Hajlék a hajléktalanoknak

Elephants Found their Home in Budapest

28 May, 2009, Budapest - If you want to spot elephants this summer no need to travel as far as the Savannahs, as fifty of them has just settled in central Budapest.

All elephants displayed as part of the charity exhibition named Homeless - Elephant found their temporary place in downtown Budapest: members of the herd try to raise awareness on the ever-worsening situation of the homeless in the capital.

Where exactly can you find these elephants? At the most frequented areas, such as 56-osok tere, or at the Időkerék (a giant hourglass that became to be known as „timewheel") by the Dózsa György út. You may encounter a small group in front of the Zoo, or while strolling on Andrássy út and at the major shopping center by the Western Railway Station where delicately decorated elephants are placed so that they are less exposed to weather or vandalism. (Some of the elephant are already under reparation.)

Organizers are pleased with the way the charity exhibition is going "People like colorful elephants, and the tourists enjoy making photos with them. Many pieces of high quality art has been created, for which it has already been worth organizing the Parade. We hope that the late summer auction will bring in the sufficient amount  for the renovation of the Segítőház Homeless Shelter with the biggest possible amount" - said Balázs Csikós, director of the main organizer, Elephant Holding.

Homeless - Elephant in Budapest Makes Flying Start in Mid-April, 2009

Outdoor charity exhibition to help the homeless backed by Elephant Holding, MKB Bank and other prestigious organizations will open in mid-April in the Hungarian capital, Budapest - organizers announced.

"Similarly to thousands of unfortunate men and women in Budapest coined homeless our exhibition will have no permanent "home" either. The life size elephant calves will be placed in the streets of the town center scattered in large areas of Andrássy út and 56-osok tere" - said main organizer and director of Elephant Holding, Balázs Csikós.

Even though the figures are uniform in shape each will be painted and/or otherwise decorated by artists who, in spite the serious and responsible nature of the campaign, have been coming up with lighthearted and amusing decorations.

Among the 80 individually painted elephant babies there will be zebra striped ones, figures covered with pink embroidery-like material and some that have decoration depicting a china tea-set. Artists include widely-known names such as László Fehér, Ádám Balogh, Pál Breznay, and Dvora Bochman . Apart from established artists various art schools and students participate in the project. As Csikós put it: "While staying focused on our main mission, that is helping the homeless, we are pleased to be able to give an

opportunity for young artists to show their talent for a wider audience."

„We feel honoured that so many brilliant artists joined our initiative contributing to our mission to provide shelter for the homeless in the upcoming winter" - said Balázs Csikós.

Following the summer months when the elephant babies will be displayed in streets of Budapest to call public attention to the growing number of homeless, the figures will be put on auction, the fund of which will be used to help the renovation of homeless shelter in Budapest. The social home named "Segítőház" situated in the 10th district is primarily known for its special support for homeless people who are dedicated to make a new start in life and with their lifestyle prove the intention of escaping homelessness.

The main sponsor of the exhibition is Elephant Holding, one of Budapest's largest developers known primarily for its suburban projects. For more on the Parade, please visit: www.homeless-elephant.hu.