Philanthropy

From the earliest moments of human reflection, people have asked a question as simple as it is profound: **Why are we here?** "*The unexamined life is not worth living,*" Socrates The search for the meaning of life is not merely an abstract puzzle; it is woven into our choices, our values, and the way we understand happiness, suffering, and purpose. In ancient Athens, Socrates suggested that a meaningful life begins with examination, placing self-knowledge at the center of human existence. For Socrates, meaning was not something handed to us but something discovered **through dialogue, questioning, and moral awareness**. Aristotle later offered a different but complementary vision. He proposed that the purpose of human life is eudaimonia, often translated as **flourishing**. According to Aristotle, meaning is found not in fleeting pleasure but in living virtuously, developing our capacities, and contributing to the life of the community. A meaningful life, in his view, is one lived in accordance with reason, balance, and excellence of character. Modern philosophy introduced a more unsettling perspective. Jean-Paul Sartre argued that human beings are “condemned to be free.” There is no predetermined purpose, no universal script that defines our existence. Instead, meaning emerges from **our choices**. We create who we are through action, and with that freedom comes responsibility. Meaning, then, is not discovered but constructed. Simone de Beauvoir extended this existential insight by emphasizing that meaning is not created in isolation. Human freedom exists in relation to others. To live meaningfully is to recognize both one’s own freedom and the freedom of others, and to engage in projects that affirm shared humanity. For de Beauvoir, meaning involves responsibility, connection, and the ethical use of freedom in a world that offers no fixed answers. Across these perspectives, a fascinating tension emerges. *Is meaning something we discover, cultivate, or create?* Is it rooted in virtue, happiness, responsibility, relationships, or purpose? Perhaps the enduring power of this question lies precisely in the fact that no single answer has ever satisfied everyone. Today, the question remains open, inviting each generation to respond in its own way. Philosophy offers frameworks, science offers explanations, culture offers narratives—but ultimately the question turns toward each of us personally. So as we begin this seminar, we return to the question that has echoed across centuries of thought and experience: **What is the meaning of life to you?** **BIO**: Georgiana Turculet is a multidisciplinary philosopher and two-time Marie Curie fellow. She holds a PhD from Central European University and has held academic positions at several European institutions, including the Department of Philosophy at Pompeu Fabra University and the Department of Philosophy at University of Copenhagen If the Paypal system is not working for any reason, don't worry, you can make a contribution on location, which helps us to pay for the meetup service and to keep the event going. Send me a private message if you need help.

El objetivo de este encuentro es romper el hielo, hablar de las historias que nos gusta escribir, de por qué escribimos, de los libros que nos gusta leer, de qué dificultades encontramos al enfrentarnos al folio en blanco y de qué esperamos del grupo. En definitiva, se trata de conocernos como personas para entendernos como escritores. No importa si has escrito diez novelas, cuatro cuentos o el precioso título de un poema sin versos. Aquí todo aspirante a juntaletras es bienvenido.

