Category Archives: Hungary

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Art Camp

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Art Camp

The Herényiek Házában art camp in Hungary, initiated by the Szombathely Roma National Self-Government, has become an annual celebration of art and community since its inception in 2015, supported by local government.

Artists from across the country gather to collaborate and learn from each other, fostering dialogue between Roma and Hungarian communities, with this year’s theme focusing on Plein air art. Local officials, including the deputy mayor, expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its importance in promoting quality cultural programs outside the city center.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Fishing …

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Fishing …

A fishing competition (YES!) between police and Roma community took place on June 26 at the Paksi Atomerőmű fishing lake in Tolna County, marking its tenth anniversary.

The event was organized by the Tolna County Police Headquarters in collaboration with the local Roma self-government, with police colonel Dr. Nikoletta Hablicsek as the main patron.

The competition was won by Roma representative Györgye Mátyás, with police officer Zsiga Péter in second place and Orsós Károly in third; a special prize for the largest fish was awarded to Kovács Márton.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Udvar Festival

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Udvar Festival

The article discusses the Udvar Festival in Arló, Hungary, which celebrates the Roma community and its rich culture through music and community events.

The festival has grown significantly over five years, now featuring multiple concert venues and numerous performers, emphasizing cultural and social goals.

Local initiatives aim to engage families and improve community ties, addressing poverty and promoting positive aspects of Roma culture.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Budapest Walk

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Budapest Walk

The new Józsefváros walk of the UCCU Foundation takes stock of the obvious and often invisible places of the Roma cultural presence.

This is not the first city walk of the UCCU Roma Informal Foundation, but the first one in Józsefváros – the foundation operates in the district, previously in H13, now in József utca. UCCU is not an average Roma advocacy organization, it is characterized by the self-awareness and independence of the Z generation (20–30 years old). The walk was also led by two young people, Norbert Horváth, who is already beyond his university years, and Csilla Berki, who is still a university student, who were also accompanied by Szilvia Szénási, the head of the foundation.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Serbia

Hungary and Roma

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Hungary and Roma

Under the new leadership of Prime Minister Peter Mađar, Hungary is taking significant steps to address discrimination against the Roma community, marking a historic moment in the country’s political landscape.

The new government includes four Roma parliament members, with Krištijan Kesegi becoming the first Roma vice president, signaling a shift towards greater representation.

Despite the positive gestures, Roma leaders remain cautious and are waiting to see if these symbolic changes will lead to real policy reforms and improvements in their socio-economic conditions.

However, Aba-Horváth István, a Roma minority spokesperson in Hungary, expresses disappointment over the loss of prestige in parliamentary representation for the Roma community, feeling they missed a historic opportunity for a genuine voice in parliament.

He criticizes the lack of cooperation from Debrecen representatives and the prevailing divisive political culture, which he believes undermines collaboration and community building.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Magyar and Roma

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Magyar and Roma

Under Viktor Orban, the Roma community faced severe discrimination and marginalization, but the new Prime Minister Peter Magyar is making efforts to address antiziganism and include Roma voices in politics.

A significant moment occurred during the inaugural session of the National Assembly when Roma children performed their anthem, symbolizing a shift in political representation for the Roma community.

Magyar’s government has pledged to end discrimination against Roma, improve their living conditions, and reform public works programs, but skepticism remains about the sincerity and effectiveness of these promises.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary and Roma

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Hungary and Roma

Two articles concerning Roma in Hungary.

The first one discusses the lack of Roma representation in the Hungarian government, which has disappointed the Roma community, and highlights the need for genuine inclusion in political processes. Activist Horváth Aladár emphasizes the importance of recognizing Roma as equal citizens and the potential for change under the new government led by Magyar Péter. The article also critiques the historical neglect of Roma issues in Hungary and the need for substantial reforms to improve their social and economic conditions.

