‘Violent crime has arrived in a country where it was exceedingly rare. Iceland is now even a contributor to the online migrant-crime genre.’
A user going by the name ‘Based Hungary’ on the social media platform X has recently published a post, praising Hungary for renovating a ‘record number’ of 4,000 churches. Last month, State Secretary Miklós Soltész talked about the Hungarian government’s efforts to renovate churches, which is likely where the X user got their figure.
‘In international studies, the Hungarian merchant is considered one of the discoverers of Tibetan art, as he recognized the cultural values of the Himalayan peoples early on…He is also considered the second founder of the Asian Art Museum, founded by Ferenc Hopp, as he donated so many, mainly Indian and Tibetan statues and scroll paintings, to the collection.’
‘István Dukai is a Budapest-based graphic and visual artist whose works evoke the traditions of constructivism, minimal art, op art, and the Bauhaus. Behind the discipline of form lies a profound sensitivity and deep respect for materials. His art is guided by a reductionist approach where every line, curve, and colour has its own place and purpose.’
Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, Transylvanian Roma priest Ottó Kalányos, and the Örökké Haza (Forever Home) project received Highlights of Hungary 2025’s three community awards, after a record-breaking over 140,000 votes cast by the public.
On this day, we celebrate the life of Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation movement of the 16th century, a former Augustinian friar and professor of theology, and the author of the first common-language German translation of the Bible.
Olympic gold medalist taekwondo practitioner Viviana Márton won silver in the lightweight category, while her twin sister Luana Márton won the gold medal in the welterweight category at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China.
‘The French Revolution of 1789 did appear vividly, to many Hungarians of the 19th century, as both a challenge to the old order and a blueprint for something new.’
The Budapest General Assembly has approved new restrictions on the use of fireworks during New Year’s Eve celebrations, limiting private displays to a six-hour window and banning them entirely in protected areas across the city.
No progress was made on the future of the Sziget Festival, as the Budapest General Assembly failed to reach a majority vote on ending the city’s existing public-space contract with the organizers, leaving the fate of Hungary’s biggest music event uncertain.
At the International Pro-Israel Summit in Budapest this week, Bryan Leib described Hungary as ‘the beating heart of common sense in Europe’ for being one of the few countries to implement strict border control and stand up to the Islamization of the Old Continent.
Ghosts, witches, and zombies will take over Szeged Zoo this Friday, where visitors can enjoy animal feeding shows, spooky adventures, and a detective game as part of the park’s annual Halloween celebration.
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 27 October, marking their first in-person meeting. They discussed Hungary–Vatican cooperation on peace efforts in Ukraine, the Church’s role in social development, and broader international issues, including the Middle East and Europe.
‘During the fighting, two primary schools, one high school, and one kindergarten in the district were damaged, with total costs amounting to 150,000 forints; 20,000 of this was for the physics laboratory at Szilágyi High School alone.’
The Center for Fundamental Rights held its third International Pro-Israel Summit in Budapest. While the first event in 2023 followed the 7 October Hamas attacks, this year’s took place a few weeks after President Trump’s Israel–Hamas peace deal. Speakers included Hungary’s Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Israel’s Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and Yair Netanyahu.
‘Here, we will mostly focus on Batthyány’s role as one of the rebel leaders mentioned; his trial papers have survived to the greatest extent. In October 1959, an investigation was launched “in connection with the crimes of the counter-revolutionaries of Széna Square”, and “during this investigation, we identified several individuals who had not yet been held accountable…”’
The Hungarian Embassy in London hosted the Roger Scruton Symposium on 21 October, bringing together scholars, diplomats and public figures to reflect on the conservative philosopher’s legacy. Organized by the Hungarian Scruton Hub and the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation, the event featured four panels examining Scruton’s ideas on nationhood, culture, and the defence of Western civilization.
The documentary Ferenc Krausz — In Pursuit of Electrons, portraying Hungary’s Nobel Prize-winning physicist, has won Best Documentary at the Kraków International Science and Technology Film Festival over the weekend.
Marcin Tulicki’s new documentary on the takeover of Polish state media under Donald Tusk premiered in Budapest on Monday. During the panel discussion that followed, Gergely Gulyás criticized the European Commission’s approach to rule of law issues, while Zbigniew Ziobro claimed that Tusk’s government operates ‘with EU approval’ despite undermining judicial independence.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has been accused of match-fixing, while Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups faces charges for participating in an illegal, rigged poker game. The scandal revealed two hard truths: even the multi-million-dollar salaries of the NBA are not sufficient safeguards against illegal gambling, and New York’s five ‘traditional’ La Cosa Nostra families remain active.
‘The conundrum, as stated above, is that Taiwan is treated by a great part of the international community as if it were a country of its own.’
‘Conservative governments of the Thatcher era recognized the damage the over-reach of the state in the economy could do to ideas of individual responsibility…’
‘On 25 October, transport workers began to blockade major national roads, as well as the central arteries of Budapest.’
‘Preferring a loosely Christian society to these theocratic or technocratic extremes, Dawkins concedes that “we need Christianity” as a cultural inheritance that sustains meaning.’
Ferencváros edged Red Bull Salzburg 3–2 in a dramatic Europa League win on the anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 Revolution. Barnabás Varga, Kristoffer Zachariassen, and Bamidele Yusuf scored as Fradi held firm despite Salzburg’s late fightback to stay unbeaten in the league phase. Some controversy led up to the game: Austrian authorities did not let the Fradi fans’ charter train through at the border for unclear reasons.
Concerto Budapest will hold its celebratory concert on 24 October at the Müpa in memory of the 1956 Revolution. Conducted by András Keller, the concert will feature Liszt’s symphonic poem, Dohnányi witty artwork, and Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ symphony, with pianist Dénes Várjon.
After nearly a decade of dictatorship, the spark ignited on 23 October, and the Hungarian revolutionaries demonstrated a courage that still makes us shiver almost 70 years later. They risked their lives and their careers for a narrow window of freedom—a feat that is difficult for a person in this age of egotism to comprehend.
The US Supreme Court, currently holding a 6–3 conservative majority, might appear to favour President Trump. However, conservatives often support a strict, limited reading of the Constitution. Many analysts therefore expect the Court to strike down his tariffs as unconstitutional. In that case, the decision can (and should) be softened by a long stay to avoid a market crash.
Hungary will allocate an additional 2 billion forints this year to continue joint forestry and climate programmes, bringing total investment to 12 billion forints over five years. The funds aim to expand forest cover and enhance the country’s natural carbon sinks.
The Budapest Showcase Hub (BuSH) returns for its 10th edition from 29–31 October, bringing over 30 artists from 15 countries to venues across the city, including Turbina, Gödör, and Akvárium Klub, for three days of music and professional dialogue.