Xpat Charity Party: Bonfire Night In Budapest, 5 November 2011

The annual event is now a well established social networking extravaganza for expats and locals in the loop. This year's key features were a special FireMagic show, excellent live jazz, plus a wide selection of quality refreshments including fine Hungarian wines and British whiskies.

The 11th birthday celebration of XpatLoop.com in 2011 raised over HUF 1.1 million for charity thanks to 200+ guests and many event supporters, including main sponsors, InterContinental Budapest, Holmes Place Budapest, Vodafone Hungary and Qatar Airways.

H.E. Ambassador Greg Dorey lit the virtual bonfire and made an entertaining opening speech about Guy Fawkes*. Hotel General Manager Mathieu van Alphen welcomed guests and highlighted the chosen charity, Smiling Hospital Foundation, before starting a firework show and inviting guests to enjoy the bonfire-night style food.

Plenty of fun activities kept guests entertained, including a bonfire log cutting game with prizes from the Budapest InterContinental. Nokia also staged an interactive game with an impressive prize of the new Nokia N9. A silent-auction featured many great gifts, including items from Telenor, Catherine Dickens, and Sony Hungary. The business card draw ensured many delighted winners, prize givers included: CinemaCity, ExpatShop, FirstMed, Fox Autorent, Paris Budapest Restaurant, Porcelan.hu.

Guest feedback was great again, and event organiser Stephen Linfitt said in summary, "Thanks to all involved it was a ‘feel good’ XpatLoop event for charity, one to positively remember, remember".

Photos by Hermina Csömör

Click here for a full event report