In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika will be 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, we will take a look at Sándor Bölöni Farkas’ life and travelogue, Journey to North America, which was the first to introduce the New World to the Hungarian public.
‘…the idea of a Creator conceived and represented in vulgar theological approaches as a quasi-human person is not only unacceptable today but also explicitly harmful to the contemporary expressions and life-opportunities of religion, fostering further denial and turning away in philosophically or scientifically trained minds.’
‘The losses and military failures suffered by the Tatars, most of which occurred in Hungary, are rarely mentioned among the reasons for their unexpected withdrawal from Central Europe…Since Hayton’s best-selling work in Europe attributed the stopping of the Mongols to the Austrian prince, the heroic resistance of the Hungarians was almost completely forgotten.’
In this wide-ranging conversation, Laurent Ozon explores how algorithmic intelligence reshapes society, politics, and identity—raising urgent questions about control, surveillance, and the future of human agency in an increasingly automated world.
This Sunday, Christians celebrate Pentecost, marking the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the disciples 50 days after Easter. As one of Christianity’s most important feasts, Pentecost signifies the birth of the Church and the spreading of the Gospel.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony halted public transport for ten minutes to protest PM Orbán’s supposed draining of the city finances. He blames a state-imposed ‘solidarity contribution’, while the national Fidesz government blames the liberal city leadership’s poor fiscal management and claims the order to halt public transport was illegal.
‘I love being part of a community, I value community-building activities, and I treasure being able to connect with people who have entirely different life stories and perspectives—this expands my own outlook, which I find extremely valuable. I volunteer so that others can experience the same.’
They were close friends and allies only a week ago, now they are bitterly feuding with each other: US President Donald Trump and the world’s richest man Elon Musk cannot seem to agree if the new spending bill reduces or increases the deficit.
In a radio interview, PM Viktor Orbán reaffirmed Hungary’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession, accusing Brussels of foreign interference and warning of a push to install a pro-Ukraine government in Budapest. He also addressed national security concerns, criticized opposition parties and city leadership, and pledged stronger action against Hungary’s worsening drug crisis.
‘Indeed, right-wing identity is often rooted in instinct—attachment to family, country, and order—rather than in ideology or theory, unlike the left, which has always had its “little red books”. The real challenge for the right is to move from instinct and sentiment toward structured political thought.’
A new national survey commissioned by MOL shows overwhelming public support in Hungary for renewable energy. 92 per cent want more state investment in green power, and 91 per cent back increased production. Support is especially strong for solar, wind, and geothermal energy, aligning with MOL’s $4 billion sustainability push.
Researchers at the University of Szeged have uncovered a new layer of plant immunity: guard cells not only close pores to block pathogens but also produce defensins—antimicrobial proteins—triggered by jasmonic acid. The finding could lead to eco-friendly crop protection methods using plants’ own defences.
Hungarian influencer Stefi Déri has proposed a debate between Bryan Leib and former US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman. Pressman often criticized Hungary, drawing frequent rebuttals from Leib. While Leib has accepted the challenge, Pressman has yet to respond.
István Holló, a Ukrainian citizen who is suspected of espionage and has ties to high-ranking members of the opposition TISZA Party, will remain in the custody of Hungarian police indefinitely during his criminal investigation.
Hungary is preparing to adopt an updated national AI strategy, announced government commissioner László Palkovics. The revised plan reflects EU regulations and promotes broader access to data, AI education, and public engagement.
Karol Nawrocki’s presidential victory marks a conservative shift in Poland, raising tensions with Brussels and Kyiv. Backed by Law and Justice, Nawrocki is critical of EU influence and Ukraine’s NATO bid, while calling for historical accountability in Polish–Ukrainian relations.
‘It’s always better to defend freedom than to ban, because when you ban, we don’t know who will ban each other someday. In the end, we remember that even Donald Trump was suspended by Twitter, while he was still in office,’ attorney Stéphane Bonichot told our site in our discussion about AI and big tech regulation.
Hungary’s Chief Medical Officer has issued a second-level heat alert across the entire country from Thursday to Sunday night. With temperatures rising well above seasonal norms, health authorities urge citizens to take precautions to avoid heat-related risks.
At the MCC Budapest Summit on Technology and Society, leading thinkers explored how artificial intelligence is transforming society—from reshaping creativity and mental health to challenging traditional education and democracy. Can humanity guide tech without losing itself?
‘The idea of the survivability of death is a key problem, because in its light the whole of life takes on a completely different meaning: if it is possible, nothing else is more important than this; if it is not possible, nothing else is more important than maximizing power and profit in the short period of life on earth—which submerges all other goals.’
Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu is set to launch into space as part of the Axiom-4 mission on 10 June, conducting 25 Hungarian experiments aboard the ISS. He called the opportunity a profound honour and a shared national achievement.
On 4 June, Hungary marks the Day of National Unity, commemorating the 1920 Treaty of Trianon, which redefined the country’s borders and left millions of ethnic Hungarians outside the nation’s territory. The day honours shared identity beyond borders.
Glenn Fahey, Catherine L’Ecuyer, János Setényi, and Avrum Tomer have discussed the benefits and drawbacks of using new technology, primarily AI, in the public education system to teach our children on Day 2 of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s Budapest Budapest Summit on Technology and Society.
Pepsi production has returned to Hungary: thanks to an 11-billion-forint investment by Szentkirályi Hungary, local bottling has replaced imports. The government supported the project with HUF 3.8 billion, emphasizing both economic and environmental benefits.
7 October 2023 will go down in Jewish history as the second Holocaust—or at least, this is how many Israelis feel. The day has irreversibly changed their lives, and Israeli society is gradually processing the catastrophe. Read our on-site report on the security situation in the Jewish state—and how it is perceived.
At the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Technology Summit, Director General of MCC Zoltán Szalai and Balázs Orbán, political director to the Hungarian prime minister, explored the deep societal impacts of the digital revolution—from childhood libraries to generative AI, from European regulation to Jurassic Park’s ethical warnings—urging a human-centred response.
‘ART CORNER is an ongoing project by Hotel Clark and Leo Bistro that brings art into everyday life, in a relaxed and welcoming setting. The Last Romantics is a perfect example of this mission: an exhibition that honours the past, embraces the present, and offers classical beauty to every visitor.’
‘Hungary views Uzbekistan as an important partner in Central Asia, while Tashkent, in turn, sees Hungary as a potential “entry point” into the EU economic space. Key drivers of future growth could include the development of production and logistics chains in pharmaceuticals and agriculture, as well as the promotion of Uzbek textiles, agricultural goods, and other products in the Hungarian market.’
‘In June 2024 Hungarian eco-activists participated in the International Environmental Camp in Samarkand, organized by the Zamin Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Ecology, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, and other partners. This event strengthened the ties between the youth of both countries, laying the groundwork for a new generation of environmentally responsible leaders.’
‘As someone who is politically homeless, I have no interest in producing propaganda for any government or its leader. But I do believe Hungary’s policies—particularly its border fence and stringent asylum processes—offer a compelling case study in slowing mass immigration, especially from Islamic-majority countries.’