‘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.

Vladimir Putin has reportedly endorsed the Christmas ceasefire proposal by Viktor Orbán. Reflecting on the peace mission and Hungary’s EU Presidency, the Hungarian prime minister stated: ‘We have opened the door, and meaningful negotiations can now begin.’

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.

‘The leaders and politicians of our continent need to acknowledge a reality that the average European citizen has already discovered, namely, that Europe is on a dangerous path that will lead to total geopolitical irrelevancy and economic misery.’

According to Századvég’s December survey, Hungary’s ruling coalition, Fidesz–KDNP, continues to lead confidently in party preferences, while Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar’s approval ratings have suffered a significant decline amidst recent controversies.

This week’s Orbán interview on public radio showcased Hungary’s proactive approach to fostering peace, navigating global changes, and ensuring domestic stability. As the government looks to implement the 2025 budget, its commitment to supporting Hungarian families and maintaining sovereignty remains unwavering, the PM declared.

On the morning of 12 December, in a true Christmas spirit, the US Embassy in Budapest posted a video on X and YouTube criticizing the Budapest–Belgrade railway project, insinuating that Viktor Orbán is making secret deals with China. Our reaction.

After meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Tuesday and having a lengthy phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Wednesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary travelled to Ankara, Türkiye to continue discussions about the potential peace in the Russo-Ukrainian war with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye this time.

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 conference is dominated by negotiations on a global drought prevention system, both in terms of implementation and financing. This is particularly necessary because the frequency and intensity of climate damage, specifically drought, which is also a major issue in Hungary…has increased by nearly 30 per cent since the turn of the millennium, threatening agriculture, water security, and the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people.

The 118th meeting of the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) was hosted in Budapest, Hungary last week, as part of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The leaders of the pharmaceutical industry discussed pressing issues such as regulation, international cooperation, and shortages of medicines at the event.

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.

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán proposed a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia as a conclusion to Hungary’s EU Presidency. However, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the proposal outright, stating: ‘There can be no discussions about the war that Russia wages against Ukraine without Ukraine.’

After meeting President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss prospects for peace in Ukraine. Orbán also travelled to Türkiye to engage in talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with peace efforts as a central topic of discussion.

‘In the world of Salis and her associates, you can go to Hungary, and commit any crime you want, if you later pretend to be an anti-fascist in order to ask for immunity,’ Italian newspaper Il Giornale writes in a recent piece. Ilaria Salis and her comrades attacked and seriously injured innocent people in Budapest in 2023, yet they have not been held accountable for their crimes.

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.

The meeting between President-elect Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán holds significant importance for strengthening Hungarian-American relations. Yet, a key aspect of the talks has been largely overlooked by much of the press: the future of Hungarian–American space technology cooperation.

Bryan Leib, who is in the running to become the next US Ambassador to Hungary, has called on his potential predecessor David Pressman to remove the speech he made right before the US election results came in, titled ‘Hungary’s gambling problem’; stating that ‘this type of political theater and activism is unacceptable.’

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.

‘Reducing the current very high levels of migration from comparatively poor to comparatively rich countries means overcoming the vested interests of those who benefit from it: namely schools and colleges selling an immigration outcome in the guise of “export education”; employers who want cheap and abundant surplus labour; and ethnic activists looking for numbers to boost their political clout.’

The Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) is revitalizing one of Miskolc’s iconic hotels, blending heritage with education. Set to open for students in the 2027–2028 academic year, the new centre aims to inspire and support the city’s brightest young minds.

Hungary aims to elevate its universities to the global elite, building on its cultural and academic strengths, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the handing over of the new facilities of the Budapest University of Veterinary Medicine.

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.

Hungary’s vocational education sector is undergoing transformative growth with significant teacher salary increases, expanded student support, and major infrastructure investments, underscoring the government’s commitment to future-ready skills and opportunities.

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.