‘In a bathhouse, one can feel as though they are not in this world, but in some strange, liminal state. A space where the all-too-familiar rules of everyday life temporarily do not apply. The bathhouse is a place of retreat, of solitary contemplation, but also a place for togetherness, for carefree or very serious conversations.’

Poland officially registered its first legally recognized same-sex marriage on Thursday after Warsaw authorities transcribed the marriage certificate of two Polish men married in Germany, triggering celebration among progressives and sharp backlash from conservative politicians and right-wing commentators.

Budapest’s City Park is preparing for one of the biggest events in its history as tens of thousands of Arsenal supporters are expected to gather there during the 2026 UEFA Champions League final weekend.

This year’s Gourmet Festival in Budapest will focus on the flavours of rural Hungary, featuring more than 20 countryside restaurants, Michelin-starred chefs and dozens of culinary programmes at Millenáris Park.

The police interrogation footage has just been released in the case of Mia Bailey, a biological man identifying as a woman who killed both of his parents in June 2024 in Washington City, Utah. In the interrogation, he admits that he committed patricide and matricide because his mother tried to cancel his gender reassignment surgery.

Hungary’s residential property market continued to grow in April, though the pace of price increases slowed nationwide and Budapest recorded a slight monthly decline, according to ingatlan.com.

Authorities in Czechia are continuing their search for the thief who stole the skull of Saint Zdislava from one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites shortly before mass on Tuesday evening. Police released security camera footage as outrage grows over the theft of the centuries-old Christian relic.

An ‘intersectional work and social club’ in Berlin, Germany, that proclaims it is only open to ‘BIWoC and TIN*BIPoC’ (meaning people who are not white or men) has received €662,450 in funding from a federal German programme, The European Conservative has uncovered.

A major new exhibition marking the 120th anniversary of Victor Vasarely’s birth has opened in Budapest, exploring the influence of the pioneering op-art artist on Hungarian experimental and neo-avant-garde art of the 1960s and 1970s.

Olympic champion Viviana Márton added another major title to her growing collection after winning gold in the women’s 62-kilogram category at the European Taekwondo Championships in Munich. The Hungarian athlete staged a dramatic comeback in the final against Spain’s Elsa Secanell Charles to secure the continental title.

Antoinette Fernandez, the person in charge of the UK Green Party’s reparations programme that would give monetary compensation to the descendants of slaves in the British Empire, was revealed to come from a family of Nigerian monarchs on her mother’s side that made fortunes on commissions on slaves they sold to the Transatlantic slave trade.

China’s revival of Confucianism is increasingly tied to the CCP’s global ambitions. While presented as a philosophy of harmony and stability, Beijing uses Confucian ideals to legitimize authoritarian governance, promote a Pax Sinica in Asia, and challenge the Western-led international order through economic influence and civilizational identity.

In the local council elections taking place across England last week, over 100 of the councillor seats were taken by Muslim candidates running as independents. The Muslim population has been steadily increasing in the United Kingdom for decades, especially in England.

The last time Hungary qualifed for the FIFA World Cup was in 1986. The Hungarians came to the tournament in Mexico as ‘dark horse’ favourites after an impressive qualification campaign, only to leave very disappointed after the group stage. Diego Maradona’s Argentina ended up taking home the glory—their run included one of the most memorable games in football history against England in the Quarter-Finals.

Hungary’s incoming agriculture minister has announced plans for a 5 per cent VAT rate on fruit and vegetables, alongside major reforms targeting drought management, food self-sufficiency and land ownership rules.

Rumours that transgender actor Elliot Page could portray Achilles in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey have sparked intense backlash online, with critics arguing the casting would fundamentally clash with the traditional image of the legendary Greek warrior. The speculation has rapidly become one of the many controversies ahead of the movie’s July 2026 release.

‘America is a large and prosperous country that has attracted talented individuals from all over the world—that’s how it reached such a high level also in science. Through the exhibition, Americans can learn about the remarkable contributions Hungarian scientists have made to this success.’

‘The way we think about water as a science today, the way our rivers look and flow, and the manner in which we create soda water are all, on some level, due to Hungarians.’

Canadian schoolchildren were pulled from a theatre performance involving a drag performer after teachers deemed parts of the show inappropriate for students, according to media reports. Videos circulating online quickly fuelled outrage, and the school is reportedly preparing to file a complaint.

A new Chinese–Hungarian fantasy drama exploring identity, family tensions, and Budapest’s little-known Chinese community is set to arrive in Hungarian cinemas on 21 May. Not Me marks the feature film debut of Chinese-born director Zhang Ge and blends psychological conflict with supernatural elements.

At the opening event for Ludovika Festival 2026, astronaut Tibor Kapu, the second Hungarian to visit outer space, gave a special lecture about his experiences with astronaut training and space travel. He was joined by the reserve crew member for the HUNOR programme, Gyula Cserényi.

‘One may ask why Rome has yet to publicly address the evils of Islam and communism as so many popes have done in the past.’

Hungary’s pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale has opened with Pneuma Cosmic, an immersive installation by artist Endre Koronczi exploring airflow, breath and invisible natural forces through conceptual art and sound.

A response meant to challenge the ‘seesaw fallacy’ instead reinforces it. By shifting the focus from Islam’s long historical conflict with Christian Europe to Jewish–Muslim relations, critics illustrate the very confusion at the heart of the debate—conflating distinct histories into a single, misleading moral framework.

After a memorable 5–4 score in France, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich tied each other 1–1 in the rematch in Munich, Germany. This means that PSG will face Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary in the final, with a chance to become the first team to defend their UCL title since Real Madrid in 2018.

Hungarians, the Danube Institute’s new documentary, premiered in Budapest on 5 May, portraying the nation through self-told personal stories rather than narration. From Holocaust memory and Jewish identity to elite sport, architecture, and Ferencváros fandom, the film weaves diverse personal journeys into a powerful portrait of the Hungarian people.

With their 1–0 win over Atlético Madrid at home in London, UK, Arsenal advanced to their first UEFA Champions League final in 20 years. They will be playing either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on 30 May.

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord brings Darth Maul back to animation in a gritty, noir-infused thriller set one year after Revenge of the Sith. With Sam Witwer’s career-best performance, a surprise appearance, and a finale that ranks among the best in the franchise, the show delivers what we would expect.

Partizán is facing backlash from its progressive audience after airing an interview with Brazilian feminist activist Isabella Cêpa, with users condemning the content as ‘hate speech’ and threatening to withdraw support from the traditionally left-wing YouTube channel.

Hungary could soon restore full access to the Erasmus+ programme, as Tisza Party officials say negotiations are underway to remove restrictions and reopen opportunities for students.