Foundation models are leaving the cloud — and entering the physical world. Robotics is quietly becoming the next global ecosystem. Open-source foundation models. End-to-end learning. Industrial-grade reliability. And radically new ways of building robotic bodies. This meetup is special because we’re not just talking theory. We’re bringing together speakers from: • **Hugging Face** — powering one of the world’s leading open AI ecosystems, now expanding into open-source robotics • **mimic robotics** — building scalable, real-world robotic manipulation systems for industrial deployment • **Allonic** — reinventing how robotic bodies are manufactured through its 3D Tissue Braiding technology, recently raised €6M in pre-seed funding — the largest hardware pre-seed round in Hungary to date This event is powered by **ShareTech Foundation** — a non-profit initiative building bridges between frontier technology, industry, and the European tech ecosystem. This event venue is provided by **Tulip Interfaces** a manufacturing app platform empowering frontline teams with digital tools and real-time data. *** ** Date & Time:** March 5. 2026, 17:30 ** Location:** Tulip Interfaces Office - Budapest, Köztelek u. 6, 1092 *** ** The Talks** *** **Dana Aubakirova** ML Research Engineer — Hugging Face **Open-Source Robotics: Bringing Foundation Models to Real Robots** From Vision–Language–Action models to real robotic deployment. Dana will walk us through: * How foundation models are reshaping robotics * Multimodal pretraining and scaling trends * SmolVLA and the LeRobot open-source ecosystem * Community-driven robot data collection * What still blocks large-scale embodied AI If you care about open-source AI moving into the physical world — this one’s for you. *** **Benedek Forrai** Co-Founder & Lead Roboticist — mimic robotics **Systems as Moat — Bringing Reliability into End-to-End Learning** End-to-end learning is exciting. Industrial reliability is harder. Benedek shares: * VLA → VAM evolution * Scaling pretraining without massive robot datasets * Architectural bottlenecks in current pipelines * Why system design becomes the true competitive moat This is where research meets customer-grade deployment. *** **Benedek Tasi** Founder & CEO — Allonic **Complexity in Robotic Bodies — And Making Them Simple Enough for Mass Production** As robot intelligence scales, hardware complexity explodes. Allonic introduces **3D Tissue Braiding** — a radically new way of “growing” robotic bodies in a single integrated process. We’ll explore: * Bio-inspired robotic connective structures * Reducing hundreds of parts into unified builds * Manufacturing scalability for the next robotics wave This is how you build robots that can actually scale. *** ** Agenda** 17:30 — Arrival & welcome 18:00 — Talks 20:00 — Community networking 21:00 — Wrap-up ** Why You Should Come** Because robotics is no longer sci-fi. It’s becoming infrastructure. And the next big shift in AI will be embodied. Join us if you’re into: * AI & foundation models * Robotics & manipulation * Industrial systems * Hardware innovation * Or just want to see where this is all heading As always: high-signal talks, real practitioners, strong community. See you there. *ShareTech.Foundation is building Europe’s next-generation tech communities — from AI and robotics to hardware prototyping and cross-border collaboration.* \*Please note: All presentations will be conducted in English to welcome our growing number of international members. \*\*Please be informed that photographs/videos can be taken at the event, in which the event participants may be identifiable as data subjects. The event usually produces mass shots to show the events in their overall effects, but it can also be possible to highlight a particular person or moment in the recordings. The photo/video may be used and published in promotional and/or marketing materials, on the website, intranet and social media channels. We declare that we will only use photo that are not infringe the personal rights of the data subject.

English below \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Tarts egy kis szünetet a hétköznapi rohanásban és gyere el csendes könyvklubunkba a Fővárosi Szabó Ervin Könyvtárba. Hozd magaddal az aktuális könyvedet, merülj el benne egy órácskát, majd oszd meg velünk, amit olvastál. 🗺 Hogyan találsz meg minket: A tanulótér felújítása miatt az eseményt a FSZEK Ötpacsirta u-i épületében tartjuk (Ötpacsirta u. 4., a Központi Könyvtár bejáratával szemben): az épületbe beérve gyere fel az első emeletre a balra található lépcsőn. A termünk rögtön a lépcsősorral szemben lesz. 💡 Részvételi díj: Nincs. :) 🥤 Étel-ital: Kérünk, zárható üvegben hozz magaddal innivalót, ha az esemény alatt megszomjaznál. Másból inni, valamint a teremben enni nem lehet. 🕑 A menetrend: 17:00–17:30 – Érkezés és bemutakozókör: mit fogsz olvasni? 17:30–18:30 – Csendes olvasás 18:30–19:30 – Választható beszélgetés a könyvekről (magyarul) Extra: Az esemény után igény szerinti afterezés a [Prága Kávéház és Sörözőben](https://pragakavezo.hu/) (Baross u 8.), hogy ne csak könyvekről beszélgessünk! Ha csak erre jönnél, írj üzenetet, hogy ne kerüljük el egymást. Fontos: Ez egy teljesen magyar nyelvű esemény. A bemutatkozó kör az elején és a kötetlen beszélgetés a végén is magyarul zajlik. Az olvasás csendje persze mindenkié, így nyugodtan hozhatsz bármilyen nyelvű könyvet. A részvétel ingyenes, de a helyek korlátozottak. A helyedet a hivatalos Meetup eseményen való regisztrációval tudod biztosítani: Várunk szeretettel! \-\-\-\- Please note: This is a Hungarian-language event. The introductions at the beginning and the optional discussion at the end are held in Hungarian.

