Category Archives: Hungary

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Verzió Festival

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Verzió Festival

The 23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival will showcase over eighty films in Budapest and eight other cities, focusing on the theme of trust in what we see amidst the rise of AI and manipulated images.

The festival opens on November 16 with the Hungarian documentary “Papa,” which highlights the diversity of Roma communities and features films by Roma creators.

The event will include discussions and community-building activities, supported for the first time by the National Film Institute with a significant financial contribution.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Cooking Competition

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Cooking Competition

A team from ÁGOTA Community participated in the Kivilágos Kivirradtig Festival cooking competition, showcasing traditional Roma dishes and winning a silver award.

The event highlighted the importance of community and mentorship for young people living in residential homes, with a focus on shared experiences and cultural pride.

The festival served as a platform for young talents, like 18-year-old Nikólasz, who is training to be a chef and actively contributes to the community through cooking.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Resistance Day

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Roma Resistance Day

The article discusses the debate surrounding the commemoration of the Roma Resistance Day on May 16, which some historians question as a historically verified event.

Proponents, including Roma politician Béla Radics, argue for the establishment of a memorial in Budapest to honor the Roma heroes who resisted Nazi forces during the Holocaust.

Critics, including historians, assert that there is no evidence of a rebellion on that date, suggesting that the commemoration may be based on myth rather than historical fact.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

János Szapula

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János Szapula

Hundreds gathered in Taktakenéz to light candles in memory of local councilor János Szapula, who was fatally attacked at work by a 48-year-old public worker.

Szapula was a significant member of the local Roma community, known for his willingness to help others, and his death is seen as a tremendous loss for the village.

The memorial was organized by the Roma Welfare Association, and attendees expressed shock and grief over the violent incident that took Szapula’s life.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Barber Story

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Barber Story

Mihácsi Patrik, a Roma barber shop owner in Győr, refuses to be seen as a victim and is proud of his heritage, actively helping disadvantaged children through his business.

His barbershop was vandalized with a racist slur, prompting local support from the Jojó Box Club, which offered solidarity and a voucher to the shop.

Patrik emphasizes the importance of challenging stereotypes about Roma people and believes in the value of character over ethnicity, showcasing positive examples through his work and community involvement.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungary and Roma

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Hungary and Roma

Bódis Kriszta, a Hungarian MP, discussed the challenges of working within the state compared to civil organizations, emphasizing the need for a system that addresses everyone’s needs equally.

She acknowledged the ongoing discrimination against the Roma community and the necessity for their representation in government, while also addressing the structural issues that perpetuate their marginalization.

Regarding Tisza’s policy on Roma issues, the government commissioner stated that they do not intend to restructure Roma advocacy from an administrative standpoint. While they attach great importance to minority self-governments, they will take care to ensure these bodies do not become tools of political power. Kriszta Bódis believes that the Roma—specifically those in the most vulnerable situations—have been deliberately kept in poverty.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Pilgrimage in Hungary

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Pilgrimage in Hungary

Hungarian Roma, also known as Cigany, participated in an annual religious pilgrimage to a Virgin Mary shrine spring in Csatka, Hungary, on September 12, 2026.

The event highlights the cultural and religious practices of the Roma community in Hungary.

The pilgrimage is a significant occasion for the community, emphasizing their traditions and beliefs.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Gyár Acél

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Gyár Acél

Gyár Acél (meaning “Factory Steel”) is a civil community and association based in Salgótarján, Hungary, that fights against drug abuse and drug-related crime through the mobilization of Romani volunteers.

Its main objective is protecting the residents and local community of Salgótarján from destructive synthetic drugs, especially the spread of “crystal” (crystal meth/bath salts). It operates with local Romani volunteers who work together in an exemplary community effort to stand up against drug dealers and crime.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma in Hungary

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Roma in Hungary

Norbert Olah, a Roma artist from Hungary, initially avoided stating his Roma heritage in his art due to fear of being labeled as a ‘Roma artist’ and facing stereotypes about Roma culture.

As Hungary’s political climate shifted under Viktor Orbán, Olah began to confront issues of identity, exclusion, and the impact of political rhetoric on the Roma community through his artwork, including a notable installation at the Budapest Off-Biennale.

Following a change in government, there is cautious optimism for improved conditions for Roma in Hungary, but Olah remains realistic about the slow pace of change and continues to explore themes of identity and social mobility in his future projects.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Burial Customs

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Burial Customs

The event “I Will Meet You with God, My Brother” showcased Roma burial customs, featuring a presentation by teacher and Romni Nikoletta Nagy on the significance of mourning rituals in the Roma community.

Nagy emphasized the importance of understanding these traditions, which reflect deep community ties and the role of family, faith, and memory in honoring the deceased.

The presentation highlighted that Roma funeral practices are not merely extravagant but are rooted in community identity and shared experiences of grief and remembrance.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Sentenced

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Sentenced

Two emergency responders were sentenced to prison for causing the death of a Roma man, Pista bácsi (Uncle Pista), as an act of revenge for his ethnicity.

