Category Archives: social background HU

Hungary’s Orban stages assault against democracy

Posted on March 17, 2013 by ellenpolus

LONDON, UK — Hungarian democracy has seen darker days: Memories of the brutal Soviet repression are still very much present, particularly from 1956, when tanks roared through Budapest’s streets to put down an anti-communist uprising. Although the country’s latest political … Continue reading →

Posted in EN, social background HU | Comments Off on Hungary’s Orban stages assault against democracy

Guest Edit: Budapest’s Cultural Mismanagement

Posted on March 17, 2013 by ellenpolus

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY***–When I arrived at the Ludwig Museum—Museum of Contemporary Art, Budapest on March 1, a colleague told me in a near whisper how the day before the Director of Finance had received a letter instructing that Barnabas Bencsik, the … Continue reading →

Posted in EN, news, social background HU | Comments Off on Guest Edit: Budapest’s Cultural Mismanagement

Sociologist Kovacs, two accused of anti-Semitism win high honors from Hungary

Posted on March 17, 2013 by ellenpolus

(JTA) – Hungary recognized a Jewish sociologist, Andreas Kovacs, and two citizens accused of making anti-Semitic statements with prestigious national awards. Kovacs, 65, was one of 17 people presented the Szechenyi Prize on the occasion of Hungary’s March 15 national day. The … Continue reading →

Posted in EN, news, social background HU | Comments Off on Sociologist Kovacs, two accused of anti-Semitism win high honors from Hungary

Hungary civil groups rally against ‘Viktator’ president

Posted on March 17, 2013 by ellenpolus

Around 4,000 Hungarians rallied in Budapest Sunday against Prime Minister Viktor Orban, branding their leader a dictator after his right-wing government passed a highly controversial change to the constitution. Protesters carried EU and opposition party flags and held banners dubbing … Continue reading →

Posted in EN, news, social background HU | Comments Off on Hungary civil groups rally against ‘Viktator’ president

Official prizes for far-right neo-Nazis and members of the lunatic fringe in Hungary

Posted on March 16, 2013 by ellenpolus

I have been complaining for some time about the state’s meddling in artistic and intellectual life by awarding hundreds of decorations and prizes to “worthy” individuals. This practice began some time in the nineteenth century, albeit on a very limited … Continue reading →

Posted in EN, news, social background HU | Comments Off on Official prizes for far-right neo-Nazis and members of the lunatic fringe in Hungary

Hungary: Halfway To Authoritarianism

Posted on March 15, 2013 by ellenpolus

Today is Revolution Day in Hungary, an annual celebration marking the Hungarian people’s 1848 uprising against the Habsburg Monarchy. Often observed with political demonstrations, this year’s holiday comes at a significant moment, only days after the country’s Parliament passed a … Continue reading →

Posted in EN, news, social background HU | Comments Off on Hungary: Halfway To Authoritarianism

Occupy Hungary? [VIDEO]

Posted on March 15, 2013 by ellenpolus

This Monday, the Hungarian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment that is raising serious concerns among defenders of civil liberties in Europe. After several years of defeats at the hands of Hungary’s highest Constitutional Court, the conservative right–dominated Parliament voted 265-11 … Continue reading →

Posted in EN, social background HU | Comments Off on Occupy Hungary? [VIDEO]