On Sunday evening, a large crowd gathered for the Health Bridge Walk in Budapest, organized to raise awareness about breast cancer.
The iconic Chain Bridge was lit in pink to show solidarity with those affected by the disease and emphasize the importance of regular screenings. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, but early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of health awareness, especially in the fight against breast cancer.
Pictures of the pink-lit Chain Bridge:
Budapest’s Chain Bridge lit up in pink again. Photo: BKKBudapest’s Chain Bridge lit up in pink again. Photo: BKKBudapest’s Chain Bridge lit up in pink again. Photo: BKK
The National Bank of Hungary (Magyar Nemzeti Bank, MNB) has announced the release of new commemorative coins, including a redesigned version of the circulating 200-forint coin. Two other commemorative coins with face values of HUF 30,000 (EUR 75) and HUF 7,500 (EUR 19) will also be introduced, each honouring the martyrs of Arad.
Commemorative coins honouring the martyrs of Arad
On 6 October, which marks the memorial day of the martyrs of Arad, the MNB will issue a large, 30,000-forint silver coin with a 13-sided inner rim, along with a 7,500-forint version made from non-ferrous metals, Világgazdaság reports. These coins are being released to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the execution of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Hungarian independence.
In addition to the commemorative coins, a special edition of the 200-forint coin will also be issued in honour of Lajos Batthyány, Hungary’s first constitutional prime minister. One million copies of this unique 200-forint coin will be put into circulation, while the silver commemorative coins will be produced in a limited run of 6,000 pieces, and the non-ferrous metal versions in 8,000 pieces. The commemorative designs were created by coin artist István Kósa, while sculptor Zoltán Kovács crafted the redesigned side of the 200-forint coin.
175 years ago, on 6 October 1849, 13 Hungarian military officers were executed in Arad due to their role in the 1848-1849 War of Independence. In remembrance of the 175th anniversary of their execution, as well as that of Lajos Batthyány, MNBwill issue a commemorative edition of the 200-forint coin, a large, 30,000-forint silver coin with a 13-sided inner rim, and a 7,500-forint non-ferrous variant will also be introduced on this national day of mourning.
200-forint coins to look different
Photo: MNB
Photo: MNB
The commemorative version of the 200-forint coin will retain the same face side as the current coin in circulation, but instead of the familiar Chain Bridge design, the reverse will feature a portrait of Count Lajos Batthyány (see above). This image, based on Miklós Barabás’ famous oil painting, extends to the coin’s edge. Below the portrait, you’ll find the year of minting, “2024”, on the left side, with “BATTHYÁNY” inscribed above, and “MAGYARORSZÁG” on the right.
One million copies of the commemorative 200-forint coin will be minted.
“Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad” commemorative coin
Face value of HUF 30,000, silver coin. Photo: MNB
Face value of HUF 7,500, non-ferrous metal coin. Photo: MNB
To honour the significance of this anniversary, the MNB will also release commemorative coins named “Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad” with face values of 30,000 forints in silver and 7,500 forints in non-ferrous. These coins are intended to serve as a tribute to the martyrs who fought for Hungary’s independence and self-determination. They will not be put into circulation. The designs of the silver and non-ferrous versions are identical, differing only in face value.
Both sides of the “Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad” coins feature a 13-sided inner rim, symbolising the reason for their release. The obverse side displays a half-length portrait of Lajos Batthyány, based on Miklós Barabás’ painting. To the left is the inscription “MAGYARORSZÁG” (Hungary), while on the right, in three lines, are the face values “30000” and “7500”, the word “FORINT”, and the mint mark “BP.” Below the portrait is Batthyány’s signature, inscribed vertically.
