Türkiye

Kaposvár club faces backlash after banning Turkish workers

park 74 kaposvár turkish workers ban

A nightclub in Kaposvár, Hungary, has stirred controversy by banning Turkish guest workers, citing safety concerns for its employees and patrons. The PARK74 club announced the decision on Facebook, claiming that some Turkish workers had repeatedly harassed other guests.

Reasons behind the ban

As we wrote on Monday, the Facebook post stated, “Several complaints from the city and our own observations have shown that they [Turkish workers] fail to behave appropriately. PARK74 aims to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, but this seems incompatible with the behaviour of some guest workers.” The management emphasised the importance of prioritising safety, which they claim led to this decision. The announcement was also shared in Turkish to ensure clarity (find it below).

Reports of misconduct

PARK74’s legal representative, Richárd Takács, told Telex that the influx of Turkish workers began in the spring of 2024 due to a significant investment by the Turkish company Şişecam, which is building its first European glass packaging plant in Kaposvár. This HUF 73 billion (EUR 177 million) project has attracted hundreds of Turkish workers to the area.

Initially, their presence at the club caused no issues, but complaints started last fall. Takács mentioned incidents of inappropriate behaviour, including throwing glasses at bar staff, unsolicited physical contact with women, and offensive remarks. These incidents prompted the club to install a metal detector at the entrance for the first time in over a decade. The situation escalated on a recent Saturday evening when a Turkish patron allegedly climbed into the DJ booth and threatened the DJ. When staff intervened, the individual’s friends surrounded the bouncer, creating a tense and intimidating atmosphere.

park 74 kaposvár turkish guest workers ban (1)
Photo: Facebook/PARK 74 Kaposvár

Legal and ethical questions

When questioned about the legality and morality of the ban, Takács stated, “The safety of our employees and guests, and their right to enjoy themselves peacefully in their hometown, takes precedence over any rights of guest workers.” He also explained that entry restrictions would be enforced based on observable traits and, if necessary, by checking photo IDs.

Mixed reactions and official responses

The announcement has sparked a range of reactions. Many social media users supported the club’s decision, applauding its commitment to safety. Others, however, raised concerns about discrimination. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee criticised the blanket ban as discriminatory and suggested alternative measures. They stated, “While it’s commendable to protect guests and prevent harassment, this should be done through clear rules and individual sanctions, not by targeting an entire nationality.”

Meanwhile, local police reported no increase in crime or public safety issues related to Turkish workers in Kaposvár. The authorities confirmed that no formal complaints or reports regarding incidents at the club had been filed recently. The debate highlights the tension between ensuring safety and avoiding discrimination, a challenge that has gained visibility in light of Hungary’s increasing reliance on foreign labour.

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Scandalous: Turkish guest workers banned from Hungarian nightclub

Turkish guest workers banned from Hungarian nightclub

A nightclub in Kaposvár has caused a stir by banning Turkish guest workers, citing safety concerns after ongoing disturbances. The decision comes at a delicate time, as the city prepares for the opening of the Şişecam glass factory, a major Turkish-led project set to have a huge economic impact on the region.

Turkish guest workers banned

As Blikk reports, the Park 74 nightclub in Kaposvár has sparked controversy with its recent decision to ban Turkish guests in an effort to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment. Announced via a Facebook post, including a Turkish-language version for clarity, the management cited frequent incidents of harassment and disturbances involving Turkish guest workers as the rationale behind the move. The nightclub stated that repeated issues, including guest expulsions, left them no choice but to take this action. While aiming to ensure a secure nightlife experience, the decision has drawn attention and mixed reactions, highlighting challenges in balancing community concerns with inclusivity.

Turkish investment in Kaposvár

The situation is particularly sensitive given the major Turkish investment in the region: the Şişecam glass factory. As Sonline has previously reported, originally set to open last autumn, the project, now scheduled for a spring launch, represents the largest industrial endeavour in Kaposvár’s history and is expected to have a substantial economic impact.

Related article: Kaposvár club faces backlash after banning Turkish workers

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says

Hungary and Türkiye form a bridge between East and West, according to a statement by the presidential Sándor Palace on Thursday in connection with the visit of President Tamás Sulyok to Ankara.

Sulyok was received with military honours in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At their meeting, the presidents agreed that Hungary and Türkiye were linked by a common past, deep friendship, and a strategic alliance, confirmed by the frequency of high-level meetings.

