The EU plans to end all Russian gas and LNG imports by 2027, aiming to cut financial support for Russia and boost energy security. Measures target gas, oil, and nuclear imports, with national decoupling plans required. Hungary faces major costs—up to €3 billion—for refinery upgrades, infrastructure, and contract exits, though EU funds may offer partial relief.
In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika will be looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America, from penniless peasants to political emigrants and soldiers of fortune. To start with, here is the story of a turn-of-the-century emigrant, whose words help us understand the goals, dreams, and plans with which Hungarians set out for America back in the day.
‘This does not ruin the research activities of “Lantos” in his civilian life, nor does it detract from his achievements as a historian. It merely points to the fact that even the most prominent public figures were sometimes “found” by state security, and some of them, for one reason or another, said yes to collaboration—even if the candidate was Jewish and the target was the State of Israel.’
‘As András Szöllősi-Nagy emphatically states, their task and goal is nothing less than “to justify the existing cultural continuity in Europe, which the terrible dictatorships of the last century could not break by any kind of prohibition or eradication. What drives us is to prove, through art, that this region, Central Europe, has always been part of European culture, and vice versa.”’
Hungarian artist Endre Kecső brings ancient myths to life at Nagyházi Contemporary with Aphrodisias, on view until 31 May. Inspired by the sacred city devoted to Aphrodite, the exhibition explores themes of love, fertility, and inner transformation through bold, symbolic paintings that bridge the gap between classical spirituality and contemporary art.
‘There are plenty of [contemporary] artists at home who are prepared and would otherwise fit in with the trend, but as it costs a lot to bring and keep their work here, [they] cannot really be present…they would rather have it in their portfolio that their work was out in New York.’
The 18th National Gallop kicks off with preliminary races this weekend in Serbia’s Subotica and Hungary’s Őcsény. Riders from across Hungary and neighbouring regions will compete for a place in the finals, set for 4–5 October in Szilvásvárad.
Budapest’s transport company BKK plans to introduce ‘school streets’ near educational institutions, restricting car traffic during drop-off and pick-up times to create a safer and cleaner environment for children, parents, and staff.
Carte Rouge, a 2024 historical drama by Hungarian director Sándor Gerebics, premieres in Los Angeles on May 31 at the Meryl Streep Center. Set after WWI, it follows Hungary’s fight to preserve its borders at the Paris peace talks. The event includes a panel with the director, cast, and screenwriter, hosted by Hungary’s Consulate in LA.
During his first public discussion since the conclave in early May, Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő shared insights on both the late Pope Francis and the new pontiff, Leo XIV. According to him, Francis had a special bond with Hungary and believed that it is a country of faith.
CPAC Hungary 2025 will be taking place on 29–30 May at the Budapest Congress Center, just one week from now. The confirmed speakers include famed American political commentators Ben Shapiro and Dave Rubin, as well as Member of the Spanish Congress of Deputies for the right-wing populist Vox party Santiago Abascal.
‘Additionally, there is significant potential to increase the export of Uzbek goods to the Hungarian market in product categories that are in demand in Hungary…This would help diversify Uzbekistan’s export structure and more fully realize the existing trade potential between the two countries.’
Budapest Zoo has lifted all restrictions imposed in March due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Visitors can once again enter the petting zoo and walk among the animals on the popular Australian Walk pathway.
Hungarian animation is making a major splash at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, launching the first English-language industry site, Hunimation.com, and debuting a new trailer showcasing 75 works from 24 studios.
‘The development of transit corridors and the implementation of joint logistics infrastructure projects are key strategic components of cooperation within the OTS. In this regard, the joint development of the Middle Corridor is taken into account, which allows diversifying the transit of goods from China to Europe and back.’
Wizz Air has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321 XLR, a long-range aircraft that will expand its Europe–Middle East routes. The airline plans to modernize its fleet with this fuel-efficient model, aiming for greater sustainability and capacity.
Goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi has announced that he will no longer be playing for the Hungarian National Team. The 35-year-old footballer is one of the few players who were in the squad for all three consecutive European Championships Hungary qualified for between 2016 and 2024.
‘The diarist survived the diplomat, and in his pages, the 20th century flickers to life.’
The Trump administration has been exercising the clause in the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act that allows the government to fine illegal migrants $500 a day for defying removal orders. As a result, a Honduran woman in South Florida, who has been in the US illegally since 2005, was given a fine of $1.82 million.
A new exhibition titled Forever Forward opens in Vienna’s Josephinum Museum, celebrating the life and groundbreaking research of Hungarian scientist Katalin Karikó, co-developer of mRNA vaccines and a symbol of resilience in scientific discovery.
Hungary is the first country to host leaders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) for a summit as an Observer State, as opposed to a Member State of the organization. The event hosted by Prime Minister Orbán will be taking place on 20–21 May in Budapest.
After premiering on Max on 16 May, The Brutalist soared to number one on HBO’s US Top 10 and remains there as of Monday. The critically acclaimed drama follows László Toth, a Jewish Hungarian architect portrayed by Adrien Brody in an Oscar-winning performance.
‘Selby, who is known as an early leader of PayPal and is now an established venture capitalist, participated in a discussion moderated by Head of the MCC Central European Connectivity Centre Ákos Zulik. In a frank and forward-looking exchange, Selby said that Hungary has outstanding capabilities in hardware development and manufacturing…’
Hungary expands its anti-inflation campaign by capping profit margins on non-food household products sold in drugstores, aiming to protect families and pensioners from unjustified price hikes as part of broader efforts to boost consumption.
‘As the Catholic Church teaches, man and woman are made for authentic communion with God and each other…An attachment to a machine, or for that matter, even an affectionate pet, no matter how life-like it may be, cannot fulfill this vocation. It risks becoming an effigy or an impersonation of human relationships, diverting us from the true link for which we were created.’
The vast majority of excavations are done before some kind of construction or investment…Specialists often find cemeteries; graves first present themselves as dark spots to the trained eye. This was no different in 2021–22, when the Janus Pannonius Museum and Ásatárs Ltd excavated the site on the outskirts of the village of Babarc in Baranya County, in connection with the construction of the M6 motorway. Then, an Early Avar cemetery was uncovered on a three-hectare area of loess moorland rising from the Danube.
‘Béla and his wife had a long-standing dream to create a traditional accommodation. They fell in love with the barn, and even as they began renovating it, they were amazed at how many people stopped to visit and learn about the history of the building.’
‘The term “network” is somewhat misleading here, since these individuals were unaware of one another…The agents were connected to something, but not to each other—they were connected to state security, specifically through their handlers. The author describes this as an “extremely centralized, star-shaped network in which every element was linked to a single centre.”’
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the British Embassy Residency in Budapest, Ambassador Fox is hosting a series of events this year, all dedicated to the illustrious building, which has been visited by both the members of the rock band Queen and Queen Elizabeth II herself during its long and eventful history.
E-scooter riders caused 400 injury-related accidents in Hungary last year, prompting calls for wider insurance coverage. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of scooters operate without mandatory liability insurance, raising safety and legal concerns.