Please sign up in advance! Hot Paprika Presents: Budapest’s Best Pub Quiz! Register here: https://forms.gle/JKjGn4aGBr1r1dF48 Join us for the Hot Paprika Pub Quiz at A&O Hostel Budapest, kicking off at 8 PM! This isn’t your average trivia night—it's hosted by comedians, so expect uncomfortable laughs, unexpected twists, and an unforgettable time! What to Expect: Diverse Topics – From pop culture to history, no subject is off-limits! Comedian Hosts – The hilarious Tauseef Parvez & Fanni Pinter will keep you entertained. Big Prizes – Weekly winners score free comedy show tickets & bar discounts . Grand Prize – The season’s top team wins a 20,000 HUF bar tab! First Event: Donation-Based – Come, play, and support the show however you can! Gather your team, sharpen your wits, and let’s make trivia night legendary! Register now and don’t miss out!

Practice Buddhist meditation in the middle of Budapest! The meditation is suitable for beginners. Each regular meditation is guided and begins with a short introduction. (all together is about 30-40 minutes) Our regular Buddhist meditations have proven popular with people who want to integrate authentic Buddhist methods into their daily lives. For the modern lay person who is juggling work, relationships, and an active role in society, we teach a meditation that is easy to learn, and profound and powerful for experienced practitioners. The meditation originates from the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It has a cumulative effect on mind, leading to greater clarity and calmness. Fearlessness, joy, and active compassion are the result of regular practice of Buddhist meditation. * Do I need any special clothing? No special clothing needed. * Does the attendance cost anything? No, the meditation is free.

Csatlakozz hozzánk egy inspiráló estére március 5-én a Lupus Consulting irodájában a 10. Atlassian Community Eseményre, amelyet olyan szakemberek számára szervezünk, akik szeretnék megismerni az ügyfélszolgálat és az eszközmenedzsment legmodernebb megoldásait. Az esemény főbb témái: Customer Service Management (CSM) – Az ügyfélszolgálat jövője Ismerd meg a CSM működését, lehetőségeit és gyakorlati megoldásait Kiss Marcell előadásában. Hatékony eszközmenedzsment Tari Levente bemutatja, hogyan építhetsz fel jól strukturált asset sémákat, valamint hogyan automatizálhatod az eszközobjektumok frissítését és létrehozását a hatékonyabb működés érdekében. Élet az Opsgenie után Betekintést nyerhetsz az Opsgenie migráció kihívásaiba, majd megismerheted az új Jira Service Management (JSM) Operations felületet Salánki Attila izgalmas bemutatója keretében. Networking Kötetlen beszélgetés és közös pizzázás🍕🍺 az előadások témáiról és egyéb izgalmas szakmai lehetőségekről. Program: 16:30–17:00: Regisztráció 17:00–17:10: Köszöntő 17:10–17:30: A Customer Service jövője: Újdonságok, lehetőségek és megoldások Előadó: Kiss Marcell 17:35–17:55: Hatékony Asset kezelés – Asset sémák felépítése, objektumok frissítése és létrehozása automatizmusokkal Előadó: Tari Levente 18:00–18:30: Pizzázás🍕 18:30–18:50: Élet az Opsgenie után – migrációs kihívások és az új JSM Operations felület bemutatása Előadó: Salánki Attila 📍 Helyszín: Lupus Consulting iroda Ne hagyd ki ezt a remek lehetőséget, hogy kapcsolatba lépj hasonló gondolkodású szakemberekkel, és lépéselőnybe kerülj a szakmádban. Biztosítsd a helyed most, és légy részese a jövőbe vezető izgalmas útnak! 🚀 Agenda --- Speakers Attila Salánki - Lupus Consulting (Atlassian Consultant) Marcell Kiss - Lupus Consulting (Atlassian Consultant) Levente Tari - Lupus Consulting (Atlassian Consultant) Hosted By Attila Gaspar [META-INF], Community Leader Ernszt-Galamb Eszter, Marketing specialist Ágnes Ignáth, Community Champion & Atlassian Consultant --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. Partner Lupus Consulting (https://lupusconsulting.com/hu) --- For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-budapest-presents-10th-budapest-ace-tavaszi-atlassian-community-esemeny/.

Every Saturday at 8:00 PM, we gather in the city to share languages, cultures, and conversations. [[Click this whatsapp groupchat link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CGM1Jm8JfNS291xA1zMobk) ] Our group is made up of friendly 20s–30s people — locals, expats, and travelers alike — who come together to meet new people and explore different ways of thinking. Whether you’re new to Budapest or call it home, this meetup is your chance to connect in a relaxed, open-minded space. Join us to swap stories, practice new languages, and build genuine friendships across cultures.