Hungary is committed to further deepening cooperation based on mutual respect and its multifaceted partnership with Türkiye, the statement said, adding that common endeavours included energy, security policy, defence industry cooperation, as well as the further development of economic and cultural relations.

The statement noted the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season held this year, the motto of which was “A century of friendship and cooperation”, adding that its programmes provided an opportunity for further dialogue and further deepening ties between the two countries.

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says
Photo: FB/Sulyok

Also, 2025 will be the Hungarian-Turkish Year of Science and Innovation, with joint research projects and the exchange of good innovation practices, as well as the mobility of higher education lecturers and students among its goals, the palace said.

Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union”

The Hungarian president made clear at the meeting that Hungary considers Türkiye “a key and indispensable strategic partner of the European Union” in the areas of energy security, trade, regional security, as well as in combating terrorism and illegal migration.

During the current EU presidency, Hungary highlighted the promotion of Türkiye’s accession process. Overcoming migration challenges requires the EU to support Turkiye properly and to an appropriate extent, it said.

Hungary, Türkiye bridge between East and West, Hungarian President says 2 (Copy)
Photo: FB/President Sulyok

Türkiye “is an indispensable player” for creating regional stability and preserving security and peace, the statement said, adding that stability of the Middle East was a common interest.

Hungary regards it as highly important that no extremist ideology or radical group takes control in the region, so attention must be paid to respecting the rights of religious communities and minorities, the palace said, adding that Hungary pays special attention to the region’s Christian communities and it provides humanitarian aid.

After the talks, the Turkish president hosted the Hungarian president and prime minister at a state dinner, and a gala concert of the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Season was perfored in front of around 1,900 invited guests, the statement said.

Read also:

  • Stunning Hungarian myth and innovation murals unveiled in Türkiye for cultural season
  • Suleiman the Magnificent: The Great Sultan’s heart rediscovered in Hungary

Hungarian FM Szijjártó: Hungary, Turkiye outline ‘new strategic milestone’ in bilateral cooperation

Cooperation between Hungary and Turkiye is better and more mutually beneficial than ever, and the two countries have also outlined a new “milestone” target for the coming years, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said in Ankara on Thursday.

Hungary–Turkiye cooperation

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today as part of the Hungarian peace mission, “which is especially important as the only really successful attempt at mediation in the war in Ukraine in the past thousand days is connected to Turkiye,” Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.

“Hungary has stuck to the same stance for a thousand days. It has become certain that there is no solution on the battlefield, that a settlement is possible only at the negotiating table, and that we need a ceasefire and peace talks as soon as possible,” he said.

At the meeting, they welcomed the unprecedented heights of bilateral cooperation which, he said, benefited both countries.

Meanwhile, the two countries reached a “strategic milestone” this year, when Hungary became the first non-neighbouring country to which Turkiye exports natural gas, Szijjártó said, adding that Hungary has already bought 275 million cubic meters.

“Today, we agreed to maintain that cooperation, and Hungary will receive natural gas next year too,” he said.

Turkiye and Hungary have also outlined a new milestone, to be achieved in the coming years, he said. “An agreement was made under which the leading oil companies of Hungary and Turkiye, MOL and TPAO, will start a new strategic cooperation that will enable MOL to be involved in exploring and tap new oil fields in Turkiye and also open an opportunity to the Turkish oil company to enter the Hungarian market,” he said.

“This is the new strategic goal we must achieve in the coming years,” he said.

Meanwhile, bilateral trade has hit new records, he said. “Cooperation also extends to new sectors, with cooperation between banks and in railway construction also on the list.”

Regarding energy security, Szijjártó said Turkiye was an important contributor to securing Hungary’s natural gas supply.

“More than 7 billion cubic meters of gas has arrived in Hungary through the Turkish Stream pipeline via Turkiye. This is a good deal more than the total [deliveries] last year. This year has shown that the Turkish Stream pipeline is capable of delivering more than 20 million cubic meters a day, which is good news regarding the energy security of the coming period,” he said.

Turkiye and Hungary also agreed on coordinating the measures they will have to take due to the US’s decision to put Russia’s Gazprombank on the sanctions list, Szijjártó said.

“Cooperation between Hungary and Turkiye continues to be very beneficial … and in view of current processes and trends, we can say that next year, Hungary will profit from it even more; and so will Turkiye,” he said.

