‘Chief Rabbi Béla Berend was considered a black sheep in the history of Hungarian Jewish leadership. His controversial activities within the Budapest Jewish Council during the German occupation and the Holocaust of 1944–45, followed by his trial before the People’s Tribunal, left a mark on his legacy.’ The following article provides some additional details about Berend’s activities in the US.
‘The names of the Kárász girls, Ilonka and Mariska, are little known here in Hungary, even though both were significant figures in American visual culture and are widely respected overseas. Ilonka drew two hundred covers for the legendary The New Yorker magazine and designed furniture, interiors, and fabrics, and her work, like that of her sister, is held in the most important American collections to this day.’
‘On a hike, on holiday, at a family dinner, or as a gift abroad, winter salami (téliszalámi) is always the perfect choice. It never gets old, has no rivals, is long-lasting, tasty, famous, and, most of all, very Hungarian. Pick and Herz winter salami has been a Hungarikum since 2014.’
Hungary’s reformed universities have far exceeded expectations in the past four years, significantly improving their international rankings and student enrolment. At the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest’s graduation ceremony, officials praised these institutions’ growing influence and ongoing government support.
At the Peace Through Strength conferences hosted by the Center for Fundamental Rights in Budapest, the distinguished guests discussed the new geopolitical realities brought on by the second Trump administration. They have put a special emphasis on the Hamas–Israeli war, and the attacks on the religious freedom of Jews and Christians alike around the world.
Hungary’s government is ramping up efforts to expand its forested areas, aiming to increase forest coverage from 24 per cent to 27 per cent. Minister István Nagy highlighted the strategic importance of forests for environmental sustainability and livability, announcing substantial funding for afforestation and urban tree-planting initiatives.
The Danube Institute hosted an event dedicated to free speech in the UK and Brexit titled ‘Renewing UK Politics: Conservative Challenges and the Road to Prosperity’. The panel featured Senior Researcher Guy Dampier and Managing Director Dr Radomir Tylecote from the London-based conservative think tank Prosperity Institute, as well as Visiting Fellow Doug Stokes from the Danube Institute.
‘I had been to Budapest before the war, but that was a long time ago. It was the first time I saw the theatre here. And I can safely say that I have seen real theatre,’ Orson Welles highlighted when he visited Budapest in 1967.
In a groundbreaking medical development, Hungary has successfully administered its first CAR-T cell therapy to two children with leukaemia at the South-Pest Hospital Centre. This cutting-edge immunotherapy, which genetically modifies a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer, marks a significant step forward in paediatric oncology.
Multiple news outlets were able to demonstrate that, as of late February 2025, if a user said the word ‘racist’ to Apple’s voice note feature, it often first transcribed it as ‘Trump’ before correcting itself to the actual word. Apple has responded to the controversy, saying they are aware of the issue and fixing the bug.
A recent survey by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) reveals that only 17 per cent of Hungarian sports fans find it acceptable that UEFA Champions League matches are available exclusively through RTL’s subscription-based streaming service. Many remain unwilling to pay for access.
The University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE) celebrated its 160th anniversary with a grand gala at Uránia National Film Theatre. Founded in 1863, the institution has played a defining role in Hungary’s cultural heritage, shaping generations of theatre and film professionals.
The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS) is soliciting submissions for their ‘Grandparents. Grand Stories. The Closest Stories from the Second World War’ contest. They are looking to hear first-hand accounts from WWII, passed down from older generations to the young within the family. The deadline is 15 March.
The refurbishment of Budapest’s Metro Line 3 included a complete reconstruction of its train carriages by a Russian partner, BKV confirmed. Although the project was initially described as a renovation, the trains’ structures were entirely rebuilt due to their poor condition.
‘Becoming a busó for a few days is much more than just being dressed up. It is a real transformation. Hiding behind a mask is a kind of freedom, like commenting anonymously…But a busó never reveals himself, changing his mask year after year if he has to, because it is much more than just a game, it is a state of altered consciousness approaching mysticism, an unending, passionate game, and virtue.’
