Ilona Zrínyi, a noblewoman hailing from a Croatian–Hungarian aristocratic family, is one of the most defining female figures in Hungarian history. An uncompromising patriot and fearless leader, the Countess defended the castle of Munkács (Mukachevo) for three years against the Habsburg forces. Although she died in exile in Turkey in 1703, she was reburied alongside her freedom fighter son, Ferenc II Rákóczi in Kassa (Košice, Slovakia) in 1906.
‘The failed revolutionary upheavals in 1848 would see thousands of Central Europeans go into exile in Britain. One of the most famous of these was Hungarian national hero Lajos Kossuth, who travelled extensively in the United States before moving to London, to live there for most of the 1850s. In America, Kossuth was received at the White House twice by President Millard Fillmore, and was generally feted and celebrated everywhere he went.’
‘The memory of the martyrs of Christmas invites us to recognize that the season is not only about joy and blessings but also about sacrifice and steadfastness. These saints and unnamed heroes, who gave their lives for Christ, teach us that true love is never easy. Yet, through sacrifice, we partake in the light that Christ’s birth brought into the world.’
‘In few countries was the period of 19th century national revival more productive than post-Compromise Hungary, where the national-cultural revival was accompanied by a period of economic prosperity and renewed political prominence. And, within Hungary, no other building complex captures the spirit of this era, and its intertwining of the aesthetic, the historical, and the political, as the Buda Castle.’
Much like in many European countries, marzipan enjoys a great popularity in Hungary, too. Marzipan first attained admiration in the Hungarian Kingdom under the rule of the Renaissance king, Matthias Corvinus. According to historic records, a chessboard from brown and white marzipan was the eighth course on King Matthias’ wedding with Beatrice of Naples in 1477.
With the Continental Army in dire straits, Commander in Chief George Washington knew he had to do something special to change the tide of the War of Independence at the end of 1776. So, he decided to strike the enemy when they least expected it: he crossed the icy Delaware River to get to the Hessian mercenaries stationed in Trenton on Christmas Day.
‘Lucifer certainly did not want to be God, for he was intelligent enough to know that he was not of the same substance of our Creator, but he wanted to be or rule like God. Envious of God, he thus submitted to his pride and rebelled against the Almighty—a temptation that at times can be appealing during our worst moments.’
‘In 1914, a simple chanting of a Christmas carol brought bitter enemies together, as if they had always been united. In a sense, they were united through Christ, Who made them see each that they could live in harmony. Could that happen today?’
Christmas and the winter holiday have always had special significance in Hungary, even in Socialist times. We have collected some fun facts for you related to Hungarian Christmases through time—enjoy!
Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century after it was liberated. This year’s Hanukkah will start on 25 December and end on 2 January 2025.
The high-profile clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool ended in a scoreline very dear to Hungarian football fans, 3–6, to Liverpool. Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai scored a goal and made an assist during the victory solidifying the Reds’ place on top of the Premier League table for Christmas.
On 29 December Duna Television will premiere the acclaimed Hungarian film Semmelweis. The most-watched Hungarian production of 2023 portrays the heroic efforts of Ignác Semmelweis, known as the saviour of mothers, as he makes a groundbreaking medical discovery.
Christmas traditions were our ancestors’ way of ensuring the coming year’s success and their families’ health. Magyar Krónika has listed some of the old Hungarian festive customs.
Urban Verbunk is an all-male dance troupe founded in 2018. Its leader, Ahmed Moussa, spoke with Hungarian Conservative to explain the philosophy and the passion behind their ‘urban folk’ project that popularizes Hungarian culture across countries and continents.
In the 1960s, the Communist Secret Service launched an undercover operation targeting rabbis and Jewish youth who were engaging in Zionist activities. The investigation ended in some young people being handed suspended prison sentences and a 15-year ban on rabbinic activity for Szeged Rabbi Tamás Raj.
Actress Rachel Zegler, who wished that Donald Trump and his supporters ‘may never have peace’ after the 2024 US presidential election, had to suffer major embarrassment after her new film Y2K became a giant box office flop, even being beaten by the re-release of the Christmas classic White Christmas from the 1950s. Zegler will also star in Disney’s Snow White film next year, despite being Latina.
Starting 1 January 2025, Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) will become the 75 per cent owner of Inforádió, marking a strategic partnership aimed at combining the station’s media expertise with MCC’s intellectual resources.
Budapest police officers have donated over nine tonnes of non-perishable food and treats to help those in need. The contributions, including baby food and festive goodies, will be distributed to children’s homes, large families, and care centres.
Hungary’s 2024 innovation strategy includes a 215 billion forint allocation for research and innovation, a reform of the research network, and increased funding for excellence programmes. The government aims to enhance scientific output and global collaboration.
Hungarian researchers have developed a state-of-the-art VR system tailored for mice. The Moculus device, optimized for rodents’ vision, accelerates learning processes and revolutionizes brain research, paving the way for advanced therapies in vision restoration.
The Druze, a group historically loyal to the Assad regime in Syria, are facing growing threats due to the collapse of the central government and the deteriorating security situation. The Druze religious leadership in Israel is also very concerned about the fate of the Druze across the border, because jihadists in many Druze communities, mainly in Damascus and northern Syria, have already started demanding that the Druze hand over their weapons.
A recent KINCS survey reveals that 70 per cent of Hungarians are optimistic about 2025, anticipating improvements in their lives. Families with young children, large households, and young people are the most hopeful, expecting better opportunities and higher living standards.
Hungary beat France 25–24 in the play-off for third place at the 2024 European Women’s Handball Championship in Vienna, Austria. This is the fourth bronze medal Hungary have won in the competition, after 1998, 2004, and 2012. Right back Katrin Klujber from Ferencváros finished as the top scorer of the tournament.
A new documentary unveils the extraordinary professional and personal journey of Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz. Premiering on 30 December on Duna TV, the film captures his life, groundbreaking discoveries, and unwavering passion for science and exploration.
George Szirtes, a Hungarian-born British poet, has been awarded the King’s Gold Medal for Poetry by King Charles III. The prestigious honour, established in 1933, recognizes his profound contributions to contemporary poetry and his exploration of global themes.
‘Life is not easy for many Hungarians, but Hungary has one big thing going for it: a strong sense of itself as a nation and a people. If it is true that hope comes from cultural memory married to the desire to return to what is good, true, and beautiful about the past, then Hungarians have every right, and indeed the responsibility, to be hopeful, even as the chill darkness of forgetfulness and cultural dispossession settles over Western Europe.’
Hungary’s culinary scene shines brightly as the 2024 Michelin Guide awards reaffirm excellence. Iconic venues like Tata’s Platán and Budapest’s Stand retained two stars, while eight other restaurants, including one newcomer, received their coveted Michelin star this year.
The Hungarian–Turkish Cultural Season has concluded with a prestigious gala concert held in Ankara, Türkiye, on 12 December. The season commemorated the 100th anniversary of Hungarian–Turkish diplomatic relations and featured more than 150 cultural, culinary, and scientific programmes.
The Hungarian Film Festival dates back to 1965, when it began in Pécs as the Hungarian Feature Film Festival, exclusively showcasing feature-length productions. Over the decades, the programme expanded to include documentary and animated films, with its name changing to the Hungarian Film Festival in 1989. Traditionally held during the first week of February, the event was aligned with the Berlin Film Festival and ran annually until 2011.
Hungary will face Armenia, Ireland, and the winner of the Portugal–Denmark Nations League quarter-final in the group stage of the European qualification round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Hungary have not made an appearance at the World Cup since 1986.