Embassy of the United States

Past Events 2008

Mr. Levine (middle) with visitors in the Embassy tent (Embassy photo by Attila Németh)

Embassy Engages Youth at One of Europe’s Largest Summer Festivals

From August 13 to 17, 2008, the U.S. Embassy operated an informational tent at one of Europe’s largest summer festivals, the Sziget Festival, which this year attracted more than 70,000 young people daily. In the tent, representatives from the Embassy and from three educational advising organizations--the Fulbright Commission, the International Institute for Education and the Hungarian American Enterprise Scholarship Fund--provided information about studying in and traveling to the United States.

Each day the Embassy organized thematic programs to introduce various aspects of American culture (music, dance, diversity, sports and elections) and engaged youth interactively in activities that could bring them closer to the United States. Festival-goers enjoyed a jazz concert performed by the Bohém Ragtime Band, which presented a musical journey to 1920’s and 30’s America, participated in large numbers in the country line and swing dance lessons, and also watched an American football demonstration. The Embassy’s tent featured the State Department’s ‘Faces of America’ posters and pictures of American Indians from the Embassy’s Edward S. Curtis photograph exhibit which was shown in Budapest earlier this year. On the last day of the festival young people enjoyed a mock U.S. Presidential election, a quiz about the election, a collection of 2008 election cartoons, and a computer-animated campaign game.

The results of the mock election were announced by Deputy Chief of Mission Jeffrey Levine. Barack Obama won the election with 77% of Sziget votes.