**Celebrate yourself, your path, and your power. Let's bloom together! Hello Budapest! 🌷** Traditional International Women’s Day can often feel like a quick gesture. At the **Women’s Coffee Network**, we believe you deserve more than just a polite nod. You deserve a space to be seen, heard and celebrated for the professional journey you are on. For our **March 8th Special Edition** in Budapest, we are hosting a curated circle designed to anchor our intentions and empower our collective growth. **What makes this edition special?** Within the high-quality connections we usually create, this time we'll be using thematic design tools specifically designed for this day. These prompts set focus on **Female Empowerment**, reclaiming our unique strengths and visualizing our futures for the year ahead. **Your Ticket includes** * **Facilitated Circle:** An intimate, 2-hour soft guided session to build genuine professional and social bridges. * **Empowerment Collection:** First access to our new thematic design tool. * **Seasonal Surprise:** Every lady at the table will receive a curated gift to take home (a living symbol of your growth and grounding this spring). **Important Details** 🕒 **When:** Sunday, March 8th 📍 **Where:** Budapest. A secret, cozy café (to be revealed to participants a few days before the event). 💜 Seats are strictly limited for this special tribute. 👉 To secure your spot, please [grab your ticket here.](https://luma.com/644u3b7w) \-\-\- **🛡️ Our Private Circle** To maintain a safe and transparent environment for our members, this is a dedicated space for women and those identifying as female. We kindly require all participants to have a full name and a clear face photo on their profile. Requests that do not meet these criteria will be declined to ensure our members' privacy and comfort.

This is a **paid** and **Women only** event! In honor of International ***Women’s Day (8th of March)***, we celebrate not only strength and success, but also resilience — the quiet, powerful kind that lives in every woman’s story. Every scar, every lesson, and every woman who continues to rise — stronger, wiser, and beautifully whole. ***Kintsugi*** dates back to the 15th century and means “joining with gold” in Japanese. A broken object (ceramic) is glued together with lacquer and then the seams are covered with gold. Wabi Sabi, related to Kintsugi, is the philosophy of embracing our flaws and life’s fragility. During the workshop, we will go through the various processes of Kintsugi – breaking, grinding, joining, gluing, gilding – thereby we will also see our own vulnerability on the path to becoming whole. **Leading the workshop:** Jennifer Nyerki (Art and Sociotherapist) **Date:** Saturday 7 March 2026 - 09:30-13:30 **Location:** 7th district **Fee:** 15,000 HUF via bank transfer only! **No drop-ins!** **To register, send an email to thearttofreedom@gmail.com** **What is art therapy?** Art therapy is a self-development tool that uses creative expression for emotional awareness and personal growth. The field of Art Therapy is diverse, with each branch having its own area of expertise - visual arts, movement, dance, music, and drama..etc The focus is not on the final artwork, but on the journey and what it reveals. Important: This is not an art workshop or an art course. The workshop does not qualify and does not replace psychotherapy but is a meaningful addition to the self discovery journey. Furthermore, it is not recommended for those undergoing neurological or psychiatric treatment. **What to expect:** \- no prior artistic skills or experience required \- express and explore emotions freely \- process over outcome \- experience a supportive and inspiring environment\, the collective energy of the group can deepen personal reflection and foster a sense of belonging **Cancellation Policy:** \- Full refund for cancellations made more than 7 days before the workshop\. \- 50% refund for cancellations made within 7 days of the workshop\. \- Registrations may be transferred to another person with prior notice\. \- No refunds for no\-shows\. \- Full refund if rescheduled/cancelled due to the organiser\.

**Warm weather is here — let’s walk & talk!** We’re launching our **first Kerek Perec event**: a relaxed walk around Budapest to discover Kolodko mini statues while practising Hungarian in real-life situations. We’re a Hungarian language club, and this event is all about moving, chatting, and learning together in a friendly, easy-going way for all levels. Details in the event description More details and registration: [https://www.facebook.com/kerekperecklub](https://www.facebook.com/kerekperecklub) [https://cooltix.hu/event/69a47b5814570ed311f49ec9](https://cooltix.hu/event/69a47b5814570ed311f49ec9)