Reverse side of the silver coin. Photo: MNB
Reverse side of the non-ferrous metal coin. Photo: MNB
On the reverse side, a stylised representation of a kopjafa (a Hungarian memorial column) appears on the left, with the date “1849” inscribed at the top to mark the year of the martyrs’ execution (see above). Below this are the names of the 13 martyrs, listed in two columns, and at the bottom, the minting year “2024”. To the right, a part of the Arad Liberty Statue, created by sculptor György Zala, is depicted. At the top right of the reverse is the inscription “ARADI VÉRTANÚK” (Martyrs of Arad), and the designer’s signature, István Kósa, appears at the bottom.
As with previous releases, these coins will be produced in limited quantities: 6,000 silver coins and 8,000 non-ferrous coins.
To ensure the wide distribution and appreciation of these commemorative pieces, the 30,000-forint silver coin will be available for its face value for three months following its release, while the non-ferrous version will be available for one year, starting on 7 October 2024. The coins can be purchased at the Hungarian Mint’s shop (7 Báthory Street, District V., Budapest) or through their online store.
Construction of the new National Gallery is scheduled to start in the City Park next year and open its doors to the public by the end of this decade, the company in charge of the project, Városliget Zrt, said on Thursday.
The planned gallery now has a valid building permit and a public procurement procedure has begun. It will be built on the site of the previously demolished Petofi Hall, and will host the the modern collections of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery.
Photo: Print screen from YouTube video/
Liget Budapest
Photo: Print screen from YouTube video/
Liget Budapest
Photo: Print screen from YouTube video/
Liget Budapest
Photo: Print screen from YouTube video/
Liget Budapest
Together with the new National Gallery, the most important national exhibition spaces covering photography, ethnography, music and visual arts will be accessible along a single walking axis, “which is unique in the world”, the company’s statement said.
Photo: PrtScr/Youtube
Hungary’s government is committed to its construction, an essential element of the renovated City Park, making the park an attractive cultural quarter and putting it on the cultural map of Europe, the statement added.
An international jury selected the plans of Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architecture firm SANAA.
Photo: PrtScr/Youtube
Photo: PrtScr/Youtube
Budapest Liget is currently Europe’s largest-scale cultural urban development project, the statement said.
At a government news briefing today, the head of the prime minister’s office, Gergely Gulyas, said he was aware that the project manager had announced a conditional public procurement procedure. “It doesn’t amount to much yet, only that we’ll see how much it would cost to build it”.
The interior will be spacious. Photo: PrtScr/Youtube
The embankments on both sides of the Danube in Budapest have been re-opened to traffic, Gergely Karácsony, the city’s mayor, said on Thursday, declaring that “we have taken our city back from the flood.”
On the weekend, the Pest side of the embankment will reopen to pedestrians and cyclists, Karácsonysaid on Facebook.
No more closure on the Budapest Danube embankments. Photo: MTI
Margaret Island remains closed to traffic for the time being, he said, explaining that municipal park manager FOKERT will be inspecting the trees there because the soil has loosened.
Photo: MTI
In another Facebook post, Karácsony wrotethat the employees of the BKK are cleaning the tunnel of tram nr 2-2B-23. In the afternoon, they will conduct the static inspection, while at night they will reestablish the overhead lines and the signalling apparatus. Based on the plans, the service on the line will restart on Friday at dawn.
Read also:
Great news! European Commission to provide huge flood aid package to Hungary – read more HERE
The ongoing Hungarian-Turkish cultural season continued with high-level state representatives opening programmes in Ankara and Istanbul, the culture and innovation ministry said on Tuesday.
A meeting of the joint working group in charge of the cultural season held in the Turkish foreign ministry on September 20 in Ankara established that the programmes held since the season’s launch last December “have been successful beyond all expectation”. The participants discussed tasks next on the agenda and started preparations for the cultural season’s closing event, the ministry said in a statement.
Source: FB/goturkiye.hu
As part of the ongoing programmes, an exhibition of the works of contemporary Hungarian artists including Dora Maurer, Vera Molnar and Gizella Rakoczi opened in Istanbul’s Pera Museum. In his address, Tibor Navracsics, Hungary’s public administration and regional development minister, said the exhibition was proof that cultural exchange plays an important role in promoting deeper understanding and cooperation between the two nations.
