Altogether at least 700,000 Hungarians were taken to the Soviet Union by force to work in the infamous labour camps of the country. One third of these men and women never returned—and those who did, never received any compensation from Hungary’s Communist government.

Fears of the escalation of the conflict are mounting as Serbia and Kosovo are unable to reach a consensus on the disputed Serbia-issued car number plates.

While it is highly unlikely that Ukraine will join the EU anytime soon, should Kyiv become a member state, it will be one of the poorest, with only one-ninth of the EU’ average GDP per capita.

The French Senate has recently adopted a non-binding resolution that calls for the recognition of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. In response, Baku has threatened to cut gas supplies to Europe.

Budapest was unified on 17 November 1873, and in the decades that followed the capital went through remarkable development, becoming the beautiful city that we know today.

178 years ago, Hungarian became the official language of the country.

John C. Swanson’s book Tangible Belonging provides not only a rare insight into the life of German-speaking villagers in Hungary, but also into the complexity of ethnic identity and interwar minority formation.

While Eastern and Western Germany do converge with the passing of time, as values are transmitted from generation to generation, the ‘shadow’ of Communism is here to stay for decades to come.

The renovation of the interior of Hungary’s iconic Parliament building is set to begin soon, to restore its original splendour worn out by long use.

All empires and major powers have a strong sense of their own exceptionality, so criticizing Russia in that regard is not reasonable.

Today, on the Day of Hungarian Science, we not only celebrate the achievements of individual Hungarian scientists, but also the accomplishments of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences that was founded in 1825 at Count Széchenyi’s initiative.

A couple of days ago the residents of Budapest were pleasantly surprised when they realised that at least one of the lion statues of the Chain Bridge undergoing renovation had been reinstalled—or rather, temporarily replaced by a replica made from Lego bricks.

In the last days of World War I, dissatisfied soldiers in Budapest revolted against the establishment, demanding Hungary’s independence and democratisation. Their uprising, the Aster Revolution is known to be the only successful Hungarian revolution.

505 years after Martin Luther published his Ninety-five Theses the Reformation remains one of the pillars of European cultures and societies.

Today Hungary remembers the heroes of the Revolution and Freedom Fight of 1956. The events of the revolution are a testimony to Hungary’s thirst for freedom and self-governance, but also to its vulnerability to the world order.

The Herm of St Ladislaus is the most valuable piece of medieval Hungarian metalsmithing and an important symbol of nationhood.

While some believe that communism ‘fell’ in 1989, over one billion people still live under Communist dictatorship in China. The best way to understand the logic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as well as the recent National Congress of the CCP, is to study Marxism-Leninism.

Some 30 years ago, István Bibó was looked upon as one of the most influential Hungarian political scientists. Unfortunately, he has been largely forgotten since—so perhaps it is time to rediscover him.

Benedictine monks first settled at the place we now know as Pannonhalma in 996. Today, after well over a thousand years, the monastery is still a vibrant religious community as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With its magnificent views of Lake Balaton, the fragrance of lavender oil and the physical presence of ancient history, breathtakingly beautiful Tihany still captures the imagination of its visitors.

While the Polish October enabled Poland to support Hungary in its revolutionary struggle, Budapest was inspired by Poland to revolt.

Do humans need beauty in their lives? In his BBC documentary, Roger Scruton argues that we do, and that as modern society loses beauty, we risk losing the meaning of life, too.

One of the world’s most famous and popular magicians and illusionists is Hungarian-born American Harry Houdini, whose death-defying acts are watched with great amazement even today.

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang gives the readers not only an insight into 20th-century Chinese history, but it also powerfully speaks of human bravery and dedication to truth in the darkest hours of history.

In just two decades, Mihály Munkácsy emerged from starvation into being one of the most renowned artists of his time, enriching Hungarian art with a multitude of exceptional paintings.

One of the foundational paintings of Hungarian national imagination is the Arrival of the Hungarians by Árpád Feszty.

There is growing concern that the overuse of the term ‘genocide’ may devalue it. Clearly defining what genocide means is crucial to prevent it from being used as a validation of every kind of victimhood.

Central planning is not viable because it can never collect enough information about the market to optimally coordinate economic interactions. It is also a path that may lead to a totalitarian state.

With 1.5 billion people still living under Communist dictatorships, viewing the collapse of the USSR as the end of the horrors of Communism is misguided. The Victims of Communism Museum in Washington D.C., opened this summer with financial contribution from the Hungarian government, is a powerful reminder of the danger that Communism poses.

6 October is a National Day of Mourning in Hungary remembering the Thirteen Martyrs of Arad who made the ultimate sacrifice for Hungary’s freedom and independence after the defeat of the 1848–49 Revolution and Freedom Fight.