Hungarian EU presidency, under the slogan ‘Make Europe Great Again’, offered real solutions to the challenges the European Union faces. Nearly three months into 2025, Danube Institute and the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs organized a conference to analyse the impact of these fundamental initiatives and address the challenges that lie ahead.
A team of international researchers has identified two new dinosaur species from Romania’s Hațeg Basin, challenging long-held assumptions about insular dwarfism in Transylvanian dinosaurs. One of the newly described species was unexpectedly large, raising fresh questions about the region’s prehistoric ecosystems.
Hungarian researchers have developed new space weather data products to enhance the accuracy of forecasting solar-driven phenomena that impact satellites and Earth-based technology. The innovation, led by the HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, will help mitigate risks posed by extreme space weather events.
The first Hungarian Animation Pitch Forum, set to take place on 28 March at Budapest’s Toldi Cinema, has received 53 submissions across various categories. Organized with support from the National Film Institute, the event will offer Hungarian creators a pathway to present their work at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival.
‘For the women, Women’s Carnival was a special occasion: a break from their strictly fixed lives to enjoy themselves. They drank beer and pálinka, had fun, danced, swore, and sang obscene songs—all things that were outside the norm of behaviour that was typically expected of women in the closed community of villages.’
Batteries currently offer the most cost-effective, space-efficient, and practical solution for storing excess energy, according to physicist Ádám Vida of the Bay Zoltán Research Institute. Speaking on the Blue Planet podcast, he discussed energy storage challenges and ongoing technological advancements.
Liverpool, with Hungary National Team Captain Dominik Szoboszlai in their starting line-up, beat defending champions Manchester City 2–0 away from home, thus increasing their lead on the table to 11 points over Arsenal. Szoboszlai, who scored a goal and gave an assist in the crucial game, is getting closer to becoming the first Hungarian player to win the English Premier League trophy.
‘Without culture, Eliot argues, there is no point at all in being human, and it is culture that justifies the content of our existence on Earth for the generations that follow us. “Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living. And it is what justifies other peoples and other generations in saying…that it was worth while for that civilisation to have existed.”’
On 12 September 1949 Eduard Landauer, a well-known figure of the Budapest elite for decades, was arrested. At the trial of the lawyer, who had been accused several times before, his accusers did everything they could to find him guilty. His petition for clemency was rejected and the death sentence was carried out on 27 May 1950.
The Library Challenge programme has successfully promoted reading, library usage, and community engagement across Hungary, as seen in towns like Kétpó and Tomajmonostora. With rising membership and book borrowing figures, local libraries are becoming key cultural hubs.
Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has just become the highest-grossing animated movie in history, aiming to surpass James Cameron’s Avatar as the most successful film of all time. With stunning visuals and a narrative deeply rooted in Chinese mythology and philosophy, Ne Zha 2 has also emerged as a symbol of patriotism and national pride—at the expense of Captain America.
Reigning Hungarian champions Ferencváros won the first leg of their tie against Viktoria Plzeň 1–0 at home. However, they lost the rematch 3–0 on the road, thus it was the Czech side Plzeň who got to qualify to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League.
Kunsthalle’s latest exhibition, ‘Vision, Gesture, Experiment — 111 Years of Hungarian Animation’, offers an in-depth exploration of the nation’s animation history, showcasing its most influential creators and films. Open from Friday, the exhibition highlights the genre’s artistic evolution and interdisciplinary significance.
Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2025 has just kicked off, with US Vice President JD Vance headlining the first full day of the event. Besides Vance, political director of the Hungarian prime minister Balázs Orbán also took to the stage on Thursday. The conference will conclude with US President Donald Trump’s speech on Saturday.
‘Data sovereignty is increasingly critical in global politics, and controlling a substantial portion of Europe’s data infrastructure would give Hungary greater leverage in international affairs. If policymakers take this sector seriously, Hungary can emerge as a leader in data storage, making it indispensable to Europe’s digital economy.’