Budapest renewed its roads, bridges, tram lines, and public transport fleet over the summer. Mayor Gergely Karácsony said the works had been scheduled during the school break to minimize disruption and ensure smoother operations by autumn.
‘No Western country has found a lasting way out of demographic winter. France, once considered the European model for its family-friendly cultural and social policies, has nonetheless seen a decline from 2.0 children per woman in 2010 to around 1.7 in 2023. Sweden and the Nordic countries, long heralded as champions of work–life balance and gender equality, are following the same path…’
In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika is looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America, from penniless peasants to political emigrants and soldiers of fortune. In this section, let us continue the story of Joseph Pulitzer, whose creative press campaign helped Grover Cleveland become President of the United States.
In Budapest, Hungarian space pioneers Charles Simonyi, Bertalan Farkas, Tibor Kapu, and Gyula Cserényi reflected on the challenges of space travel and the future of research, highlighting Hungary’s past and present contributions to global space exploration.
‘Climate change does not affect all groups in society equally…women and other marginalized communities often suffer disproportionately from its impacts. This statement applies particularly to countries of the Global South, where some communities are increasingly exposed to climate impacts, which threaten their livelihoods, health, and safety, and further deepens existing gender inequalities.’
‘Hungarian folklore has particularly preserved the memory of Mihály Dobozi, a minor nobleman of Fejér County. Fleeing with his wife, Ilona, his horse faltered beneath the double burden. His wife implored him to kill her rather than allow her to fall into Ottoman hands. Dobozi, with a heavy heart, fulfilled her plea and then fought to the death himself.’
‘When people raise the flag, they are not only showing love for their country—they are also raising a flag about concerns that political elites have long ignored. From the failures of multiculturalism and the impact of uncontrolled immigration to the double standards in policing, ordinary citizens in England are using this symbol to say: enough is enough,’ Professor Frank Furedi has opined.
Budapest Central European Fashion Week returns 1–7 September with more than 50 events, from runway shows and sustainability workshops to culinary programmes, art collaborations, and international conferences on fashion’s future.
‘By connecting historical roots, pre-Christian customs and modern cultural practices, the Perbenyik St Stephen Days serve as a living bridge between Hungary’s past and present. Although Upper Hungary is now part of Slovakia, the festival reflects enduring national identity and the cultural unity of Hungarians across borders.’
Ferencváros fell agonizingly short of the Champions League, beating Qarabağ 3–2 in Baku after losing the home tie, but still losing 5–4 on aggregate. Goals from Joseph, Varga, and Tóth sparked hopes of a miracle comeback, yet a late save denied the equalizer. Fradi still get to play in the Europa League this season.
Budapest’s public transport ticketing system is set for a major upgrade as Centre for Budapest Transport begins replacing its decade-old network of ticket and pass vending machines with modern devices. The renewal project will start this year and finish in 2026.
Two Hungarian films, László Nemes Jeles’s Orphan and Ildikó Enyedi’s Silent Friend, will premiere in competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, marking a major moment for Hungarian cinema on the global stage.
Free textbooks and school supplies have once again been delivered to every Hungarian school ahead of the new academic year. The government also supports disadvantaged families through EU-backed projects providing essential learning tools.
Sándor Wekerle served as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Hungary in three non-consecutive terms between 1892 and 1918, in the dual monarchy era of Hungarian history. He was the first man who did not come from a noble ancestry to serve as Prime Minister. Today is the 104th anniversary of his death.
A week-long training on advanced satellite data processing has begun at the University of Sopron with support from the European Space Agency, aiming to prepare Hungarian educators and researchers for the challenges of space-based data analysis.
Hungary is emerging as a top European tourist destination, with 8.2 million visitors in H1 2025 generating 18.9 million nights, as reported by the tourism industry news site Travel and Tour World. Budapest draws crowds with its baths and nightlife, while rural areas and wine regions grow.
Hungary’s growing electricity demand and the need for stable, round-the-clock energy production make nuclear power indispensable, argued former President János Áder in his latest podcast, joined by energy expert Attila Aszódi.
Budapest’s Keleti Railway Station will undergo a four-week renovation starting Monday, described as this year’s largest maintenance project. The works will cause major traffic changes, with trains rerouted to other stations.
‘Even iron cannot resist time, and so it is with man. If put to work, it wears down; if left lying on the ground, rust consumes it. Since we must perish either way, it is a hundred times better to wear out than to rust away.’
‘“The person of Zoltán Liska, chaplain serving at the Castle parish, has for some time been of interest to the state security organs…The wording of his speeches violates the agreement between church and state.” It is beyond doubt that the priest’s messages sometimes encouraged his faithful toward active, courageous ways of keeping strong Christianity forced underground.’
On 23 August, Europe observes the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes. The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity’s (ENRS) campaign ‘Remember. 23 August’ highlights intergenerational trauma and courage in the face of oppression, offering expert insights, short films, and educational resources.
In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika is looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America, from penniless peasants to political emigrants and soldiers of fortune. In this part, let us continue the story of Joseph Pulitzer, who, as a press magnate, considered education, opinion-forming, and influence to be his primary goals.
‘Dukai’s work is rooted in modernist movements such as constructivism, op art, minimalism, and the Bauhaus, yet it remains deeply personal. He frequently works with natural hand-woven linen, rusted metal, and reclaimed fabrics, employing traditional graphic techniques such as silkscreen, woodcut, and collography, alongside unconventional processes like plant-based tanning.’
Budapest’s St Stephen’s Day celebrations drew a record crowd, with over 798,000 visitors detected via mobile data—a 12.5 per cent rise from last year. The fireworks alone attracted more than 450,000 people, including nearly 89,000 foreign tourists, marking a 27 per cent surge compared to 2024.
Debrecen Zoo joins the nationwide Night of Zoos with a programme highlighting wildlife conservation, responsible animal care, and the wonders of nocturnal creatures, offering families a unique nature experience after dark.
After 33 years, Hungary once again hosts a MotoGP World Championship round this weekend at Balaton Park in Balatonfőkajár. All eyes will be on Spain’s six-time world champion Marc Márquez, the runaway leader of the season.
Hungary’s highest state honor, the Order of Saint Stephen, was awarded to astronauts Bertalan Farkas and Tibor Kapu on 20 August at the Sándor Palace in Budapest, recognizing their groundbreaking contributions to space exploration and Hungarian science.
‘Tóth informed the choir members that he had “received an ultimatum from the Ministry of the Interior”, which caused great outrage—someone reportedly shouted: “This can’t happen in 1966 Hungary!” But it did happen.’
Charge’ d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Budapest Robert Palladino and Director General for the Center for Fundamental Rights Miklós Szánthó spoke at the ceremonial opening of the The Martians — Hungarian Scientists and Nobel Laureates exhibition at Vörösmarty Square in Budapest, Hungary, which is dedicated to the great Hungarian scientific minds in history.
Hungarians can now taste the official Cake of Hungary and its sugar-free counterpart at the Street of Hungarian Flavours, part of the Saint Stephen’s Day festivities filled with concerts, family activities, and cultural programmes across Budapest.