Source: FB/goturkiye.hu
“Hungary highly values its close ties with Türkiye which are strong not only in culture, but in the fields of trade, education and diplomacy as well,” he said.
Hungarian government commissioner Peter Hoppal said at the opening that the aim of the 100 programmes, symbolising the 100th anniversary of the two countries’ establishment of diplomatic ties, was to have programmes that would continue to strengthen Hungarian-Turkish cooperation in the future as well.
Source: FB/goturkiye.hu
Source: FB/goturkiye.hu
Source: FB/goturkiye.hu
The cultural season will close in December this year.
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Turkish fashion brand Koton entersHungary with 8 new stores
The flood peak on the Danube could leave Hungary on Tuesday, but vigilance must be maintained, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told a press conference on Sunday, after a meeting of the operative body for flood protection.
Orbánsaid there was a good chance that the peak would leave the country then, instead of Thursday, as earlier expected. He added that the peak was now at Dunaföldvár, some 100km south of Budapest. He said the third-degree flood alert level could be reduced in a number of areas from Monday, adding that heavy rain that could affect flood levels was not in the forecast.
Orbán said flood defence efforts had been successful and gave updates on settlements north of the capital. Asked whether flood defence workers would get a pay rise, Orbán said he was in talks with the head of water management. Addressing the possibility of closer regional flood prevention cooperation, Orbán said that was “on track while the V4 was working”. Hungary has know-how that it would gladly share, he added.
The flood reached the Paks Nuclear Power Plant:
Political life will return to normal next week, Orbán said, with a conference on European competitiveness on Wednesday and an inter-governmental meeting in North Macedonia on Thursday. Asked about a proposed debate with Péter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza party, Orbán said issues could be debated when the next election takes place.
Photo: MTI
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán inspected flood defence work in Kisapostag, south of the capital, as the Danube peaked there on Sunday, the PM’s press chief said. Orban visited temporary flood defences in the village with Gábor Varga, the MP for the region, and Attila Nagy, the mayor of the settlement, Bertalan Havasi said. Flood defence authorities said a 500-metre long line of sandbags was protecting around 50 homes.
Read also:
Budapest metro reopens, more traffic restrictions to be withdrawn – read more HERE
River Danube is to peak today in Hungary’s mesmerising capital, Budapest. The water level may exceed 850 cm, but it will be much below the 2013 record. Experts believe the dams will resist the immense water pressure. However, it will take another week until the water level decreases back to normal, which is why PM Orbán said he would be able to hang up his gumboots only next Thursday.
Hungary news: flood peaking in Budapest
The historic flood caused by Cyclone Boris hit Central Europe and reached Hungary on Wednesday. Yesterday, the Danube has already peaked in the Danube Bend and Szentendre. Esztergom’s mayor posted some shocking photos, while 444.hu shared some other pictures of Szentendre and stated that the flood did not take any of the small town’s charm, so tourists flock there even now.
In Budapest, the Danube is expected to peak at 851 cm, which is lower than the 2013 maximum. Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of the city, stated that Budapest was ready to resist even a 9-metre-high flood. He added that the authorities watched all segments of the Danube. He added that they had to close Pók Street (3rd district), which the 106 bus line touches, to the public.
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Photo: John Woods/DNH
Photo: John Woods/DNH
Tram line nr 2 does not commute between the Hungarian Parliament and South Pest because some segments of its tracks are under meter-high water:
Tramway tracks in water. Photo: John Woods/DNH
Gergely Karácsony warned disaster tourists in a post:
However, there were lots of them between the Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament taking selfies and photos of the flood:
Photo: John Woods/DNH
Pump in operation in Kismaros, houses in danger in Nagymaros in the Danube Bend and Vének under water near Győr:
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Finally, another image of a Nagymaros restaurant with the Castle of Visegrád in the background:
Archangel Gabriel, Budapest’s guardian angel, has been looking over some of the most beautiful parts of the capital for 123 years. Standing vigil for more than a century and witnessing history from the creation of the Heroes’ Square to the fall of Communism, the statue of the celestial being needs revamp due to its deteriorated state. Based on the plans, he will continue to watch over the city from next spring.