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After Putin, Orbán is to meet Erdoğan for talks

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to have talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Thursday before attending the closing event of the Hungarian-Turkish cultural season, the PM’s press chief said.

Erdoğan and Orbán will discuss current international affairs, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, chances of peace, and bilateral matters, Bertalan Havasi said in a statement.

EPC summit
Photo: FB/Orbán Viktor

Hungary and Turkiye elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in late 2023, he noted, adding that cooperation had quickly developed since.

Havasi added that more than 150 events have been organised in the two countries as part of the Hungarian-Turkish cultural season.

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Suleiman the Magnificent: The Great Sultan’s heart rediscovered in Hungary

Suleiman the Magnificent Hungarian History

The name Suleiman I, also known as Suleiman the Magnificent, is inseparably tied to one of Hungary’s most pivotal historical events: the Battle of Szigetvár in 1566. This clash marked both a significant Ottoman victory and the end of the Sultan’s extraordinary life.

Though the battle ultimately cemented Ottoman dominance in the region, Suleiman’s death was shrouded in secrecy to preserve the morale of his troops. According to Divány, his internal organs were buried on Hungarian soil near the village of Turbék, while his body was later transported to Istanbul. Over the centuries, the location of his tomb faded into obscurity until modern researchers rediscovered it—a poignant reminder of the intertwined histories of Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.

Suleiman the Magnificent Hungarian History
Source: Wikimedia Comms / Author: Unknown author

The reign of Suleiman the Magnificent

Ascending the throne at just 26, Suleiman wasted no time in asserting his power. His campaigns were nothing short of transformative, reshaping the political and cultural landscape of three continents. Among his earliest conquests were Nándorfehérvár (modern-day Belgrade) and the island of Rhodes, followed by sweeping victories across the Middle East.

On the seas, the Ottoman fleet, under his command, dominated the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, most notably triumphing at the Battle of Preveza against the combined forces of Venice and Spain. Beyond military glory, Suleiman’s era was one of artistic and intellectual flourishing, often referred to as the “Classical Age” of Ottoman culture. His patronage of architecture, literature, and the arts left a legacy that extended far beyond the battlefield.

Suleiman the Magnificent Hungarian History
Source: Pixabay

Suleiman met his end during the siege of Szigetvár at the age of 72, likely from illness. His death, occurring on the precipice of victory, was kept secret until the battle’s conclusion. While his body was interred in Istanbul, his heart and other internal organs were buried in Hungary, where a türbe (mausoleum) and mosque were built in his honour.

Over time, these structures fell into ruin, and their location was forgotten until a 17th-century engraving provided modern historians with clues to locate them. This rediscovery has become a symbol of the layered and complex relationship between the two nations.

One Sultan – Two perspectives

Suleiman’s legacy takes on vastly different hues depending on which side of history one is standing. For Hungarians, his name evokes memories of devastating wars, the loss of sovereignty, and a century and a half of Ottoman occupation. He is seen as the face of an era marked by strife and subjugation. Conversely, Turks hold him in the highest regard as the architect of the Ottoman Empire’s golden age. Under his rule, the empire reached its zenith, gaining international prestige and becoming a formidable power that extended from Central Europe to the Arabian Peninsula.

The Turkish occupation of Hungary and Suleiman’s role in it left indelible marks on Hungarian historical consciousness. Works such as The Eclipse of the Crescent Moon (Egri Csillagok) vividly portray this era, capturing the resilience of the Hungarian people and the challenges of life under Ottoman rule. Suleiman’s story is one of contrasts: a conqueror whose military ambition reshaped borders and a statesman whose reforms and patronage elevated his empire. To this day, his name is etched in the shared history of Hungary and Turkey, a testament to a time when the fates of two nations collided under the shadow of an extraordinary leader.

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Türkiye organised roundtable in Budapest about countering disinformation in Europe – PHOTOS

The Directorate of Communications organised a roundtable meeting titled “Countering Disinformation in Europe: Building a Resilient and Secure Future” in Budapest, Hungary, on 5 November 2024.

The Directorate of Communications continues to emphasise the significance of international collaboration and solidarity in countering disinformation, reaching foreign audiences through its activities in major global centres.

