30. September 2008.

She arrived bearing a frigid gift, unbridled autumn weather and a chilly atmosphere. This left more time to read, to rest, to relax and recharge. Even in this dreadful weather it is worth paying attention to Herend, as life is vibrant around us.

As proof of the exemplary cooperation between the city of Herend and the management of the manufactory, a few days ago a Mór Fischer walkway and a Mór Fischer porcelain statue have been sited in Herend, behind the Porcelanium Visitor Centre. He was the great ancestor, the one who made the manufactory into a vibrant concern, the man whose name has slowly become synonymous with Herend over the course of the past 170 years; we honour and remember him. He was the one who marked the path that Herend has been following ever since - even if occasionally she strays from it, she always returns to that path and continues her journey in the right direction. This is how it must be done, and this is how it is worthwhile to do it - indeed, this is how the Herend Porcelain Manufactory has become the largest handcrafted porcelain manufacturing concern, a true conjurer, in this world. We, the children of the future, express our gratitude.

In the meantime, we are building the future. Is it a challenge? It is, without a doubt. We like challenges, however. We try and try again, and as hoped for, succeed on a fundamental level, before a worldwide audience. The offerings of Herend are reborn on a continuous basis. It is special, because it is capable of changing continuously, of being modern, while retaining its traditions. We believe that this duality is a virtue and an ability that is the exclusively within the purview of the all time greats. In this vein, and to demonstrate this idea, we are currently exhibiting - until October 16th - at the Palace of Arts, our unusual exhibition titled "Herendtrend - Herend on New Paths." We permit a small glimpse at Herend's future - at the moulds, patterns, experiments and studio-works.

It is important for Herend to perform a mission that is both cultural and artistic. The sponsorship of sports and sporting events is also important. Herend has been the official supplier for the third year running to the Formula One Grand Prix Hungary, and this year, for the first time, of the Budapest Red Bull Air Race. We have returned to the world of golf and equestrian sports, and we have been dedicated to the support of the nearby top sports team, the MKB Veszprem handball team, for many years. The roles we have undertaken are important; we have obligations in this form of sponsorship as well.

The Christmas holidays are approaching. It is the most significant holiday, a few days when we can rest for a few days, taking a break from the humdrum of the everyday and concentrate with every fibre of our being on our loved ones, our family. It may be worthwhile to study Herend's offerings as early as now, maybe it is here that you chance upon the perfect gift.

But even until then so many events associated with Herend are anticipated! Perhaps the largest volume Herend exhibition of the year is opening in Geneva, but Herend objects may be found at the Museum of Industrial Art, at the Kraft and Design exhibition. A special, magical evening will be held at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, where Herend porcelains, the Herend inspired magical fashions of the Héjja Trend Line, and the gorgeous castle itself (which also has ties to Herend) are giving each other a rendezvous of beauty. The autumn events of the Apicius Café also await interested visitors; even the Herend Porcelain Museum is preparing two exhibitions this year, after the kobold exhibition that ended its run having been a resounding success. We can promise as early as now: We are not bidding a final farewell to the kobolds either...

We also have a surprise in store: An elegant catalogue has been compiled of the most special, most exclusive, most beautiful Herend masterpieces, which may be downloaded by the members of the Herend Club from the website, in a pdf format. Get to know the sources of our pride, the ‘most'-s.

If you are already members of the Herend Club, please help us fashion Herend into the form that you like best. We are glad to receive any ideas or creative notions, let it be an event, an appearance, a decoration, anything that can be tied to us. Use our other community-building function in the Club - it is for you that they exist.

There is no path other than the path of beauty, from year to year, from decade to decade. Beauty fired into porcelain - versus the beauty of human beings - is eternal. To possess beauty is a joy, to learn of it, a challenge. Herend has been providing this adventure and this opportunity for 182 years.

And among these beauties, as we study them, perhaps the autumn is not so severe either...