BBJ: What drives you to write?

Jale Elhadef: Every individual has a purpose in life. Mine is to create, to share my experiences, to touch hearts and minds. I want to inspire hope, to offer solutions when people feel stuck, to show the light at the end of the tunnel when all seems lost. And I do not want to limit myself to my own language; I want to reach different cultures, different geographies. At times, I hope to be the voice of those who cannot speak up. At other times, the smile of those who have forgotten how to smile.

BBJ: When writing, what do you pay the most attention to?

JE: I want the reader to see the world through my eyes. To feel what I feel. I avoid overly heavy descriptions or complex, ornate language. The text must flow. The reader should feel as if they’re on a journey, unable to put the book down. If they pause, their mind should linger on the story. And when they reach the end, the flavor of the narrative should stay with them. I set out thinking: “I want them to love the story the way I do.” So, I wrote as if I were speaking, letting events unfold naturally. A taste of the city, a sip of life; that’s how this book emerged.

BBJ: What did you prioritize in this book?

JE: When I first arrived in Budapest, the city’s texture made a deep impression on me. Its natural beauty is striking. Each of the four seasons feels distinct, like turning pages on a calendar. Spring brings pink and white blossoms of cherry and apple trees; autumn paints the city in yellow, orange, and brown, transitioning softly into winter’s white. Summer fills the streets with colorful fruits hidden among lush green leaves: plums, walnuts, mulberries, linden.

I wanted to present the city to my readers in small, delicate pieces on a silver tray. Budapest offers a rich cultural life seven days a week. Hidden corners, overlooked neighborhoods, forgotten stories; they all deserved to be brought to light. Each chapter contains small tablets of knowledge, little pastilles, not for the throat, but for the mind. I gathered things you cannot simply ask the internet or ChatGPT. The book is filled with lived moments, stored emotions.

BBJ: In your opinion, what makes Budapest special?

JE: Its history, without question. All the pain it endured, the oppression it faced, the sorrow it carried. And finally, the freedom it reclaimed through patience, faith, and resilience. Imagine, during World War II, much of the city was destroyed, every bridge bombed. Yet Budapest rose again.

I cherish the friends I have made in Budapest; they became family to us. Everyone holds a unique place in my heart. No matter what, one must collect friends throughout life; this city taught me that.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of December 12, 2025.