Category Archives: political background – HU

Hungary growing apart from Europe, says Habermas

Posted on May 30, 2014 by ellenpolus

Hungary, a country which started the dismantling of the Iron Curtain in 1989, is now further away from Europe than it was before, German philosopher and sociologist Juergen Habermas said in a lecture at Budapest’s ELTE university on Thursday. Habermas … Continue reading →

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Artist Szabolcs KissPál in conversation with art critic Edit András

Posted on May 29, 2014 by ellenpolus

Szabolcs KissPál: After 1989, in most of the post-state  socialist countries of the region—Romania, Slovakia, and Poland—a considerable amount of artistic practice reflected on the past and the period of transition both from social and historical points of view. What … Continue reading →

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Exploring contemporary art institutions in Hungary

Posted on May 29, 2014 by ellenpolus

An essay on Hungarian cultural and political life by Mike Ainsworth (University of Leeds) Read the Essay

Posted in EN, political background - HU, social background HU | 1 Comment

Hungary’s Identity Crisis fought in Concrete and Bronze

Posted on May 14, 2014 by ellenpolus

A café awning in central Budapest reads “things of the past live always with us.” While the establishment is quiet, filled with tourists devouring goulash, that maxim is playing out in real-time just down the street, in Freedom Square (Szabadság … Continue reading →

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Hungary and the End of Politics

Posted on May 12, 2014 by ellenpolus

How Victor Orbán launched a constitutional coup and created a one-party state. On April 6, Hungarians went to the polls and re-elected their government. In most countries, such an outcome would be a reaffirmation of the political status quo. But … Continue reading →

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Legal But Not Fair (Hungary)

Posted on April 14, 2014 by ellenpolus

Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party coasted to a clear victory in last weekend’s Hungarian election, as expected. The governing party got 45% of the vote, but the new “rules of the game” turned this plurality vote into two thirds … Continue reading →

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Hungary is becoming the biggest reason why we may have to leave the EU

Posted on April 8, 2014 by ellenpolus

Revanchist nationalists of different stripes have just won 65pc of the vote in post-democratic Hungary. The mystical Jew-baiting Jobbik party increased its share to 20pc, so no doubt we will see more of its Magyar Garda rallies and Arrow Cross … Continue reading →

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