‘In October of 2021, in the same elementary school, the homoerotic book, All Boys Aren’t Blue by George Johnson, was an approved book in the school library. Parents were criticizing the book at a school board meeting, but what was tragically comical is that the local newspaper couldn’t accurately report on the book because of pornography laws.’
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. To start with, here is the story of a turn-of-the-century emigrant, whose words help us understand the goals, dreams, and plans with which Hungarians set out for America back in the day.
‘This does not ruin the research activities of “Lantos” in his civilian life, nor does it detract from his achievements as a historian. It merely points to the fact that even the most prominent public figures were sometimes “found” by state security, and some of them, for one reason or another, said yes to collaboration—even if the candidate was Jewish and the target was the State of Israel.’
‘To some, it may seem like time for the world to throw in the towel and give in to the reality that the future of international trade lies in the hands of Moscow and Beijing, whose plans benefit first and foremost them. However, an alternative route has been proposed.’
‘As András Szöllősi-Nagy emphatically states, their task and goal is nothing less than “to justify the existing cultural continuity in Europe, which the terrible dictatorships of the last century could not break by any kind of prohibition or eradication. What drives us is to prove, through art, that this region, Central Europe, has always been part of European culture, and vice versa.”’
Hungarian artist Endre Kecső brings ancient myths to life at Nagyházi Contemporary with Aphrodisias, on view until 31 May. Inspired by the sacred city devoted to Aphrodite, the exhibition explores themes of love, fertility, and inner transformation through bold, symbolic paintings that bridge the gap between classical spirituality and contemporary art.
What is the message of the Washington, DC shooting? Will Israel change the course of its military operation in Gaza under international pressure? And why is Hungary an important ally for Israel? We asked Israel’s new ambassador to Hungary about the storm clouds gathering over the Jewish state.
‘There are plenty of [contemporary] artists at home who are prepared and would otherwise fit in with the trend, but as it costs a lot to bring and keep their work here, [they] cannot really be present…they would rather have it in their portfolio that their work was out in New York.’
Hungarian MP for KNDP in the ruling Fidesz–KDNP coalition István Simiscskó has recently appeared on Hungarian public media, where he talked about how Ukraine’s potential EU accession would be ‘very premature’ and would create ‘serious security and economic risks’.
The 18th National Gallop kicks off with preliminary races this weekend in Serbia’s Subotica and Hungary’s Őcsény. Riders from across Hungary and neighbouring regions will compete for a place in the finals, set for 4–5 October in Szilvásvárad.
In a 215–214 vote, the US House of Representatives has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which extends the 2017 Trump tax cuts, removes taxes on tips and overtime, and gives additional funding to border patrol. Due to the budget reconciliation process, it does not need 60 votes in the Senate to bypass the filibuster.
Budapest’s transport company BKK plans to introduce ‘school streets’ near educational institutions, restricting car traffic during drop-off and pick-up times to create a safer and cleaner environment for children, parents, and staff.
Carte Rouge, a 2024 historical drama by Hungarian director Sándor Gerebics, premieres in Los Angeles on May 31 at the Meryl Streep Center. Set after WWI, it follows Hungary’s fight to preserve its borders at the Paris peace talks. The event includes a panel with the director, cast, and screenwriter, hosted by Hungary’s Consulate in LA.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized Brussels’ energy policies in a Facebook post, warning that EU sanctions aimed at aiding Ukraine could drastically raise household utility costs. He urged Hungarians to vote in the upcoming Voks 2025 campaign.
‘Since March of this year, Belgian authorities have been investigating certain members of the European Parliament for their possible complicity in Huawei’s schemes to influence the EU’s co-legislator. News first broke about the scandal when the police conducted 21 searches in Belgium and Portugal.’
During his first public discussion since the conclave in early May, Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő shared insights on both the late Pope Francis and the new pontiff, Leo XIV. According to him, Francis had a special bond with Hungary and believed that it is a country of faith.
CPAC Hungary 2025 will be taking place on 29–30 May at the Budapest Congress Center, just one week from now. The confirmed speakers include famed American political commentators Ben Shapiro and Dave Rubin, as well as Member of the Spanish Congress of Deputies for the right-wing populist Vox party Santiago Abascal.
Hungary’s first hybrid smart store has opened in Szeged. Operated by Coop Szeged, the shop offers traditional service by day and goes fully automated without staff after hours—providing full product access via a mobile app and self-checkout system.
Following a vote by a vast majority, Hungary can now officially withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), whose decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli political and military leaders is facing growing scrutiny.
‘Whether this era will bring consolidation or rupture remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the age of managerial drift is over. In its place stands a presidency more Caesar than consul and more instinct than theory. History, once again, is taking sides—and Donald Trump appears determined to pick one first.’
Hungary’s MOL Group and MVM Group have signed a new oil trade agreement to further diversify energy supplies in landlocked Hungary and Slovakia. The deal could boost the use of alternative crude by 160,000 tons annually through imports from the Caspian region.
What is America’s interest in participating in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project? What geopolitical benefits can this economic cooperation bring? And can the US reclaim global leadership through soft power? We spoke with a prominent American political analyst at the Danube Institute’s conference on the IMEC initiative.
‘Additionally, there is significant potential to increase the export of Uzbek goods to the Hungarian market in product categories that are in demand in Hungary…This would help diversify Uzbekistan’s export structure and more fully realize the existing trade potential between the two countries.’
Budapest Zoo has lifted all restrictions imposed in March due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Visitors can once again enter the petting zoo and walk among the animals on the popular Australian Walk pathway.
A man died in Hungary after an alleged case of police brutality during a drug-related arrest. His family claims he was beaten and dragged despite severe injuries. Authorities deny wrongdoing, but a criminal investigation is underway and protests are planned in Szeged this weekend.
Recent developments in the Hungary–Ukraine spy scandal indicate that one of the exposed Ukrainian intelligence officers, Roland Tseber, had a deeply embedded network within Hungarian political and defence circles. He even organized opposition leader Péter Magyar’s visit to Kyiv last July, further raising suspicions about the Tisza party and its potential cooperation with Ukrainian intelligence.
Hungarian animation is making a major splash at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, launching the first English-language industry site, Hunimation.com, and debuting a new trailer showcasing 75 works from 24 studios.
‘Hungary is important to Uzbekistan not only as a supplier of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment but also as a source of advanced technologies and expertise. In turn, Uzbekistan has effectively established exports of goods such as agriculture, chemicals, and textiles.’
‘In my new book, I discuss Popper’s later thinking, which has been neglected. In his later thought, he proposed, first of all, a dualistic theory of the mind…He thought that we couldn’t explain or consider human behaviour simply in terms of the brain and the body. We had to consider what he called a self, acting above the brain, and causing the brain to react in various ways.’
‘The development of transit corridors and the implementation of joint logistics infrastructure projects are key strategic components of cooperation within the OTS. In this regard, the joint development of the Middle Corridor is taken into account, which allows diversifying the transit of goods from China to Europe and back.’