The Millenium Monument of the Heroes’ Square is one of the emblematic places in Hungary where many tourists pay a visit and take some selfies. The monument depicts some of the turning points of the Hungarian history in the Carpathian basin, from its conquest to the 1848-1849 freedom fight.
Watching over the square from the top of a Corinthian column is the artistic masterpiece of György Zala, the statue of Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel holds in its right hand the Holy Crown of Hungary while in the left, there is the Patriarchal cross, just as in the legendary dream of Saint Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary who – based on the legend – received the Holy Crown from the pope.
The restoration of the 123-year-old sculpture began in July and will last 6-12 months depending on the internal state of the masterpiece. Though it is hard to measure its size from below, the statue is almost five metres high and has not undergone a major renovation since its installation in 1901 due to a lack of money. Moreover, it has not been removed from the top of the Corinthian column ruling over the square and the nearby buildings, including some embassies and the headquarters of Orbán’s Fidesz party.
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
The scaffolded Heroes’ Square. Photo: MTI
Budapest’s guardian angel to be removed soon
Városliget Ltd. already scaffolded the statue and the column. Thus, experts could start their inspection and 3D scanning. As a result, we would have a detailed database of the damages. 24.hu could not say when Budapest’s guardian angel would be removed from its Corinthian pedestal.
Photo: MTI
The Corinthian column hosting the statue is 36 meters tall, the archangel statue was placed on the top on 24 October 1901. Between 1995 and 1996, preparing for the millecentenary (Conquest of the Carpathian Basin – 896), the government repaired the statue’s surface but lacked the money to carry out structural restorations. In 2021, before the International Eucharistic Congress, the statue was cleaned. That is when experts found the damage to the copper sculpture.
Photo: MTI
Read also:
The symbolic meaning of the Heroes’ Square in Budapest – PHOTOS and more HERE
The Embassy of Ecuador in Hungary is inviting the public to the photographic exhibition called “Ecuador, a Sustainable Paradise” which is open from the 2nd to 29th of August 2024 at the Atrium of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabo Library located at Budapest, Szabó Ervin tér 1, 1088. Entrance is free.
Ecuador, a Sustainable Paradise photo exhibition
The photographic exhibition „Ecuador, a Sustainable Paradise” presents a fascinating collection of images that capture the biodiversity and natural wealth of Ecuador, highlighting its stunning landscapes, and unique flora and fauna. Through these captivating images, the photographer Balázs Szabó not only celebrates the beauty of the country but also aims to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and sustainable development. Each photograph invites viewers to reflect on the need to protect and preserve these natural treasures for future generations, emphasizing Ecuador’s crucial role in global environmental conservation.
For more information or inquiries, please contact the organisers at: ee*********@ca*********.ec.
For most of this afternoon and evening, the fate of the 20 August Budapest fireworks was uncertain due to downpours and stormy weather over the Hungarian capital. Even though it was delayed by an hour, the breathtaking fire show finally started at 10 PM and lasted nearly 40 minutes.
Check out some photos and a video of the Budapest fireworks below:
(If you cannot watch the video below, click HERE.)
The renewed Budapest Citadel is set to be mesmerising when completed in 2026. The revitalised site will feature a new public park, a cross, Hungary’s largest national flag, new stairways, and exhibitions commemorating Hungarian struggles for freedom.
