Post Tagged with: "Poland"

Mr. Gábor Demszky (in the middle without tie) accepts the European Solidarity Centre award.

Gábor Demszky, iconic anti-Communist leader of the democratic opposition receives award

A couple of days ago 67-year-old Gábor Demszky received the prestigious award of the European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk, Poland. Ms. Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk and Mr. Basil Kerski, director of the European Solidarity Centre introduced and honored three prominent European thinkers and politicians in a televised ceremony. The honorees were: · Mr. Myroslav Marynovich co-founder of Amnesty International […]

by · September 6, 2019 · East
Polish nationalist activist Sławomir Dul hangs an effigy of late communist politician Jakub Berman, captioned 'Jew,' in Lodz on April 30. 2019

Two examples of contemporary Polish antisemitism

Ever since I read Jerzy Kosiński’s 1965 novel The Painted Bird, I was freed from any misconception that antisemitism in Hungary is unique or somehow more odious than that appearing elsewhere in Central Europe. In fact, in some ways, Poland’s religiosity may have contributed to a particularly fervid form of hatred. In The Painted Bird, we follow the story of a […]

by · May 9, 2019 · Antisemitism
Another selfie

Who’s Meshuga? Arnold Schwarzenegger and Viktor Orbán – best buddies

Last December in the Polish city of Katowice, Arnold Schwarzenegger gave a brief speech about climate change. In his speech Arnold called President Trump meshuga. The Yiddish word means crazy and the audience responded with applause. Arnold grew up in Graz, Austria as a son of a one-time Nazi party-member policeman. I don’t think that he heard much Yiddish at […]

by · April 5, 2019 · Politics
Bem’s statue in Budapest

Joseph Bem – the Polish, Jewish, Muslim general and hero of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution

On March 15th Hungarians commemorate the Revolution and War of Independence against Habsburg rule in 1848-49. We remember the legendary military leader, General Joseph Bem. Bem was born in Poland in 1794 probably in a Catholic family. As a trained military engineer, an expert with guns, especially with gun powder, he was one of the leaders of the Polish insurrections […]

by · March 16, 2019 · Culture
Mr. László Brenzovics and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The Orbán government should not block Ukraine’s NATO and EU integration

The conflict between Hungary and Ukraine is getting out of control. The Orbán Government’s retaliatory blocking of Ukraine’s NATO and EU integration have met unanimous criticism. The dispute between Hungary and Ukraine began over the so-called Language Law. Ukraine’s Parliament passed legislation to promote the use of the Ukrainian language. Western Ukraine has a multi-ethnic population, among them ethnic Hungarians. […]

by · May 4, 2018 · East
Orbán and Kaczinsky in happier days.

Orbán backstabbed Kaczynski

Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki – Poles, Hungarians, two brothers, they fight together, they drink wine together. (Polish proverb) There were few relationships between right-wing political parties closer than the alliance of the ruling Polish PiS and Hungarian Fidesz. Party bosses Orbán and Jaroslaw Kaczynski have pledged to wage a “cultural counter-revolution” and reform a […]

by · March 11, 2017 · East
Nemanja Nikolic. PHOTO PRZEMYSLAW SZYSZKA / SE / EAST NEWS POZNAN

Nemanja Nikolic Yugoslavia-born Hungarian soccer player signs with Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire soccer team announced their acquisition of 28-year-old Hungarian international striker Nemanja Nikolic from the Polish club, Legia Warsaw. Nikolic is a super hot player. Chicago Fire beat out English Premier League club, Hull City, and several Chinese Super League teams to sign him. Nemanja Nikolic, a Hungarian soccer player? The 29 year-old has an interesting story. He […]

by · January 9, 2017 · Culture
KOD Polonia USA in Chicago.

Polish-American community leaders speak up against illiberalism and threat to democracy in Poland

In stark contrast to the silence of the organized Hungarian diaspora community when faced with the demise of the rule of law in Hungary, one of the largest Polish-American organizations has spoken up in protest against the growing threat of authoritarianism in their country of origin and heritage. We are sharing their letter, addressed to Hillary Clinton, with our readers. […]

by · May 28, 2016 · East