‘The surveillance of the Jewish high school is an exemplary case of the repressive policies of the communist dictatorship, in which innocent, sometimes underage individuals were harassed and monitored in a manner that would be considered a severe violation of rights by today’s standards.’
What does the flame that was lit again on Holy Saturday represent? What does the ember of consecrated fire protect against? Why do we shake apple trees and keychains when the bells ring again? In this article we look at the traditions and customs of Holy Saturday.
‘There seems to be a disparity in the character of Pilate according to the Gospels and that of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37/38–100 AD). While both portray him as a complex man caught in a difficult role in difficult times, Josephus stipulates that he was cruel, disrespectful…The Gospels paint a different picture of the Roman governor, being a fair judge, to name an attribute.’
A thought-provoking publication has been released by the Committee of National Remembrance titled Resisters 1944–45. This particularly beautiful, richly illustrated volume briefly presents the life stories of 104 resistance members, accompanied by the insightful narration of expert historians.
With processions including tableaux, passion plays drawing on the apocryphal tradition, black masses and a re-enactment of the holy sepulchre, the burial of Jesus and the subsequent vigil were part of the popular liturgy, alongside commemorations of his passion and death on the cross.
Artmozi Night returns to Budapest on 17 May with 70 films screened across five arthouse cinemas. From premieres to cult classics, movie lovers can enjoy a full night of cinema, plus a MOL Bubi bike rental coupon with each wristband.
The Mathias Corvinus Collegium and the Hungarian University of Sports Science have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly nurture a new generation of high-performing, resilient leaders through research, shared programmes, and physical development.
Budapest100 returns 24–25 May with a record number of nearly 80 houses and gardens opening to the public. This year’s focus is on green urban spaces, highlighting the vital role that city gardens, courtyards, and parks play in residents’ daily lives.
The Lyrids meteor shower, one of the oldest ever recorded, will peak on 22 April. Skywatchers can expect up to ten meteors per hour at its height, with the best views in the early morning. Some may even spot bright fireballs among the falling stars.
Hungary’s media authority (NMHH) has raised concerns about the credibility of Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report, criticizing its opaque authorship, vague sourcing, and narrow scoring system used to assess global press freedom.
Recirquel’s immersive new production Walk My World is under construction in Budapest’s Millenáris Grand Hall. Opening in November, it blends myth, circus, dance, and cinema into a vast interactive world inspired by the tragic tale of Aeneas and Dido.
‘US policy towards Central Europe is grounded in realism, respect, and renewed engagement,’ US Chargé d’Affaires Robert Palladino emphasized, speaking on US–Central European relations at the Central European Summit, jointly organized by the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation and the Centre for Fundamental Rights in Budapest.
‘Starmer’s failure while in Opposition to defend women’s rights will, I think, be seen by future historians as the beginning of a sea change in British political life.’
During a game between FC DAC 1904 and Slovan Bratislava in the Slovakian football league, the home Slovan fans held up a disparaging banner which referred to Hungary as ‘Mongolia’, along with the message ‘Slovakia is the country of Slovakians and Slovan-fans’. The Dunaszerdahely club has filed an official complaint with the Slovak Football Association (SFZ).
‘The families give our economy its strength,’ Minister of Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó has told the press at a joint press conference with Mária Kopp Institute for Demography and Families (KINCS) President Tünde Fűrész. Minister Hankó highlighted the specific measures and amount of funding of the Hungarian government’s family support policies; as well as what they have achieved thus far.
The number of regular podcast listeners in Hungary has tripled in just three years, and today, two-thirds of the population listens to podcasts with some frequency, according to a new study commissioned by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority.
‘Society thrives as a partnership across generations, with intact families of mothers and fathers raising children as its cornerstone. Post-liberalism taps this spirit and spurns individualism’s drift for a natalism that rebuilds us all. Data screams crisis; incentives like tax credits and vouchers answer it…Hungary’s incentives and Florida’s successes offer a starting point.’
Hungarian research astronaut Tibor Kapu and his backup, Gyula Cserényi, have successfully completed NASA’s astronaut training, marking a significant step forward for Hungary’s HUNOR programme and their upcoming mission to the International Space Station.
After 75 years, Japan is once again hosting the world for six months, as Expo 2025 Osaka opened its gates to visitors over the weekend. The Hungarian Pavilion, inaugurated by Minister for National Economy Márton Nagy on Sunday, offers a deep dive into Hungarian culture and innovation, with the potential to give a significant boost to the country’s growing tourism sector.
‘Borsa first came to the attention of state security in 1960, and from 1962 onward, he became a target of internal counterintelligence under the code name “Milliomos” (Millionaire). Initially, he was monitored within the group file titled “Együttműködők” (The Collaborators), and later a personal file was opened on him.’
‘It goes without saying that the House of Árpád is the first Hungarian dynasty of rulers. But is this statement really so self-evident?…we cannot rule out the possibility that princes by descent existed already before Levedi. The Árpád and Hungarian attributes, however, deserve some deeper reflection.’
‘Technology is rapidly revolutionizing warfare, fundamentally changing the circumstances in which conflicts unfold. With modern drones and artificial intelligence, a paradigm shift is taking place that fundamentally rewrites our concepts of war. The battlefield no longer necessarily requires human presence…The era of self-sacrificing captains is disappearing, if not already gone.’
‘The emergence of critical historiography, regardless of religious affiliation, from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries onwards, “lifted the veil” on the previously much-appreciated campaign and its leader. Eminent historians read the contemporary chroniclers who were dissatisfied with the King’s departure and reassessed the campaign led by Andrew accordingly.’
‘At the latest event of the Speaker Series organized by the New York Young Republicans Club (NYYRC), Hungarian Minister of Culture and Innovation Prof. Dr. Balázs Hankó spoke about the significant roles that culture, technology, and diplomatic engagements play in shaping Hungary’s international standing and domestic growth…’
Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia has announced that his government coalition is proposing a new amendment to the Slovakian Constitution which would dictate that only two genders, male and female, are recognized by the country’s government. This is a very similar amendment that Hungary added to its Fundamental Law in December 2020.
To mark the 75th anniversary of Greater Budapest’s formation, the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library is launching a 14-part discussion series across former towns and villages that joined the capital in 1950, exploring the social and cultural impact of unification.
A pilot project showcasing urban-level applications of artificial intelligence has launched in Miskolc. The initiative will focus on boosting the economy, improving education, developing digital skills, and enhancing tourism through AI solutions.
Recently, an image of a triangular picnic table in the Rajka Statue Park at the Hungary–Austria–Slovakia border, which has each of its three chairs located in a different country, has garnered quite a bit of attention on X.
Hungarian Minister for Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó held talks with Harvard and Yale leaders to expand joint academic programmes, highlighting Hungary’s reformed higher education system and scholarship opportunities for transatlantic cooperation.
‘Thanks to the strong relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Orbán, there is real space—on the ground, in government, in business, and among ordinary citizens—to build something meaningful,’ US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Robert Palladino remarked during a discussion on US–Hungary relations with President of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs Gladden Pappin.