Budapest Citadel under reconstruction
According to the official Facebook page of the Nemzeti Hauszmann Programme, the Budapest Citadel had been in a state of decline for many years, despite its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
First, an archaeological survey and building condition assessment were carried out. Following this, the exterior and interior restoration of the former Habsburg fortress began. Additionally, plans are in place to increase the green spaces within the Citadel by 1.5 times, transforming the area into a new public park within Budapest.
Source: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
https://www.facebook.com/nemzetihauszmannprogram
Photo:
MTI/Várkapitányság
One of the most striking developments has been the opening of the Northern and Southern walls. Furthermore, Hungary’s largest flag has been placed atop the Citadel, honouring all those who gave their lives for Hungary’s independence. An impressive stairway has also been constructed behind the Liberty Statue, offering visitors access to the park.
Completion date: 2026
Within the restored cannon tower, an exhibition titled *Bastion of Freedom* will explore Hungary’s historic struggles for independence. The exhibition has been developed by an interdisciplinary team, combining the expertise of historians, museum educators, and scriptwriters.
Photo: FB/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Photo: FB/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Restoration work on the statues of the Budapest Citadel has also commenced. The Várkapitányság team has erected scaffolding, assessed, and examined the statues to address stone defects, weather erosion, and replace damaged elements. Additionally, the surfaces of the statues have been cleaned, cracks repaired, and fastenings tightened.
A cross will be installed on the pedestal, symbolising Hungary’s Christian statehood and its place within Western Christianity and European culture. Previously, this pedestal held a statue of a Soviet soldier, designed by Stalinist architect Boris Iofan.
Photo: FB/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
The project is anticipated to be completed in 2026.
Budapest Citadel: a symbol of oppression
The Citadel, located atop Gellért Hill, offers a stunning panoramic view of the city, but it also stands as a reminder of Habsburg oppression. Built between 1851 and 1854, its original purpose was to intimidate the Hungarian capital with cannons, although thankfully, the Habsburgs never put it to use.
Photo: FB/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Photo: FB/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Perhaps it is for this reason that the Citadel has since become one of Budapest’s iconic symbols. The Liberty Statue, created by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl, was erected atop the Citadel in 1947.
Read also:
Things you may not know about Budapest’s fortress, the Citadel – check them out HERE
Brigetio, a former Roman town and legionary camp, was located beneath what is now Komárom-Szőny on the flood-free terraces of the right bank of the River Danube. Excavations have been ongoing there since 1992, providing extensive insight into this Roman settlement. Over the past few decades, generations of Hungarian archaeologists have honed their skills here. The town was considered unique within the Roman Empire.
A gem of the Roman world
Máté Vincze, Deputy State Secretary for Public Collections and Cultural Development, noted that Brigetio was truly unique in the Roman Empire. Only four or five similar soldier and civilian towns from the Roman era are known to have survived, making Brigetio particularly exceptional. The excavations reveal that this Roman town, beneath today’s Komárom, was a true gem of the Empire.
Interestingly, the Roman Emperor Valentinian I died in the legionary fortress on 17th November 375 AD, and his son was proclaimed emperor there.
The Excavation of the Roman city and fort started more than 30 years ago.
A multicultural town with baths, amphitheatre, and thousands of residents
Lelépő reportsthat Brigetio was a multicultural settlement with a population of 15-20 thousand, situated at the border of the Roman world. Historians believe that many traders resided here as significant trade routes converged in the town, and the Limes Road passed through it. The ancient Brigetio consisted of three distinct districts: the military camp, the civilian town, and the legionary base.
Photo: MTI
In the last four years, archaeologists have excavated the military bathing complex, the largest building within the legionary camp. It spanned an impressive 6-7 thousand square metres. Below, you can see some photographs of the remains, including the ruins of the hypocaust system:
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
Here is a photo and video illustrating how the Roman hypocaust, an early form of central heating, operated:
Photo: Youtube/PrtScr
The Roman army was stationed in Brigetio for more than 300 years. Two legions were based there: Legio XI Claudia and Legio I Adiutrix, the latter of which withdrew from the province in the 430s AD.