Love reading & self-reflection? Join us for silent reading, writing, discussion and being tied to a char (rope not included) Do you love reading and self-reflection, but struggle to find the time or place for it? Join us! We promise to tie you to a chair until you finish reading (rope not included). But seriously: if you want a cozy space to read, write, reflect, and share with others, bring your favorite book **(novel, non-fiction, etc.—any genre is welcome!)** and join us. You can bring a hard copy or an e-book in any language, or you can just focus on writing if that’s more your style. This is a safe, welcoming space—feel free to share your thoughts and approach others with kindness. **How the Event Works:** * **Introductions:** We’ll start with a quick round to say hello and get settled. * **Reading & Writing (40 minutes):** Time to dive into your book or write in silence. We will provide paper and pens if you want to take notes! * **Discussion (Until 6:00 PM):** We'll spend the rest of our time discussing the ideas and thoughts from our books and mingling. **The discussion will be held in English.** *The event itself is free, but please support the venue by getting yourself a nice slice of cake, tea, or hot chocolate while we hang out.* ⏱️ **Time:** 15:00-18:00 📍 **Location:** V51 Café, Budapest, Mester u. 9, 1095 🗣️ **Language:** English 📸 **Please note:** By attending the event, you consent to photos being taken of you and used for promotional purposes.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \(English version below\) \-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Tanulj meg tangózni 2 óra alatt – még akkor is, ha soha nem táncoltál!** Fedezd fel Dél-Amerika legbensőségesebb és legszenvedélyesebb táncát, az argentin tangót – egy különleges élményt, ahol a mozdulat és az ölelés találkozik. Ez a workshop pont neked szól, ha mindig is szerettél volna táncolni, de nem tudtad, hol kezdd el. * Kezdőknek is ideális – semmilyen előképzettség nem kell * Partner nélkül is jöhetsz – ott párosítunk * Már az első óra végére tudsz táncolni egy tangót **Mit ad neked ez a 2 óra?** * Megtanulod a tangó alapjait, miközben megtapasztalod: * milyen érzés valakivel egy ritmusra lélegezni, * hogyan ad önbizalmat a mozgás, * és hogyan kapcsol össze két embert egy ölelés. A workshop után azonnal csatlakozhatsz rendszeres tangótanfolyamainkhoz, így lépésről lépésre fejlődhetsz tovább. **Dátum:** Márc. 8. (vasárnap) – 18:30–20:30 **Helyszín:** Budapest, Andrássy út 35. **Ár:** 9.000 Ft – **elővételben 6.000 Ft,** **ha előző napig befizeted.** **Regisztrálj most!** [https://tangolibre.hu/intenziv-tango-tanfolyam/](https://tangolibre.hu/intenziv-tango-tanfolyam/) ///////////////////////////////////////////// **Learn to dance tango in just 2 hours – even if you’ve never danced before!** Discover South America’s most intimate and passionate dance – the Argentine tango. An experience where movement meets connection, and every embrace tells a story. This workshop is perfect for you if you’ve always wanted to dance but never knew where to start. * Ideal for absolute beginners – no previous experience required * No partner needed – we’ll match you up during the class * By the end of the first hour, you’ll already be dancing your first tango * **What will these 2 hours give you?** * You’ll learn the basics of tango while discovering: * how movement builds confidence, * and how an embrace can connect two people beyond words. After the workshop, you can immediately join our regular tango courses and continue your journey step by step. **Date:** March 8 (Sunday) – 18:30–20:30 **Venue:** Budapest, Andrássy út 35. **Price:** 9,000 HUF – **early-bird 6,000 HUF if paid by the day before.** **Frequently Asked Questions** I don’t have a dance partner – can I still come? \- Yes\! Most participants come alone\, and we’ll pair you up during the workshop\. I’ve never danced before – will I feel lost? \- Not at all\. This workshop was created exactly for you\. We teach step by step\, so even complete beginners can enjoy immediate success\. What should I wear? \- Comfortable clothes that allow free movement and smooth\-soled shoes\. That’s all you need\! **Instructors** Szeghalmi Endre & Serbán Andrea : [https://tangolibre.hu/en/intensive-tango-workshop/](https://tangolibre.hu/en/intensive-tango-workshop/)