The meeting, which was attended by representatives from Hungary’s outstanding think tanks, members of the press, academics from Türkiye and Hungary, and members of the diplomatic corps, addressed a wide range of topics. These included the dynamics of disinformation dissemination, its consequences and strategies for prevention, tools to prevent disinformation, its impact on national and global security, and media literacy and verification processes from a variety of perspectives.

Türkiye roundtable countering disinformation Budapest
Photo: Embassy of Türkiye in Hungary

The roundtable, held ahead of the European Political Community’s fifth meeting on November 7, 2024, noted that disinformation spreads quickly beyond national borders and emphasised the importance of international solidarity in achieving global peace, security, and political and economic stability.

In his video message to the meeting, the Presidency’s Head of Communications, Prof. Fahrettin Altun, emphasised the dangers and risks associated with disinformation, along with its distorting impact on people’s access to the truth. Head of Communications Altun highlighted the importance of addressing disinformation for the effective operation of democratic processes, the preservation of international security and stability, and peace for societies.

Türkiye roundtable countering disinformation Budapest 4
Photo: Embassy of Türkiye in Hungary

In her opening remarks, Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Hungary, emphasised that disinformation represents a global challenge extending beyond Türkiye and Hungary. Ambassador Ekşioğlu also emphasised the importance of collaboration between Türkiye and Hungary in combating disinformation and enhancing their capabilities in this area.

Following the opening addresses, attendees engaged in a discussion about the crisis situations arising from disinformation and the potential for international collaboration to address this issue. The necessity of closer ties between Hungary and Türkiye was highlighted in this regard.

Türkiye roundtable countering disinformation Budapest 4
Photo: Embassy of Türkiye in Hungary

Read also:

  • Stunning Hungarian myth and innovation murals unveiled in Türkiye for cultural season – read more HERE
  • Türkiye’s fashion giant Koton opens first store in Hungary, with more to come – PHOTOS and more HERE

New Gidran combat vehicles and Leopard tanks arrive in Hungary – video, photo gallery

New Gidran combat vehicles and Leopard tanks arrive in Hungary

Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced last week that the Tata armored brigade’s equipment fleet had been expanded with new high-tech combat vehicles, further enhancing Hungary’s security.

As part of the Defence and Force Development Programme, the soldiers of the 1st Armoured Brigade of the MH Klapka György received 15 new Gidran combat vehicles and two Leopard 2A7HU tanks.

Gidrans arrived

According to the ministry press release, the new multi-purpose modular armored fighting vehicles can be used as mobile fire control points, observation points, and battery and platoon command points, increasing the sub-unit’s maneuverability in executing the Hungarian Defence Forces’ domestic and international operational tasks. Based on the Turkish Ejder Yalçin combat vehicle, 48 of the 48 military vehicles, which we have renamed Gidrán after the Hungarian horse, are now available to the Hungarian Defence Forces.

New Leopard tanks have arrived

The equipment for the 11th Battalion of the Tarczay Ervin Charge Battalion is also being developed according to the plan. With the two new Leopard 2A7HU tanks, which arrived on Wednesday, the Hungarian Defence Forces already have 26 units.

New Gidran combat vehicles and Leopard tanks arrive in Hungary
New Gidran combat vehicles and Leopard tanks arrive in Hungary. Photo: hmzrinyi.hu

New Gidran combat vehicles and Leopard tanks arrive in Hungary
New Gidran combat vehicles and Leopard tanks arrive in Hungary. Photo: hmzrinyi.hu

The Minister said that, by 2028, forty-four pieces of high-tech military equipment would be delivered to Hungary to strengthen the armored combat vehicle corps.

According to the Defence Minister, the Hungarian Government remains committed to modernising the armed forces. This means that the 2025 defense budget will guarantee the security of the Hungarian people and the continuation of the Defence and Military Development Programme.

As we wrote earlier, Hungary and Sweden have a historic agreement concerning Gripen fighter jets; details are HERE.

Read also – The Telegraph: Washington will store nuclear-capable jets in Hungary – will nuclear warheads come?

Stunning Hungarian myth and innovation murals unveiled in Türkiye for cultural season

Murals depicting the origin myth of the Hungarian people and Hungarian inventions have been painted onto a firewall and a pillar of a bridge in Türkiye as part of the Hungarian-Turkish cultural season, the culture and innovation ministry said on Tuesday.