You can learn more about Brigetio and the Brigetio Heritage Archaeological Exhibition on the local museum’s website HERE.
Read also:
Extraordinary findings: Traces of Roman settlement uncovered in Hungary – PHOTOS and more in THISarticle
Budapest’s Keleti Railway Station, an iconic example of Eclectic architecture, first opened to passengers on 16th August 1884. Renowned Hungarian painters Károly Lotz and Mór Than created the station’s stunning frescoes, but here are eight more intriguing facts about this historic Hungarian transport hub.
According to Lelépő, the Keleti Railway Station is built on three thousand piles. Due to the high water levels discovered during construction, the building required significant reinforcement. The station was designed by architects Gyula Rochlitz and János Feketeházy.
The first train departed from Keleti Railway Station on 16th August, bound for Miskolc, pulled by a steam engine. Remarkably, the station was equipped with electric lighting from the start, with 644 bulbs illuminating both the interior and exterior for passengers.
Keleti’s original name was ‘Budapest Central Station’, but it was renamed in 1892. During the Second World War, Allied bombings by American and British forces caused severe damage to the station, hitting the waiting rooms and main halls.
Photo: FB/MÁV
Photo: FB/MÁV
Keleti Railway Station still shines
In front of the station, on today’s Baross Square, a pool served the bathers built for protection purposes as a firewater tank.
The station’s façade stands 43 metres tall, crowned with an allegorical figure sculpted by Gyula Bezerédi (1858-1925), a celebrated Hungarian artist. Bezerédi’s works can also be seen in Pannonhalma and Budapest’s City Park, including his notable statue of George Washington, unveiled in 1906. Interestingly, Budapest features statues of three American presidents: Washington, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush.
Photo: FB/MÁV
Photo: FB/MÁV
Interestingly, the original Bezerédi sculpture on Keleti’s façade had to be replaced in the 1990s.
Lastly, beneath the station lies an extensive network of cellars, which served as a shelter during the war.
Photo: FB/MÁV
Read also:
Heatwave: Even MÁV doesn’t recommend you to travel by trains in Hungary – read more HERE
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The Embassy of India in Budapest celebrated the 78th Independence Day of India on 15 August 2024, during which the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) presented an enthralling cultural program at its auditorium.
Friends of India in Hungary, dignitaries and members of the Indian diaspora gathered at the Embassy to witness the flag hoisting ceremony and the cultural event. The festivities commenced with the hoisting of the tricolor by Ambassador of India to Hungary, His Excellency Mr Partha Satpathy, followed by the rendition of the national anthem.
His Excellency Mr Partha Satpathy. Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
The cultural programme at ASCCshowcased the rich tapestry of Indian heritage through classical and folk performances, including traditional dances and melodious music. ASCC’s Odissi teacher Aniruddha Das, students and members of Indian community performed during the event. Kós Károly Community Center and Library’s’Alpenrose dance group’ led by Tamás Reich also performed during the celebrations. The performers enthralled the audience with their exceptional skills and artistic expressions.
Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
Prior to the cultural programme, Ambassador read out the speech delivered by the Hon’ble President of India. He also underlined the importance of Independence Day and the democratic ehtos of India. Also, he expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic participation of the audience.
The Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Budapest displayed the enduring spirit of democracy and the vibrant cultural mosaic that defines India. The event not only showcased the artistic prowess of the performers but also the continued friendship between India and Hungary.
Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
Source: Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC) Team
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Hungarian band playsat Indian billionaire heir’s luxury wedding
The Kurultaj is the largest event celebrating the traditions of the Carpathian Basin, and it was once again held this year in Bugac. The event drew tens of thousands of visitors and numerous delegations. We attended from 9 to 11 August, but for those still interested, there are excellent programmes on Sunday.
