The large-scale restoration of Budapest’s Buda Castle District has reached another key milestone, with several historic buildings reconstructed to their original splendour. The government-led Hauszmann Programme continues to revitalize the city’s cultural and architectural heritage.
Philadelphia Eagles defeated Kansas City Chiefs in an unexpectedly one-sided game on Sunday in New Orleans at Super Bowl LIX. From Donald Trump’s historic attendance at the biggest American sporting event of the year to Kendrick Lamar’s controversial halftime show, we have compiled the most memorable moments of the night.
The Budapest-based Committee of National Remembrance (NEB) and the Krakow-based Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) held a joint event in Budapest, Hungary on 7 February to commemorate and recant the brutal atrocities committed by the Red Soviet Army during World War II in the two Eastern European countries.
‘The Criminal Code now stipulates that sexual crimes against people under 18 shall never lapse. To make the legal consequences of these heinous crimes even more severe, people convicted of imprisonment for such crimes shall not be released on probation. Perpetrators of these crimes will not be able to obtain parole, reintegration custody, or a certificate of good conduct.’
‘The Ministry of Security, like other Eastern European services, kept a tab on almost every workspace and its “characters of interest” through the pervasive use of civilian informants. “Anti-state activity” was not necessarily stifled with apparent repression; the “black car” did not necessarily come for “wrongdoers”, but they were relentlessly bullied into submission by making the everyday life of them and their families unbearable.’
‘One of the lasting memories of Trajan’s campaign in Dacia is the bridge he built across the Danube to facilitate the march of his armies. The first permanent stone bridge on the Danube was built between Turnu Severin in Romania and Kladovo in Serbia, which was 1127 metres long and designed by the greatest architect of the time, Apollodorus of Damascus origin.’
Hungarian public media is actively participating in this year’s Marriage Week, aiming to reach audiences of all ages. Under the slogan ‘Talk for Your Marriage!’, television and radio channels will feature discussions, expert insights, and personal stories to emphasize the value of commitment and communication in relationships.
Budapest Zoo’s Biodome is set to transport visitors back to the Mesozoic era with a new interactive dinosaur exhibition. Running from mid-February to the end of March, the event will feature life-size animatronic models, VR adventures, film screenings, and expert lectures.
Hungary reaffirmed its commitment to responsible space policy at a space industry event in Budapest, co-organized by the Ministry for National Economy and the European Space Agency. The event focused on space debris and sustainability, bringing together experts, researchers, and industry leaders.
‘Efficient cooperation in taking down international crime is essential to the cohesion of EU Member States. This incident illustrates how the free movement of capital, goods, labour and services can be abused for nefarious purposes—and the results expected of all national police forces in countering the criminals…’
Hungary and Western Balkan countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, research, and culture, with plans for joint degree programmes, a shared innovation fund, and collaborative cultural projects. The initiatives were announced at the first Hungary–Western Balkans summit in Budapest.
‘30 years ago Poland, Hungary and [the] Czech Republic were perceived as dangerous. Today Warsaw, Budapest and Prague are much safer than Paris, Barcelona or Brussels. What happened?’ user Michael A Arouet asked on the social media platform X, to which he has received thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.
The Botanical Garden of the University of Szeged is showcasing its stunning collection of tropical orchids through thematic guided tours on select Saturdays. With over 250 species and hybrids on display, visitors can explore the exotic blooms of these fascinating plants, including rare varieties like Paphiopedilums and boat orchids.
‘I represent today the 6 million Holocaust victims who were murdered just because they were Jewish. I demand the world remember what happened only 80 years ago.’
The Brutalist, a three-and-a-half-hour drama about the journey of Jewish Hungarian architect László Toth after WWII, starring Adrien Brody, won Best Picture at the London Critics’ Circle Awards last weekend. Directed by Brady Corbet, the film, already receiving widespread acclaim, is now preparing for the Academy Awards in March with nominations in 10 categories.
