danube together with the flat side, Pest, the dynamic administrative and business centre lend an unsurpassable location to the “Pearl of the Danube”. Being at the cross-roads of East and West, the city has gained in importance with the collapse of the communist regime. Cultural events (Spring Festival, the opera and concert season) compete with attractive shopping (china, crystal, embroideries, art objects, refined food and spirits).

The twin cities of Buda and Pest, divided by the Danube, contain homogenous parts of different building periods such as vestiges of the Roman occupation, the prestigious Castle District pre-served in Romanesque and Gothic style, the rigour of the Habsburg Citadel, the eclecticism of the turn-of-the-century buildings boasting the richness of the new citizens. Budapest’s up there among the world’s most romantic, entertaining capitals. Not nicknamed the “Paris of the East” for nothing, it boasts broad boulevards and green parks, grand Art-Nouveau mansions and vibrantly painted churches, lively cafés and world-class music venues. The city is divided into two parts by the meandering Danube, iconically spanned by several stunning bridges.

The City – About Budapest

TRAVEL TO BUDAPEST

Budapest has an extensive infrastructure. The city can easily and rapidly be reached from all European countries either by road, rail or air.

BY AIR

Liszt Ferenc International Airport is 16 km South-East of the city centre. It is directly reachable from all European capitals; flight time is less than 2 hours. Airport Terminal 2 is divided between Terminal 2A and Terminal 2B hosting all traditional carriers’ flights, charter flights and low-cost airlines. The SkyCourt, opened in 2011 connects Terminal 2A and 2B and offers for passengers 15 retail units with world famous brands, 13 restaurants and 2 VIP lounges on 400 sq meters.

The city center can be easily reached by taxi, minibus, public transportation and of course by car. The main car hire firms have offices in the arrivals halls. For those not driving taxis or the Airport Minibus will carry passengers to and from any part of Budapest. The Hungarian capital airport handled a total of 11, 5 Million departing and arriving passengers in 2016. The airport’s central telephone number for information is +36 1 296 9696; flight information is available on +36 1 296 7000. Web: www.bud.hu

MINIBUS

The door-to-door transfer operates as a shared-ride service, which means that passengers traveling to/from the same/closely situated address are transported in the same vehicle. Every vehicle is equipped with dual-air conditioning systems and Wi-Fi hotspots for free internet access, further increasing passenger comfort during the journey. The service is provided with buses for 8 to 10 and 30 to 50 passengers.

All minibuses arrive to and depart from the main entrances of the terminals. Bookings can be made in person at the AirportShuttle-Minibus Desks or 24 hours before your flight departure via an online reservation system, through travel agencies or by calling the call center. www.airportshuttle.hu

TAXI

Fotaxi, the taxi company with the longest traditions in Hungary will transport passengers between the terminals and Budapest. Fotaxi’s several hundred cars, trained and experienced colleagues ensure a safe basis to satisfy passengers’ needs at a high standard. Taxi drivers speaking at least one foreign language are in service with ‘A’ category big-size cars younger than five years.

All cars are equipped with a POS terminal, therefore credit cards are also accepted. Reservations can be made in person at the Fotaxi booths located at the exits at Terminals 2A and 2B. At the taxi rank in front of the stands, taxis are parking continuously waiting for passengers.

30

The City – About Budapest

BY COACH

International services terminate and depart from Népliget Coach Station, which is also the ter-minus for a number of domestic routes. Information: +36 1 382-0888. International ticket sales: +36 1 219-8063. www.volanbusz.hu

BY CAR

All Hungary’s motorways and most of the main roads radiate from the capital. The M1, M3, M5, M6 and M7 are toll motorways. Road signs conform to continental standards. 24-hour emergency roadside assistance is available from the Magyar Autóklub by dialling 188. www.motorway.hu

BY RAIL

More than 30 trains a day provide direct links between Budapest and no fewer than 25 other European cities. Railjets to Vienna run every 1-2 hours. There is also a popular network of inter-city trains linking Budapest with the main Hungarian cities. International trains operate from the three largest stations: Keleti (Eastern), Nyugati (Western), Déli (Southern). MÁV Direct: +36 1 444 4499 (from abroad); +36 40 49 49 49 (from Hungary) Web: www.mav-start.hu

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

By train: A regular train service operates between Budapest Nyugati Railway Station and the former Budapest Airport Terminal 1, from where passengers can take bus 200E to Terminal 2A and 2B. Nearly 100 trains provide easy access to the airport and back, for approx. 1.000 HUF (approx. 3,5 EUR).

By bus: Passengers are transported by a direct bus service from Terminal 2A and 2B, called the bus 200E, to the Kobánya-Kispest subway terminal. This service is adjusted to passenger traffic at the airport. A one-way ticket costs 350 HUF (450 HUF when buying on the bus from the driver). Further information: www.bkk.hu

Public transport in Budapest is one of the most modern and efficient system in the world. The net-work of the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK) consists of: 4 underground lines, 5 suburban railway lines, 15 trolley bus lines, 31 tram lines, 178 bus routes.

Compared to Budapest’s population of 1.73 million, the utilization rate of the public transport network is fairly high, with 4.8 million passengers using the services every day. The public transport capacity of Budapest is sufficient for carrying 1.9 million passengers per day by bus, 1.4 million passengers by tram, 1 million passengers by underground, and 260,000 passengers by trolley bus. Every 3-5 minutes.Waiting time is acceptable. At peak times underground trains run every 3 minutes, trolley buses, trams and buses run every 3-5 minutes.

31

The City – About Budapest