Trafó

At first the name: Trafó sounds familiar to every student in Budapest, because I'm sure that who is out sometimes in the cultural or club life of Bp. and reads Exit or Pesti Est has seen ads for programmes there. But what is really beyond the name, is it only a place where people go out and some exhibitions are organised (as the common man (student) would think of this place).
Not really, indeed Trafó bares a historical past and could tell many stories if the walls didn't only had ears;)

After having abandoned the 9th district transformator-building because of the expansion of Budapest's electric network, quite some pioneers (mainly artists) thought that the rusty and shaggy transfrmator house, standing alone in one of the easy going and mainly labour-workers occupied area of the city, would give shelter and serve as a place both to live and create their artworks. Nearby the rental costs were low, so artists could afford to rent flats for living near to the spontaniously developped artistic centre.

Later on the spontanity has been transformed by the local government into a corporate effort to create an (alternative&contemporary) artistic centre for Budapest and for the 9th district.
In essence, the organisation of the international event: World Expo have given the chance for refurbishment and total renovation of the building. Thus Trafó was (re)born as a complex art-house representing the cultural life of Hungary and the Central European region as well.
As an absolute part of the art centre a theatre serves the publication of contemporary plays in ballet, experimental dancing etc. The ticket sales are brought online and school groups are involved in this sort of artistic niche.
Besides the theatre, there are rehearsal rooms located in the building for bands. The most known part of the building is the club, located in the basement which hosts various dance events and parties. Next to the club there is an exhbiton room, which has fostered an exhibit by minority artists at our visit showing the cultural differences, perceptions and their reflections on the current political and social changes.

All in all, with the kind presentation of the Trafo personell and the deep descreption of the local and non-local missions troughout the operational study it was a meaningful and educative experience.