In Istanbul, a mural featuring acclaimed animation director Marcell Jankovics’s rendering of the Miracle Stag, which according to legend, led Hungarians to the Carpathian Basin, was painted onto the firewall of a cultural centre, the ministry said in a statement.

Designed by Gábor Egyed, the mural symbolises the link between Asia and Europe, the statement said, noting that it can best be seen from the bridge connecting the two continents. The mural took two weeks to paint, the ministry added.

In Izmit, a mural designed by Enikő Váczy featuring Hungarian inventions has been painted onto a pillar of a bridge. The mural includes inventions like the light bulb, the ballpoint pen, the match, Vitamin C and the Ford Model T.

 

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The ministry said the topic of the mural had been a conscious choice, as it points to the Hungarian-Turkish year of innovation beginning next January.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Strengthening Hungary-Türkiye ties: New agreement targets joint aid, cultural cooperation

Cooperation in international development is enhancing Hungary-Türkiye ties, with an MoU signed between the Hungary Helps Agency and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, Tristan Azbej, the state secretary for aiding persecuted Christians, said on Thursday, noting agreements made during his visit to Türkiye.

“I’m certain we can translate this agreement into joint actions right away,” he wrote on his Facebook. “People suffering in crisis zones must be helped … and providing appropriate aid can prevent migration from the Sahel region and elsewhere.”

He noted the areas of food safety, educational development, advancing women’s rights and protecting the cultural heritage of Christians, Muslims and other religions as potential points of joint action.

Meanwhile, he said Türkiye was grateful for help Hungary provided after the earthquake in the south of the country, adding that both countries had shown solidarity last year with suffering communities around the world. “The cultural heart of earthquake-stricken Osmaniye province is beating again,” he added.

Hungary handed over a cultural centre and restored the Béla Bartók memorial exhibition within, he said, noting that Bartok had “preserved the treasures of Turkish folk music in this province in 1936”.

Tuzson: Hungary supports Türkiye EU integration

Hungary supports Türkiye’s European Union integration, Bence Tuzson, the justice minister, said after signing a cooperation agreement with Turkish counterpart Yilmaz Tunc in Budapest on Thursday.

The two ministers agreed that leaving Türkiye out of the EU would be the bloc’s loss rather Türkiye’s.

At a joint press conference, Tuzson expressed sympathy over a recent terrorist attack in Ankara claiming five lives, and said that Hungary condemns all kinds of terrorism.

The cooperation accord focusing on the exchange of information in the areas of law and IT, strengthens the two countries’ strategic partnership, Tuzson said, highlighting Türkiye’s advanced IT systems in legislation and its “huge progress in legislation in the past 20 years”.

Tuzson said the EU should in the future “pursue an enlargement policy based on merit rather than on ideologies”, and he insisted that the bloc should “recognise the efforts of countries that have made progress in the area of enlargement” such as Türkiye.

The minister called for an EU that was “as open as possible”, adding that Hungary sought to be a hub for European businesses and ventures outside the community. “This applies to the area of law,” he added.

Enlargement is in the primary interest of the EU rather than of countries outside the EU because “enlargement could boost Europe’s competitiveness,” he said, adding that an invitation has been extended to Turkey to attend the EU’s competitiveness conference in November.

Referring to the recent terrorist attack in Ankara, the Turkish minister blamed the Kurdish PKK party, and he pledged to continue Türkiye’s fight against terrorism and to protect the Turkish people.

Tunc said bilateral relations were problem-free, adding that the accord signed on Thursday was an addition to an earlier agreement on judicial cooperation.

He said his country had met all EU requirements concerning its accession but the EU was discriminating against Türkiye. He insisted that in many areas the EU’s treatment of Türkiye was illegitimate, but he also expressed Türkiye’s determination to join the bloc.

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PHOTOS: Exhibition about the Hungarian Parliament opened in Türkiye

Parliamentary Speaker László Kövér arrived in Türkiye for an official visit on Tuesday.

He opened an exhibition dubbed Parliament on the Danube Bank at Istanbul’s Tarik Zafer Tunaya Cultural Centre.

The exhibition has been organised under the arrangements of the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Year by the Parliament’s public collections directorate, the Hungarian embassy and the Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Centre Istanbul.

Kövér told the opening event that Hungarian-Turkish relations had a long history but “despite the ties of kinship, unfortunately the period when our countries when our countries were fighting against each other had lasted too long.”