Sziasztok tangósok, kedves Tanítványaink! Ez a praktika kifejezetten nektek szól, és a fő célja a gyakorlás: hogy legyen idő és tér a tanult lépések, technikák és kombinációk elmélyítésére. Lesz lehetőség falatozni, beszélgetni és együtt tölteni egy tartalmas vasárnap délutánt. Ha szeretnétek, hozzatok magatokkal egy kis harapnivalót vagy italt, amit szívesen megosztanátok a többiekkel – mi is készülünk finomságokkal. 📅 Mikor: 2026. március 8., vasárnap, 16:00–18:00 📍 Helyszín: Roxy Studio – Tátra u. 4. Hozzájárulás: 3000 Ft 👉 Tango Libre bérlettel: 2000 Ft Várunk szeretettel, Andi és Endre ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Tango Libre Practica This practica is a wonderful opportunity to refine your technique, deepen what you’ve learned in class, and spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon dancing together. There will be time to enjoy snacks, chat, and of course dance a lot. ✨ Feel free to bring small snacks or drinks to share with others — we’ll also prepare some treats! 📅 When: Saturday, March 8 • 16:00–18:00 📍 Venue: Roxy Studio – Tátra utca 4. Contribution: 3000 HUF 👉 with a valid Tango Libre pass: 2000 HUF See you soon, Andi and Endre

