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Békevár-Kipling, a piece of history from the Canadian Prairies

In the 19th century this area of Canada was called Assiniboia, named after local first nations people who lived here for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years as they claim. At this time the province belonged to the Northwest Territories. In 1905 the province joined to the Confederation of Canada and became known by the name of Saskatchewan. Early […]

by · March 24, 2021 · Diaspora
March 15 National Day in the time of the Coronavirus

March 15 National Day in the time of the Coronavirus

On March 15th Hungarians commemorate the Revolution and the War of Independence against the Austrian-Hapsburg rule in 1848–49.  Normally, on this day there are commemorations and family programs all over the country and in Hungarian communities all over the world.  In Budapest the main event takes place on the steps of the Hungarian National Museum just like on March 15, 1848. Today […]

by · March 15, 2021 · Culture
Sándor Sík – the Catholic (and Jewish) icon of Hungarian American Scouts

Sándor Sík – the Catholic (and Jewish) icon of Hungarian American Scouts

The 106-acre Sándor Sík Hungarian Scout Park is in upstate New York, close to Fillmore, in Allegany County.  It was founded as a campground and training center in 1964 by the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris. “With its gently hilly slopes and meadows, firs and a variety of other trees, it is an ideal location for camping,” says the official […]

by · March 8, 2021 · Diaspora
Consul General Valér Palkovits awards Sándor Balla in 2020.

Exploring the millions of dollars the Orbán government has spent in Canada

In 2020, Vinum Tokaj Canada Inc., owned by Sándor Balla, was awarded nearly C$4 million (944,880,000 forints) from Hungarian public funds to operate an office and warehouse in Toronto, as well as provide marketing services for the promotion of Hungarian businesses and products. Of all the funding envelopes allocated by the Orbán government to Canada since 2010, this was the largest.  […]

by · March 1, 2021 · Diaspora
Letter from Rev. Viktor J. Tóth, Pastor at the Hungarian Reformed Church of San Francisco and Vicinity

Letter from Rev. Viktor J. Tóth, Pastor at the Hungarian Reformed Church of San Francisco and Vicinity

Mr. Lazar, The Hungarian Reformed Church of San Francisco and Vicinity is a religious organization and therefore does not get involved in political matters. We worship God. At the same time, we are Hungarians. The parishioners of our Church are free to express their political viewpoints as private citizens, but they are not representing HRCSF. Due to privacy concerns, we do […]

by · February 28, 2021 · Diaspora
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
February 14th: The last day at Budapest's Klubrádió, at least in its current form.

As the Orbán regimes shuts down pro-democracy Klubrádió, Canada’s CBC raises awareness

It’s something of a funeral, although with certain glimmers of hope, at Budapest’s Klubrádió: the last remaining pro-democracy talk radio station in Hungary. Hungarian courts, beholden to the Fidesz party state, have decided to strip the station of its FM frequency, citing legal “infractions.” In essence, the station’s frequency license will expire at midnight on Valentine’s Day and the authorities […]

by · February 14, 2021 · Politics
Baron László Hengelmüller von Hengervár, Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to Washington

Baron László Hengelmüller von Hengervár, Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to Washington

In the 19th century the Hungarian Kingdom was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so Hungary had no separate representation in Washington DC.   Foreign affairs were handled in Vienna.  I was surprised to learn that the longest serving US Ambassador of Austria-Hungary was actually a Hungarian nobleman who, not surprisingly, did not speak Hungarian. His birth name was Baron Hengervári László Hengelmüller; […]

by · February 7, 2021 · Diaspora
Gábor Iványi in 2019. Photo: Facebook

Hungarian faith communities that suffered discrimination finally receive good news

The Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship, a Methodist community led by Reverend Gábor Iványi, was one of two faith groups to receive positive news this week. The other community is a Buddhist organization called Dzsaj Bhím (Jai Bhim), which ministers to the Roma minority and operates a school. After having been stripped of both their status as a church and of their right […]

by · February 3, 2021 · Culture
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