Exhibition about the Hungarian Parliament opened in Türkiye
Photo: MTI

He added, however, that the Hungarian people would never forget that Ilona Zrinyi, Imre Thokoly, Ferenc Rakoczi II, Lajos Kossuth and “many of our heroes found refuge on Turkish land.

The purpose of the exhibition is to present to visitors the Parliament building and its cultural features, and to attract tourists to visit the building in Budapest.

Exhibition about the Hungarian Parliament opened in Türkiye
Photo: MTI

The Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Year organised to mark the 100th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Hungary and Türkiye offers an opportunity to strengthen cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Kövér will continue his official visit in Ankara where he will hold talks with his host Numan Kurtulmus, speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Exhibition about the Hungarian Parliament opened in Türkiye
László Kövér opening the exhibition. Photo: MTI

Read also:

  • Incredible fine imposed for calling PM Orbán and his cabinet traitors – read more HERE
  • Hungary could provide substantial support for Serbia’s EU accession, says house speaker

Türkiye’s fashion giant Koton opens first store in Hungary, with more to come – PHOTOS

türkiye fashion brand koton in köki

Koton, the renowned Turkish fashion brand, has officially opened its first store in Hungary, marking the beginning of its planned expansion in the country. On 30 September, the doors of Koton’s Budapest location at the KÖKI Shopping Center opened to the public. The store offers a wide range of clothing for women, men, and children, aiming to cater to a broad audience.

First Koton store opens in Budapest

türkiye fashion brand koton in köki
Photo: Facebook/KÖKI Bevásárlóközpont

Koton, a brand well-known across nearly 30 countries with over 400 stores globally, plans to further solidify its presence in Hungary, Startlap reports. By the end of the year, the company intends to launch several other locations in cities including Sopron, Debrecen, Szeged, and Székesfehérvár. In total, more than 6,000 square meters of retail space will be dedicated to Koton stores across the country, with the KÖKI store being the largest at around 1,000 square meters.

The fashion chain’s pricing is competitive, positioning itself similarly to other fast fashion brands popular in Hungary. For instance, women’s dresses are available online for approximately HUF 13,000 to 23,000 (EUR 32 to 57), with discounted options as low as HUF 2,000 to 3,000 (EUR 5 to 7.5). Men’s clothing, such as jeans and shirts, can be found in the HUF 6,000 to 16,000 (EUR 15 to 40) range. Even winter coats, one of the more expensive items, are priced reasonably, with the most affordable ones around HUF 9,500 (EUR 24), and none exceeding HUF 30,000 (EUR 74).

Koton’s collection doesn’t bring too many surprises in terms of design, offering familiar styles and colours that match the current trends in fast fashion. Most of the products are made in Türkiye, drawing on the brand’s 35 years of experience in the fashion industry.

As part of its global growth strategy, Koton signed an agreement to open eight new stores in Hungary, with plans to launch these locations in 2024, Daily News Hungary reported back in July. These stores will be situated in shopping centres managed by Adventum Group, with the official agreement signed in Istanbul by Koton’s CEO, A. Bülent Sabuncu, and Adventum Group’s founder, Kristóf Bárány, 24.hu writes.

Sabuncu highlighted the brand’s continued international focus, emphasising that 34.5% of its revenue last year came from international markets. As the company continues to pursue its goal of opening 130 to 150 new stores worldwide, Koton’s expansion in Hungary is a significant part of this strategy.

Bárány expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Koton is one of Türkiye’s largest fashion brands, and we are excited to support their expansion in Hungary”.

The first wave of store openings, including three in Budapest, is scheduled for the final quarter of 2024. The KÖKI Shopping Center store serves as the flagship location, symbolising Koton’s ambitious plans for the Hungarian market.

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Hungarian Competition Office advocates connectivity at Balkan Competition Platform conference

Csaba Balózs Rigó, the president of the Hungarian Competition Office (GVH), spoke out for connectivity at the first Balkan Competition conference in Istanbul on Monday, the watchdog said.

“Hungary and the Hungarian Competition Authority are committed to connectivity and mutual knowledge sharing,” Rigo told the conference. “We consider it a priority to build bridges between regions and countries, in the face of fragmentation. Our aim is to promote professional cooperation and mutual knowledge sharing based on partnership,” he added.

