At the closing day of the fifth MCC Feszt, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned of a new migratory threat while criticizing the EU’s war footing and leadership failings. From youth engagement to digital strategy, Orbán outlined Hungary’s key challenges ahead of the 2026 election—while calling for national resilience.
At MCC Feszt 2025 in Hungary, climate change sceptic Michael Shellenberger argued that fears over climate change are exaggerated, citing falling emissions and positive environmental trends. He and fellow panellists Leonardo Orlando and Liliana Smiech have criticized modern environmentalism as a pseudo-religion driven by fear and elite self-interest.
‘These Hungarians were among the luckier individuals in Europe. No less than 800 Westerners and Japanese were trucked to strategic locations in Kuwait to serve as human shields. At the same time, thousands of other expats were not allowed to leave the country until almost the end of 1990, when all were released after living on the edge for months.’
The UK’s two-party system is crumbling, argued panellists at MCC Feszt 2025, where Dominic Cummings declared that the Conservatives are ‘finished’. Joined by Mick Hume and Jacob Reynolds, he explored how Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, might upend the old order and take control of the state from entrenched bureaucracies.
Hungary’s Hubert Kós claimed gold in the 200-metre backstroke on Friday at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, setting a new European record of 1:53.19. The 22-year-old outpaced a stacked field in a dramatic finish, adding a second medal to his tally at this year’s championships.
At MCC Feszt 2025 in Esztergom, panellists Patrick Deneen, Chad Pecknold, Gladden Pappin, and István Kiss discussed whether we are living in a post-liberal age. They argued that liberalism is collapsing under its own contradictions, while Hungary’s national policy offers a compelling alternative grounded in tradition, family, and sovereignty.
Budapest Central European Fashion Week kicks off on 1 September, showcasing nearly 100 designers from seven countries. This year, fresh graduates from Hungarian design universities also debut, marking a milestone for next-gen fashion in the region.
Ferencváros beat the Armenian champions FC Noah 4–3 at home, thus 6–4 on aggregate, and have advanced to the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, where they will face the Bulgarian side Ludogorets. Paks and ETO FC Győr have also made it through in their respective ties in the UEFA Conference League; however, Puskás Akadémia have been eliminated.
During the opening panel of MCC Feszt 2025 on Thursday, Balázs Orbán declared that the European Commission had betrayed European citizens by accepting the humiliating terms of the US–EU trade deal and that Ursula von der Leyen should resign. Joined by Patrick Deneen and James Orr, the panellists explored the prospects of a world beyond liberalism.
The city has been working continuously on the restoration of Fülek Castle since 2003. In addition to restoring the castle’s historical buildings, the municipality has also built completely new infrastructure for tourists, including a parking lot and public toilets.
This weekend marks the 40th Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix at a revamped Hungaroring. With McLaren dominating the season, Budapest is bracing for a high-stakes race that blends history, modern upgrades, and the sport’s fiercest rivalries.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised Hungary for setting a global example with the renovation of the Hungaroring, calling the government’s investment and commitment a model for others during an exclusive interview ahead of the 40th Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hungarian wineries continue to enhance their global reputation through dedication, innovation, and tradition. The Ministry of Agriculture awarded St Andrea Winery the prestigious Winery of the Year title for its long-standing excellence and family-driven legacy.
‘We are no longer living in an age where mere export promotion or trade fairs are sufficient to stimulate economic growth. What Germany lacks is strategic positioning in a geopolitical context that has dramatically changed. That is where we step in. BWA Global Economic Network is Germany’s only institutional framework that consistently thinks in terms of economic diplomacy…’
Train services at Budapest’s Keleti Railway Station will be suspended from 25 August to 20 September for a major renovation project. The month-long closure will involve rerouted services, replacement buses, and extended travel times.
Esztergom will once again host MCC Feszt, one of Hungary’s most prominent intellectual festivals, kicking off Thursday with a diverse mix of public debates, lectures, and concerts. Headliners include Peter Thiel, Sebastian Kurz, and Dominic Cummings, with nearly 50,000 visitors expected, according to MCC Director General Zoltán Szalai.
Despite recent media speculation, the Hungarian government has confirmed that mothers raising four or more children will continue to receive full income tax exemption, with no changes to eligibility or scope, the Ministry for National Economy announced Monday.
The US fast-food chain Wendy’s is reportedly seeking Hungarian franchise partners as it plans to return to the country after a 23-year absence. Wendy’s first entered the Hungarian market in 1994, operating up to seven restaurants at its peak, but exited in 2002 due to financial difficulties.
Coming off the box office disaster that was Disney’s new Snow White, Rachel Zegler could hardly get any new film roles in the United States. She did get cast in a London production of the musical Evita—however, at one of the shows last week, she had to abruptly leave during intermission for mysterious reasons.
Former President János Áder advocates for using food waste as biogas or insect feed to fight environmental damage and improve sustainability in Europe’s food supply. Hungarian firm Agroloop’s insect protein technology may offer a scalable solution.
‘Every industrial revolution—and we are in the midst of a new one led by the tech aristocracy—goes through motions that breed new speech and social contracts…The real lesson from this debate is for the new tech-right aristocracy to figure out how they want to wield their power to achieve that equilibrium.’
‘According to Zsanett, it is time to let go of romantic notions about indigenous life. Many Amazonian communities no longer have a mystical connection to nature…It’s quite astonishing that the woman who once learned traditional knowledge from Don Fidel and the others is now the one teaching it to the village’s children and adults.’
In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika is looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America, from penniless peasants to political emigrants and soldiers of fortune. In this part, let’s look at the adventurous life of Sándor Asbóth, a Hungarian emigrant, who came to a tragic end.
The 2025–2026 season of the Hungarian football league has just started: Újpest FC beat Diósgyőr 3–1 at home in the first game, with a great performance from Újpest striker Krisztofer Horváth.
At Tusványos 2025, leaders of Hungarian communities gathered to discuss ethnic minority rights, diaspora engagement, and regional geopolitics. From Ukraine’s demographic crisis to Serbia’s improving ties with Hungary, the National Policy Roundtable highlighted shared struggles and progress, featuring Deputy Prime Ministers Zsolt Semjén of Hungary and Barna Tánczos of Romania.
A united European army remains an illusion, argued Hungarian and regional experts at Tusványos. Citing historical, political, and structural obstacles, panellists instead urged member states to focus on NATO, develop national defence industries, and prepare for a shifting global security landscape.
‘But even if the numbers were accurate, one must ask: Is high consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs really something Hungary should aspire to? And this leads us to another fundamental weakness of the AIC indicator: it assumes that all consumption is inherently good.’
Szeged’s Botanical Garden welcomes visitors this weekend with the Lotus Days festival, showcasing Central Europe’s largest blooming Indian lotus population alongside a colourful mix of Asian music, dance, crafts, and cultural programmes.
Hungary’s quest to make history in men’s water polo fell just short, as the national team lost 15–13 to Spain in the World Aquatics final in Singapore. Despite a late-game lead, Zsolt Varga’s squad could not hold off the reigning European champions. A win would have secured Hungary a record fifth world title—cementing its legacy as water polo’s undisputed giant.
Former US Ambassador to Hungary has published an opinion piece in The New York Times, comparing the supposed authoritarian power grab by President Trump to that of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary—certainly not the first such piece in a Western mainstream media publication. Bryan Leib has responded.