InfoAnda - Hungarian carpenter serves Pope on throne

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Sofia Coppola's film on celebrity wins in Venice | | 12 September 2010
Yahoo! News | 4 January 2011
Sarkozy eyes end to French pension protest | 24 October 2010

Death toll in Syria rises to 2,900: U.N. | | 6 October 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Hungarian carpenter serves Pope on throne

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Hungarian carpenter serves Pope on throne AFP - Tuesday, July 21 BUDAPEST (AFP) - - Master carpenter Arpad Rostas would like the pope to sit on his chair: a high, gilded throne carved out of oak with a pair of angels, the coats of arms of Hungary and the Catholic Church and a poem by Rostas himself. ADVERTISEMENT "One night in my dream I saw a big light and three thrones: in the morning I jotted them down in no time and sent a letter to the Vatican that I had a calling to carve a seat for the pope," the 47-year-old Rostas recounts. His dream came true, and the project will culminate on December 22 with an official handing-over ceremony at the Vatican. "On the throne, I will carve a hidden message that the Lord shall protect Benedict XVI," says this slim, moustachioed man, showing a draft of the 2.5 metre-high (eight feet) chair he is crafting out of a 200-year old oak tree. The Vatican is not the only prestigious location to benefit from the magic touch of this small-town carpenter from Marcali in southwestern Hungary. His skill in masterfully restoring and preserving woodwork that others would have cast away has won him contracts in Austria, Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Rostas worked on the parquet of the Hall of Mirrors and Louis XIV's console table in Versailles, on the restoration of wainscot panels at Paris's Louvre museum, and in refurbishing antique furniture in several private chateaux in the Calvados region. He takes pride in repairing items others have given up on, and has given new life to the inlaid doors of the Hungarian embassy in Vienna and worked on furnishings at Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. "The French and the Austrians, they want to preserve the last single nail if it is old... Germans prefer spotless functionality," he observes. But his native Hungary proved a harder nut to crack. "All they want is a certificate. If I am not certified, I cannot do the job in my own right," he complains. And despite references from Hungary's own parliament, the country's biggest synagogue and the Swedish embassy here, a professional certificate is something the talented carpenter still lacks. Born to Roma parents, Rostas was abandoned in hospital and raised in a state institution, an unlikely start for an ambitious man who since childhood had wanted to become "the best restorer in the world". But he bears no grudge against his unknown parents. "Had I grown up in a gypsy slum, I would have never known art and become a restorer," he reckons. His large workshop in Marcali, covered with wood dust, abounds with new furniture parts waiting to be assembled as well as a range of real antique pieces, all in a sorry state. These worm-eaten, mouldy cabinets, consoles and beds are in for a new life, however. After thorough research in libraries and consultations with museums, Rostas cleans the parts, carves out the decaying bits and replaces them with meticulously selected and treated pieces before finally soaking the wood in an organic mordant. "It has ingredients including horse dung water and human urine," Rostas says, listing the uninviting substances already used by ancient Egyptians and even Leonardo da Vinci. Taking his cue from earlier masters, Rostas adds berries, potatoes and garlic to create the appropriate colour, and finally cooks the wooden piece in perfumed oils. "My restored cabinets do not smell bad, old or stuffy," he boasts. One of Rostas's finest accomplishments is the winding staircase at Marcali's Szechenyi Palace. Erected in 1880, it was about to be demolished when Rostas turned up to restore it to perfection. The painstakingly precise inlays change shade with the light, the carved banisters show rich ornamentation, and the solid structure seems immovable -- although, apart from a refined system of tenon and mortise joints, a simple but strong system used for thousands of years, it is held together by one single screw. "I spent a night here, meditating on the stone floor, praying to discover where that crucial screw was," Rostas recounts. "Then the enlightenment came and I just knew where to look for it." In gratitude and to leave a trace, he hid a bottle of wine and a letter in one of the banister columns. Probably Hungary's single most talented restorer, Rostas is not a man of wealth: he never received any money for the majestic staircase that consumed his life 14 years ago. But he shrugs it off, saying his mission is now to finish his gift to the pope before seeking work abroad where his desire to preserve and restore is more appreciated. "My goal is not to get rich. What I want is to save as much beautiful old woodwork as possible." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle SAfrican child star - from township to red carpetAFP - Tuesday, July 21 Guthrie ends fiscal year with slight deficitAP - Tuesday, July 21 Capsule reviews: `Shrink' and other filmsAP - Tuesday, July 21 Group forms to head off Neverland developmentAP - Tuesday, July 21 Fla. man sued over Batman character figurinesAP - Tuesday, July 21 Enlarge Photo Master carpenter Arpad Rostas uses a special chemical-mix on an old wooden-chair for restauration in his workshop of Marcali, south-west of Budapest Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years Shark attack victims fight for their attackers Man who went to the moon and came back an artist Madonna visits family of dead Marseille stage hand Britain bids to quell flu fears View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Apollo 11 astronauts call for trip to Mars
Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian fields
Caucasus situation 'very, very difficult': Medvedev
Nortel strikes deal to sell business unit to Avaya
Iraqis restrict US operations in Baghdad
NATO urges allies to do more in Afghanistan | International |
In South America, Israeli FM seeks to block Iran
Escort tapes put Berlusconi back in spotlight | International |
Bosnian Serb pair jailed for burning Muslims alive | International |
Sudan refers Chad to U.N. over air raid accusation
Peru's Fujimori gets 7.5 years in prison | International |
British jet crashes in Afghanistan as four US troops killed
Sudan refers Chad to U.N. over air raid accusation | International |
Fifty-six more on trial in Turkish coup plot case
Israelis held in Romania over human egg trafficking
Crews plan aggressive attack on B.C. wildfires | International |
Iran's Mousavi says detentions will not end vote row
India and U.S. agree nuclear sites and defence pact
Japan PM set to call poll as party at risk of defeat
Southeast Asia approves 'toothless' rights body
Families, Va Tech survivors oppose US gun measure
US doing all it can to free soldier in Afghanistan: Clinton
Lone surviving Mumbai attacks gunman admits guilt
Malaysian royal sues model wife for $30 mln
Police: Rampage that killed 6 began in Ala.
Mumbai attacker in surprise guilty plea
A Clinton moment: the naked truth about Americans
China quarantines 178 pupils from Britain, US
Pakistan asks EU for weapons to fight Taliban
Statement from family of captured soldier
Govt.'s potential Wall Street, bank support $24 T
Boston trolley driver pleads not guilty in crash
Colorado's top doctor backs pot restrictions
Thieves target mourners at California graveyard
Interior halting uranium mining at Grand Canyon
Stocks extend rally as worries over CIT ease
US, India announcing trade agreement in New Delhi
Idol fans campaign to keep Paula Abdul on show | Entertainment |
Michael Jackson movie in works
China's small-company exchange nearing launch
Beastie Boy Adam Yauch diagnosed with cancer | Entertainment |
Kazakhs to boost wheat exports by one-third
Stigma driving AIDS crisis among African gays: Lancet
Music Review: Rockers OLP return with 'Burn Burn'
Music Review: Jordin Sparks' 'Battlefield' is lost
Rootsy folk rock from NYC's Assembly of Dust
The way he moved: Jackson leaves dance world void
Foster, Koolhaas firms to advise HK cultural hub
Michael Jackson's boyhood home still draws curious
2 killed in Baghdad bombing
Barnes & Noble launches world's largest eBook shop
Obama pledges backing for US space program
Japan PM Aso calls election, risks historic defeat | International |
Deutsche Bank in 'spying' probe: report
British watchdog warns banks on bonuses
Israel to Lebanon: stop border violations
Aussie swimmers struggle with swimsuit scenarios
Israel to evacuate all outposts in a day: report | International |
Iran election dispute escalates to new phase
Google cleared in UK defamation suit
India becomes R&D hot spot as high-tech firms cut costs
Barnes & Noble unveils store for digital books
Gushing Obama honors Apollo 11 crew at White House
Guantanamo report on detainee policy delayed | International |
Warner Music and YouTube still talking on deal
Israeli museum displays rare clocks stolen in 1983
Israeli police recommend more charges against Olmert
Mumbai attacker in surprise guilty plea | International |
Britain bids to quell flu fears
EMC takes control of Data Domain
IT spending forecasts improve, Cisco popular: UBS
Colombia backs plan for increased U.S. military aid | International |
Iceland announces relaunch of rescued banks
Australia hopes to raise China/Rio case at ASEAN | International |
Sony inks DVD distribution deal with Redbox
CORRECTED: Barnes & Noble unveils online bookstore
Forest fires force thousands to flee in Canada
UNDP to help Philippines combat AIDS threat
Report: Agency withheld distracted driver research
Post-election optimism fades in Nepal
Family of captured soldier wants privacy in ordeal
Japan PM to dissolve parliament ahead of election
United flight makes emergency stop in Iceland