Fifteen years ago, the first Kurultaj was organised with the aim of uniting all Hun and Turkic nations to celebrate together in Hungary. The Turkic countries have embraced this initiative so wholeheartedly that they now send substantial diplomatic delegations to the biennial Kurultaj, each introducing the culture of their respective countries. National stands featured handicrafts and souvenirs from distant lands, serving this purpose.
In Bugac, science and tradition intertwine. In addition to the usual festival elements such as spectacular shows, buffets, and various vendors, attendees could see Attila’s tent—a giant yurt—and the archaeological-anthropological exhibition “The Descendants of the Huns in the East and West.” Other notable exhibitions included “Tarsoly Plates – Treasures of the Conquering Elite,” the Topolya City Museum’s guest exhibition “Bringing Up Our Ancestors,” and the historical bow reconstruction exhibition “The Bow of the Ancestors, the Ancestor of the Young,” all of which attracted many visitors.
András Zsolt Bíró, the chief organiser and president of the Hungarian-Turanian Public Benefit Foundation, remarked that the Kurultaj embodies the unity of the Carpathian Basin. This year, 27 related nations were represented at the event.
The opening ceremony took place on Saturday and was attended by numerous foreign and national delegations. At 11 a.m., the arena was packed with spectators eager to see the performances. The programme began with a greyhound hunting demonstration, followed by an infantry combat display.
The Hungarian Turanian Selection presented a Nomadic Trick Rider show, followed by a display of the golden war horses of the steppe ancestors, the Ahal Teke horses.
One of the day’s most spectacular events was the “Nomadic Procession”—a life-sized re-enactment of the conquest era, featuring nearly 300 horsemen leading the procession, followed by foot soldiers, families with camels and wagons, and the rear guard.
A new addition to the programme was a dramatic re-enactment of a nomadic wedding, performed by over 80 actors. This included a scene of a girl being abducted, culminating in a wedding ceremony of the period.
The highlight of Saturday was the Parade of the Sword—a grand military parade of horse and foot soldiers from the Carpathian Basin and the East. Participants lined up and galloped around the parade grounds, carrying the flags of the participating nations.
The renovation of one of Hungary’s earliest stone castles ruling the nearby valleys and the Zemplén Mountains from a volcano top, the Castle of Füzér, continues with the project’s third phase. The subcontractor has already been selected. Check out some photos of the magnificent castle in our article below.
One of the castle’s ladies was the “Hungarian female Dracula”
The Castle of Füzér is one of our most unique heritage. The stronghold is on top of a 522-metre-high hill, proudly standing on a volcano cone. Moreover, it is one of Hungary’s oldest stone castles.
Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér
The castle was built in the beginning of the 13th century. After the lost Battle of Mohács, marking the end of the Medieval Kingdom of Hungary (1526), the Holy Crown of Hungary was kept within its walls since Péter Perényi, the crown guard, brought it here after the coronation of János Szapolyai. It remained in the castle for almost a year.
Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér
Hungarian aristocrats owned the castle. Some bore historic names like the Báthory, Nádasdy and Károlyi families. In the 17th century, one of its owners was Elizabeth Báthory, the so-called Hungarian “female Dracula”, who was believed to have bathed in blood. We wrote about the horror stories surrounding her in THISarticle.
Hungary’s earliest stone castle being rebuilt step by step
In 1676, the Austrian Army purged the fort, and people living in the nearby valleys began to use its stones as building materials. Its revival started after 1990 when historians excavated its entire territory, Magyar Építők wrote. HEREyou may read the story of the castle.
The Lower Castle was rebuilt between 2012 and 2015, and a visitors’ trail was created. Afterwards, the Gothic-style chapel of the Upper Castle was rebuilt. Then the Palace Wing, the cellar, the attic and the Lower Bastion were next.
The Romantic ruins of the castle. Photo: FB/The Castle of Füzér
In the second phase, they rebuilt the Kitchen and the Bakery House. In the third phase, the LAKI Épületszobrász Ltd. will rebuild the Gate Tower, the Steward’s House, the Clock Tower and the prison. Moreover, they will strengthen the castle’s walls and cover the castle garden. The cost reaches HUF 3,98 billion (EUR 10 million).
