In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika is looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America…In this part, let us continue the adventurous story of Béla Estván, a swindler who pretended to be Hungarian in the US and whose life, built on lies, finally collapsed in Vienna after blackmailing Franz Joseph I.
‘“Perpill” is more than a collection of objects. It is an intellectual and visual experiment that connects the ideals of collective creation with a renewed interpretation of sculptural tradition. The BAGUDA group stands as an exemplary model of how individual artistic vision and communal discourse can strengthen, rather than undermine, one another.’
Hungary marks Border Patrol Day on 27 June, honuoring King Saint Ladislaus, founder of the country’s first patrol force. Unique in Europe, Hungary has led in border protection, notably since 2015. Despite EU pressure and daily fines, it continues efforts to secure its southern border and the EU’s external frontier.
Researchers at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics have created the world’s first monostable tetrahedron—an object that always flips to rest on the same face—potentially transforming spacecraft design and landing systems.
Hungary’s Balaton Park Circuit will host both MotoGP and Superbike World Championship rounds this summer, marking a major milestone for Hungarian motorsport and offering new opportunities to inspire the next generation of riders.
The Zsolnay Light Festival will be held in Pécs between 3 and 6 July this year. Attracting more than 100,000 visitors every year, it has earned its place among Europe’s most prestigious light festivals as the largest light-themed event in Hungary.
The Vera C Rubin Observatory, home to the world’s largest astronomical camera, will begin operations in Chile later this year. The groundbreaking sky survey will run for a decade and include Hungarian researchers contributing to data analysis and software development.
While foreign tourists flock to Budapest, Hungarians head for Lake Balaton in summer. New data from Szallas.hu reveals Siófok as the top domestic destination. Known for its water tower, Ferris wheel, and quirky Upside Down House, the city of Siófok draws the most domestic visitors in Hungary.
‘In short, “…and the livin’ is easy” offers a quiet but compelling meditation on the imperfect nature of modern life. Like the Gershwin song that inspired it, the exhibition wraps discomfort in beauty and irony in charm.’
Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez is set to join Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool, as the current Premier League champions finalize a €46 million deal for the 21-year-old. With that, Kerkez becomes the second most valuable Hungarian footballer in history—after Szoboszlai, who joined Liverpool for €70 million in 2023.
Budapest’s Kiscelli Museum invites visitors to explore the history and cultural impact of telephony with its interactive exhibition ‘Hello? Hello!’, open until 18 January. The show spans from the late 19th century to today with vintage phones, soundscapes, and hands-on features.
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 us look at Béla Estván, who emigrated to the United States in the 1850s. The man of Austrian descent pretended to be Hungarian in order to make it easier for himself to succeed in his new homeland.
‘The Olympic Committee highlights that this arrangement has been carefully coordinated with various sports federations and includes collaborations with local clubs throughout Europe. This cooperative effort not only exemplifies excellent diplomatic relations but also a shared commitment to sports and cultural exchange.’
‘At one point, Benedek remarked that “the communists…have committed many crimes and have a lot of blood on their hands,” just like the Catholic Church—but, he added, at least the Catholics are Christians.’
Ernő Fináczy (1860–1935) was a leading Hungarian educator, historian of pedagogy, and university professor whose work shaped generations of teachers. Rooted in moral philosophy and inspired by Herbart, he emphasized education’s ethical mission and authored landmark works on the history of education still valued today.
Hungarian clubs now know their European opponents: Ferencváros will face either FC Noah (Armenia) or FK Budućnost Podgorica (Montenegro) in Champions League qualifying. In the Europa League, Paks will take on CFR Cluj (Romania), while Puskás Akadémia meet Aris Limassol (Cyprus), and Győr await Tre Fiori (San Marino) or Pyunik (Armenia) in the Conference League.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) will adopt a new performance-based funding model, securing long-term financial support to enhance its engineering, IT, and research capacities as part of a 25-year strategic agreement with the government.
‘Sándor Sík’s life and work exemplify the integration of Christian values with modern educational principles. As a Piarist, poet, and scout leader, he emphasized love, respect, and community in his pedagogy. His contributions to scouting and education fostered moral and community-oriented development in students, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire educators and scouts.’
Three Hungarian universities now rank among the top 2 per cent globally, and 12 in the top 5 per cent, according to the latest international rankings. Despite political tension with the EU, Hungary’s education reforms show measurable academic and research progress.
Visitors interested in military history and technology can explore a wide range of exhibits on 21 June during Hungary’s Night of Museums, from secret WWII encryption tools to modern fighter jets and interactive defence tech displays.
‘Karácsony’s influence extended beyond scouting; he was also a respected teacher and writer. His works often reflected his educational philosophy and his commitment to nurturing the youth. His legacy in Hungarian education and scouting remains significant, as he played a crucial role in shaping the lives of many young people through his innovative approaches and unwavering dedication.’
Political Director for the Prime Minister of Hungary Balázs Orbán and John Mearsheimer, political scientist and Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, got together for a fascinating panel discussion at the Budapest Global Dialogue 2025, where they talked about the possible outcomes of the Russo-Ukrainian war and the differences between realist and liberal foreign policy.
On this day, 53 years ago, on 17 June 1972, five former CIA operatives broke into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. This is the historic scandal known as Watergate that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon two years later, who remains the only POTUS in history to resign from office.
‘Tihany somehow brings peace in every season: it is a joy to see Balaton, to walk around the area, to eat delicious food together, and of course, June gives the biggest joy when you can smell the scent of lavender everywhere. This peninsula is a gem that cannot be explored enough.’
On 15 June 2025, Budapest hosted the forum Positioning Vietnamese Values Abroad in the Digital and Artificial Intelligence Era at the Hungarian Parliament. The event explored how diasporas use AI to preserve national identity and marked a deepening of cultural ties, led by the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe.
In the early 1950s, Hungary’s secret police targeted the Bécsi Kapu Square Lutheran congregation in one of its most extensive church surveillance operations. Despite amateur methods and critical errors, including mistaken identity, the investigation dragged on—highlighting both the paranoia and inefficiency of Rákosi-era state security.
Leonard Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of Estée Lauder Companies and son of founder and legendary business mogul Estée Lauder of Jewish Hungarian ancestry, passed away at 92 on Saturday, 14 June.
Former President Áder János announced the upcoming Planet Budapest 2026 expo while attending an environmental competition awards ceremony, where nearly 1,000 young participants presented sustainability solutions focused on climate and water issues.
The Hungarian historical drama Királytalálkozó (The Riddle Pact) won three awards at the Vegas Movie Awards, marking a major international debut for the film that revisits the legendary 1335 summit of Central European kings.
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 us explore the Kossuth emigration that made such a deep impression on American society that the ‘Hungarian cult’ was still thriving in the United States even more than ten years after the Hungarian governor-president’s tour.