The conference, organised by the Turkish Competition Authority, was attended by the heads of the competition authorities of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania, as well as Hungary.

Rigo noted that GVH had been a close professional partner of the competition authorities of the Western Balkans for around two decades and was committed to advancing the European Union accession of those countries.

In the framework of Hungary’s presidency of the Council of the EU, GVH is organising the 50th European Competition Day in Budapest on October 22. The relationship between competitiveness, sustainability and competition policy, the experience to date in the implementation of the Digital Markets Act, and the potential and risks of using artificial intelligence will be on the agenda of the meeting. In addition to the 27 EU member states, the GVH has invited the competition authorities of eight candidate countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

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Competition Office launches expedited probes: this affects a lot of companies – UPDATED

Hungary-Türkiye cultural season programmes continue

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.

Hungary-Türkiye cultural season programmes continue
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.

Hungary-Türkiye cultural season programmes continue
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.

The cultural season will close in December this year.

Read also:

  • Great news: Museum planned for Suleiman the Great’s tomb amid ongoing excavations in Szigetvár
  • Turkish fashion brand Koton enters Hungary with 8 new stores

Putin’s blacklist snubs Hungary, includes Poland among nations of ‘destructive ideology’

Orbán Putin visit Russian cyberattack eu border controls

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree labelling Poland as a state driven by a “destructive neoliberal ideology.” Citizens from such nations are deemed eligible for “humanitarian assistance.” Interestingly, Hungary and Slovakia, both EU members, have been left off this list.

According to Mediazona, an independent Russian news site, Russia has compiled a list of 47 countries whose ideologies supposedly clash with “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values,” Paraméter reports. This list includes EU nations like Poland, as well as Ukraine, the U.S., Canada, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and New Zealand.

Notably, Slovakia and Hungary are the only EU countries absent from the blacklist. Among NATO members, Turkey was also excluded.

Orbán Putin visit Russian cyberattack eu border controls
Orbán and Putin. Photo: www.facebook.com/OrbánViktor

Sources familiar with the decree, signed by Putin on Thursday, reveal that it was drafted by the Russian Foreign Ministry and officially approved under presidential orders.

The decree outlines that citizens from these blacklisted countries who wish to relocate to Russia and embrace its traditional values will receive “humanitarian support.” This includes granting temporary residency even without the usual requirements, such as Russian language proficiency or knowledge of the country’s history and legal system.

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Great news: Museum planned for Suleiman the Great’s tomb amid ongoing excavations in Szigetvár

sultan suleiman's tomb excavation

The Turkish government is planning to build a museum near Szigetvár, Hungary, at the site of Sultan Suleiman the Great’s tomb. Sultan Suleiman died during the siege of the city, and part of his remains were buried there. Hungarian archaeologists are currently excavating the remains of the tomb chapel, which was destroyed in the late 17th century, along with the city that developed around it.

The discovery of Suleiman I’s mausoleum (türbe) in 2015 was a global sensation. Since then, excavations around Szigetvár have continued, revealing valuable artefacts. According to Index, archaeologists have reconstructed aspects of the former Turkish settlement of Turbek from jewellery and plant remains. However, Norbert Pap, the head of the research team, noted that “there is still much work to be done to create an archaeological park here.”

By autumn 2015, the türbe had been uncovered and excavated. By 2019, archaeologists Erika Hancz and Máté Varga, along with students from the University of Szeged and occasional contributions from Turkish archaeologists, had also excavated parts of the surrounding buildings and fortifications. Records indicate that the area was used for cultivating various crops, including fruit, vegetables, and grains. Detailed documentation of daily life and the death of Sultan Suleiman has also been discovered.

sultan suleiman's tomb excavation szigetvár
Source: FB / PTE BTK TTI Régészet Tanszék – University of Pécs Department of Archaeology

Norbert Pap highlighted that, thanks to Professor Pál Sümegi’s archaeobotanical team, a comprehensive picture of the crops grown in Turbek has emerged. The research revealed that, in addition to cereals, the gardens produced beans, peas, celery, and aniseed. Identified flowers include carnations, roses, and lilies, while the orchards yielded cherries, plums, walnuts, and hazelnuts.

Following the Turkish siege of Szigetvár in 1566, a memorial garden was established at the site of Sultan Suleiman’s death by his order. Although there are written records of this garden, the specific varieties of plants grown there are not mentioned.