The man died after the ambulance driver abruptly braked, causing him to fall and sustain a head injury, although his pre-existing lung condition was determined to be the cause of death.

The court found the actions of the responders to be violent and discriminatory, leading to their convictions and sentences of 1 to 1.5 years in prison.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Romni and Activist

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Romni and Activist

The article discusses the career journey of a Romni who transitioned from sociology and human rights work to IT support and now serves as a Roma affairs officer in a local government.

She emphasizes the importance of her diverse educational background and experiences in both civil society and corporate environments for her current role, particularly in managing Roma-related projects and strategies.

The article highlights her efforts to improve Roma community engagement and support, including a Roma internship program and research on the needs of the Roma population in Józsefváros.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Hungarian Politics and Roma

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Hungarian Politics and Roma

Kőszegi Krisztián, a deputy speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, initially refused to shake hands with Roma representative Aba-Horváth István, citing political conflicts and the inappropriateness of a Fidesz (the former majority) member representing a minority.

Following criticism from Prime Minister Magyar Péter regarding the handshake incident, Kőszegi later shook hands with Aba-Horváth during a parliamentary session.

Aba-Horváth expressed that the refusal to shake hands reflects broader issues of respect and acceptance within the political landscape, emphasizing that such rejections affect the entire Roma community.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Minority?

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Hungarian Minority?

There is a significant Hungarian-speaking Roma community in Slovakia. However, there is very little reliable data available on the size and characteristics of the community, and no research has been conducted on their political activity or party preferences. However, the votes of the Hungarian-speaking Roma community would already be very important for the Hungarian party to have a chance of reaching the parliamentary threshold, and due to the increasing demographic weight of the group, they will be essentially indispensable in the future.

The problem is, they are not voting for the Hungarian party …

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Romano Design

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Romano Design

Romano Design is more than a fashion brand; it serves as a creative platform that promotes Romani cultural heritage through contemporary fashion, art, and storytelling.

Over the past 16 years, the brand has transformed the perception of Romani culture, making it visible in museums and academia, and fostering a community focused on cultural preservation and mentorship.

The founders emphasize the importance of authentic representation of Romani culture, aiming to challenge stereotypes and provide a platform for genuine narratives.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Atlas of Roma Communities

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Atlas of Roma Communities

A Hungarian view on the Atlas of Roma communities, the most accepted data source for the Roma population in Slovakia. Its latest data from 2019 indicates approximately 406,000 Roma, of which 58,000 belong to Hungarian-speaking communities. Actually, in the latest census, much more Roma identified themselves as Hungarians, and Hungarians in Slovakia actually fear that Roma declares tehmeselves as such, decreasing the overall Hungarian commun ity.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Slovak View

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Relocation – Slovak View

The relocation of several Roma families from an illegal settlement in Košice to Hungary has sparked political support for local mayor Lenka Kovačevičová from Zoroslav Kollár and his party, Právo na pravdu.

Kollár views the controversy surrounding the relocation as a positive step, advocating for better living conditions for both Roma and non-Roma communities.

Martin Halás from Právo na pravdu claims that families moving to Hungary faced police harassment, leading to legal actions against the Hungarian police and appeals to various political entities.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Hungarian Reporting

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Relocation – Hungarian Reporting

Lenka Kovačevičová, Mayor of the Košice-Lázně District, claims there are 15 illegal settlements in Košice, housing around 2600 people in dire conditions without basic utilities, prompting the formation of a civic association to assist affected families.

The mayor of Košice apparently supports the relocation of Roma families to Szalonna, Hungary, emphasizing their right to freedom of movement and criticizing media narratives suggesting forced relocations.

The Právo na pravdu party advocates for Roma issues, with leaders expressing confidence in addressing these social problems if Kovačevičová becomes mayor, while criticizing the current mayor and Hungarian authorities for their treatment of Roma citizens.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Police Negligence

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Police Negligence

The Hungarian Ombudsman has initiated an investigation into police negligence regarding the neo-fascist vigilante group Bűnvadászok, which targets Roma communities, urging law enforcement to take action against their unlawful activities.

The Bűnvadászok, led by a member of the extremist Mi Hazánk party, have been accused of breaking into homes and intimidating residents, particularly targeting Roma individuals, while the police have historically failed to intervene.

The new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has promised to end the era of anti-Roma sentiment and police negligence, emphasizing the need for reforms to restore trust between law enforcement and Romani communities.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Speaking Roma

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Hungarian Speaking Roma

The article discusses the political preferences and behavior of Hungarian-speaking Roma in Slovakia, highlighting their low political activity compared to non-Roma citizens.

A study found that only 24% of Hungarian-speaking Roma identify as committed ethnic voters, with many leaning towards Slovak parties rather than Hungarian ethnic parties.

The popularity of Igor Matovič’s Slovakia Movement is rising among Hungarian-speaking Roma, indicating a shift in political allegiance that could impact the Hungarian ethnic party’s representation.

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