Search
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
A Pontozó performance in Holmdel, NJ in 1975

‘We are all Hungarian cultural diplomats’ — A Conversation with Kálmán Magyar Sr.

‘The absolute number of those claiming Hungarian descent in the American censuses, approx. 1.5 million, has remained largely unchanged over the past few decades. Even if the communities dwindle, there will always be those who will do their best to be ‘Hungarian’. Because what does it take for someone to remain Hungarian in the diaspora? You need a Hungarian identity…and a culture you are proud of that you don’t throw away and don’t replace,’ says Kálmán Magyar Sr., conceiver of the Pontozó folk-dance festival.

Károly Patkó, Zebegény (1934). Private Collection

The (Habsburg) Empire Strikes Back

‘The Danubian Compact could serve as a modern, flexible framework for cooperation, focusing on shared economic interests, energy security, infrastructure development, and more. What if the real future of Central Europe does not lie in resurrecting the past, but in reimagining it for a new era? The pieces are there, the question is whether the leaders of these nations are willing to make that leap.’

A 17th century portrait of Ilona Zrínyi (detail, by unknown painter)

Valour and Beauty — The Extraordinary Life of Countess Ilona Zrínyi

Ilona Zrínyi, a noblewoman hailing from a Croatian–Hungarian aristocratic family, is one of the most defining female figures in Hungarian history. An uncompromising patriot and fearless leader, the Countess defended the castle of Munkács (Mukachevo) for three years against the Habsburg forces. Although she died in exile in Turkey in 1703, she was reburied alongside her freedom fighter son, Ferenc II Rákóczi in Kassa (Košice, Slovakia) in 1906.

Portrait of Thomas Cranmer by Gerlach Flicke (detail, 1545)

The Anglosphere and Central Europe: A Personal View

‘The failed revolutionary upheavals in 1848 would see thousands of Central Europeans go into exile in Britain. One of the most famous of these was Hungarian national hero Lajos Kossuth, who travelled extensively in the United States before moving to London, to live there for most of the 1850s. In America, Kossuth was received at the White House twice by President Millard Fillmore, and was generally feted and celebrated everywhere he went.’

The children’s choir at the Magyar Reformed Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey

‘The Magyar Calvinist community of New Brunswick is lucky to be bilingual’ — An Interview with Reverend Zsolt Ötvös

‘The immigrants, such as me, are called Hungarian American, and those who were born here are American Hungarians. Our mentality can differ for many understandable reasons, but we are all bound together by the same mission: our love for God and for each other,’ says Reverend Zsolt Ötvös, who leads the diverse and vibrant Magyar Reformed Church congregation in New Brunswick.

szamos

Marzipan — A Christmas Confection and Its History in Hungary

Much like in many European countries, marzipan enjoys a great popularity in Hungary, too. Marzipan first attained admiration in the Hungarian Kingdom under the rule of the Renaissance king, Matthias Corvinus. According to historic records, a chessboard from brown and white marzipan was the eighth course on King Matthias’ wedding with Beatrice of Naples in 1477.

Search

About

SUBSCRIBE

Tired of browsing?

Choose the Hungarian Conservative newsletter. Sign up for free – cancel anytime.

By signing up, you consent to receive our newsletter and allow Hungarian Conservative to use your data for marketing purposes. You can unsubscribe at any time.