Surprise confession by surviving Mumbai gunman
Australian FM hopes to discuss Australian's arrest
Yahoo set to unveil new homepage | Technology |
CORRECTED
Warner Music and YouTube still talking on deal | Technology |
Deal reached to close Calif's $26B budget deficit
India becomes R&D hot spot as high-tech firms cut costs | Technology |
Union: San Francisco train operator blacked out
Popular San Diego seals win reprieve from governor
Gandhi trust awards Aung San Suu Kyi peace prize
Peru's Fujimori sentenced to 7.5 years for corruption
4 US troops die in deadliest month in Afghanistan
Deadliest months for US troops in Afghanistan
Google cleared in UK defamation suit | Technology |
Barnes & Noble unveils store for digital books | Technology |
Police look for man who stabbed 2 women in Seattle
Sony inks DVD distribution deal with Redbox | Technology |
NZ credit card billings up slightly in June
Doha round, global slump top APEC talks
Bain, Chinatrust eye joint bid for AIG unit -source
IMF eyes 2.5 bln dlr loan for Sri Lanka
S.Korea exports down 22 pct in first 20 days of July
S.Korea firms want loose policy maintained -survey
Seoul shares open up after CIT deal, positive data
Huge Hollywood prop house closing after 40 years
Magna, RHJ, BAIC in the race to take over Opel: GM
Taiwan, China to open tourist liaison offices
404 Not Found
Hungarian carpenter serves Pope on throne
Zimbabwe in Victoria Falls World Cup revival hope
Susan Boyle calls fame a demolition ball | Entertainment |
SAfrican child star
Guthrie ends fiscal year with slight deficit
Capsule reviews: `Shrink' and other films
Reality show pits Shaq against other star athletes | Entertainment |
Group forms to head off Neverland development
Fla. man sued over Batman character figurines
Huge Hollywood prop house closing after 40 years
Swine flu virus hits Royal Ballet on Cuba visit | Entertainment |
Susan Boyle calls fame a "demolition ball"
Singer Chris Brown says ashamed of Rihanna attack
Suicide bombers, gunmen attack east Afghan towns | International |
Deutsche Bank managers leave amid spy probe: source
to unveil redesign: report
Light manual labor for Madoff in prison: report
Suicide bombers target Afghan cities, kill 4: officials
Baghdad bombs kill 11, vehicle ban in Anbar region | International |
US-TECH Summary
Netanyahu's son, Yair, starts military service
California lawmakers, Schwarzenegger agree budget
Sony inks DVD distribution deal with Redbox
Flu death toll at 700, school closures an option: WHO | International |
Iran police chief says opposition incites sedition | International |
Israeli settlements political suicide: Merkel ally | International |
U.N. reports record $4.8 billion aid shortfall | International |
Spain sends first cabinet minister to Gibraltar in 300 years | International |
Berlusconi's popularity slips after sex scandals | International |
Soldier due in court on Iraq Army slaying charges
Clouds 'likely to block eclipse in Shanghai'
Five dead, eight missing in Japan mudslides: officials
Fifteen arrested over Indonesian Papua attack: police
Ala. city plows beneath Indian site for Sam's Club
Clinton in Thailand for talks on N.Korea, Myanmar
Meeting Apollo 11 Crew, President Touts Education Agenda
13 die as Taliban bombers attack 2 Afghan cities
Obama pushes health care, goes country
Second Of 3 Escaped Indiana Inmates Caught
Pentagon Temporarily Increases Army By 22,000 Soldiers
Watergate Hotel set to go on D.C. auction block
Police detain 17 suspects in Freeport killings
U.S. Airlines Report Dramatic Drop In Passenger Revenue, Demand
Is Myanmar going nuclear?
Clinton in Thailand for Asian security talks
Clinton arrives in Thailand for Asian security talks
Legislators Introduce Bill Protecting Drinking Water System From Terror Attack
Uproar in India after former president frisked
Apollo Astronauts Push Return To Moon, Visit To Mars
Ore. bank reopens 7 months after fatal bombing
Mideast, Africa mobile broadband to explode: report | Technology |
Mumbai gunman describes indoctrination in Pakistan
Astronauts Give Space Station DIY Fixup
Texas agriculture losses reach $3.6 billion
Texas town prepares for protests in dragging case
Study: White Males Preferred By North Americans Over Females, Minorities
Ohio to execute man convicted in '92 killing spree
Census Study Finds Rapidly Aging World Population
Interior Department Stops Uranium Mining In Grand Canyon
S.Korea says IMF plan to lift reserves by $3.4 bln
Rice experts say 'dollar trap' will pressure price
Seoul shares end firm, hit new 10-mth closing high=2
Japan stocks shrug off political ructions
China's sovereign wealth fund invests in Diageo
404 Not Foun
Reality show pits Shaq against other star athletes
Seoul shares end firm, hit new 10-mth closing high
China says profit at state companies down
Kookmin Bank to acquire Kazakhstan bank: reports
Police detain 17 suspects in Freeport killings
China's export powerhouse sees growth: state media
Vietnam plans Phu Bai airport upgrade: govt
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01