 The 1000-year-old Basilica of Esztergom (above); a grim Soviet-era statue in a theme park on the outskirts of Budapest (right); an old lady sells embroidery on the street |
 Following the collapse of Communism in 1990, Hungary was faced with the task of finding a new identity for itself. Unlike some other eastern bloc countries, Hungary has "capitalised" on its Communist past. Grim Soviet-era statues have been moved to a bizarre "theme park" on the outskirts of Budapest.
Hungary's rich cultural heritage is also being revisited. Ruins in the Aquincum precinct date from Roman times, and the city's Turkish, Jewish and Austrian cultural roots are also being highlighted.
However, as Hungary takes its place within the European Union, the country has to balance its new European future with its ancient Central Asian past. Maybe the youth of the country will show the way, through music and continent-straddling attitude.
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