‘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.

Time Magazine awarded its Person of the Year title, which has been given out since 1927, to Donald Trump after his great comeback victory in the 2024 US presidential election despite unprecedented challenges. This is the second time he has received the title after 2016, making him one of the 15 individuals to win it more than once.

Alexandra Szentkirályi, the Chairwoman of the Budapest branch of the ruling Fidesz party and 2024 Budapest Mayoral candidate, has sat down with urban planning expert Koppány Kőrösi, prop master Endre Pallós, location manager Viktor Mitev, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó of Hungary in the debut episode of her new talk show all about Hungary’s beloved capital city, Budapest.

Four Hungarian students achieved silver medals at the Romanian Master of Informatics (RMI), a renowned international programming competition held in Bucharest from 27 to 29 November 2024. Competing among 190 students from ten countries, their success highlights Hungary’s promising talent pool.

The Festival Academy Budapest (FAB) is marking its 10th anniversary with a spectacular line-up of festivals, masterclasses, and competitions, transforming Hungary into a hub of classical music and cultural celebration.

A recent survey by BNP Paribas Cardif and Medián reveals that most Hungarians view artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to improve work efficiency. While workforce changes are anticipated in the near future, optimism prevails among employees about AI’s impact.

Hungarian tourism is thriving, with a record-breaking year in visitor numbers and accolades for the country’s gastronomy. Liszt Ferenc Airport is Europe’s fastest-growing hub, and the government continues to invest in the sector’s future, signalling sustained growth.

In a survey by Daily Mail and J.L. Partners, one of the most accurate predictors of the result of the 2024 US presidential election, incumbent President Joe Biden was ranked as the worst among nine recent Presidents by 1,006 registered voters. Biden’s term was plagued by low approval ratings, constant questioning of his mental acuity, and, not least, a historically controversial pardon for his son.

Budapest’s Várkert Bazaar offers a vibrant end to 2024 and a promising start to 2025 with an array of cultural events, concerts, exhibitions, and festive activities, featuring renowned artists and unique programmes to captivate audiences of all ages.

Variety magazine’s global locations update has spotlighted Hungary’s thriving film industry, praising cutting-edge studio expansions, skilled professionals, and tax incentives that solidify the country’s reputation as a leading global filmmaking hub.

The video report published on public media news website Hirado.hu takes viewers to Ungvár (Uzhhorod) and Szolyva (Svalyava) in Transcarpathia, a region in the Western part of Ukraine heavily populated by ethnic Hungarians, to showcase the everyday lives of locals living through the troubled, war-torn times in Ukraine.

Rock legends Guns N’ Roses will return to Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on 15 July 2025, as part of their global tour. Fans can expect an unforgettable evening from one of the world’s most iconic bands, following their triumphant 2023 performance.

The Hungarian Women’s National Handball Team secured their spot in the semi-final of the 2024 European Women’s Handball Championship by beating national rivals Romania 37–29 in Group I of the main round in Debrecen, Hungary. Hungary have won all six games in the tournament so far; and have made it to the semi-final for the first time in 12 years.

The EU’s AI Act fails to protect human rights effectively, Hungarian experts argue in a new multidisciplinary book. Highlighting legal, media, and societal perspectives, the authors critique current regulations and explore AI’s growing impact on society and governance.

‘The teaching that Mary, the Mother of Christ, was from the very moment of her conception preserved from original sin, was first explained by the Scottish Franciscan friar Duns Scotus (1266-1308). He explained that with Mary conception and redemption were simultaneous, producing a two-fold status at the first moment of her existence.’

One of the most brilliant personalities of the 10–11th centuries fell victim to politics, only to discredit Gregory VII and the church reform. To do this, the lifework of Gerbert/Sylvester had to be ignored, and his unparalleled scientific achievements mocked and even made to look like the work of the devil.

Zsuzsanna Kossuth was Lajos Kossuth’s youngest sister, who, similarly to her revolutionary leader brother, was a devoted and selfless patriot. In April 1848 she set out to establish field hospitals to provide medical aid to soldiers wounded during the freedom fight, and she also created a large network of voluntary nurses.

Budapest’s communal transportation company BKV, as per its tradition since 2015, will put in service a special festive fleet of vehicles for the holidays this year as well. Starting today, 6 December, running until 23 December, it will include Santa Clause-themed buses, trolleys, and trams. Passengers will have to pay no extra fee to board these special rides.

According to a compilation of polls by EuropeElects.eu, Hungarians would have backed Republican candidate Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election over Democrat Kamala Harris by a massive 24-point margin. Meanwhile, the new President-elect is the least popular in Denmark, where only 4 per cent of voters would have supported him.

Nine months after a savage act of vandalism at Trinity College Cambridge, anger is growing at its lacklustre response.

Disney has released its official trailer for their Snow White film, starring Latina actress Rachel Zegler. Just weeks before, Zegler had a public meltdown over the US presidential election result, and wished that Trump supporters ‘may never know peace’. While she later apologized, the reactions to the trailer still have been overwhelmingly negative, foreshadowing yet another big flop for Disney.

‘The inconclusive referendum held a few years after the millennium is still a blot on Hungarian social life. Thanks to a section of the Hungarian political elite of the time and a large number of misguided voters, that day became a day of national betrayal.’

Alex Consani, 21, has made history by winning this year’s Model of the Year Award, becoming the first transgender individual to do so. While her victory is celebrated as a milestone for inclusivity by progressives, many regard it as yet another instance of men stealing opportunities from women.

‘In the East, the communist worldview largely rejected the nuclear family unit, seeing it rather as an economic unit that ideologically furthered capitalist interests. In the West, a notion emerged in the latter twentieth century that largely views prioritizing family as limiting individual autonomy and self-fulfillment. We are the inheritors of societies that have been profoundly shaped by one or both worldviews.’

The Advent Basilica, located in front of St Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, has achieved unprecedented international acclaim, being named the ‘Best European Christmas Market of All Time’ by the European Best Destinations travel portal. This marks the first and only time in the competition’s 15-year history that an event has received this prestigious title.

‘Jesus Christ brought to humanity the message of hope, God’s love above all else, and salvation, thus overcoming darkness as a divine source of light proclaiming salvation. This is why the dawn takes on a special significance in anticipation of his birth.’