“The Great Balaton Impostor”

Description

As part of my Lake Balaton series, I chose a subject that is deeply familiar to anyone who has spent time by the lake: the beloved “Balaton hake.” Despite its name, it has never actually come from Balaton, but it has long been part of the classic lakeside experience.

Served on a simple paper tray with lemon, and often alongside lángos, cocoa crêpes, and a portion of fries, it has become a nostalgic symbol of Balaton summers. Whether authentic or not, it belongs to the lake’s collective memory as much as the beach, the heat, and the long afternoons by the water.

For this painting, I chose a friendlier-looking European hake—an affectionate tribute to one of Balaton’s most recognizable icons.