The Hungarian and Turkish governments are collaborating on the excavation of Suleiman’s tomb

sultan suleiman's tomb excavation
Source: FB / PTE BTK TTI Régészet Tanszék – University of Pécs Department of Archaeology

A 2012 agreement stipulates that Hungarian archaeologists and scientists conduct the research. However, since 2015, Turkey has been advocating for the construction of a museum on the site, necessitating its transfer into state ownership.

Concrete plans for cooperation between the two governments are still in progress, and researchers face significant work ahead. Norbert Pap, head of the Department of Political Geography, Development, and Regional Studies at the University of Pécs, emphasised that without complete knowledge of the site, planning an archaeological park remains challenging.

According to the 2012 agreement, the Turkish government initially funded the Hungarian archaeologists for two years. The contract aimed to locate and excavate the mausoleum by 2016, marking the 450th anniversary of the Sultan’s death. Subsequent funding from Hungarian state sources has supported further investigations. In 2015, Pál Fodor joined Norbert Pap as co-leader of the project. Pap and his team recently presented their findings from the excavations at Szigetvár, including new insights into the Sultan’s mausoleum and the settlement of Turbek.

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Sziget Festival: more than 1,000 programmes, British, Romanian, and Israeli tourists

This year’s Sziget Festival in Budapest will offer more than 1,000 programmes featuring performers including Kylie Minogue, Liam Gallagher and Martin Garrix, the organisers said on Tuesday, on the eve of the opening. The festival is taking place for the 30th time this year between August 7 and 12 at 50 venues.

Based on sales so far, the organisers expect a full house for Martin Garrix’s concert on Saturday and Fred again… on Monday. Visitors are expected from some 100 countries, mostly from The Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Germany, France and Italy, the event’s chief organiser, Tamás Kádár, said.

Sziget Festival Budapest (Copy)
The first festival-goers arrived today. Photo: FB/Sziget

Additional international stars will include Halsey, Sam Smith, Stormzy, Louis Tomlinson, Janelle Monae, Fisher, Skrillex, Bebe Rexha, Tom Odell, Joker Out, Yves Tumor, Becky Hill and Raye. The main stage will also feature concerts by Hungarian performers Beton.Hofi, Margaret Island and Azahriah.

In addition to music, festivalgoers will also get a chance to see theatre and circus performances.

A total of six hundred performers will be featured over six days, many of them arriving from the UK, France, Germany, Holland and the US, but some will come from Senegal, India, Tanzania, New Zealand and Benin.

Lots of tourists coming to Sziget Festival

The daily capacity of the festival grounds is 95,000 people, of which 10-15,000 are performers and staff, with the remaining 75,000-80,000 being ticketholders.

Kádár said the average price of food for sale on the festival grounds will be lower than last year and the price of drinks will be the same as last year in nominal terms.

The Sziget festival area will include several campsites and a medical centre offering services 24 hours a day with a total staff of 200 people.

According to turizmus.com and based on the data of kiwi.com, most tourists come from Great Britain, Romania and Israel. But the number of Danish, Turkish, American and German festival-goers also rose this year. For example, the number of Turkish festival-goers doubled.

Most tourists will arrive on 7 August in Budapest, so you should prepare for increased traffic at Budapest Airport and the roads leading to the Hajógyári Island.

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Turkish-American contemporary multimedia artist Refik Anadol’s Rumi Dreams on display at Debrecen MODEM

A video installation entitled Rumi Dreams by renowned Turkish-American contemporary multimedia artist Refik Anadol has been put on display at the MODEM in Debrecen, in eastern Hungary.

The large-scale video work on a 32sqm LED wall was inspired by the classic works of poet, philosopher, and theologian Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, who lived in Anatolia in the 13th century.

Speaking at the opening on the weekend, Turkish Ambassador Gulsen Karanis Eksioglu said that “Rumi’s messages of love, understanding, tolerance and forgiveness are well-known and are today of greater significance than ever before”.

 

She noted that the event had been organised as part of the Hungary-Türkiye cultural season, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, adding that this was the first time that Türkiye was presented in Debrecen.

After being showcased at the MoMA in New York, Las Vegas’ Sphere, and the Grammy Gala, Anadol’s artwork will be on display in the Debrecen gallery until September 29.

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