‘Brick by brick, pew by pew, bell by bell, we dismantled the old church and transported it to Arad. It was an amazing feeling to save everything—the pulpit, communion table, Moses seat, and bell! The Arad County authorities approved the plan, but Bucharest vetoed it. That was the final blow that broke my father’s spirit…’
What does the flame that was lit again on Holy Saturday represent? What does the ember of consecrated fire protect against? Why do we shake apple trees and keychains when the bells ring again? In this article we look at the traditions and customs of Holy Saturday.
‘There seems to be a disparity in the character of Pilate according to the Gospels and that of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37/38–100 AD). While both portray him as a complex man caught in a difficult role in difficult times, Josephus stipulates that he was cruel, disrespectful…The Gospels paint a different picture of the Roman governor, being a fair judge, to name an attribute.’
A thought-provoking publication has been released by the Committee of National Remembrance titled Resisters 1944–45. This particularly beautiful, richly illustrated volume briefly presents the life stories of 104 resistance members, accompanied by the insightful narration of expert historians.
With processions including tableaux, passion plays drawing on the apocryphal tradition, black masses and a re-enactment of the holy sepulchre, the burial of Jesus and the subsequent vigil were part of the popular liturgy, alongside commemorations of his passion and death on the cross.
Just as before the 2022 parliamentary elections, the European Parliament’s rule of law mission visited Hungary this week. However, there are some crucial differences this time: not a single right-wing political group is represented in Tineke Strik’s delegation, and opposition leader Péter Magyar and his party are now openly and admittedly working against the interests of the Hungarian people.
Artmozi Night returns to Budapest on 17 May with 70 films screened across five arthouse cinemas. From premieres to cult classics, movie lovers can enjoy a full night of cinema, plus a MOL Bubi bike rental coupon with each wristband.
Just two days after calling for the criminalisation of disinformation, Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar posted a manipulated video of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, attempting to smear him over his stance on Ukraine’s EU membership. It is yet another example of Magyar’s troubled relationship with the truth—one that has surfaced repeatedly, despite his still-nascent political career.
Hungarian oil and gas company MOL has discovered three new natural gas fields in Pakistan’s Tal Block, setting the stage for expanded energy cooperation. The finding marks a key moment in growing Hungarian–Pakistani economic relations.
The Mathias Corvinus Collegium and the Hungarian University of Sports Science have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly nurture a new generation of high-performing, resilient leaders through research, shared programmes, and physical development.
Budapest100 returns 24–25 May with a record number of nearly 80 houses and gardens opening to the public. This year’s focus is on green urban spaces, highlighting the vital role that city gardens, courtyards, and parks play in residents’ daily lives.
The Lyrids meteor shower, one of the oldest ever recorded, will peak on 22 April. Skywatchers can expect up to ten meteors per hour at its height, with the best views in the early morning. Some may even spot bright fireballs among the falling stars.
‘The normalization of the targeting of Israel leads to the normalization of the targeting of Jews,’ State Secretary Péter Sztáray warned during a commemoration held on Holocaust Memorial Day. Between 1941 and 1945, approximately 564,000 Hungarian Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, representing more than two-thirds of the country’s Jewish community at the time.
Crime in Hungary has fallen by nearly 60 per cent since 2010, according to the Ministry of Interior. Speaking on Crime Prevention Day, officials highlighted expanded police forces, youth programmes, and a nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking as key factors.
SAAB will open an aviation development centre in Budapest, allowing Hungarian engineers to take part in high-tech fighter jet research and development. The move strengthens Hungary’s role in European air defence and its position in the aerospace industry.
Hungary’s media authority (NMHH) has raised concerns about the credibility of Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report, criticizing its opaque authorship, vague sourcing, and narrow scoring system used to assess global press freedom.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced that he will travel to Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade, defying a warning from the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. Fico criticized the former Estonian prime minister’s statement, asserting that Slovakia is a sovereign country and will make decisions accordingly.
Recirquel’s immersive new production Walk My World is under construction in Budapest’s Millenáris Grand Hall. Opening in November, it blends myth, circus, dance, and cinema into a vast interactive world inspired by the tragic tale of Aeneas and Dido.
A new 30-kilometre section of Hungary’s M44 expressway, linking the M5 motorway to Szentkirály, has officially opened. The development allows uninterrupted four-lane travel from Kecskemét to Békéscsaba, symbolizing a major step in regional connectivity.
‘I believe we are entering a period—certainly by this time next year—when the choice between China and the United States will be on the table. And I do think Hungary will ultimately have to choose,’ Director of the American Military Project at The Claremont Institute’s Center for the American Way of Life argued in an interview with Hungarian Conservative.
Antal Rogán, Chief of Staff to the Hungarian Prime Minister, has been removed from the US sanctions list, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced. The senior government official had been placed under Magnitsky sanctions in January—a move widely regarded as the revenge of former US Ambassador David Pressman.
‘Funding anti-government media and NGOs in developed countries…is not genuine development activity but political interference. The term “NGO” literally means “non-governmental organization”. However, practice shows that thousands of European NGOs struggle without American government money,’ government commissioner András László has told our site.
‘We have already seen that Hungary’s living standards have increased enormously in recent years. Unlike Ireland, however, Hungary remains a culturally conservative country. Nevertheless, there is reason to think that this might change in the future—at least, if careful measures are not taken to ensure that it does not.’
‘US policy towards Central Europe is grounded in realism, respect, and renewed engagement,’ US Chargé d’Affaires Robert Palladino emphasized, speaking on US–Central European relations at the Central European Summit, jointly organized by the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation and the Centre for Fundamental Rights in Budapest.
‘Starmer’s failure while in Opposition to defend women’s rights will, I think, be seen by future historians as the beginning of a sea change in British political life.’
Governor Josh Shapiro’s gubernatorial mansion was burned down on Sunday, 13 April in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the Jewish statesman was celebrating passover with his friends and family. Suspect Cody Balmer has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident, an out-of-work welder with serious financial problems.
Ukraine’s accelerated EU accession could consume essential resources and undermine Hungary’s strategic position, warned Political Director to the Prime Minister Balázs Orbán, who outlined the financial, geopolitical, and security risks at a Budapest business conference.
During a game between FC DAC 1904 and Slovan Bratislava in the Slovakian football league, the home Slovan fans held up a disparaging banner which referred to Hungary as ‘Mongolia’, along with the message ‘Slovakia is the country of Slovakians and Slovan-fans’. The Dunaszerdahely club has filed an official complaint with the Slovak Football Association (SFZ).
Hungary’s Parliament passed the 15th amendment to the Constitution, reinforcing traditional gender definitions, enshrining the right to pay with cash, and tightening rules on dual citizenship and government powers in emergencies.
In a historic first, Hungary’s defence minister visited Uzbekistan to sign a new agreement marking the start of deeper military cooperation. The visit underscores Hungary’s interest in regional stability and stronger ties in Central Asia.