The annual Anna Ball was held in Balatonfüred for the 199th time last weekend. Traditionally, the audience selects the 15 most beautiful girls, and a professional jury awards the top three. Here are the three most beautiful girls!
The most beautiful girls
As 24.hu writes, Szonja Kriszta Soós was selected as the most beautiful girl of the 199th Anna Ball in Balatonfüred. Szonja Krisztina, an 18-year-old girl who will continue her studies in September in Budapest, attended the event with her partner and family. The evening featured a vote by the audience to choose the 15 most beautiful girls, followed by a professional jury selecting the ball’s beauty and courtiers, who greeted the public on Sunday morning at the Kisfaludy Stage and then took a walk around the town.
Honors were also awarded to Angelika Mihály from Budapest as the first lady-in-waiting and Jázmin Bundschuh, also from Budapest, as the second lady-in-waiting. The 21-year-old Angelika attended the ball with her school friend, while the 17-year-old Jázmin, participating in the event for the second time, arrived with her family.
The roots of the Anna Ball
The Anna Ball in Balatonfüred is a revered Hungarian tradition with roots stretching back to July 26, 1825, when the inaugural event was held at the Horváth House, an inn run by Fülöp János Szentgyörgyi Horváth, to honor his daughter. It was on this night that the young Anna Krisztina met her future husband, Ernő Kiss, a hussar lieutenant-general who later became a martyr-general of Arad in the 1848-49 War of Independence.
Since 2003, in remembrance of Kiss, a Herend porcelain statue of a hussar has been awarded annually to a man who has made significant contributions to the cultural and spiritual life of Balatonfüred. Today, the ball continues to be a grand celebration of elegance and tradition, blending historical significance with a vibrant social atmosphere.
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MTI/Vasvári TamásMTI/Vasvári TamásMTI/Vasvári TamásMTI/Vasvári TamásMTI/Vasvári Tamás
The National Hauszmann Programme has announced that the historic Saint George Square will undergo a significant transformation in the coming years, becoming greener, more organised, and more ornate.
Nation’s historic main square to be reborn
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Located at the heart of the Budavár Palace District, a World Heritage site, the square is a symbol of Hungary’s independent statehood, the Facebook post of the National Hauszmann Programme writes. Its revitalisation aims to pay off a longstanding cultural debt. The project will begin in early 2025, with the goal of completing it within a few years. The new design will honour historical traditions while meeting modern standards.
A central feature will be the Freedom Column (Szabadság oszlopa), designed by Italian architect and sculptor Marco Casagrande in 1848. This grand monument, inspired by the revolution, will be surrounded by a 12-sided marble basin with lion sculptures.
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
The Freedom Column will symbolically replace the Hentzi Monument, which long represented Austrian oppression after the 1848-49 Revolution. The new monument area will feature decorative paving and utilise large cobblestones from the current surface.
Expansive and accessible pedestrian areas
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
The square will retain Saint George Street as its main thoroughfare, but will also include expansive pedestrian areas with barrier-free access. Along the city wall, a wide promenade will extend from the Tóth Árpád Walk, and a new reception area featuring the national flag will be created.
The program also plans to reinstall previous statues and artworks in suitable locations. The medieval relics of the Saint Sigismund Church will be removed, as archaeological findings revealed they are not on the original site. Instead, digital technologies will recreate the church’s image for visitors.
Photo: Facebook/Nemzeti Hauszmann Program
Street furniture, sunbathing lawn
Additional enhancements include new street furniture and a sunbathing lawn. The greenery will be strategically placed along the edges of the square, with over 160 new trees planted, significantly increasing the green space. A new park will be developed near the Archduke Joseph Palace, further enhancing the green ratio in the area.
