In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika is looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America, from penniless peasants to political emigrants and soldiers of fortune. In this part, let us look at Béla Estván, who emigrated to the United States in the 1850s. The man of Austrian descent pretended to be Hungarian in order to make it easier for himself to succeed in his new homeland.
‘In 2020, I had plans for the entire summer with the KMCSSZ: I was going to assist at four different Diaspora School Camps and the Jubilee (Jubi) grand scout camp, but all of these were canceled due to the pandemic, so I returned home, but I was craving to return and finish what the COVID-19 had interrupted.’
‘Hungary’s 25-year journey in NATO reflects a strategic synthesis of alliance loyalty and national sovereignty. Through the Zrínyi 2026 programme, Hungary has revitalized its defence industry, met NATO’s spending targets, and strengthened its role on the eastern flank.’
‘The Olympic Committee highlights that this arrangement has been carefully coordinated with various sports federations and includes collaborations with local clubs throughout Europe. This cooperative effort not only exemplifies excellent diplomatic relations but also a shared commitment to sports and cultural exchange.’
‘At one point, Benedek remarked that “the communists…have committed many crimes and have a lot of blood on their hands,” just like the Catholic Church—but, he added, at least the Catholics are Christians.’
‘China is looking for a new moral synthesis of its Confucian and Western political culture that could stabilize Chinese society and take its “positive union” to new heights. This could be one of the most constructive dialogues between China and the West. But as the influence of Marxism in China wanes, the moment for this dialogue could pass at any time. Let us not miss this exciting opportunity.’
Ernő Fináczy (1860–1935) was a leading Hungarian educator, historian of pedagogy, and university professor whose work shaped generations of teachers. Rooted in moral philosophy and inspired by Herbart, he emphasized education’s ethical mission and authored landmark works on the history of education still valued today.
The 4iG Group and the Hungarian state-owned N7 Holding are jointly establishing Hungary’s first defence industry holding company with both state and private ownership. The new company is expected to boost competitiveness and increase defence exports.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called on Hungarians to cast their vote in the Voks 2025 consultation on Ukraine’s EU membership, warning that rapid accession could endanger Hungary’s sovereignty, economy, and social protections.
Hungarian clubs now know their European opponents: Ferencváros will face either FC Noah (Armenia) or FK Budućnost Podgorica (Montenegro) in Champions League qualifying. In the Europa League, Paks will take on CFR Cluj (Romania), while Puskás Akadémia meet Aris Limassol (Cyprus), and Győr await Tre Fiori (San Marino) or Pyunik (Armenia) in the Conference League.
The European Commission’s latest country-specific recommendations have drawn strong criticism from the Center for Fundamental Rights, which claims Brussels is pushing Hungary to abandon popular domestic policies in favour of multinational and geopolitical interests.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) will adopt a new performance-based funding model, securing long-term financial support to enhance its engineering, IT, and research capacities as part of a 25-year strategic agreement with the government.
‘This ruling reveals a methodological shift in the reasoning of European judges. Typically, in sensitive social matters, the ECHR looks for a “European consensus”. If a consensus exists, national sovereignty is limited; if not, the ECHR allows states to legislate democratically.’
‘Can Western nations hope to resurrect Western hegemony while remaining so dysfunctional domestically? Deeper still: are some of these domestic dysfunctions a direct result of their role in maintaining a liberal empire in its late stages? Viewed this way, the emerging multipolar world might…also present opportunities for cultural and political revitalization in the West.’
‘Brexit will be regarded by history as a triumph, and it was a very important thing for our country to do. However, over the last decade, it’s also been extremely hard and sucked in effectively all the effort of a generation of conservative activists to the exclusion and the cost of almost everything else…My conclusion from that is that Hungary is wise not to be attempting Huxit…’
‘Sándor Sík’s life and work exemplify the integration of Christian values with modern educational principles. As a Piarist, poet, and scout leader, he emphasized love, respect, and community in his pedagogy. His contributions to scouting and education fostered moral and community-oriented development in students, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire educators and scouts.’
Hungary’s largest standalone battery energy storage system has been inaugurated in Százhalombatta. With a 40 MW output and 80 MWh capacity, the new unit by MET Group marks a key step in the country’s shift toward cleaner, more flexible energy solutions.
Three Hungarian universities now rank among the top 2 per cent globally, and 12 in the top 5 per cent, according to the latest international rankings. Despite political tension with the EU, Hungary’s education reforms show measurable academic and research progress.
According to statements by Montenegro’s Ministry of Economic Development, Hungary and Montenegro are about to sign a comprehensive government-to-government infrastructure deal, under which a data centre will be built in the Balkan country.
‘Overall, these meetings influence policies that can lead to more coherent and effective global economic cooperation. However, in light of the tensions listed above, it is unlikely that this was one of those meetings where significant policies were adopted.’
Visitors interested in military history and technology can explore a wide range of exhibits on 21 June during Hungary’s Night of Museums, from secret WWII encryption tools to modern fighter jets and interactive defence tech displays.
‘Karácsony’s influence extended beyond scouting; he was also a respected teacher and writer. His works often reflected his educational philosophy and his commitment to nurturing the youth. His legacy in Hungarian education and scouting remains significant, as he played a crucial role in shaping the lives of many young people through his innovative approaches and unwavering dedication.’
Political Director for the Prime Minister of Hungary Balázs Orbán and John Mearsheimer, political scientist and Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, got together for a fascinating panel discussion at the Budapest Global Dialogue 2025, where they talked about the possible outcomes of the Russo-Ukrainian war and the differences between realist and liberal foreign policy.
Hungary’s Parliament approved the 2026 state budget, prioritizing families, pensioners, and economic stability. The budget includes major tax cuts, expanded family support, and continues efforts to reduce national debt and the deficit.
‘As a historian, much of Karol Nawrocki’s career—especially as President of the Institute of National Remembrance—was dedicated to studying the crimes committed against Poles during World War II. During his campaign and since, President Nawrocki emphasized multiple times that Ukraine must make concessions with regards to its memory politics.’
A Budapest court granted immediate legal protection to the capital’s municipality, halting the state treasury’s attempt to withdraw over 10 billion forints in solidarity contributions, citing the potential collapse of essential public services.
HungaroControl and the National University of Public Service have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to advance air traffic control technologies, enhance aviation safety, and modernize technical higher education in Hungary.
At Budapest Global Dialogue 2025, back-to-back panels tackled the unraveling of the post-WWII order, the rise of new power blocs like BRICS, and the global trade system’s future. Speakers warned: the world is not just shifting—it is splintering and reassembling.
On this day, 53 years ago, on 17 June 1972, five former CIA operatives broke into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. This is the historic scandal known as Watergate that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon two years later, who remains the only POTUS in history to resign from office.
‘Sometimes I had to ask my uncle…to give me food, or knock on the neighbor’s door for dinner…Meanwhile, during the summers, I experienced in America that life is predictable there: if someone was willing to work, they could be independent and achieve anything they wanted. That’s what ultimately led me to the conclusion that I should return to the U.S. and get my PhD there.’