Recently in the spotlight

Mr. Orbán in the DMZ, between North and South Korea. Photo: Facebook.

Fidesz support continues to collapse, but an opposition win in Veszprém is still a challenge

Accoring to polling data released this week by two reputable firms — namely Ipsos and Medián — Fidesz is continuing its losing streak and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s popularity has taken a hit as well. Both Ipsos and Medián had very similar findings: in under two months Fidesz support has decreased by between 10 and 12 percent. Medián’s director, Endre Hann, noted […]

by · December 11, 2014 · Politics
Photo: Balázs Nagy

The “crucifixion” of Viktor Orbán

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán knows that his government is in trouble. There is open in-fighting between Fidesz and the Christian Democrats (KDNP) over prospective changes to the church laws, which Mr. Orbán’s party initiated without first consulting with KDNP (or any of the churches, for that matter). And then, the forced Sunday closures of stores, the scrapped Internet tax,  heavy-handed drug testing laws proposed […]

by · December 10, 2014 · Politics
Demonstration at the Hungarian Consulate in NYC. Ferenc Kumin calls the NYPD to deal with the peaceful protesters.

NY Consul Ferenc Kumin overreacts by calling the police on anti-Orbán protesters

On November 17, there was a demonstration in New York City at the Hungarian Consulate. As part of „The Day of Public Outrage” young people staged an orderly protest with signs saying “Orbán-free Hungary” at the Consulate building. As it turns out, Hungarian diplomats viewed these anti-government protesters as a major security threat. First, they sent out an employee to take photos […]

by · December 8, 2014 · Diaspora
Szabolcs Kerék-Bárczy (Photo: Facebook)

Szabolcs Kerék-Bárczy’s call to key Hungarian-Americans: Please live up to the democratic heritage you cherish in America!

An open letter to: Mr. Maximilian Teleki President Hungarian American Coalition Mr. Frank Koszorús, Jr. President The American Hungarian Federation Mr. Eugene Megyesy Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Former Honorary Consul General of Hungary in Colorado Budapest, December 4, 2014 Dear Messrs. Presidents, Dear Max, Frank and Gene, As you are aware several senior Hungarian individuals have recently […]

by · December 6, 2014 · Diaspora
Ibolya Ryan

Tragedy abroad: Ethnic Hungarian teacher Ibolya Ryan fatally stabbed in Abu Dhabi shopping mall

News agencies report that an American kindergarten teacher who is the mother of 11-year-old twin boys was stabbed to death in the bathroom of an Abu Dhabi shopping mall by a robed figure dubbed the “Reem Island Ghost.” The weapon used in the attack, a kitchen knife, was found in the bathroom close to where the victim was found in […]

by · December 4, 2014 · Diaspora
Mr. McCain and Mr. Orbán

Senator McCain: Viktor Orbán is undemocratic and cozying up to Vladimir Putin

The US Senate today voted 52-42 to confirm Colleen Bradley Bell to be U.S. ambassador to Hungary. Senator John McCain is a very influential Republican. He was presidential nominee in 2008, he lost to President Obama, and now he is considered possible presidential candidate in 2016. When Senator McCain talks American politicians listen. McCain spoke in the Senate about Ms. […]

by · December 2, 2014 · Politics
Hungarian euro pipe dream. These are proposals for Hungarian euro coins by Kámen Anev graphic artist. They were created shortly after Hungary joined the EU in 2004 and were first published in the Magyar Hírlap.

Hungarian government says ‘no’ to euro

On paper, Hungary is obliged to eventually replace the forint with the euro. But somewhat like Sweden, which is obligated to do the same on paper, the Hungarian national currency is likely to stay around for some time to come, as the Orbán government has no plans to move towards the euro at any point in the near future. With […]

by · December 2, 2014 · Politics

Moldova chooses Europe over Moscow in tight parliamentary election

By a razor thin margin, voters in Moldova have chosen to give centrist pro-European parties a majority in the country’s parliament, according to results released by the country’s Electoral Commission. Although the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) came out on top, winning 26 seats in the 101-member legislature, their preferred partner, the Party of Communists of […]

by · December 1, 2014 · East
The production of Doktornők (Female Doctors) at the Ida Turai Theatre in November/December 2014. Photo: Beatrix Gergely.

Hungarian theatre explores role of female doctors in First World War (Photo report)

In 1914, at the start of the First World War, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany famously promised that by the time the leaves fall from the trees, the War will be over. But when the signs of a bogged down conflict and a bloody stalemate became evident in December 1914, these words rang very hollow, indeed. Soldiers of Austria-Hungary faced the […]

by · December 1, 2014 · Culture
Éva Homor, Steven Kovács and Réka Pigniczky - the San Francisco team of the Hungarian Film Festival.

Hungarian film festivals in California

Hungarian immigrants made important contributions to Hollywood; Michael Curtis, Adolf Zukor, George Cukor, William Fox and the Korda brothers were legends in the last century. “It’s not enough to be talented – you have to be Hungarian in Hollywood.” There is some truth to this myth; during the 1930´s some claimed that the California film industry was dominated by Hungarians. […]

by · November 29, 2014 · Culture