Hungary’s tourism sector experienced a record-breaking year in 2024, with increased visitor numbers and growing revenues driving economic expansion. National Economy Minister Márton Nagy highlighted tourism as a key driver of GDP, announcing new initiatives such as regulatory changes and infrastructure investments to sustain momentum.
Hungary has honoured one of its most iconic inventions, the Rubik’s Cube, with a commemorative stamp celebrating its 50th anniversary. Recognized globally as a symbol of Hungarian ingenuity, the puzzle has left a lasting mark on science, education, and design.
Albeit much smaller than the one dedicated to the Soviet Red Army, and much more hidden than Ronald Reagan’s statue, Liberty Square is also home to the bronze sculpture of a little known but extraordinary figure: US General Harry Hill Bandholtz.
‘Over time…scientific knowledge, combined with an emerging class of industrial capitalists, proved capable of improving material conditions for many as well as profits for the few. This lent scientific knowledge an aura of being a superior form of knowledge, one capable of providing organizing principles for all manner of human endeavours beyond its immediate remit, including education itself.’
‘Under the Mosaic legislation, any woman after bringing a son into the world was considered unclear for seven days; she had to wait for another 33 days before presenting herself in the temple. This so-called spiritual impurity refers to a certain distance from the source of life: God Himself, for she is no longer part of the singular act of creation, the conception of a child.’
The Moscow offices of the Hungarian national airline were teeming with clients in the autumn of 1989, and most of the customers were Jewish. They were looking for a way to get away from the societal collapse of the Soviet Union. Ultimately, Hungary offered the way out to 160,000 of them between March 1989 and January 1992.
‘The tradition of bathing in the Danube in Budapest dates back to the 19th century, when a series of Danube baths were opened on the banks of the river…The current proposal aims to bring this tradition back by creating a modern, clean, and safe environment, as the popularity of the open-air Roman Beach is already proving its feasibility.’
The ‘Family 2025’ conference reaffirmed Hungary’s dedication to family-centric policies as a cornerstone of national stability and development. Hungary’s approach, combining financial incentives with ideological resistance, aims to ensure long-term family prosperity and national sovereignty in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
In an eventful game, Ferencváros ended up beating the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar 4–3, and thus made it out of the UEFA Europa League’s first-ever league phase, finishing 17th out of 36. They will face the Czech Viktoria Plzen in the first knock-out round.
‘Students have moved from being political change agents to being themselves the object of political change. Rather than imposing their ideas on the world, they are to obey edicts from radical lecturers and diversity officers. To accommodate these developments, objective measures of what students know are replaced by more subjective measures of their own personal and psychological development.’
Viktor Orbán underscored the dual nature of film as both an art form and an industry, emphasizing that while artistic freedom is essential, the state plays a crucial role in developing the film sector. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Film Institute’s new studio complex in Fót, he highlighted Hungary’s deep-rooted cinematic heritage and the government’s commitment to revitalizing the industry.
‘One is constantly reminded of Hallstein’s [Stresa] speech when analysing the turbulences of the recent years in Europe’s fields and countryside towns, occasionally bringing the distinct view of columns of tractors and piles of hay to the polished streets and thoroughfares of European capitals. And, out of the several farmers’ movements that have swept the EU since 2022, few dialogue so much with Hallstein as the Polish one.’
The Joint Action on REspiratory Diseases (JARED) initiative by the EU was launched in December 2024, with support from 14 Member States. The Korányi Institute of Pulmonology in Budakeszi, Hungary is the leading institution of the project. The initiative’s kick-off event was held in Budapest on 29 January 2025.
The Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music will celebrate its 150th anniversary with Talent Day on 9 February, offering performances by students, open classes, lectures, and a grand symphonic concert in the evening. The event provides a rare opportunity to explore the academy’s musical excellence.
The 34th National Science and Innovation Olympiad (OTIO) has attracted a record number of participants, with 428 young competitors forming 296 teams, including 17 from beyond Hungary’s borders. Minister for Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó highlighted the crucial role of innovation in boosting Hungary’s competitiveness.