As with the first “Bridge of Friendship” concert in February 2016, the organizations FIDA International (mission and development aid organization of the Finnish Pentecostal Churches), American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Hungarian branch, MASZ alapitvány and HILFE und HOFFNUNG together to invite predominantly Jewish guests and Holocaust survivors to a concert by the Finnish singer Nina Åström at Budapest’s Bálint Ház on March 26, 2023.
Eight of our Finnish friends came to Budapest for this concert to help to take care of the guests. They then traveled on to Oradea (see separate travelogue by Jarmo Marjamäki).
Since HILFE UND HOFFNUNG was responsible for the catering, the sisters Sinikka and Marjatta traveled to Vienna beforehand to prepare cakes and sandwiches. It was not the first time that they spoiled the guests with wonderful treats. A few years ago, they delighted our guests at Bálint Ház during a Hanukkah celebration by preparing sandwiches and dreamy cakes.
They now know exactly what our audience likes, so they spent three days preparing salmon rolls, date and marble cakes and chocolate mousse for 150 guests in Anne’s kitchen.
Together with FIDA we created a warm and memorable atmosphere at the concert for around 85 guests.
The Jewish aid organization MAZS/Joint Budapest, whose contribution mainly was to bring the Jewish guests to the concert, expressed its thanks with the following message:
On behalf of the Holocaust Survivors and the MAZS Foundation we would like to thank you for the extraordinary event yesterday. Your hospitality and kindness are infinite and we are very grateful for it. We loved the fantastic music and Nina could so easily connect to the Holocaust Survivors. It was a heartwarming moment when she fulfilled one of the survivor ladies’ wish and we could sing Hatikvah together. The ladies prepared and served the tasty food with all the warmth of their hearts. It was good to see that our Clients enjoyed themselves and the nice company.
And finally thank YOU for bringing unconditional love and joy to all of us.
THANK YOU!
Mira and Tünde