István Kovács from Nagykároly (Carei), Romania, will be officiating this year’s UCL final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale. He is the fourth ethnic Hungarian to referee the premier European club competition’s final, after Károly Palotai (twice, in 1976 and 1981), Sándor Puhl (1997), and, most recently, Viktor Kassai (2011).
HungaroControl projects an 8–15 per cent increase in Hungarian air traffic for 2025, with this summer likely to break all-time records. New technologies, staff reinforcements, and safety upgrades aim to ensure a smooth and delay-free travel season.
Hungary is setting its sights on the stars once again with a major national mission: to send a Hungarian astronaut to the International Space Station for scientific research—45 years after the first Hungarian ventured into space.
The Hungarian Ministry of Defence has symbolically adopted two lynxes at the Budakeszi Wildlife Park—linking military identity with nature conservation and education, while highlighting parallels between wildlife and the army’s modern Lynx combat vehicles.
The Washington Post recently ran an article in which it details how LGBT pride march organizers in the United States are facing major gaps in their budgets for this year’s events, as corporate funding has significantly slowed under the second Trump administration.
The 21st March of Life took place in Budapest on Sunday, with participants walking from the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial to the Várkert Bazaar. This year’s commemoration was marked by a somber reflection on current threats to Jewish communities worldwide.
Hungarian animated documentary Pelikan Blue, directed by László Csáki, won Best Feature Film at the 32nd Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, marking another international success for the nostalgic, real-life story of freedom and forgery.
‘Rasso (also known as Rath) comes from the world of legend, as the Bavarian leader who repeatedly defeated the Hungarians and who, at the end of his life, went on a pilgrimage and founded a monastery…his tomb became a popular pilgrimage site even without official canonization, with a register of miracles kept between 1444 and 1728 recording more than 12,000 miraculous healings.’
‘The name “Leo” is a name rooted in tradition. The first Pope Leo, St. Leo the Great, who reigned from 440 to 461, was a contemporary of St. Augustine of Hippo and is known for his zeal for the unity of the Church and orthodoxy, as well as his affirmation of the Petrine primacy and the restoration of ecclesiastical discipline.’
‘At the next meeting, the recruit brought 35 names, but aside from the list, he provided no descriptions of them whatsoever—even their ages were given only approximately. For some, he didn’t even write out the full name.’
As global urbanization and demographic shifts reshape societies, generational labels like Gen Z and Baby Boomer attempt to explain cultural divides. Yet these terms often fail to capture the complex, region-specific forces shaping identity, values, and social behaviour in an increasingly interconnected world.
‘This is the essence and political aim of cancel culture that the Democratic Party has carefully crafted. Silence dissenters, promote only the ideas we agree with, and destroy everything else. The result is an anti-intellectual culture of citizens, either unwilling or too afraid to listen to or immerse themselves with ideas they may initially disagree with.’
In Hungary, students take a so-called ‘érettségi’ (maturity) exam at the end of their high school education, which serves as both their SAT and GED in the American context. These exams take place in early May every year—students are taking their exams as we are writing this article.
On Transport Culture Day this Sunday, BKV and the Hungarian Transport Association invite visitors to the Szentendre Urban Public Transport Museum for a free event featuring simulators, rare vehicles, and educational programmes highlighting safe and sustainable mobility.
‘As Alasdair MacIntyre warned in After Virtue (1981), when moral language collapses, only emotion remains. Uncomfortable Truths is a call to restore clarity and courage. Travis Brown’s film reminds us that resisting falsehood begins not with outrage, but with the quiet strength to speak truth when it is most unwelcome.’
Visit Hungary has shared that the 5 millionth foreign tourist of the year arrived in Hungary on 6 May, which is the earliest date to cross that milestone on record. Overall, there has been a 6 per cent increase in the number of foreign tourists year-on-year.
Hungarian schools must now display information about the NMHH’s Internet Hotline, helping students and families report harmful online content. The initiative aims to expand awareness of the service through posters and digital resources in institutions.
Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday night, signalling that the first round of voting in the papal conclave failed to elect a new leader for the Catholic Church. Thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square to witness the outcome.
From 22–24 May, the 9th Night of Artefacts Festival will offer over 100 programmes at 70 locations in Budapest, giving visitors rare access to restoration labs, artist studios, and science-themed exhibitions blending art with innovation.
‘Talentum Hungaricum is not merely a talent programme, but a cultural mission: its goal is to present and preserve Hungarian musical and dance traditions, while also making them attractive to younger generations and international audiences in a modern form.’
Former President János Áder emphasized the importance of showing not only environmental problems but also solutions, as the 10th Planet Lens International Nature Photo and Film Festival prepares to showcase global perspectives on biodiversity and ecological change.
‘From India to Tunisia, Madagascar to Sri Lanka, young scholars are engaging with Hungarian institutions to address global challenges. Hungary’s higher education and research communities are increasingly international—a quiet but real testament to the enduring value of Hungarian academic and cultural diplomacy.’
‘Kornis’s approach to education reform reflected his belief that the state had a moral obligation to cultivate civic virtues and a sense of community among its citizens. His influence extended to the establishment of rural schools, which sought to bridge the educational divide between urban and rural Hungary, thereby strengthening national cohesion.’
‘The Fundamental Law of 2011 defines 2 May 1990 as the reinstatement of the sovereign status of Hungary, which was broken by the German occupation on 19 March 1944 and continued by the Soviets when they soon invaded and, in turn, Sovietized the country.’
‘Having chosen to both forgo the traditional papal attire of his predecessors and to take up residence at the Casa Santa Marta—the five star hotel within the Vatican City walls—instead of the papal palace, Francis presented himself as a populist pope—or, as he was characterized after he died, the “people’s pope”—, vowing to drain the swamp of corruption in the Holy See and revolutionize the Church.’
1 May, known as International Workers’ Day, is recognized worldwide—but its roots reach far beyond modern labour movements. From ancient fertility rituals to mass protests for workers’ rights, the date carries a layered, often contradictory legacy.
‘In Hungary, unique master narratives have emerged over the centuries that live with us to this day. We can run into them everywhere in the most diverse segments of life: in culture, in education, even in politics. What exactly does the term master narrative mean and why is it so crucial to our lives and identities? What are the defining Hungarian master narratives?’
American conservative author Rod Dreher joined the Danube Institute’s new podcast, where he shared personal insights into his long-standing friendship with JD Vance and discussed the recently premiered documentary based on his 2020 book Live Not by Lies.
A new website launched for the Buda Castle District offers visitors an interactive and user-friendly way to explore the historic area, complete with cultural programs, maps, ticketing options, and personalized recommendations in both Hungarian and English.
Players, coaches, agents, sporting directors, scouts, and many more from the world of football gathered to share their respective expertise and exchange ideas about the game at the third annual Football Forum Hungary, held at the Gruopama Arena, home of reigning Hungarian champions Ferencváros, in Budapest. The Hungarian capital will also be hosting the UEFA Champions League Final next year.