In the second second one Keno Verseck questions whether the situation for Roma in Hungary will improve under the new government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who is sending a historical signal against anti-Roma sentiment. Magyar has a knack for symbolic politics, having previously highlighted Roma culture during significant political events, which resonated with the European Roma community. The new Prime Minister aims to go beyond mere gestures and is expected to take more substantial actions regarding Roma issues.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Giving Birth in Hungary

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Giving Birth in Hungary

Reports of humiliation, threats, and vulnerability are not uncommon in the birth stories of Roma women. An initiative in Alsózsolca is trying to provide an answer to this: doulas trained from local Roma women accompany pregnant women. An interview with doula Rita Kishonthy-Kardos, the professional leader of the EMMA Association’s community companions program, about obstetric violence, racism, and how doulaship can become community support and a tool for self-assertion.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Renting a Flat

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Renting a Flat

A Roma family in Hungary faces discrimination in the rental market, highlighting the challenges they encounter when landlords reject them based on their ethnic background.

Research shows that Roma applicants require significantly more attempts to secure viewings compared to non-Roma, and they often face higher rental prices due to perceived biases.

Despite existing anti-discrimination laws, societal attitudes remain largely negative towards Roma, with many Hungarians condoning discriminatory practices in housing.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Dance Competition

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Dance Competition

The “Move Gipsy!” dance competition, organized by the Hungarian Roma National Self-Government, aims to present cultural values ​​and strengthen community building.

The event provides an opportunity for participants to show their dance skills and performing abilities in front of the audience. The organizers aim to popularize Roma culture through the competition and support the development of talented young people.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungarian Roma Anthem

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Hungarian Roma Anthem

Young, mostly Roma, members of the Sugo Tambura band realised their dream on Saturday by performing the Roma hymn at Hungary’s parliament. The new prime minister, Péter Magyar, kept the promise he made to the children when he visited their village on the campaign trail. Roma rights campaigners have seized the moment, calling on the new government to ensure that the symbolism translates into real change.

This is not the most widely accepted Roma anthem, as that one is Djelem Djelem.

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Burgtheater Vienna

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Burgtheater Vienna

A theater director is commissioned by the Burgtheater Vienna to stage a play by and with Roma actors. He promptly decides to use the real-life biographies of the participants for his piece and has a house from their village dismantled into 3,000 individual pieces in order to rebuild it on the stage of the Akademietheater. Audience and press eagerly anticipate the extraordinary production and hope for maximum authenticity.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Magyar Swear-In Ceremony

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Magyar Swear-In Ceremony

A defintively outraged view of the upcoming Peter Magyar inauguration on May 9th. The issue, the anthems that will be played. Of course the Hungarian one, the one from the Szeklers (Hungarians from Transylvania), the the European Hymn (not so good), and then the Roma antherm. The article questions the existence of a “Gypsy Anthem”, which they claim is not known in Hungary – well 10% of the population definitively knows it. According to this diatribe, this is controversial as it can fuel “racial division”…

Czech Republic Hungary News Eastern Europe

Fidesz Roma Representative

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Fidesz Roma Representative

Politician and State Secretary for Roma Relations Attila Sztojka announced that he will not take up his parliamentary mandate in the new election period and will not continue as a member of the Hungarian parliament. The Fidesz politician said that he wants to return “to the field”, where he said he started in 1998.

In his statement, Sztojka also returned to internal conflicts. He mentioned the processes surrounding the Cigány Közösségek Szövetsége (Federation of Roma Communities, CIKÖSZ) and the National Roma Self-Government (Magyarországi Románok Országos Önkormányzatának, MROÖ) in Hungary. According to him, two years ago it still seemed possible to bring change to the Roma representation, but later, according to him, the disintegration began in both the MROÖ and the CIKÖSZ.

Both are highly controversial organisations and did not do anything for a very long time.

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Burgenland

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Burgenland

On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Roma National High School last week invited young people to a youth event in the Borta Open House (OHO). Young members of the Roma, Croatian and Hungarian ethnic groups participated. The main topic was networking and involving young people in political processes.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungarian Elections

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Hungarian Elections

4 Roma and 1 Romni were elected to the Hungarian parliament last Sunday. Four of the five are members of the new Tisza Party of Peter Magyar.

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