What happened this year? — These were the most popular articles on DNH in 2023

2023 has been an incredibly eventful year. Wizz Air dominated headlines, the most beautiful Hungarian was elected, the forint was in the doldrums and celebrities swarmed Hungary. We also reported on a Hungarian national spying for Russia and a new store opening. As we bid adieu to this eventful year, let’s revisit its highlights through the lens of the most-read articles on Daily News Hungary. We extend our gratitude for your trust and anticipate the unfolding of new narratives in the days to come.

No more Schengen?

The biggest hit of this year happened to be a news snippet in October, reporting that border controls would be reintroduced at the Slovenian-Hungarian border. Wars, political tension and concerns regarding illegal migration have changed the strategy of many central European countries, igniting fears that the era of free travel within the European Union might be nearing its end.

The new Miss World Hungary

June witnessed the crowning of Boglárka Hacsi as the new Miss World Hungary, representing the nation on the global stage. In this article, we presented not only the winner but also the winner of this year’s debut public vote and all the podium finishers. You can read more about the history of the competition and the contestants in this article, with a plethora of stunning photos.

Dating a Hungarian?

Following the visual feast of Miss World Hungary, curiosity naturally turns to the intricacies of dating a Hungarian. Navigating the waters of cross-cultural romance, especially with Hungarians, proves to be a challenging experience given the uniqueness of Hungarian culture and language. However, we’ve got your back. Here’s everything you need to know before dating a Hungarian including familial dynamics, Hungarian cuisine and date night ideas.

Wizz Air

Tourism and travel have always been popular among our readers. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that travel news is also a highly sought-after topic on Daily News Hungary. An early summer surprise awaited travellers as Wizz Air came up with a mystery game, whisking winners away to undisclosed destinations. Neither the airport nor the pilot gave away any clues. To find out where the mystery plane landed, check out our article.

The unveiling of new flight routes to South Asia’s bustling metropolis added another layer to the airline’s narrative. However, not all was smooth sailing, as Hungarian authorities launched an investigation in February, accusing the airline of misleading passengers. Delve into the details here.

What will happen to the forint?

Even though this article was published on the last day of 2022, its impact has been still relevant this year. According to experts, Hungary might bid farewell to its national currency, replacing it with the euro.
Slovakia introduced the euro in 2009 and Croatia on 1 January this year, while in Hungary it is still not on the cards. The worsening forint-euro exchange rate poses challenges for Hungarian travellers, with some experts even having predicted a dire collapse back in April.

Celebrities, Russia and a new store

There is life beyond the economy, tourism and politics, of course. Residents and expats alike were buzzing about the arrival of Primark, marking its debut in Hungary.. There was a great public outcry when the Hungarian press published incorrect opening dates, which the chain later rectified. Celebrity spectacles unfolded as Johnny Depp visited Hungary for both a cancelled concert and a film shoot, and news of how the world-famous celebrity is treating his crew came to light.

Meanwhile, the Russian-Ukrainian war, a topic of grave concern given Hungary’s proximity and strategic alliances, took an unexpected twist with a Hungarian individual implicated in espionage and embezzlement of Ukrainian aid for Russia.