Join us as we get together for a CMG-favorite event, the OSCAR PARTY AND RED CARPET BASH at the Drexel Theatre! The highlight of the movie year live on the big screen always makes for a fun and memorable evening! Here are details for this event: WHAT TO EXPECT: This year’s ceremony will be hosted once again by Conan O’Brien. In addition to the Oscars on the big screen, your ticket includes a Meal Deal from the Drexel’s new food partner Newfangled Kitchen (I’m checking on vegetarian/vegan options) along with unlimited popcorn and sodas, a free box of candy, and your first beer, wine or specialty drink on the house! Also included: Oscar-themed trivia with prizes from local businesses, on-site paparazzi, and the Drexel's Oscar ballot contest with a chance to win a year of free Drexel movies! Plus, the BEST and most FUN way to watch the Oscars with fellow film fans and your CMG friends! ADVANCE TICKETS: General public tickets are $45 but Movie Group Members and their guests get in for just $35! Here’s how to purchase your tickets: \* Option 1 – In Person: You can purchase at the ticket counter anytime during operating hours. Just mention you are with the Columbus Movie Group for the discounted rate. \* Option 2 – Online: If you prefer to purchase online, you can do so by going to the link below and following these instructions: 1. Click the link below. 2. Click the little TICKETS box then click BUY TICKETS. 3. If you are a Drexel Member, you can log in here to receive the Member/Group rate, which is the same. If you are not a Drexel member, click “No” and the $40 Rate will pop up. But, don’t fret. It’s a little hard to find but there’s a “Promotion Code” section on the screen. Click the “Know a Promotion Code?” box, enter “CMG2026” (case sensitive) and submit. Select the appropriate number of tickets in the Discount Rate section and click “Add.” Next “Proceed to Checkout” then “Checkout” and enter your credit card info. There’s a $1.50 online service fee but it’ll save you a trip to the Drexel. (If you don’t already have one, you will need to sign in or create an account first.) Sellout possible so please purchase yours as soon as possible in advance! LINK FOR TICKETS (See Above Instructions): https://prod1.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=373546\~e2e0a350-c626-4e33-bc63-27e983f4aecf&epguid=ab0b2f82-403c-4972-9998-5475e7dcfa0e&mdy=3/15/2026& DRESS: Dressing up for the occasion art of part of the fun! Dress up as much as you like – there will be everything from casual to formal at the event! Or you can go in character as one of this year’s nominated films! ARRIVAL: Doors open for CMG at 5:30pm so that’s when we’ll plan to meet! That’ll give us plenty of time to fill out our Oscar Ballots, pick up some free popcorn, candy, and something to drink, mix, mingle, take some photos, pick up your Newfangled Kitchen Meal Deal, grab a seat in our CMG Reserved Section, then settle in to enjoy the Academy Awards on the Big Screen! PICTURES: We’ll take pics throughout the evening and the Drexel Paparazzi will be on hand as well. We’ll also take a big group photo around 6:40 near the entrance before the show begins. If you happen to take some good shots yourself, be sure to upload them on the Oscar Party Meetup event! RESERVED SEATING: As you enter the theater, the roped off section to the right marked “Reserved” is reserved for you, your guest(s) and the Columbus Movie Group! VEGAN MEALS: As previously mentioned, the food vendor does NOT have a vegan option at this year’s Oscar Party. However, we DO have a solution! I have reached out to several individuals who are affected. If you are a vegan, plan to attend the Oscar Party and did not receive an e-mail from me, please reach out via private message post a note below. I’ll provide details off-line. And while there won’t be a vegan meal option this year, I think we do have a workable solution. And, all other plans are usiness-as-usual: popcorn, sodas, candy, on-site paparazzi, decorations, bar drinks (including your first drink on the house), the Drexel’s Annual Oscar ballot contest, along with the Big Show on the Big Screen and a fun group of Movie Group friends to watch ‘em with! BONUS LINKS: \* COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES: https://deadline.com/lists/2026-oscar-nominations-list/ \* INTERESTING ARTICLE ON RECORDS BROKEN, SUPRISING FACTS AND OSCAR FIRSTS: https://abc7.com/post/oscar-nominations-2026-surprising-facts-nominees-98th-oscars/18448908/ \* SHORT VIDEO MONTAGE OF THIS YEAR’S BEST PICTURE NOMINEES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3abMnrsaUA \* FUN VIDEO OF OSCAR NOMINEES HEARING THEIR NOMINATIONS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6eY1yGQ2aU PARKING: Parking is available along Main Street in front of the theater, on Drexel Avenue, and other nearby side streets. Additional parking is available at the Bexley Municipal Parking Lot (two driveways west of the theatre). LINK: Should be a fun & festive evening and a terrific way to celebrate a great year of movies together! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Join us as we get together to see SIRAT, an Oscar-nominated Best International Film from Spain that follows a father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa. Here’s a description, trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A father, accompanied by his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco while searching for his daughter who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. As their search continues, the journey forces them to confront their own limits. The film is directed by Oliver Laxe and stars Sergi Lopez, Bruno Nunez Arjona and Richard Bellamy. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww-IXHXvS70 BUZZ & ACCLAIM: SIRAT has already won numerous awards, including 4 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, along with the Chicago, Montclair and Toronto International Film Festivals! It also earned a whopping 11 nominations at the 40th Goya Awards, including Best Film and Director, and was nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Sound at this year’s Academy Awards. The film is earning a stellar 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes which calls it “an unforgettable exercise in tension” and “a brutal reminder that the journey can be more important than the destination.” PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and we’ll meet inside the upstairs lobby between 6:40 and 6:50pm. Super Tuesday ticket price is just $6.50 (including online fee)! Advance ticket purchase is advised (via Gateway website preferred). Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event! This one will be a “movie only” event. PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Our March speakers are Molly Gaines and Zack Parrish, co-organizers of the Secular Education Association: They will share their story of how a small group of Ohio parents grew into a national organization tracking released-time religious instruction and other church–state issues in public schools. The presentation will cover SEA’s early wins and hard lessons, what we’re seeing nationally right now, and how local advocates can play a meaningful role in protecting public education. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the landscape — and practical ways to get involved. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Come join us for coffee at Matari Coffee to discuss our March book, "The Enchanted Greenhouse"! Book description: Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium. This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home. But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again. This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Join us as we get together to see Ryan Gosling and Sandra Huller in the highly anticipated sci-fi adventure, PROJECT HAIL MARY! The film is based on the best-selling novel of The Martian and follows a man who awakens on a spacecraft before realizing his mission to save Earth. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A science teacher wakes up on a spaceship, light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission to save the Earth. The film is directed by the filmmaking due Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (21 and 22 Jump Street, Into and Across the Spider-Verse) and is based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir (The Martian). The film stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), Lionel Boyce, Milana Vayntrub and Ken Leung. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VYsnngkS_U MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 2:30pm SuperScreen DLX showing and meet in the lobby area between 2:05 and 2:15pm! Tickets already on sale and will likely move fast for this hot ticket / opening weekend showing so advance ticket purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. As a head’s up, this is a longer movie at 2hrs 36mins. DINNER PLAN: Dinner immediately following the movie at 5:30pm at group favorite, FUGU SUSHI, located just next door! Separate RSVP required for the Dinner / Movie portions of this event. An RSVP here means you're signed up for the MOVIE! This portion will be open as long as seats remain. If you also plan to join for dinner, please also RSVP in the separate event listing for the dinner portion of this event. Should be a good one, Dan