Focus

Photo by Steven Kovács

The saga of public education in Orbán’s Hungary — A letter from a Hungarian school principal

This letter was written by an anonymous principal of a secondary school in Budapest. It is translated and edited for HFP by Steven Kovács. Organization and Bureaucratization From 2013 schools lost their independence, beginning with the principals. The authority was transferred to the 56 local districts in the country. These were grouped under the Klebelsberg Center. This resulted in the […]

by · November 7, 2023 · Focus
Photo: MTI / Noémi Bruzák

President Katalin Novák and the Christian Reformed “revival” in Hungary

Christianity, especially the Calvinist variety, is booming in Hungary — in stark contrast to western European and North American societies that are destroying their own churches. That’s President Katalin Novák’s most recent speech in a nutshell. Regrettably, but not surprisingly, what she had to say isn’t true. The Fidesz politician, currently fulfilling a ceremonial role that on paper ought to […]

by · September 11, 2023 · Focus
What's cooking in the laboratory? Source: Government of the Russian Federation, CC.

What Is Prigozhin And Putin up to in Russia ? My reply to a conservative friend’s letter

Dear A: My short answer to your question is this: Prigozhin “goes both ways” (sic). If you are interested in my longer answer, please read on. Sapiens, including those who are Russian, like to imagine that they are rational creatures, created in the image of god, moving forward progressively as each others’ keepers on the path towards conquering nature. I […]

by · June 28, 2023 · Focus
Statement of Ambassador David Pressman  Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Hungary

Statement of Ambassador David Pressman Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Hungary

Statement of Ambassador David Pressman Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Senate Committee on Foreign Relations   June 23, 2022 Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, distinguished members of the Committee, it is an honor to return to this Committee as the President’s nominee to represent the United States in Hungary. I am grateful to President Biden and Secretary Blinken for the […]

by · June 25, 2022 · Focus
Cover source: Black Rose Books.

Journey to a Forgotten Revolution — An Interview with András B. Göllner

Introduction At the start of the new year, Black Rose Books and the University of Chicago Press announced the world-wide release of a new volume of essays on a revolution that threatened to derail not only the emerging world order after World War I but irritates to this day one of the most sensitive nerve endings of a people’s collective […]

by · January 16, 2022 · Focus
A meeting with dictatorial Viktor Orbán would tarnish Pope Francis’ reputation

A meeting with dictatorial Viktor Orbán would tarnish Pope Francis’ reputation

Will Pope Francis meet Hungary’s far-right authoritarian Viktator?   Well, it depends who do you ask. Orbán controlled Hungarian media claims that Francis will meet Hungarian President János Áder and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the morning of September 12 at the Museum of Fine Arts. (Click here to read)  The Pope himself never expressed desire to meet Orbán who desperately needs a […]

by · September 8, 2021 · Focus
Protest in Budapest against Fidesz's homophobic law. Photo: MTI.

Hungary’s QAnon government

“Save our children!” This exhortation appeared on the bumpers of dusty North American pick-up trucks, on the darker corners of the Internet and occasionally on Facebook newsfeeds, signaling that many of us have acquaintances, friends and contacts who have bought into the worst and the most irrational of conspiracy theories. We’re talking about the likes of “Pizza Gate.” The European […]

by · June 15, 2021 · Focus
Call to reopen the investigation of the death of Tamás Barta, Hungarian Rock Star

Call to reopen the investigation of the death of Tamás Barta, Hungarian Rock Star

Eszter Hajdú is a well-known Hungarian filmmaker with an impressive list of films under her belt.   (Click here to see the list of her films) Now she wants to reopen the 1982 murder case of Tamás Barta in California and she called numerous US politicians, among them Secretary State Anthony Blinken and California Lieutenant Governor and ex-Ambassador to Hungary, Eleni […]

by · April 29, 2021 · Focus
The case of Attila Danku – diplomats shadow and attack Orbán critics in the US

The case of Attila Danku – diplomats shadow and attack Orbán critics in the US

In the last couple of years the Hungarian government has built a network of diplomats, loyalists and sympathizers in the United States to watch, follow and verbally attack critics of the Orbán regime.  This is not a secret operation, it is the official policy of the Orbán government that Hungarian diplomats (and loyal friends) “respond” to those who dare to […]

by · February 21, 2021 · Focus
How to Cook Hungarian Democracy Goulash

How to Cook Hungarian Democracy Goulash

Tip: For this goulash, we recommend that you use a relatively young democracy as the main ingredient. We are basing this recipe on the most infamous of Hungarian master chefs – Viktor Orbán, the current Prime Minister of Hungary. Orbán is credited with turning a once burgeoning free democratic country into a cauldron of burnt citizens, soured dreams and grated […]

by · February 1, 2021 · Focus